I’ve been watching some of the video available at the site, Draft Breakdown, of some of the bigger backs in this year’s draft. This site focuses on the player selected during the course of entire games. The number of games available to view varies by prospect.
I’ve been reading reviews of various players on different websites, and just about all of them have Carlos Hyde ranked as the top 230, or plus, pound back. I’ve watched the videos of him, but I need you to help me out, because while he’s a decent RB, I just don’t consistently see significant superiority in his play. He’s not slow, but not overly quick either. He’s got pretty good, but not fabulous vision. And he often hesitates at the line. But most significantly, while he can sometimes move the pile, he’s often not that hard to bring down!
I’d compare him to Andre Williams from BC who, judging from video, is similar in some respects, though Hyde has a bit better vision, and somewhat more power, as Williams actually goes down pretty easily.
Among the four I’ve focused on, easily the most impressive is Jeremy Hill of L.S.U. He’s quicker to line, he has slightly better vision, but most significant for a larger power back, he is usually a lot more difficult to bring down. To me, he looks a lot better than Hyde in his games, and he’s often doing it against SEC talent.
Now I know I must be crazy, because this isn’t what I’ve been reading at all about the backs at most draft websites. And to certify my insanity, because we all KNOW he sucks, the hardest running, most violent and difficult runner to bring down in this draft that I’ve seen on video is James Wilder. Guess I need to get my eyes checked. Though I do acknowledge he’s slower to the line than either Hyde or Hill. But he also has good vision.
Video: Hyde vs. Clemson - (
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4.66 at the combine. No pro day run. hill rand a 4.66 at the combine, and a 4.52 at the LSU pro day.
I agree. The RB from Wisconsin too, White, even though he's a little on the small side. He's good in pass protection though.
Im down for even taking Tre Mason in the 5th if hes there. Kid runs hard
I was very impressed with Andre Williams' Combine video and highlight videos. But when I watched more video of his games, not just his highlight videos, I developed concerns. His vision isn't great, he can be tentative when approaching the line, and most of the time he can be taken down without much difficulty.