[Kiimo]

RB

Spoiler!

This is the 36th year Bob McGinn has written an NFL Draft Series. Previously, it appeared in the Green Bay Press-Gazette (1985-’91), the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1992-‘17) and BobMcGinnFootball.com (2018-’19). Through 2014, scouts often were quoted by name. The series reluctantly adopted an all-anonymous format in 2015 at the request of most scouts.

This is the fourth part of our nine-part series. Today, we dive into running backs. You can find quarterbacks here, offensive linemen here and wide receivers and tight ends here.

Running backs have gone from the belle of the ball to an ugly stepchild in the last generation. Guess what? It’s time to become reacquainted with the men that pound the rock.

Everybody in the scouting world seems smitten with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the little big man who played a major role in LSU’s undefeated national championship season. Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor and Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins join CEH in a formidable foursome atop most draft boards.

Stealthily creeping beneath the hype meter are another dozen or so backs who have the chops to do some damage as well. Everyone knows the position has been devalued in the last decade, but the fact that backs aren’t being selected as high anymore clearly hasn’t diminished their ability to play if not excel.

“There’s no Zekes, but does that even matter anymore?” said an executive in personnel. “You just want a good back, really. The (Todd) Gurleys, the Zeke’s (Elliott), does that even matter?”

It does, and it doesn’t. Just nine backs have been drafted in the first round over the last five years, and teams have gotten it right. Not one of the nine has been a bust, and at their best Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Melvin Gordon, Leonard Fournette, Elliott and Gurley were impact players.

That doesn’t begin to tell the story, however, about the influx of good players from the previous five classes of running backs.

In 2015, David Johnson and Tevin Coleman arrived in the third round, Jay Ajayi in the fifth and Raheem Mostert in free agency.

In 2016, it was Derrick Henry in the second round, Kenyan Drake in the third and Jordan Howard in the fifth. In 2017, the haul included Dalvin Cook and Joe Mixon in the second round, Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt and James Conner in the third, Marlon Mack and Tarik Cohen in the fourth, Aaron Jones in the fifth, Chris Carson in the seventh and Austin Ekeler as a free agent. In 2018, the second round included Nick Chubb, Ronald Jones and Kerryon Johnson while free agency produced Phillip Lindsay and Gus Edwards. Last year, Miles Sanders was a second-round pick, Devin Singletary, Alexander Mattison and David Montgomery were thirds and Tony Pollard and Benny Snell were fourths. Others have produced for teams as well.

Some of them had more fanfare than others. In some of those years, not many people were talking pre-draft about it being a banner year for running backs. As the wide receivers, tackles and, of course, quarterbacks dominate the chatter on the offensive side this spring, beneath the surface many teams detect another bumper crop of ball carriers awaiting destinations.

“It’s been proven that you don’t necessarily have to take a running back super high,” an AFC personnel man said. “There are some good ones, and they’re coming in all shapes and sizes. The NFL has become a different game that way in terms of what’s acceptable for a running back. Four different guys could be classified as the top guy this year.”

Edwards-Helaire is short, but he’s not small. Swift is the best receiver of the upper crust whereas Taylor is the fastest and Dobbins could be the most complete.

All or none could get into the first round. It doesn’t matter. Teams seem confident all four will be producers, barring injury.

“Unless you’re Saquon Barkley or Ezekiel Elliott, you ain’t going in the first round,” said another executive in personnel. “That’s because you can get somebody late second or third round, sometimes in the fourth round, that is a good running back. It’s the new NFL.”

The height of backs also has changed over time. Ten years ago, seven of my top 10 backs stood at least 5-11. This year, Boston College’s A.J. Dillon is the only one that does. “They’re all 5-8, 5-9,” said another scout. “The game has changed.”

The shortest of the top 25 backs is LSU’s Edwards-Helaire. He’s a shade over 5-7, a 1,448-yard rusher who also found time to catch 55 passes for the prolific Bayou Bengals. “Love him,” an AFC personnel man said. “If Joe Burrow was the star, (Edwards-Helaire) won the Academy Award for best supporting actor. He’s a little engine that could. He is a terrific football player.”

