Emani Bailey NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for TCU RB

HEIGHT: 5'7"

WEIGHT: 202

HAND: 9¾"

ARM: 29⅞"

WINGSPAN: 70¾"

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40-YARD DASH: 4.61

3-CONE: 7.28

SHUTTLE: 4.50

VERTICAL: 33.5"

BROAD: 9'8"

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POSITIVES

— Violent, borderline unhinged runner. Willing to plow forward and throw his body around in whatever way is necessary to get extra yards.

— No-nonsense runner. Doesn't look to bounce plays or stop his feet. Plants his foot and hits the hole the instant he's prompted to do so.

— Good acceleration and burst early in plays. Effective through the first 10 yards.

— Above-average foot quickness and flexibility to weave through the line of scrimmage.

— Willing and active blocker.

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NEGATIVES

— Lacks real top-end speed. Won't separate from the pack often.

— Loves to throw his body around, but he's only 202 pounds. Longevity will be a question mark.

— Often lacks the creativity and suddenness to get himself out of jams behind the line.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 223 ATT, 1,209 YDS (5.4 AVG), 8 TD; 25 REC, 184 YDS (7.4 YDS), 1 TD

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NOTES

— Born Nov. 28, 2001

— 3-star recruit in Louisiana's 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Transferred from Louisiana to TCU in 2022

— One-year starter

— Attended 2024 Senior Bowl

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OVERALL

Emani Bailey is a pint-sized running back who plays with reckless abandon and impressive burst.

At 5'7" and 202 pounds, Bailey does not strike anyone as a bruiser coming off the bus. That's how he tries to play, though. Bailey is a decisive and violent runner. He is quick to get downhill and does so with a ton of tenacity.

Bailey's violent style sometimes bleeds into recklessness, and he will start throwing his body around aimlessly. But his style generally produces more good than bad.

Bailey also shows quality vision and decision-making. While he lacks creativity in space or when presented with bodies behind the line, Bailey reads his blocks consistently and triggers into the right rushing lane without hesitation. He's the type of back who will reliably get what is there.

Bailey also has the quick feet and flexibility to weave through the line of scrimmage. He isn't special in that area, but there's enough bend and twitchiness there to switch lanes as need be.

However, Bailey has two primary issues. The first is that his reckless style will probably hurt his longevity. The tenacity is admirable, but playing with such reckless abandon at that size will almost certainly wear him down fast.

Bailey also has zero top-end speed. His burst through about 10 yards is solid, but he tops out there. Bailey doesn't have the juice to separate at the third level consistently. That will only become more of a problem in the NFL.

Bailey is a good late-round option for a backup running back. He brings a stable, physical rushing style fit for a back who just needs to eat 5-8 carries per game and be efficient. Bailey would fit best in a zone scheme that takes advantage of his vision and instant decision-making.

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GRADE: 5.5 (Backup/Draftable - 6th/7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 233

POSITION RANK: RB18

PRO COMPARISON: Discount Devin Singletary

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

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