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Unsung Heroes: NFL
Draft Fullback Prospects
by
A.J. Krow
NFL Analyst
4/2/08
While
the NFL continues its progress into the high-flying, run and gun,
offensive-oriented league that it is, one position is slowly being lost
in the shuffle. Over the last five to ten years, the fullback position
has been gradually phased out into no more than a formality.
Only a handful of teams use a fullback in the bulk of their formations,
and even less use their fullback as an offensive weapon. Gone are the
days of the Richie Andersons and the Mike Alstotts. Today’s fullbacks
are used, if at all, as purely run blockers. Many teams now use backup
tight ends (See: Cowboys) as their fullbacks, as the “Ace” Formation (1
Running Back, 2 tight ends) becomes more and more popular with the
emergence of tight ends as weapons. This hybrid position, the “H-Back”
is being looked to more and more to satisfy the fullback label.
However, the top five rushers from last season and nine of the top ten
(excluding Edgerrin James in Arizona) had the benefit of a true
fullback on the majority of their carries. LaDanian Tomlinson has
enjoyed the most success of any back in the league since Lorenzo Neal’s
arrival in San Diego in 2003. Neal has paved the way for 1,000 yard
backs for the majority of his career, including every year since 1998.
Much of the lack of hype about the fullback position is due to a lack
of quality prospects from the college ranks in recent years. That will
change with this class.
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year brings us the richest pool of fullback talent in recent memory.
The top of the class is outstanding, led by West Virginia’s Owen
Schmitt, Arkansas Peyton Hillis, and LSU’s Jacob Hester, who is a
hybrid running back/fullback. Schmitt is a bruiser at 6’3 and 248
pounds, but is athletic enough to make plays with the ball in his
hands, averaging 6.4 YPC and scoring 13 touchdowns for his career, in
addition to paving the way for three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons for
Steve Slaton. Schmitt is a throwback to the old school. He didn’t run a
blinding 40 time, but he does all the things fullbacks are asked to do. |
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Hillis is another solid prospect that can make plays and deliver
crushing blocks. He was an excellent safety valve for Casey Dick,
catching 49 balls for 537 yards and five touchdowns. Not many fullbacks
average 11.0 yards per catch. He’s also fast enough to rip off a 65
yard touchdown run, which he did against LSU, arguably the fastest
defense in the country. Like Schmitt, he plays faster than his times
indicate. Hillis also paved the way for arguably the best rushing
attack in the nation, blocking for potentially two first round picks.
Hester is a slightly different case, as he played as a true tailback as
well as fullback. He is almost exactly like Brian Leonard of the St.
Louis Rams, as he is a ‘tweener who scouts project as a fullback at the
next level. His 4.65 forty time did not help his cause to play
tailback, but all I know is that he scored on an 87 yard touchdown run
this season, which shows me he has enough speed. He was the bell cow
for LSU this year, and responded with a solid season with over 1100
yards and 12 TD’s. He’s a bit smallish for a fullback, but has a frame
that can put weight on. He is a very instinctive runner, which helps
when he’s playing fullback, and he’s a definite mismatch that offenses
can exploit.
These three highly skilled players could represent the next generation
resurgence of the fullback, as most of the best blockers today are
getting older. All three can be had in the mid to late rounds. Most
importantly, all three of these players are high-character guys and are
widely viewed as great teammates and assets to whatever teams draft
them.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2008 NFL Mock
Draft
Gregory Cox's 2008
NFL Mock Draft
Paul Eide's 2008 NFL
Mock Draft
Jared
Donnelly's 2008 NFL Mock
Draft
Joey Bures' 2008 NFL Mock Draft
Mock
Draft Database
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