[CBFF] Kiper's latest mock draft, March 4

Thu Mar 6 08:36:03 MST 2008

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/rb/chrisjohnson.html

condraft.com Wrote:
Overview 
One of the most productive backs in the history of ECU Pirates football, and
could be the best to come out of C-USA since Memphis's DeAngelo Williams
(though UCF's Kevin Smith won't like me saying so.) Christopher was an
All-Orange County selection as a senior at Olmpia H.S. in Orlando, FL. He
earned MVP honors for his play during the Orange County All-Star Game and
was rated among the top 100 players in the state of Florida by Super-Prep
Magazine. Johnson rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a junior and scored
eight touchdowns during his senior year despite missing four games. He also
recorded prep power numbers of 265 (clean-lift) and 315 (bench-press) and
was timed at 10.62 in the 100-meter. Chris ran the anchor leg on the fastest
4x100 relay team in the nation and won the Golden South and Golden West
national titles in track. He came right into the Pirates program and led the
team in rushing all four seasons, and put up an immense senior season to top
everything off. Really helped himself with an amazing 4.24 forty time at the
Combine--best of everyone who attended. His 10-yard split was an equally
astounding 1.40.

Strengths 
Darter, who has some good natural tailback moves. Does not need to stop to
cut. Very, very fast and fluid. Quick first step and initial burst. Quick in
the hole and strong on the power sweep. Plays bigger than he lists. Finishes
well. Uses speed well and is a genuine breakaway threat. Very productive at
a mid-level of competition, but produced against the best he faced. Very
fine hands, and was productive as a receiver out of the backfield. High cut
athlete but his legs are strong too. 

Weaknesses 
Needs work on blocking and running with more lean. Neck injury that caused
him to miss the Spring of 2006 must be fully checked out. Not very big, and
may have trouble dealing with the pounding at the next level. May not be a
4-down back. 
Projection Solid 2-3rd round selection, who could even surprise and end up
in the latter part of round one.

Chris Johnson Analysis

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 195

Positives: Has a compact frame with good overall muscle tone, thick chest,
broad shoulders, tapered thighs and legs and room on his frame to carry at
least another 10 pounds of bulk without having it affect his explosive
quickness...Efficient route runner whose speed makes him a valid deep threat
when lining up wide...Shows good athletic agility and vision, doing a nice
job of planting and driving to reach the cutback lanes, showing excellent
lateral movement and explosion...Has a superb vertical burst, staying low in
his pads while showing crisp hip snap with his lateral change of
direction...Patient enough to allow blocks to setup, whether carrying or
returning the ball...Smart football player with good football intelligence
and is effective at picking up the blitz and stunt...Shows good peripheral
vision to locate even the smallest of creases and is sudden running through
the holes...Knows the offense well and is capable of playing either as a
receiver or halfback...Has excellent work habits and is the type that
approaches practices much like a game (all business on the field)...Is more
of a leader by example type than a rah-rah one, but he is good at mentoring
the younger players...Tough inside runner with the leg drive and power to
get physical with defenders in attempts to break tackles, despite a lack of
ideal size...Takes well to hard coaching...Very decisive in his moves and
has a very good feel for the cutback lanes...Has that second gear and
explosion needed to accelerate vertically off cuts...Runs behind his pads
with good instincts, doing a nice job of driving and spinning to get extra
yards after initial contact...Runs behind pads well and has more than enough
speed and quickness to reach the corner...Has good vision with quick plant
and drive agility when redirecting and sets up the defender well with his
stop-and-go action...The thing you notice on film is his impressive
athleticism and courage, as he will not hesitate to leap over the tackler,
keeping his balance while moving forward, thanks to good body lean...Does a
good job of securing the ball before heading upfield...Has natural hands and
good extension to catch the ball outside his framework...Used mostly on
shallow crossing routes, sideline take-offs and out routes, but could
possibly shift to receiver at the next level due to his explosive
acceleration and ability to separate after the catch...Demonstrates good
running ability on kickoff returns, as he will follow his blocks well...Has
the quickness and burst in and out of his cuts to take the ball long
distances, whether running, returning or catching the ball...Prior to his
senior year, Johnson was considered a marginal space blocker, as he
sometimes over-extended or lunged at the defender with his head down,
resulting in missed blocks. But as a senior, he showed much better hand
placement and punch, doing a nice job of locating the blitz and using his
hands to lock on and sustain...Has also become a proficient cut blocker,
taking good angles to locate and neutralize second level defenders.

Negatives: Durability might be a concern with his lack of ideal size, but he
shows good power and leg drive to break tackles and is not a liability
taking the ball up the middle... Showed inconsistent leg churn as a runner
in 2006, but it was likely due to his turf toe injury, as he ran at a lower
pad level and with crisper cuts during his senior year... Needs to work on
his blocking technique, as he lacks good hand placement to lock on and
sustain...Shows the ability to take the plays from the chalkboard to the
playing field, but had some academic struggles...When he keeps his pad level
down running with the ball, he can break tackles, but when he gets too tall
in his pads, he loses some of his leg drive and can be contained running
between the tackles...Has shown good ball security, but has
smaller-than-ideal hands (7 1/4-inches).

Compares To: DAVE MEGGETT-ex-New York Giants/New England...Some compare him
to Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook, but even though the Eagles runner has
fine speed, he lacks that explosive second gear Johnson possesses. With his
injury woes behind them, Johnson finally came into his own as a senior, as
he learned to vary his speed and showed much better patience waiting for
blocks to develop. He is much stronger than his size indicates, but with his
outstanding timed speed he is a versatile threat who is more than capable of
handling kickoff duties. With his suddenness off the line of scrimmage and
hand extension ability, he also can line wide in passing situations.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/rb/jamaalcharles.html

I don't have much on Charles off hand.  Lol.

-----Original Message-----
From: cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com
[mailto:cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com] On Behalf Of Victor Waldron
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 9:33 AM
To: post at chicagobearsfanforum.com
Subject: Re: [CBFF] Kiper's latest mock draft, March 4

Sounds good. My myopic draft knowledge is limited to the first round
talent. Can you post some info on these guys?

V

On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 10:30 AM, Phil DeNomme <pdenomme at gmail.com> wrote:
> Charles and Johnson are 2nd rounders.
>
>
>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com
>  [mailto:cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com] On Behalf Of Victor
Waldron
>
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 9:28 AM
>  To: post at chicagobearsfanforum.com
>  Subject: Re: [CBFF] Kiper's latest mock draft, March 4
>
>
>
> I am far from saying it would be an ideal situation, but if you (you
>  as a general term) believe Benson is still the guy then someone has to
>  push him. Going into '08 with our same three RBs is not going to do
>  the trick. Again, you would never give Jones a very big contract.
>
>  Drafting one of the guys you mention means we're not going OT in the
>  first round. I really like the idea of Mendenhall but one of Williams
>  or Clary would be a smarter choice.
>
>  V
>
>  On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 10:22 AM, Phil DeNomme <pdenomme at gmail.com> wrote:
>  > So we now have 3 very average RBs at best and 3rd down back?
>  >
>  >  I'd rather draft someone with potential like Mendenhall, Stewart,
Johnson
>  or
>  >  Charles.

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