Lamar Miller Scouting Report

Running Back Lamar Miller is one of five Miami Hurricane players to declare early for the 2012 NFL Draft. At 5-11, 212 pounds, Miller ran 227 times for 1,272 yards (5.6 yard average) with nine touchdowns this past season.

Strengths:

• Has nice vision in finding the hole and makes one big cut to get out into space - used on a lot of toss plays 
• Great burst and top-notch acceleration when he finds the hole, often resulting in five to ten yard runs, and occasionally longer
• Has breakaway speed once he's in the open field - former track star who may run in the 4.3 range
• Size and experience in being an every-down back this past year
• Agile in making cuts and can stop on the dime 
• Shakes off arm tackles really well and is above average overall in breaking tackles
• Falls forward and always keeps his legs churning - high effort and good balance

Weaknesses:

• Can get happy feet at times and needs to show more patience in making cuts
• Has good hands, but is not overly elusive after the catch like he is on running plays
• Needs to show more consistency as a pass blocker
• Coming out after his redshirt sophomore season at Miami and may be a bit unproven over a long period of time

Overall:

Miller should be a second round pick and will be in the conversation of the second best running back in the draft behind Alabama's Trent Richardson. Could have proven himself a bit more with one more year in college to become a first round pick, but it is understandable for his leaving Miami after the school's allegations this year. Fits a zone-blocking scheme, has a lot of upside, and reminds a bit of a bigger Steve Slaton during his rookie season with Houston.

Vikings Can Go Multiple Ways In 1st Round

As we approach the final two games of the 2011 NFL regular season, the Minnesota Vikings are in prime position to secure a top four pick in the 2012 draft.  Minnesota can really go many different ways with their first pick due to many positions of need.

The Vikings still have a chance at the first overall pick and in that case, Minnesota should easily decide on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who figures to be an elite future NFL quarterback.  Though this year's eighth overall pick Christian Ponder has shown flashes of becoming a solid passer, I do not feel his ceiling is as high as Luck and it is difficult to pass up a once-every-ten-years type of prospect at the most crucial position in football. Luck's size, accuracy, and ability to read coverages at the line of scrimmage and pick apart a defense will make him an excellent NFL quarterback.

Even if Minnesota receives the second, third, or fourth overall pick, there should be a slew of elite talent available.  Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is a tall, physical receiver with an uncanny ability to go up and catch the long ball. The Vikings have lacked a true home run threat since the departure of Randy Moss several years ago and Blackmon would complement Percy Harvin very well as both a possession receiver and one that can work the entire field with his soft hands.

The Vikings signed left tackle Charlie Johnson as a free agent this past offseason, but he disappointed in his first year with the club.  USC's Matt Kalil, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, would fill a big need on the offensive line and allow Johnson to move inside to guard where Stephen Herrera and Steve Hutchinson have been beat up and Hutchinson's age is catching up to him. Kalil is the reason Tyron Smith, the Cowboys' ninth overall pick in last year's draft, played right tackle at USC and has the ability to refine his skills at the next level to become an elite tackle.

The defensive backfield has many questions to answer next season, as well. Cornerback Antoine Winfield is nearing the end of his marvelous career, while Cedric Griffin has been highly inconsistent all season long. Asher Allen is only an average cover corner and is limited by his size, while former second round pick Chris Cook has been involved in several legal issues within the past two years. Therefore, LSU's Morris Claiborne would fit nicely in the Vikings' secondary. Claiborne has great size (6-1) and speed and his production has increased every year with the Tigers, posting six interceptions this season. Along the lines of former teammate and Arizona Cardinal Patrick Peterson, Claiborne might even be a better pure cover corner and would provide a big boost in defensive turnovers.

The Minnesota Vikings can really go in any direction they choose in the 2012 Draft, but I believe they would be incredibly "lucky" to land a quarterback of Andrew Luck's caliber. They would also benefit greatly from Justin Blackmon, who would provide Christian Ponder with a big, reliable target. The final two games will surely be a big step in determining the future success of the Vikes.

USC QB Matt Barkley Passes on 2012 Draft

Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley has decided not to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, choosing instead to lead the Trojans offense again next season on a quest for a National Championship.

While Barkley believes he is NFL-ready and would have probably been a top 10 pick in this upcoming draft, he also wants to help his team attend to "unfinished business." USC is bowl eligible again next season for the first time since the Reggie Bush scandal.

A 6-2, 220-pound true junior, Barkley threw for 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2011. The former top recruit in the nation led the Trojans to a 10-2 record and a #5 ranking at the conclusion of the season. There is a very realistic chance Barkley could become, not only a Heisman Trophy winner, but the top pick in the 2013 draft with another season like this past year in which he played at a higher level towards the end of the season and moved from being a "solid" to a "great" college quarterback.  Barkley led an underdog team in games against Stanford, Oregon, and Notre Dame and threw 10 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions in those games - wins against Notre Dame and #4 Oregon and a triple overtime loss to #6 Stanford.

The question is if Barkley can duplicate the success he had this season under more intense scrutiny and a Senior Bowl performance added on at the end of the year. The pieces are place to do so with a top receiving corps in the nation, led by Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, but he will miss his left tackle Matt Kalil who declared for the draft earlier this week. However, should he not, Barkley does not have the great size or arm strength that other college quarterbacks do, which would surely impact his draft status.

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