With Adrian Peterson's success last season, many fans wonder will Darren McFadden have the same type of impact that Peterson did in his first NFL season.
Of course Peterson's rookie season was tremendous, and those types of expectations certainly are a bit unrealistic. However, with the type of athletic ability that McFadden seemingly possesses, teams are still going to dream that he can step right in and give them the same production.
We know McFadden ran a blistering combine time, and has impressed in his workouts, but what of the more important aspect. What does the game tape show McFadden as? A franchise back or the next first round bust? Note: this writer is not privy to any privileges that you, the reader, aren't. That being said, this scouting evaluation was based upon numerous, and lengthy, highlight videos posted on the Internet.
Strengths: Possesses an incredible second gear in the open field. He has elite speed and tears away from defenders. Rarely, if ever, gets caught once he breaks away. Shows the ability to consistently turn the corner. Gets to top speed in a very short amount of time. Looks to possess a better second gear (at least in college) than Peterson. Changes directions fluidly. Extremely decisive—once he sees a crease is quick to make a decision and exploit it. Shows above average vision and patience. Has no problem cutting it up-field and running between tackles. Catches the ball very well out of the backfield and is a home run threat in that aspect as well.Surprisingly, he shows a very strong, and accurate arm, in the passing game; as well as great decision making for a RB. A very tough runner, and actually seems to want to deliver a blow rather than take one. Will run through arm tackles. He has a fierce stiff arm, and doesn’t appear to ever just settle with being pushed out, or run out of bounds.
Negatives: Has good, but not great leg drive. Won’t push many piles. For somebody as athletic as him he won’t make many people miss in space. Because he is extremely top heavy, he tends to get knocked off balance when hit high. Other scouts say that he tends to drop passes when in traffic, and is fumble prone.
Overall: Because of his tremendous game-breaking ability, in all three phases of the game, he has to be considered an elite prospect. Looks a little like Marcus Allen as far as his build, and overall athleticism. Beyond his big play ability, what is really to like about him is that he’s a fighter. He fights for extra yardage, and won’t run out of bounds. Not very powerful though, and he’s not going to break many tackles, or make many guys miss. However, his ability to turn any play into a touchdown simply cannot be overlooked.
comments (6) write a comment »
write a new comment
6 months ago
He isn't THAT good... it's the same reason that DeSean Jackson isn't THAT good. They both have blazing speed, but lack power (and in Jackson's case, size) to make an impact in the middle of the field. McFadden projects IMO as an above average RB who is meant for a pass-first offense where he can be a weapon out of the backfield.
6 months ago
He's at least as good as Willie Parker, and that's pretty impressive company. He's fast like Parker, faster possibly. He's not huge, but does have some strength, just like Parker. He's a straight line guy who will get you 4, 4, 5, 15, 4, and a "see you later" run when the defense makes a mistake. He can certainly dish out hits against DBs (they're not much bigger in the NFL). True, he's not going to run over Ray Lewis, but those big guys that bang it in there time after time are the ones out with injuries (Jamal Lewis, Peterson, Steven Jackson).
He's perfect for a one-cut RB system like the one in Oakland, Texas, and Denver.
5 months ago
McFadden will be alot like Foster of Carolina, when he came out of UCLA. In college he was a speedster with some power. But he has proven out to be not much more than a rare flash of speed and not alot of power in the NFL! Seems like when Foster hits the hole he just stops digging for it like he did in college. My guess is he just doesn't care for the punishment an NFL back has to take!
It's just my opinion that McFadden is going to be somewhat the same. I don't really think he has the heart to really make a mark at the next level! Just look at Shaun Alexander out of Bama, put him in Tampa behind that O-line and he'd be a FLOP! In other words if McFadden goes to a team with a suspect O-Line I don't think they'll get much out of him, IF he happens to get with a decent O-line I would predict he'll be good, for a couple of years, but not the Great player some see him as! Felix Jones would be the better of the two, out of Arkansas, as far as I'm concerned! JMHO....
5 months ago
Teams are crazy to pass on this guy. He carried his team through the SEC the last few years. STUD!
Off the field issues follow just about every pro. They just have to make the right moral choices.
5 months ago
I don't think you compare a guy (foster) who ran through Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, and Washington defenses to a guy who ran through Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and LSU.
I don't remember Foster being in the 4.3 range and running away from guys with the ease that McFadden does also.
He fits Oakland's #6 rushing attack last year, due to Tom Cable and their blocking scheme.
5 months ago
Great analysis on McFadden--especially the comment regarding his tendency to be knocked off balance. I would also add that his long frame plays a role in this concern. Excellent comparison to Marcus Allen as well. As a RB I believe too much is made of a guy's 40 time. How often do NFL RB's have the chance to run 40 yards all-out without having to make a cut? Not very often. The more important speed gauge is their initial "burst" when they make their first cut. The scary thing about McFadden is not only does he possess this "burst" to carry him past the initial line of defenders, but he also has the great all-out speed brought up in other posts. This combination, along with his size and strength, makes him especially dangerous.
write a new comment