LSU went with journeyman Nick Brossette (5-11, 210, 4.70) in their 10-3 season of 2018. An undrafted free agent in 2019, he’s out of football. Edwards-Helaire had to be content with 146 carries and 11 receptions that year. “I don’t think they knew what they had,” said another AFC scout. “Last summer, I missed him, too. He’s 5-7, sharing reps, and you think he’s just a good little college player. He’s just been overlooked because of the way he looks when he gets off the bus.”

In chronological order, here are the names and height-weight-speed entering their drafts of seven players that have been compared in some form or fashion to Edwards-Helaire by at least one personnel man: Kevin Faulk (5-7 ½, 205, 4.48), Darren Sproles (5-6, 187, 4.48), Maurice Jones-Drew (5-7, 207, 4.39), Danny Woodhead (5-7 ½, 197, 4.41), Cohen (5-6 ½, 177, 4.41), Austin Ekeler (5-8 ½, 198, 4.48) and Devin Singletary (5-7 ½, 201, 4.65).

One significant difference is Edwards-Helaire ran just 4.59 at the combine, a least one-tenth of a second slower than six of those seven success stories. “But he has maybe the best play speed I’ve seen in like five years among running backs,” said one scout. “His game against Alabama and even his combine workout … his first step is full speed. It’s absolutely crazy how fast he plays.”

My poll of 18 evaluators asked them to rank their top five backs. As always, a first-place vote was worth five points, a second-place was worth four and so on.

Swift led with 77 points and 10 firsts, followed closely by Taylor (63, five), Edwards-Helaire (51, one) and Dobbins (50, two). The other vote-getters were Cam Akers (11), Zack Moss (seven), Dillon (five), Ke’Shawn Vaughn (five) and Darrynton Evans (one).

Even beyond the leading dozen, there are down-the-liners such as Miami’s DeeJay Dallas, Florida’s Lamical Perine, Cincinnati’s Mike Warren and Illinois State’s James Robinson that scouts have studied more than just casually.

It’s a good bet that the next Aaron Jones or Phillip Lindsay is sitting deep on draft boards just waiting to explode in the NFL. Running backs are very, very much alive and well. “It’s a good class,” an NFC decision-maker said. “There are interesting backs all the way through.”

Perhaps for the first time, several teams say college football hasn’t sent forth a conventional fullback of merit. So if you’re a club that needs one, it’s a game of projecting shorter tight ends to do the dirty blocking work from the backfield.

RANKING THE RUNNING BACKS

(Photo by Chamberlain Smith)
RUNNING BACKS

1. D’ANDRE SWIFT, Georgia (5-8, 212, 4.48, 1-2): Swift followed in the footsteps of recent top backs Todd Gurley, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb at Georgia. “Dalvin Cook isn’t a bad comparison,” said one scout. “He’ll be a stud.” He was limited to 440 carries and 73 receptions because of leg and foot injuries during his three-year career. “Even this year they didn’t let him carry the load when he was the No. 1 back,” said another scout. “When I compare him to successful NFL backs, he’s not elite in any category. He is more well-rounded than Dalvin Cook. He’s a better route runner. He’s got better hands. But Cook’s one-cut vision and acceleration are better, and he’s bigger. Swift can line up and run choice routes. He can track the ball down the field. He’s got three-down value.” Gained 2,885 yards for a school-record 6.56 per carry. Another personnel man said Swift wasn’t as good as Cook or Chubb. “He’s the only back (in the draft) that really scares you in the pass game,” a fourth scout said. “That’s why he’s going to go higher. He can create mismatches in the pass game, he’s a good runner and he tested well.” Swift is from Philadelphia and scored 17 on the 12-minute, 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.

