Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - While Johnson is short, he is not small and definitely has a strong, muscular build. He is shockingly strong for his size and combined with his balance and competitiveness, he has consistently shown the ability to run through arm/grab tackles to gain yards after contact. Naturally instinctive with good vision, Johnson is able to find hole/crease and has the quick burst to get through it. A patient runner, Johnson does an excellent job of sitting on blocker's hip until they open hole and then he makes quick cut off it. He has "shoulder shake" to freeze defender and make tackler miss. Able to change directions fast, he is able to avoid defenders who shoot into the backfield and can bounce runs outside when the middle is clogged up. Showing soft, natural hands, Johnson consistently caught the ball well and is an effective runner after the catch.

WEAKNESSES - Years ago, a back under 5'7 would have had little opportunity in the NFL, but in today's NFL where the ability to make plays out in space is so valuable, backs like Johnson have real value. A quicker than fast back, Johnson can get through the hole quickly, but has not shown the playing speed to out-run angles and take plays the distance. He needs to do a better job of wrapping up the ball with both hands. Although he has been a strong runner at Arkansas and gained many yards after contact, he does not have the size/strength to be a full-time feature back.

SUMMARY - While the media has focused more attention on teammate and fellow running back Knile Davis, I believe Johnson to be the safer bet and more likely to be a dependable part of an NFL offense. I love Johnson's aggressive running style - He consistently attacks the hole, lowers his shoulders to make himself a smaller target, delivers a blow to tackler and gains yards after contact. Quick footed and agile, Johnson changes directions fast to make sharp cuts and to make tacklers miss. Overall, even though Johnson was not invited to the Combine and lacks ideal height, I am confident in his ability to be a productive player in the NFL. While comparing another short back to Maurice Jones-Drew seems predictable, it is clear when evaluating Johnson that they are similar players with like skill sets.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Bell definitely looks the part of an NFL back "on the hoof." Possessing excellent playing strength, good balance and agility, he is consistently able to run through arm/grab tackles to gain yards after contact. Despite running upright much of the time, Bell is consistently able to get shoulders down to make himself a smaller target and to deliver a blow to tackler. His strong and aggressive running style helps him to break tackles often. An instinctive runner, Bell is able to find open space/hole. When he stays focused on his blocking technique and gives a good effort, he has the strength to be a good pass blocker. Although not a big part of Michigan State's passing attack, he has shown soft hands catching the ball out of the backfield.

WEAKNESSES - A one speed runner who lacks explosiveness through the hole, Bell will need to improve in this area of the holes will close before he can get through them in the NFL. Much more of a smooth and fluid athlete than a quick twitch one, he cannot change directions in a flash to make tacklers miss consistently. He lacks the quick COD ability and burst to bounce runs outside and get around the corner. His lack of top end speed limits his ability to out-run angles and score long touchdowns. While he has the talent to be good in pass protection, too often his technique is sloppy and he does not stay after and finish block, which leads to him missing blocks. If he does not improve in pass pro, he will not be able to contribute catching passes out of the backfield.

SUMMARY - While I completely agree with college running backs coming out early for the Draft if they have carried the ball alot during previous seasons, I think Bell will be dissappointed with where he ends up being selected. A strong and physical runner who can punish tacklers and consistently gains a lot of yards after contact, Bell will need to improve his body lean to carry over his production as a physical inside runner in the NFL. When I evaluated Bell I kept being reminded of the Falcons' Michael Turner. However, the issue is that Bell does not remind me of Michael Turner when he came out of Northern Illinois and had shocking quickness and speed for such a big, physical runner. Rather he reminds me of Turner as he is in 2012, which is lacking explosiveness through the hole and relying almost exclusively on strength, balance and competitiveness to be productive. Overall, Bell would be an excellent fourth round pick who has the tools to become a power back only and not a complete back, which is why he will not be a starter. It is a big concern that he lacks the speed to contribute as a special teams player as that will hurt him in a battle to beat out other backs to be the primary backup.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - The first thing that jumps out on film is Graham's ability to change direction without slowing down. He has great ability to make a defender miss and this cutback is lethal. Graham is still recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in 2011, but his skill is still on display. He is a patient runner while waiting for his blocks to set up. He displays great acceleration, especially after he cuts the ball back. He has very good hands and can do it all as a running back. Graham is a player that is a nightmare in space, and as his knee gets stronger his ability to make defenders miss will get better. He does a very good job of covering the ball and has great ball security skills.

WEAKNESSES - Graham is not a big running back and he doesn't run the ball between the tackles all that well. His instinct is to bounce the play to the outside. He tore his ACL in 2011 and his status for the start of the 2012 season was up in the air. You can see that he is still not 100% on his bad knee as he looks like he is dragging it at times. Graham does not showcase true elite speed but there is enough of a burst to get the job done. If he wants to really stick in the NFL, pass protection will have to improve but he is a willing blocker. He is a player with very few weaknesses, but protecting the quarterback from the blitz is an area that needs to be improved.

