rynesandbergfan23
Bench Warmer
By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com
(March 16, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five fullbacks in the NFL draft:
1. Brian Leonard, Rutgers
Positives: Size (6-foot-1-plus, 226 pounds), strength, and athleticism ... Good inside runner and has the field vision and instincts to be surprisingly effective running outside ... Toughness; withstands hard hits and keeps running while securing the ball ... Excellent pass-catching and route-running ability -- so good that he even lined up at wide receiver in college ... Can play tailback as well as fullback.
Negatives: Needs to improve his blocking, which raises a red flag in a talented player who otherwise has traits that many teams value in a fullback.
2. Le'Ron McClain, Alabama
Positives: Size (6-0-plus, 256 pounds), strength, and athleticism ... Instinctive runner ... Good receiver out of the backfield ... Toughness.
Negatives: Blocking technique needs work ... Speed.
3. Cory Anderson, Tennessee
Positives: Size (6-2-plus, 247 pounds), strength, and speed ... Hands and ability to make a big gain after the catch ... Tremendous drive and effort on every play.
Negatives: Blocking skills need work, although he shows the capacity to develop into a highly effective blocker ... Upright running style limits his ability to overpower tacklers.
4. Jason Snelling, Virginia
Positives: Excellent blocker for the run and pass ... Inside running ability ... Shows great drive and tenacity as a runner and blocker ... Strength ... Athleticism.
Negatives: Limited college experience at fullback; spent much of his college career as a featured back ... Speed ... Minimal opportunities to catch the ball in college.
5. Orenthal O'Neal, Arkansas State
Positives: Aggressive when lead blocking ... Strength ... Toughness ... Inside running ability.
Negatives: Speed ... Needs to become better at reading blitzes and improve his pass-protection skills.
National Editor, NFL.com
(March 16, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five fullbacks in the NFL draft:
1. Brian Leonard, Rutgers
Positives: Size (6-foot-1-plus, 226 pounds), strength, and athleticism ... Good inside runner and has the field vision and instincts to be surprisingly effective running outside ... Toughness; withstands hard hits and keeps running while securing the ball ... Excellent pass-catching and route-running ability -- so good that he even lined up at wide receiver in college ... Can play tailback as well as fullback.
Negatives: Needs to improve his blocking, which raises a red flag in a talented player who otherwise has traits that many teams value in a fullback.
2. Le'Ron McClain, Alabama
Positives: Size (6-0-plus, 256 pounds), strength, and athleticism ... Instinctive runner ... Good receiver out of the backfield ... Toughness.
Negatives: Blocking technique needs work ... Speed.
3. Cory Anderson, Tennessee
Positives: Size (6-2-plus, 247 pounds), strength, and speed ... Hands and ability to make a big gain after the catch ... Tremendous drive and effort on every play.
Negatives: Blocking skills need work, although he shows the capacity to develop into a highly effective blocker ... Upright running style limits his ability to overpower tacklers.
4. Jason Snelling, Virginia
Positives: Excellent blocker for the run and pass ... Inside running ability ... Shows great drive and tenacity as a runner and blocker ... Strength ... Athleticism.
Negatives: Limited college experience at fullback; spent much of his college career as a featured back ... Speed ... Minimal opportunities to catch the ball in college.
5. Orenthal O'Neal, Arkansas State
Positives: Aggressive when lead blocking ... Strength ... Toughness ... Inside running ability.
Negatives: Speed ... Needs to become better at reading blitzes and improve his pass-protection skills.