2. JONATHAN TAYLOR, Wisconsin (5-10 ½, 221, 4.38, 1-2): A third-year junior, Taylor averaged a whopping 2,058 rushing yards per season. “(Melvin) Gordon was pretty darn good, but Taylor is better,” one scout said in assessing Badgers backs over the last 25 years. “I think it’s slight, the difference. Montee Ball would probably be next, but the drinking got him out. (Ron) Dayne and Terrell Fletcher and John Clay. John Clay sucked; he was a good college player. Brent Moss, golly. Dope got him but he was pretty darn good, too, wasn’t he? The top-end speed with Taylor’s vision is in the top tier of guys I’ve done.” He finished with 926 carries, averaged 6.7, scored 55 TDs from scrimmage and caught 42 passes, including 26 in 2019. “Only bugaboo with him is ball security,” said another scout. “He had 18 fumbles, and he lost 15. That’s very high. His lower (body) is so thick that he just wouldn’t go down, which gives everybody time to swarm him. I think in the NFL he’ll go down a little easier.” Several scouts said he caught the ball adequately at pro day. “The elite size-speed combo is where people will buy in,” said a third scout. “He’s going to disappoint you between the tackles. He doesn’t run to his size. He’s not going hit up in there. You watch the Ohio State games, he’s cringing before he even gets to the line. He’s cringing in the hole. That was really disappointing. I’ve seen it where NFL running back coaches can get that out (of players). That was the big knock on Le’Veon (Bell) coming out, that he didn’t run very big.” He posted a Wonderlic score of 21 and is from tiny Salem, N.J. “Melvin Gordon was different,” said a fourth scout. “He was slick and explosive and made big plays all the time. This guy is strong, not powerful. Excellent vision, excellent patience. Kind of a typical Wisconsin back. He just might have more of the workout-type attributes that you’re looking for. I’d rather have Gordon, all day.”

3. CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE, LSU (5-7, 207, 4.59, 1-2): He declared for the draft a year early after making dramatic strides as a third-year junior. “He’s so flexible and runs so low, he doesn’t give you anything to hit,” said one scout. “He’s got great contact balance. He’s creative and elusive. He’s got really natural hands. Talking to the people at LSU, I really like his makeup, too. Joe Burrow said he’s the best teammate he ever had. That’s real.” He never started a game in his first two seasons and finished with 370 carries for 2,103 yards (5.7) and 23 touchdowns to go with 69 receptions. “He is a 25, 30-carry a game guy,” said another scout. “He’s put together.” Has exciting ability as a receiver all over the formation. “I think he will take over that third-down role the minute he walks in the office,” said a third scout. “You can screen him, do things to get him the ball in space. Kevin Faulk kind of had that small, stocky stature. He’s a little squirt but I like him a lot. He reminds me of that kid that came out of Florida Atlantic (Devin Singletary) and played well this year. He’s more quick than Maurice Jones-Drew (but) Maurice had breakaway speed.” Scored 21 on the Wonderlic. “Some guys are too short, but I don’t think he is,” said a fourth scout. “He’s thick and just carries his weight so well. For some people it can be a benefit. Like Tarik Cohen. He’s short but thick. Or Russell Wilson, short and thick. It’s so hard to get them down because of their center of gravity.” Edwards-Helaire is from Baton Rouge, La.


“We had an awesome interview with him,” said a scout on JK Dobbins. “He’s really smart, really upbeat. He loves football. The whole thing is important to him.”(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
4. J.K. DOBBINS, Ohio State (5-9 ½, 209, no 40, 1-2): Dobbins is a third-year junior and a three-year starter. “Like him,” said one scout. “He runs hard. Just a natural runner. He’s good on first contact. He runs with an edge. He’s going to be a really good back.” Dobbins played his best in big games and finished with 724 carries for 4,459 (6.2) and 38 TDs to go with 71 receptions. “We had an awesome interview with him,” said another scout. “He’s really smart, really upbeat. He loves football. The whole thing is important to him. He knows what he’s doing. He wants to be coached.” His deficiencies in pass protection became pronounced as the season went along. “He’s OK but he’s not special,” said a third scout. “He’s a good backup back. I don’t see him breaking tackles. He’s got to have room. He’s quick. He’s not a power back. He’s kind of a change-of-pace guy.” Dobbins is from LaGrange, Texas. “I’ve got him as the best back because I think he has more three-down ability,” said a fourth scout. “You can actually move him out of the backfield and do things. He can become a really good player in this league.” Dobbins posted a Wonderlic of 16.

