Draft Rewind 2010: Ben Tate, Houston Texans, Runningback

Ben Tate is playing like the running back the Texans drafted out of Auburn in 2010 before he broke his ankle. He rushed for 103 yards this past weekend against Miami and 116 yards against the Colts in week one. What Ourlads said about Tate:

Tate, Ben  Auburn 5107 220 4.42 Started 19 games in his career. Quick and explosive. Good vision and cutting ability. Strong lower body to break tackles. A hand catcher that makes a good effort as a pass protector. A downhill one cut zone runner. Has the strength to run inside and the speed to turn the corner. Can pick, slide, and accelerate through the hole. Plays in a spread formation but Auburn is a power running team. Has the strength to take a hit and maintain balance. Along with his pick and slide he has some slasher to his running style. Has the ability and vision to find and hit a crease. Good overall run skills and talent. Productive and creative as a runner. Elusive enough to make defenders miss. Uses a stiff arm to ward off tacklers. Hits ball hard up inside on the goal-line. A physical runner that can shuck tacklers. Will contribute on special teams. Kickoff return talent. Had 678 rushes for 3321 yards, 4.9 average, and 24 touchdowns over his career. Also caught 53 passes for 336 yards. Our top rated running back at the Combine. OSR:1/ 28. Second/third round. (A-31 1/2, H-9 1/8, BP-26, SS-4.11).

Undrafted Rookie: LeGarrette Blount, Running back Tampa Bay Bucs

LeGarrette Blount was signed by the Titans as a free agent and was claimed by Tampa Bay on waivers and made their 53 man roster.
The burly downhill runner tallied two touchdowns and 119 yards for the Bucs in their win over Arizona. What the 2010 OURLADS' DRAFT GUIDE said about Blount:

Blount, LeGarrette Oregon 6004 241 4.72

Had zero starts for the Ducks. Physical running back that plays in a spread offense. Strong runner that has good speed and is not easy to bring down. More of an upright runner that can get downhill with good vision and running instincts. Determined straight ahead runner. A goal-line type back that can muscle his way into the end zone. Gains yards after initial contact. Gives effort and finishes his runs with power. An aggressive back that doesn’t shy away from contact. Flashes some shiftiness in the open field. Athletic enough to hurdle low cutting defensive backs. Had 17 touchdowns in 2008, alternating with Jeremiah Johnson. A junior college transfer, he was suspended in February 2009 for missing conditioning workouts and academic class work. Was suspended from 9/4/09 to late November after fight in Boise State game. A high maintenance back with talent. OSR:19/28. Third/fourth round. (A-33 1/2, H-10, BP-19, SS-4.50).

UNDRAFTED ROOKIE: Keiland Williams,Washington Redskins

Keiland Williams is one of several undrafted rookies that made a 53 man roster. OURLADS' rated as a draftable player. What the 2010 OURLADS' DRAFT GUIDE said about Williams:

Williams, Keiland LSU 5107 233 4.51

Started three games over career. Was a reserve for Charles Scott. Broke his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Mississippi game (11/23/09) and was lost for the year. Good cutback vision. Big back with good speed. Never the “guy” at LSU, was always in a rotation. Has wear left on his tires. Catches the ball in his hands. Passes the look test. More power than elusive. Good quickness, agility, and balance in the open field. Has talent. Unknown if he can hold up if he is counted on to carry the load. Will contribute on kickoff return special teams. Career rushing marks include 299 carries for 1699 yards, 5.6 average, 17 touchdowns, along with 28 catches for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns. Did not work out at the Combine due to left ankle fracture. Seventh round/priority free agent. (A-30, H-8 3/4, BP-16, SS-DNP).

Charles Scott LSU 2010 NFL Draft

What we said about LSU running back Charles Scott heading into his senior season:

The bruising runner is a two year starter. Rotated his first two years and averaged over 6.5 yards per carry in mop up duty. As a junior he rushed for 1174 yards and 18 touchdowns. Runs from the "I" formation and hits the crease with body lean, strength, and power. A tackle to tackle runner that lowers his pads and runs hard. Anticipates his cuts without a loss of speed. Has talent, production, and good running skills for a big back. Drives legs on contact and gains yards with effort, leverage, and strength. Can get the tough two and three yards. Strong short yardage runner that is not easy to tackle. Good hands with the ability to catch all routes and production as a receiver. A feature back that can cut and finish his runs.

LeGarrette Blount, Oregon Running Back

LeGarrette Blount was suspended from the Oregon Ducks football program for the season after connecting with a punch to Boise State's defensive end Byron Hout jaw after the Duck's loss in the season opener to Boise State. Blount was Ourlad's second rated senior running back heading into the fall after Clemson's C.J. Spiller. Blount will continue to practice with the Ducks and work toward graduation. What we said about Blount heading into the fall:


Physical running back that plays in a spread offense. Strong runner that has good speed and is not easy to bring down. More of an upright runner that can get downhill with good vision and running instincts. Determined straight ahead runner. A goal-line type back that can muscle his way into the end zone. Gains yards after initial contact. Gives effort and finishes his runs with power. An aggressive back that doesn’t shy away from contact. Flashes some shiftiness in the open field. Athletic enough to hurdle low cutting defensive backs. Had 17 touchdowns in 2008, alternating with Jeremiah Johnson. A junior college transfer that was suspended in February 2009 for missing conditioning workouts and academic class work. A high maintenance back with talent.