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Noel Devine Scouting Report
Running Back
West Virginia
5-8 175
Draft board overall prospect rank: NR
Draft board running back rank: NR
Overall rating: 72*
40 time (projected): 4.31
9/12/09: Noel Devine has looked brilliant and exciting in his first 2 years in the college rank, after choosing West Virginia as a top prospect coming out of high school. He has averaged 7.4 yards per carry in 279 college carries. However history does not bode well for people of his size. How many running backs weighing less than 200 pounds had more than 80 carries last season? 1, Warrick Dunn who is currently a free agent.
At 175 pounds, Devine would clearly be one of the lightest running backs in the NFL, which is a serious disadvantage. Not only would he have little to no success running between the tackles in the NFL, he would not be able to survive 200 hits per season without getting hurt or seriously worn down. He needs to bulk up at least to 190 or 195 to have a shot at being a 200+ touch back.
At this point, however exciting he is, he only projects as a kick/punt returner and a 3rd down back. He has great hands and can break a big gain whenever you put the ball in his hands, but he’s just too small, at this point to survive an NFL beating. In fact, no NFL player that weighs as little as Devine got a single carry last year. The only one who approached Devine’s lightness was Darren Sproles at 5-6 181.
Sproles had a few big games, but also games where he struggled to go anywhere with the ball because of his size. At this point, unless Devine bulks up without losing speed, Sproles, who has 544 yards on 106 career carries, is the best case scenario for him. He should be a fine kick/punt returner and maybe able to contribute as a 3rd down back or wildcat, but he doesn’t have the size to do much in the running game on a consistent basis. I wouldn’t draft him on the 2 rounds and maybe not even in the first 3, even if he qualifies for or wins the Heisman this year, which he actually could do, unless he bulks up some.
NFL Comparison: Darren Sproles
*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here
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