2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: RB Zach Zenner

The Atlanta Falcons could find a great power back for their running game if they bring in Zach Zenner out of South Dakota State. He's a great fit for Kyle Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme and has versatility in how he can be used, as he's not just an effective runner.

He's an excellent blocker as well. And despite his fullback-shaped frame, he's a true all-around feature back who can win in many ways and provide a ton to whichever team takes him in the draft. The Falcons could base their running game around Zenner if he develops to his potential.

Zach Zenner

Running Back

South Dakota State University

Combine/Pro Day Measurements

Height: 5'11-1/2" Weight: 223 pounds

Arm Length: 32" Hand Measurement: 9-5/8"

40-yard dash: 4.60 sec. 10-yard split: 1.64 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.18 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.88 sec. Bench Reps: 25 reps

Vertical Jump: 41.0" Broad Jump: 10'1"

Stats (from GoJacks.com)

2014: 14 Games Played, 337 Carries, 2,019 Yards, 22 Touchdowns, 28 Catches, 331 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles

2013: 14 Games Played, 351 Carries, 2,015 Yards, 23 Touchdowns, 21 Catches, 251 Yards, 2 Touchdowns

2012: 12 Games Played, 285 Carries, 1,988 Yards, 13 Touchdowns, 27 Catches, 183 Yards, 0 Touchdowns

2011: 11 Games Played, 107 Carries, 470 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 18 Catches, 130 Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 31 Kick Returns, 754 Yards, 7 Tackles

2010: Redshirted

Scouting Report

Strengths

Zenner is a true one-cut-and-go running back who doesn't seem to take contact head-on and breaks tackles, while still getting some extra yards because of it. He has great size, speed, agility and quickness for the running back position.

As a receiver, he rarely drops balls and creates separation with his routes. He understands how to chip and slide out for a pass in the flat—a more advanced thing within a passing game. He has a ton of value in every aspect of the game right now and his floor is similar to that of Jason Snelling.

Weaknesses

Zenner didn't have the greatest 40-yard dash and doesn't have the home run-hitting speed a ton of great running backs have had. He's also not very elusive when it comes to finding his holes in the scheme he was in. He isn't a very good pass-blocker, technically, and he needs to get better with his positioning.

When he's getting hit, he needs to maintain his speed and power through. Zenner is a true single-speed rusher who will have trouble running in pure man-blocking schemes. As a receiver, he doesn't run the cleanest routes but will still end up getting some separation.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Zenner has been exceptional off the field. He's the first Mickey Charles award winner for being an outstanding scholar athlete, according to Craig Haley of the Sporting Network. He's also been a Buck Buchanon award finalist for his ridiculously large amount of production.

He was a captain for two straight seasons at South Dakota State. He also has never been arrested, suspended or had to worry about academic eligibility, despite a pre-medicine and biology major. The Falcons would love someone with Zenner's high character level and work ethic on their roster.

Overview

Regardless of scheme, Zenner will make an offensive coordinator happy with his rushing ability as well as his receiving ability. He has the talent to be effective in multiple aspects of an offense and at the very least, should be able to give his NFL team someone to use for packaged plays and change of pace.

Zenner continually gets called a fullback, but when he ran for more than 6,000 yards during his final three seasons of college, it doesn't make sense to pigeonhole him like that. Zenner gives teams a versatile weapon on offense, and there's never enough of those for any team.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

Zenner would likely be a mid-to-late-round pick who would go as early as the fourth and could fall as far as the seventh, depending on how the rest of the league views him. He compares favorably to Fred Jackson who has played for the Bills for quite a few years now.

Because he's an all-around talent with the ability to run with either power or elusiveness, the Falcons could use him as their primary running back with Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith spelling him or as a power change of pace running back if Freeman winds up winning the starting job.

All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.

Follow @ScottCarasik