2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)

January 24, 2012 @ 17:48:18

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Keith Hernandez

Miami Hurricanes sophomore running back Lamar Miller brings his explosive style of play to the 2012 NFL Draft. In his lone season as the primary ball carrier, he averaged 5.6 yards per tote (227-1,272-9) on the ground and hauled in 28 grabs in the last two seasons.

Can he hold up to a pounding?

Strengths

• Very good cutback runner - will be a perfect fit for a zone-blocking scheme
• Excellent vision to find open lanes
• Lateral agility and great balance - quick feet
• Impressive acceleration - bursts through the line at nearly top speed
• Strong outside runner - enough speed to turn the corner and outrun defenders
• Elusive - avoids big hits
• Productive (1,272 rushing yards, 10 total touchdowns in 2011)
• Low mileage
• Capable receiver
• Kickoff return experience
• Adequate size (5-foot-11, 212 pounds)
• Considerable upside

Weaknesses

• Inexperienced - only one year as a starter and shared time
• Largely untested as a pass protector
• Questionable durability
• Likely to be a change-of-pace back in the NFL
• Can be indecisive at times - seems to be looking for the home run too often
• Tends to run upright in the open field
• Rarely drives through defenders

Expected draft placement

Miller is somewhat of a risky prospect, as he doesn't necessarily translate to being a full-time back in the NFL and has limited experience. He could go as early as the late first round if a team falls in love with his potential, but Miller may slide into the late second round. He is often viewed as the second running back in this weak class. 

Miller may be considered by the Cincinnati Bengals (No. 21), Cleveland Browns (No. 22), Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 24) and Denver Broncos (No. 25) in the first round.

In the early second round, the St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs appear to be teams most interested in his services.

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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