Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
NFL Rookie Players of the Week – Bills’ runner Marshawn Lynch & Redskins’ safety LaRon Landry
Lynch projected as Rookie Impact Performer in May ’07
Excerpt from Draft Insiders Review May ’07 – “The Bills selected twice in the top 34 picks and addressed their two most pressing needs at running back and linebacker. In the 1st round, they drafted runner Marshawn Lynch, a complete tailback with the talent to come in immediately and give this offense a versatile playmaker. He was a fine addition with impact ability this season.�
The NFL ’07 season enters the halfway point with an impressive performance by Bills running back Marshawn Lynch and Redskins safety LaRon Landry. Lynch has rushed for 457 yards and 4 TDs in just 6 games to date that project to over 1200 yards on the full season. He faced the tough Baltimore Raven defense last week and interesting he faced former Bills’ RB Willis McGahee who was traded last winter to Baltimore. His performance helped the struggling Bills to a much needed 16-9 upset win. Lynch ran for 84 yards on 27 carries including a 1 yard TD run late in the 3rd quarter. He also added another 14 yards on 3 receptions from rookie passer Trent Edwards who has started in recent weeks. Edwards completed only 11 of 21 passes for 153 yards with no TDs and 1 interception in a conservative game plan..
Washington Redskin safety Laron Landry wins the Defensive Rookie award this week for another strong performance. He was the 6th overall player taken this past April and was instrumental in the Redskins big win over Arizona 21-19. He covers the field sideline to sideline and posted 9 tackles with 6 of them solo stops. Landry couples with veteran Sean Taylor to form an imposing safety tandem that already ranks among the best in the game and maybe the #1 pair by the close of this season.
Marshawn Lynch Scouting Profile from Draft Insiders’ Yearbook in March ’07 is below.
* Marshawn Lynch #10 - 5’11� 215 lbs. - California - Sp. 4.45 Rating 90
Hindu Theory - Laurence Maroney
Fast junior runner completed another outstanding season completed a brilliant three year career in the Pac 10. Marshawn earned first team Pac 10 honors for his outstanding effort during the ’06 season when he displayed the complete skills to become an NFL feature back. He rushed for over 1200 yards the past two seasons after backing up J.J. Arrington as a true freshman when he rushed for 628 yards on just 71 carries for an amazing 8.8 yard average. He kept the Bears at the top of the Pac 10 over recent seasons, though they failed to supplant USC over that period. He has the combination of size, speed, quickness and big play ability that gives the package NFL teams seek in a pro feature runner. He has fine strength that combined with his sharp cutting skills and outstanding quickness and vision allows him to run both inside and outside successfully. He is capable of being one of the blue chip prospects from this draft class if he answers the durability issues. He has good speed with the ability to separate from tacklers once he reaches the second level, though he does not possess elite speed. He shows good natural hands as a receiver and made nice progress over his career in that role, seeing increased action in that role. He is also a good kickoff returner with the experience to help in that role immediately. After three consecutive strong rushing seasons, he had little to prove in the tough Pac 10 and is ready to contribute in the NFL in a number of roles. He needs to show durability as a pro, the one area that remains questionable to earning starting status for the pro ranks. Over his career, he carried 490 times, a significant number, but only two full seasons at the NFL level. He has been one of the best all round performers in the Pac 10 since first freshman season and his best football appears ahead of him. He is a fluid runner who has burst through the hole to reach the 2nd level easily with the lateral quickness to retain top speed and get outside to break the big play. He uses quick feet and fine vision to make defenders miss with the separation speed to break away once in the secondary. He will also lower a shoulder and take on defenders with the ability to consistently move the pile. As a receiver, he has shown very good hands with nice overall development despite limited opportunities. He does need work on his route running and reading coverage. He catches the ball naturally, but he needs reps to compete for the 3rd down role as a rookie, even though he made fast progress over his final season. He usually picks up his assignments quickly, but will need to show he can handle a blitzing linebacker better to earn regular playing time. He is a fast runner with a strong lower body, allowing him to break tackles and finish his runs well, though his game is much more speed and elusiveness than power. He is an aggressive runner who will run inside and has the speed to get to the corner and make a big play. He runs in a gliding style and he uses his blockers and speed well, combining vision, balance, quick feet and good strength to be a complete back. He shows the ability to change directions and bounce outside easily, with the ability to cut back and put together several moves.
The Numbers: During the ’06 season, he started 13 games with 223 carries for 1356 yards, 6.31yard average and 11 TDs with 34 receptions for 328 yards and 4 TDs. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1246 yards on 196 carries with 10 TDs and 15 receptions while missing two games with hand and finger injuries. Over his career, he rushed for over 3200 yards with an incredible 6.5 yard average while catching 68 passes. At the combine, he ran a 4.46 time with 20 reps in the lifting, a 35.5� VJ and a 10’5� BJ with decent agility drills. Over his career, he averaged approximately 25 yards per KOR with limited opportunities due to his starting back role.
The Skinny: Tough fast big play young tailback is a fine looking prospect who will turn 21 years of age this spring. He has the overall talent to be a good feature back with minor development, especially as a receiver and blocker. He is a quick runner with fine strength and speed to be a complete back with the natural skills will warrant immediate playing time. He is a fine combination of size, speed and quickness, similar to back last year's rookie Laurence Maroney who provided impact for the Patriots during his rookie season. Big play back has shown both the talent and toughness to be a fine goal line runner with 29 career rushing TDs. On the 1st round short list of the Texans, Bills, Packers and Giants. Talented young back with fine upside to start as a rookie but he must prove durable as a pro with some concerns about his back.
Draft Projection: 1st Round