Downhill runner can be a nice third-round steal in April. Matt Bowen
One problem with the combine hype that comes out of Indianapolis is that we tend to overlook certain players who had good, but not head-turning workouts.
Players like Stanford RB Toby Gerhart.
Not a flashy player, and not a running back who is going to make you look twice after 40-times are posted like we saw with C.J. Spiller of Clemson and Jahvid Best of California. But, his workout was good enough. And for a player his size (6-1, 235), he has enough speed to be productive on the pro level.
Gerhart is a downhill runner that does have an explosive enough first step to move through the hole and get to the second level on Sundays against NFL defenses. We tend to look past a guy like Gerhart due to the fact that he isn’t sexy and isn’t the type of NFL running back who can press the edge, plant and run past NFL defensive backs.
But, he is still a great pick in the middle rounds and could be the type of player that has staying power at the next level.
Although he wasn’t used prolifically at Stanford in terms of catching the ball out of the backfield, he does have the hands to get it done at the next level, along with the ability to pass protect — without a doubt the most challenging aspect of the NFL game for rookie backs.
Think of where he fits. Teams that utilize the downhill power game and teams that spend the first week of training camp perfecting the basic off-tackle running game — because that is how they move the ball. Can you see Gerhart coming downhill in the Lead Strong and the Lead Open? What about Seattle, San Diego or Pittsburgh? I could see him in any of these three backfields as a rookie.
I can, just as I can see him thriving in an offense where he plays a role that gives him five to 10 carries a game behind a No. 1 back.
NFP scout Wes Bunting has Gerhart ranked as the eighth running back prospect among rookies. I think it is a fair grade, but if I am in need of a rookie back — and have other needs in the first two rounds — I keep Gerhart high up on the draft board come April.
And, hope to steal him in the third round.
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He is big time overlooked. Writers need to cut the J Riggins comparisons as well. This guy can play and will be a factor as a rookie.
Perfect example of a guy who helped himself at the combine. He had the fastest 40 of any big back. He also excelled in the other drills. He was significantly faster and benched more than LeGarrett Blount, another big back expected to go in the middle rounds. Both will be players.
Checking the numbers, I was impressed by what Ben Tate of Auburn produced. Pretty impressive for a 220 pound guy.
When can we expect a detailed defense of the grades given to the RB class of 2010?
Specifically, Dwyer & Matthews are on opposite ends of the top 10 and based on both pre- and post-combine buzz, no one seems to feel this way but NFP.
reminds me of shonn green
Gerhart proved himself in the Stanford/USC game. He beat the Trojans defense by running through them everytime he carried the ball for short & long yardage. If the NFL team that Gerhart plays for has a blocking line & offensive running game - he will make them a winner in crunch time. Show him the goal line.
With the (insert 2nd round pick here) pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots select......
Toby Gerhart, running back from Stanford.........
queue me doing cartwheels around my living room...........
love to see gerhart at fb for patriots. hes a beast in between the tackles. also aaron hernandez from conn in foxboro. come on bill from wesleyan.
Gerhart is such a talented football player. I would not pass him up at all. I would not pass him up if i had a football team.
Gerhart does not need to be overlooked. He is such great talent. He is a horse on the field.
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Mar 03, 2010
12:31 PM
A WCO fullback, perhaps?
Walsh preferred getting halfback types who could become a mismatch on interior linebackers, and putting them to fullback.
He'd certainly be a good goal line back.