2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

by Cory J. Bonini on February 19, 2013 @ 18:35:36 PDT

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Alabama junior running back Eddie Lacy declared for the 2013 NFL Draft following only one season as the starting rusher for the Crimson Tide.

Elite one-year production in 2012

What a single season it was! Lacy rushed for 1,322 yards on just 204 carries and scored 17 touchdowns on the ground. He chipped in a 22-189-2 line in the passing game.

Strengths

Beastly production in his only season as a starter
Limited wear on his tires
Excellent build at 5-foot-10, 220 pounds
Powerful lower body - legs continue to churn through traffic
Drives low to the ground in short-yardage situations
Good vision for the cutback lane
Runs with anger - finishes runs with a pop
More nimble than his size suggests
Incorporates a fluid spin move
Nose for the end zone
Capable blocker

Weaknesses

Health concerns (several ankle sprains and turf toe) - currently dealing with a hamstring strain that will prevent him from working out at the NFL Scouting Combine
Ball security concerns
Played behind an elite offensive line in a power-running system
Limited experience
Terribly inconsistent production - 13 of 19 TDs came in five games

Expected draft placement

Lacy has what it takes to be a three-down back in the NFL, which is a rarity in today's game. It is tough to tell just how teams value him because of his limited experience and the league's devaluation of the position, but Lacy could sneak into the middle of the first round with a strong workout once he is healthy.

Teams that may consider him include: Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 17), St. Louis Rams (No. 16, No. 22), Indianapolis Colts (No. 24), Green Bay Packers (No. 26), Atlanta Falcons (No. 30), Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 34), New York Jets (No. 41), Tennessee Titans (No. 42) and San Diego Chargers (No. 44).

About Cory J. Bonini

Cory is KFFL's General Manager. In late 2002, he joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Bonini has been featured in print, on radio and on scores of websites. 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 @CoryKFFL