Round 1, Pick 12 - San Diego Chargers - Ryan Mathews

Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State

Ht: 5’ 11 5/8” Wt: 218

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Chargers were in desperate need of a running back after releasing LT.  Mathews is a bell-cow type runner and will be successful behind the talented offensive line of the Chargers.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A tough, downhill runner who owns a unique distinction in this draft as a back capable of playing every down. He distinguished himself as a junior and has the vision, strength and tackle-breaking ability to become a workhorse-type back.

NFL projection: Top-40 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Mathews is a first-year starter at RB, who loses some playing time to two other players for the Bulldogs in 2009.  He has an exceptional physique with above average arm length for the position at the next level.  He is an outstanding overall athlete with excellent overall play speed, initial quickness, & lateral avoid with balance as a runner.  He lacks the elite pure speed to consistently gain the edge or to make the long run.  He is more of a one-cut, downhill type of runner, who runs to & through contact. He shows exceptional functional strength & power to break high arm tackle attempts between the tackles.  He runs behind his pads with great lower body flexibility, nimble feet, & contact balance to bounce/spin-off tackle attempts.  However, he will go down too easily against low contact at times.  He is a sledge-hammer inside, who wears-down defenders by the end of the game.  Although he lacks elite speed, he does have the ability to change his gears & builds-up speed with acceleration down the field.  He consistently runs with square shoulders & a strong stride.  He can be effective as an off-tackle runner after one cut.  He is very tough for a single perimeter defender to bring him down.  He did NOT fumble in my views.  He is an excellent receiving threat out of the backfield, & an exceptional blocker in pass protection.  He does a great job of locating & eliminating blitzers, he can snap his hips & uncoil on contact.  He also shows soft hands with the ability to adjust to the ball in the air out of the backfield.  He shows exceptional toughness, but little elusiveness in his rac ability.  Overall, he is a future starter & complete player at the NFL level.  He lacks Pro Bowl caliber speed & ability, but has many strong qualities to serve him well in his career.  He has the chance to play right way on 3^rd down due to his ability to block in pass protection.  He would best pair with an undersized, fast & explosive back for a team.  He reminds me of a combination of former Wolverine Chris Perry, who was a late 1^st round pick by the Bengals in 2004 & of former Hokie Kevin Jones, who was a late 1^st round pick by the Lions that same year. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  When healthy, Mathews has enjoyed remarkable results, rushing for 3,280 yards and 39 touchdowns in only 534 attempts (6.12-yard average).  Possessing the toughness, balance and leg drive to be a grinder on the inside, as well as the vision and speed to make big plays on the outside, Mathews might be the nation’s best all-around back.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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