FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Kansas running back Devin Neal.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Devin Neal

Devin Neal (RB – Kansas)

5’11” – 210 lbs.

Background:

Took over the starting role by Week 4 of his freshman season, leading the team in rushing with 158-707-8 (4.5). Maintained that lead back role the following year, finishing with 180-1,090-9 (6.1) and adding 21-183-1 receiving. Has followed that up with an even more productive junior year; as of the time of writing, has 183-1,209-15 (6.6) with 24-214-1 receiving.

Positives:

Has been a major contributor in each of his three seasons in school, with escalating output. The team really focused on getting him the ball via different looks. Knows how to change speeds and play with patience. Nice jump-cuts and lateral quickness. Able to weave through congestion effectively. Has impressive elusiveness to make defenders miss in the hole; very nice dead-leg move. Very effective one-cut runner who can win the edge and make sharp cuts upfield. Accelerates quickly and shows the speed to rip off long chunks. Hard to bring down once he gets out into the open field. Gets low at the end of his runs to administer some punishment. Shows some leg drive to fight for extra yardage, and runs with competitiveness. Ball security is excellent, with just three fumbles to date on well over 500 career touches. Has some experience as a wildcat quarterback as well. Offers a pretty reliable pair of hands as a receiver. Has kick-return traits.

Negatives:

Build may be considered slightly thinner than ideal for a workhorse. Doesn’t quite have the most knee-bend in the class, exposing his lower body to some punishment. Probably not going to be the ideal between-the-tackles pile-mover at the next level; much more likely to make a man miss than to run through defenders and push the pile. Hasn’t been the most effective pass protector at the college level, and may not have the functional strength to excel at it in the pros, either. Was purely a safety valve as a receiver, with a career average depth of target of less than one yard at the time of writing.

Summary:

A fast, agile back with good burst and excellent open-field running skills, he functioned as a workhorse for the Jayhawks but might be more of a change-of-pace back at the next level, as he may struggle to grind out tough yardage between the tackles as a pro. Ran a relatively higher amount of gap concepts in school, but might be better-suited to a zone-blocking scheme where he’s able to stretch defenses out and cut upfield when he sees daylight. Probably more of a mid-round option.

Projection: Round 5