As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Eric Gray.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Eric Gray (RB – Oklahoma)
5’10” – 211 lbs.
Background:
Tennessee native and four-star recruit who originally played for the Volunteers, stepping right into a major role and finishing with a 101-539-4 (5.3) line as a freshman (13-115-1 receiving) and a 157-772-4 (4.9) line as a sophomore (30-254-2 receiving) before transferring to Oklahoma. Received 101 total touches for 641 yards and four touchdowns in 2021 (78-412-2 on the ground), then stepped into the starting role and posted 213-1,366-11 (6.4) with 33-229-0 through the air to conclude his college career.
Positives:
Had a very productive senior season, by far his most successful; was also a solid contributor in previous years without accumulating too much tread. Has a somewhat thick build and runs with a low center of gravity. Smooth accelerator who gets upfield quickly, minimizing negative-yardage runs. Juice is sufficient to get to the outside on off-tackle runs and sweeps. Good eyes to recognize cutback opportunities off of stretch plays, with at least adequate footwork and good quickness to maneuver into lanes. Navigates well through congestion. Can make second-level defenders miss in space. Fights for additional yardage after contact and generally falls forward at the end of runs, pinballing forward off of contact. Ball security is solid, with just five career fumbles (one this past season). Has some experience lining up in the slot as a receiver, sometimes with pre-snap motion (often orbit). Dropped just six career throws against 101 career receptions. Could be elusive in the screen game. Willingly engages opposing pass-rushers with bent knees and a stable base; contact balance looks pretty solid.
Negatives:
May be considered slightly undersized by some teams. Was almost always working out of the shotgun, usually against light boxes. Ability to break tackles is average at best; runs hard but doesn’t have a lot of power to his game, and can be brought down by arm tackles at times. Projects as more of a chunk-yardage runner than a home-run hitter in terms of his top-end speed. Doesn’t present the biggest target in the passing game, and usage was mostly limited to swing routes/safety valve work; slot snaps were mostly screens, flat releases, or window-dressing. Form in pass protection was more impressive than his results.
Summary:
A smooth runner who wastes little time getting upfield and is capable of weaving through congestion between the tackles, getting to the outside on off-tackle runs, or recognizing cutback lanes, but who may lack the ideal top-end speed to hit home runs or the power to punish defenders and break tackles on a consistent basis. Looks like a future rotational or committee back with a good feel for the game.
Projection: Round 4-5
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