The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP)

Tag: NFL draft

  • Rankings Insight for This Year’s WR Class

    When it comes to this series, I usually just provide a teaser of the post to the Fifth Down and link you to the rest. But with today’s receivers,  No.5 WR Greg Childs and No. 4 WR Marvin Jones, I want to discuss the thought process behind their unusually high ranking – and a few…

  • The Best of the RSP Blog (Draft Reads) for 2011-2012

    Sometime in May I plan to reorganize the site by draft year. Until then, this post contains a list of NFL Draft-worthy reads from this blog during the past 10-11 months I’ve been posting here. Before we get into that list, I want to take a moment to discuss one of the common questions I…

  • New York Times Fifth Down Blog: No.1 RB Trent Richardson

    1.    Trent Richardson, Alabama (5-9, 228) There are several impressive components to Trent Richardson’s game. His balance and agility combined with his strength make him a rare commodity among backs of his range of 220-230 pounds. He has the footwork and balance of a back 15-20 pounds lighter. And that balance is what makes him…

  • New York Times Fifth Down Series: No. 2 RB Doug Martin

    2.    Doug Martin, Boise State (5-9, 223) Martin reminds me of Ray Rice in the respect that he’s not abundantly fast once he reaches the second or third level, but his initial burst is top notch. He consistently defeats the angles of defenders as he enters and exits a hole because they misjudge his quickness,…

  • Futures: My New Football Outsiders Column

    This week’s column on Russell Wilson is titled, “Studying the Asterisk.” I studied three games of Wilson’s junior season at N.C. State – FSU, UNC, and Va. Tech – and I think there’s ample evidence that demonstrates why Wilson is an underrated commodity in this draft. I also provide some footage and analysis of Drew…

  • New York Times Fifth Down Series: No.3 RB Lamar Miller

    3.     Lamar Miller, running back, Miami (5-10, 212) Lamar Miller is a potential Pro Bowl back. He’s at the sweet spot in terms of height, weight, speed and acceleration. He runs with patience and balance, and he protects the ball. He understands how to stay close to his blocks until an opening develops, and like…

  • Get Er Done: QB Mechanics by Brett Favre

    This weekend I watched the 2010 NFC Championship between the Saints and Vikings so I could study Drew Brees for my first “Futures” column at Football Outsiders, but I couldn’t skip the Vikings possessions. Not because of Adrian Peterson or Percy Harvin, whose  physical skills I marvel with each viewing. The truth is, I’m an…

  • No. 4 RB David Wilson

    4. David Wilson, running back, Virginia Tech (5-9, 206) Physically, Wilson might have as much upside as any back in this draft, and from this perspective, he might be the best back to come out of Virginia Tech. Ryan Williams was a conceptually smarter runner with great effort and a strong array of skills, but…

  • Cal WR Keenan Allen: Creating Separation With His Hands

    I’ll still be writing about 2012 NFL Draft prospects in the coming months, but with the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio in the books – and available for download – I’m also beginning my work for next year’s draft. See below. If you’ve been reading my blog for at least a couple of months then you…

  • 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio Publication Update

    I’ll keep this short and sweet: I’m on schedule for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio publication to be ready for download the evening/night of Sunday, April 1. If you’ve pre-ordered the publication, I’ll write a blog post and use Twitter and Facebook to notify when it’s ready to download. Remember, all RSP purchases in 2012…