5. CAM AKERS, Florida State (5-10 ½, 217, 4.46, 2-3): Akers joined Warrick Dunn and Dalvin Cook as the only Seminoles with more than one 1,000-yard rushing season. “You talk about a guy who was stuck with a lemon and trying to make lemonade out of it at FSU,” said one scout. “A nightmare, and he persevered through it. He’s a hell of a player. He was a quarterback in high school (Clinton, Miss.). He went to FSU when they were riding high and the whole program fell apart around him. I give him credit. That was a disaster. Terrible line. He was getting hit before the ball got to him.” A third-year junior, he carried 586 times for 2,874 (4.9) and 27 TDs to go with 69 receptions. “He ran like a scalded dog (in the 40), but he don’t play that way,” another scout said. “I questioned his toughness and run instincts. They did throw the ball to him. Cam Akers is the kind of kid who knows who to block and he will get in their way. Some of these kids won’t even get in the way. They try to cut.” Some scouts insist he isn’t special; others insist he is. “He’s not a great makeup guy,” said a third scout. “One of these talented guys that never put all the commitment there. But the guy has the talent to be an every-down back. It’s where you want to throw the dice on him.”

6. ZACK MOSS, Utah (5-9 ½, 223, 4.62, 3): Moss did himself no favors with a bad 40 at the combine. “But a lot of good backs run in the 4.6’s,” said one scout. “He’s going to give you an identity. Teams that want to be more of a ball-control, run-heavy team, this is your guy. He’s going to be a workhorse. He runs with an attitude. He really was Utah’s offense this year.” He finished with 712 carries for 4,067 (5.7) and 38 TDs to go with 66 receptions. Played four seasons, starting 37 of 45 games. “Eddie Lacy is probably a good comparison,” a second scout said. “Not as good. Runs hard, quick feet. Easily breaks arm tackles. No real burst. Degree of tightness. Aggressive, hard-charging runner.” He’s a medical question because of knee, ankle and shoulder injuries. “He’s big and has some fluid movement but I just didn’t see any suddenness, any burst,” said a third scout. “To me, he was just a guy. I didn’t see a great role (for) in the passing game. Maybe he fits your deal as a big back or maybe a 4-minute back or whatever.” Moss is from Hialeah Gardens, Fla.

7. KE’SHAWN VAUGHN, Vanderbilt (5-9 ½, 214, 4.50, 3-4): Vaughn played for bad teams at Illinois (2015-’16) and Vandy (2018-’19) and could be a sleeper. “Heck, I could see him eventually starting in the league,” said one scout. “He’s got burst. He’s talented. On an undermanned football team he had to shoulder the load this year. He’s kind of been forgotten about.” Vaughn started eight of 22 games for the Illini and 21 of 24 for the Commodores. “He can get the home run and the tough yards,” another scout said. “He (has) explosive speed. He has improved in the passing game but he’s still not ideal.” He finished with 572 carries for 3,296 (5.8) and 30 TDs to go with 67 receptions. “He’s stiff in the ankles and he played with nobody, but he’s a tough son of a gun now,” a third scout said. “He’s tough as shit. He played a lot better last year (2018) when (Pat) Shurmur’s kid (Kyle) was the quarterback.” Vaughn is from Nashville.

8. A.J. DILLON, Boston College (6-0 ½, 247, 4.50, 3-4): Dillon played just three seasons, but he holds the school record for yards (4,382) and TDs (38). “He and Derrick Henry are similar in the sense they’re better in carry 30 than carry five,” said one scout. “They lull you to sleep. They’re taller, not physical guys. But when you get to the third or fourth quarter, they’re just so heavy that people just get tired of hitting them. Derrick Henry was a much more natural runner coming out.” He stunned some NFL personnel by running a fast 40. Also led the backs in the Wonderlic (30), vertical jump (41 inches) and broad jump (10-11). “I didn’t think he had any speed,” said another scout. “His toughness wasn’t that good. He didn’t run like a power back. He wasn’t a tackle breaker. Very limited (as a receiver) but he can catch. He’s big and he’s hard to bring down. He should be knocking people down. He should be like a bowling ball with the pins but he’s not.” He finished with 845 carries, a 5.2 average and 21 receptions. “In the old days this guy would be a fullback,” a third scout said. “In goal-line and short-yardage the guy would be excellent. He gets 3 yards each time. He takes people with him.” Dillon is from New London, Conn.