SUMMARY - Graham is a player that could make the team that drafts him look really good because of his ability to change direction and make defenders miss. He has dynamic skills in space and is an excellent pass catching running back. Although small, he runs with good pad level and he keeps his feet churning through contact. While he isn't a speed merchant, he does have a great burst and enough speed to get it done, even post injury. He is patient and allows his blocks to get set up. Graham is great catching the ball out of the back field and he is a back that can truly do it all. He won't be a featured back right away, but he could really contribute as a 3rd down RB and potentially more if he adds weight and has no more issues with his knee. It is fascinating to watch him move laterally without slowing down, and his COD and cutback skills are rare. Graham is a gem, as he has rare skills that simply can't be taught. Graham warrants early-mid third round consideration because of his three-down abilities and his ability to make defenders miss. He could be a player that makes a real impact in the NFL early in his career.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Versatility is what gives Burkhead the most value for an NFL team as he has aligned and contributed from a variety of spots. He has outstanding hands catching - Consistently reaches out and plucks the ball, can adjust to catch off-target passes and is quick getting started up the field after the catch. Whether from backfield or slot alignment, Burkhead ran good routes and was able to get defender to turn hips, so he was able to get separation. An instinctive runner with good vision, Burkhead consistently finds open hole/crease and attacks it. A competitive runner who keeps his legs churning and fights for every last yard, Burkhead has consistently been able to run through hits and low/grab tackles to gain yards after contact. Smart in pass pro, he consistently identifies whom he has to block and can be a good blocker when he maintains technique and effort throughout the play.

WEAKNESSES - Burkhead is a bit of a "jack of all trades, master of none." He lacks the top end quickness to change directions in a flash, does not have a good burst through the hole and cannot out-run angles to make long runs at the NFL level. Interestingly, he tends to be an upright runner before making cut and then when in traffic he runs with such body lean that he is almost tipping over and goes down too easily. Despite showing the ability to be good in pass protection, too often he gets lazy with technique which leads to him lunging and blocking high. Additionally, he has a bad habit of stopping feet after making contact in pass pro, which allows pass rusher to defeat his block and pressure the QB. He has been injured during college career, so his durability in the NFL is definitely a concern.

SUMMARY - Entering the 2012 season a number of scouts told me that they felt Burkhead was a "sleeper" that they felt could really move up draft boards with a strong senior season. Unfortunately, Burkhead battled injuries as a senior and did not have the season that everyone expected. At 5'10 and 214 pounds, Burkhead has an ideal build for a tailback and combined with his strength and balance he can run through arm/grab tackles to gain yards after contact when he runs with proper body lean. While he lacks the explosiveness to get the corner consistently or through the hole fast, Burkhead moves well in tight quarters to avoid hits and gain sneaky yards between the tackles. Although he needs to improve his consistency in pass protection to become an effective third down back, I believe that Burkhead has the talents to do so. Blessed with great hands and good route running ability, he can definitely contribute catching passes out of the backfield and when aligned out in the slot. Overall, I believe Burkhead would be an excellent fifth or sixth round pick by a team looking for a backup tailback and third down back. Additionally, he probably could be effective on limited snaps as a fullback in a west coast style offense.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Jamison is well put together with the lower body thickness to suggest power and durability. He is a decisive runner at the LOS that is quick to attack the open lane and shows enough vertical burst to squeeze through holes before the close. He runs solid routes and is able to consistently catch the ball cleanly and turn up-field without breaking stride. He is quick to diagnose the free man when left in to pass block and he is aggressive stepping up to meet his man at the POA. When pass blocking he is aggressive with his hands and plays with solid base and leverage.

WEAKNESSES - Jamison is not an innately explosive athlete and lacks the speed to gain the edge on stretch runs. He struggles to create on his own as he lacks the power to consistently run through tackles and shows limited quickness and elusiveness in tight spaces. His lack of speed also hurts him on pass routes, as he struggles to separate from LBs that carry him early in man coverage. He struggled to stay on the field during his last three games in 2012 due to an ankle injury that severely limited his burst and agility.

SUMMARY - Jawan Jamison was just a red-shirt sophomore this year and while he does not look like an elite prospect on film, considering his athletic limitations I'm not convinced another year at Rutgers would have benefitted his development more than entering the NFL early. He flashes the ability to make one cut and get North and South in a hurry but he lacks the long speed and lateral agility to be a threat on the edge or at the 2nd and 3rd level. He is too easily tackled by the first man at the POA as he is not an elusive runner and does not have the innate power needed to consistently run through arm tackles. Where I was most impressed with Jamison was on 3rd down, as he is a competent receiver out of the backfield and a competitive blocker in pass pro that utilizes a strong base to hold his ground at the POA. Jamison is likely to always be a backup or change of pace back but his ability to play on passing downs should earn him a roster spot on a team like Washington that utilizes a zone blocking scheme.