STRENGTHS - Lacy displays better than expected short area quicks for a back his size, and excellent power once he gets his momentum moving downhill. He has the strength to carry tacklers for extra yards and consistently breaks arm tackle attempts in space. He is an outstanding pass blocker that is very quick to diagnose the free man and attack him at the LOS with excellent base, leverage and a strong initial punch that helps him lock on and sustain.
WEAKNESSES - Lacy lacks the speed needed to beat angles to the edge or separate from defenders in space. He also lacks the burst needed to consistently get through holes before they close, and has to rely on his blocking and his power to break through for big gains. He tends to run with his head down at the LOS, which severely limits his vision and caused him to repeatedly run into the back of his own linemen in games I evaluated. Although he had 22 receptions in 2012, he lacks natural hands and consistently fights balls he has to pluck away from his frame.
SUMMARY - Eddie Lacy looked like a superstar in the National Championship game against Notre Dame, where he ran around and through the Irish all night en route to another title for Alabama. However, in depth film study of his game reveals limitations to his game that will prevent him from becoming a top level every-down player at the next level. As is often the case for backs his size, he is a slow twitch athlete that lacks the speed and explosion needed to consistently win the edge or threaten to break off huge gains. While he runs with excellent power between the tackles and lowers his shoulder to initiate contact, he also tends to lower his head, rendering him unable to properly recognize and exploit holes in the defense. He is a highly effective blocker on 3rd down because of his competitiveness, strength and natural leverage, but as a receiver out of the backfield he consistently fights balls away from his frame and appears to lack natural hands. While he may hear his name called earlier than I have him graded because of his strength running inside and his blocking ability, he will need to significantly improve his vision and his hands in order to become a top all-around back at the NFL level.