“He’s fast, mean,” a scout said of Darrynton Evans. “He might turn out better than some of these more heralded guys.” (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
9. DARRYNTON EVANS, Appalachian State (5-10, 203, 4.47, 3-4): Evans backed up in 2016, sat out ’17 with an injury redshirt and started 22 of 27 games in 2018-’19 before declaring a year early. “He’s a finesse guy,” said one scout. “He’s not a very strong inside runner, but get him on the perimeter and he’s got a really natural feel. He can slip (blocks) and make guys miss, and he’s a really good kickoff returner.” He finished with 482 carries for 2,884 (6.0) and 25 TDs to go with 39 receptions. “He’s fast, mean,” a second scout said. “He might turn out better than some of these more heralded guys. He’s got every bit as much ability as some of them. He’s just coming from a small program, albeit a successful one. He’s a good sleeper. It would not surprise me to see this guy starting within a year.” Evans is from Oak Hill, Fla. “He’s got good hands and some return ability, but he is not tough and he will not block,” said a third scout. “He’s not a tough kid at all. But he is an athletic, talented kid. Fourth round.”

10. ANTHONY McFARLAND, Maryland (5-8, 208, 4.44, 4): McFarland’s claim to fame was a 21-carry, 298-yard explosion against Ohio State in November 2018 when he scored on runs of 81 and 75 yards. “Just looking at that game, you get excited about him,” said one scout. “I remember there was one run, you go, ‘Who is this?’ Didn’t have quite the production you’d expect. He is a talented guy with speed.” McFarland departed with two years of eligibility remaining. “We took him off the board because his football character is absolutely atrocious,” said another scout. “He’s like a child. Really high maintenance. Every week there’s going to be something with this guy. Now, talent-wise, whew. He’s a weapon.” He ran a fast 40 at the combine but fared poorly in the vertical jump (29 ½) and broad jump (9-8). “Oh, man, he can accelerate,” a third scout said. “He looks like Dalvin Cook. He’s a little smaller but he has that type of speed. If you can give him a crease in a one-cut scheme I think he could be effective. Dalvin’s a more complete player, especially when you factor in the off-the-field stuff.” He finished with 239 carries for 1,636 (6.8) and 12 TDs to go with 24 receptions. McFarland’s Wonderlic score of 11 was the lowest among the top 12 backs. He’s from Hyattsville, Md.

11. ANTONIO GIBSON, Memphis (6-0 ½, 228, 4.41, 4): Gibson played two seasons in junior college and caught six passes as a backup WR in 2018 at Memphis before exploding for 12 TDs from scrimmage in ‘19. He moved from WR to RB late in the season, then played RB at the Senior Bowl. “The guy just came out of the blue,” said one scout. “The last two games they stuck him in the backfield and the guy just exploded. He looked extremely natural playing back there.” Gibson opened more eyes in Mobile, especially during the game. “You want to watch the Senior Bowl game,” another scout said. “He flashes speed. He’s got power. He can catch the ball. Will run a little high. Has to get that down. Will run aggressively inside. Has the feet to make defenders miss on inside runs. Huge ceiling.” Just 44 receptions and 33 carries in his career, and he scored 12 on the Wonderlic. “They had Tony Pollard the year before, and he kind of made a name for himself at Mobile,” said a third scout. “Gibson’s the same way. As a receiver this dude breaks a million tackles. If you draft him you need a really creative coordinator. He could end up being a better player than Jonathan Taylor.” Gibson is from Stockbridge, Ga.

12. JOSHUA KELLEY, UCLA (5-10 ½, 212, 4.53, 4-5): Kelley played two seasons at UC Davis, departed after a coaching change and walked on at UCLA, redshirting in 2017. He started in 2018-’19, surpassing 1,000 yards each year. “Similar to Jamaal Williams,” said one scout. “I’d take Kelley by a nod because he has more upside than Jamaal. He may not get much love on draft day, but he’s going to be a good pro.” Kelley finished with 647 carries for 3,442 (5.3) and 31 TDs to go with 42 catches and has an effervescent personality. “He’s going to play for somebody,” a second scout said. “He’s too knowledgeable, know what I mean?” He rushed 15 times for 105 yards in the Senior Bowl. Said a third scout: “I got him buried. Tight hips, dances too much. Dime-a-dozen running back.” Kelley is from Lancaster, Calif.

OTHERS, in order: DeeJay Dallas, Miami; Lamical Perine, Florida; Eno Benjamin, Arizona State; Mike Warren, Cincinnati; Patrick Taylor, Memphis; James Robinson, Illinois State; LeVante Bellamy, Western Michigan; Rico Dowdle, South Carolina; Darius Anderson, TCU; Raymond Calais, Louisiana; Javon Leake, Maryland; J.J. Taylor, Arizona; Xavier Jones, SMU; JaMycal Hasty, Baylor; Toren Young, Iowa.

FULLBACKS


One scout calls fullback Josiah Deguara a “Swiss army knife.” (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)
1. JOSIAH DEGUARA, Cincinnati (6-2 ½, 242, 4.72, 5-6): Deguara is a four-year player, two-year starter. “Swiss Army knife guy,” one scout said. “Played fullback at the Senior Bowl. He runs well. He’s a little short so you’re not going to use him on the line as much. He’s a wing, a fullback. He’s tough as nails. Really competitive guy. He’s a guy you want in your locker room. He’ll play on all the special teams. It’s hard for teams to find a fullback who can actually be good on teams. He will be that.” Finished with 92 catches, a record for Bearcats’ tight ends, for 1,117 (12.1) and 12 TDs. “He kind of did it all for them,” said a second scout. “He’s a good athlete. He’s quick, has good ball skills and is a competitive blocker. He’s a good football player.” Deguara is from Folsom, Calif.

2. JAKE BARGAS, North Carolina (6-1 1/2, 254, no 40, 7-FA): With no collegiate fullbacks available, teams are beating the bushes looking for tight ends to convert. Bargas played four years for the Tar Heels, starting just six of 48 games (none as a senior) as a tight end. “This guy’s strong, he’s physical,” one scout said. “You like the way he stones guys, you know? Not a great athlete. He’d be a good practice-squad fullback.” Finished with 21 receptions for 189 (9.0) and two TDs. From Boca Raton, Fla.

3. SEWO OLONILUA, TCU (6-2 ½, 232, 4.64, 7-FA): He played behind Darius Anderson, starting just nine of 52 games. “He leaves you scratching your head because he’s big and pretty and talented,” said one scout. “He’s got talent. They couldn’t get it out of him, and TCU’s a tough-minded program. If they couldn’t for four years, now we’re going to get it out of him?” He played fullback at the NFLPA all-star game, and because there are no fullbacks some teams have him on their boards at that position. “He is a strong short-yardage runner,” said a second scout. “I’ve never seen him block. He can catch. He runs hard.” Olonilua finished with 348 carries for 1,624 (4.7) and 18 TDs to go with 60 receptions and is from Kingwood, Texas.

OTHERS, in order: Reggie Gilliam, Toledo; James Lockhart, Baylor; Dominick Wood-Anderson, Tennessee.

THE SKINNY
UNSUNG HERO

Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State: Benjamin is one of the toughest, most reckless players in the draft. “Breaks a ton of tackles,” said one scout. “The offensive line there was horrible so a lot of times he had to create stuff on his own.” Rushed for 1,642 yards as a sophomore and 1,083 as a junior before declaring. At 5-9 and 207, his 4.56 clocking in the 40 hurt him more than it helped.

SCOUTS’ NIGHTMARE

Lamical Perine, RB, Florida: He led the Gators in rushing from 2017-’19 but never gained more than 826 yards. Possesses excellent hands but ran just 4.59 at 5-10 ½, 216. Wonderlic of 8. “Thinks he has all the answers,” one scout said. “Not sure I trust him.” His cousin, Samaje, was the Redskins’ fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2017 and led them in rushing (603) as a rookie.

SCOUT TO REMEMBER

Dick Mansperger: A meticulous Californian, Mansperger was described by one of his peers as “professional” and “focused.” In 1965, Mansperger left collegiate coaching to join the Cowboys as a scout. He spent a decade there, then departed for Seattle in 1976 to become director of player personnel for the expansion Seahawks. During his highly successful tenure he “stole” quarterback Jim Zorn from the Cowboys’ clutches and then uncovered free agent Dave Krieg to succeed him. Mansperger returned to Dallas in 1984 and, as director of college scouting, played a vital role in building three Super Bowl-winning teams. He quit the Cowboys in 1992 after a salary dispute with owner Jerry Jones. Mansperger died in 2013 at age 80.

QUOTE TO NOTE

NFL personnel man: “I try not to overscout pass pro. At that (collegiate) level, they don’t spend a ton of time on it. They don’t get coached on a lot of the mechanics of it. If a back’s willing to put his face in there and has enough strike to stop the charge, I keep him alive.”