Ourlads Rehash 2009 GUIDE: ARIAN FOSTER, Houston Texans

Foster, Arian Tennessee 6006 226 4.60
Started 33 games over the past four years. Rotated with Montario Hardesty. Versatile back that can run and catch. Power runner that can turn the corner. Good balance. Effective on the inside zone running plays out of the one back set. Question ball security. Best running between the tackles. Lacks long finish speed. One speed downhill runner with limited burst. Ball control type back. Appeared to shut it down his senior year and was not nearly as productive as in previous years. Upright runner that lacks the power he showed previously. Lacked consistency and the ability to hold onto the ball. Lacked the confidence to be a playmaker at crunch time. Not dependable and reliable to make the plays when needed. Injury history is a concern. Question competitiveness. Long arms. Left the Senior Bowl with a hamstring injury after the first day. Did not workout at the Combine.Ourlads grade: Seventh round. (A-33 3/8, H-9 7/8, BP-23, SS-4.53). FOSTER HAD A BREAKOUT GAME AGAINST THE COLTS ON 9/12/10 WITH 231 YARDS. SECOND BEST OPENING DAY RUSHING PERFORMANCE IN NFL HISTORY. WAS SIGNED BY THE TEXANS AS A FREE AGENT. ELEVATED FROM THE PRACTICE SQUAD IN 2009.

2011 NFL Draft, Runningback, DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

A four-year starter who has rotated with other backs over his career. A versatile athlete who plays in a spread offense. Has experience at wide receiver, in the slot, and takes the direct snap in the Wildcat along with his running back duties. As a freshman he averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return. Solid overall run skills, inside and outside. Natural instincts and feel for running the ball. Quick reactions, vision, and has the ability to find and hit a crease with body lean. Runs with a low pad level and has good contact balance. Uses a strong stiff arm to ward off tacklers. A pick and slide type runner who is talented and can sidestep a tackler. Displays good hands to catch all the pass routes with good eye/hand coordination. Productive as a receiver with 86 catches for 977 yards in his career. Dependable and reliable to make plays as needed. A clutch player at crunch time. Productive over his career with 2471 yards rushing, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Fifth in career touchdowns with 41 and fourth in all purpose yards. Three time first team All Big-12 Academic. In 2007 he suffered a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff in the Big-12 Championship and missed the BCS Championship game. Dislocated a knee cap in 2007 in the eleventh game.

2011 NFL Draft, Running back, Daniel Thomas, Kansas State.

Two-year starter. Junior college transfer. Big-12 Newcomer of the Year in 2009 when he led the league in rushing with 1265 yards. A physical runner who runs with his eyes. Excellent vision. A slasher who can make the defender miss in the open field. A versatile athlete who played quarterback in high school and junior college. Bounces the ball outside quickly and instinctively if there is no hole. He will also make the tough one and two yard runs with his strong leg drive. An intelligent runner who can break tackles after initial contact. Has a burst through the hole. A natural downhill north/south runner. Keeps his shoulders square. Not easy to tackle. An offensive weapon with good running skills and patience. Plays out at wide receiver, in the slot, I-formation tailback, and takes the direct snap in the Wildcat from the center. Has receiver type soft hands. Can adjust to a poor pass and pluck the ball. A hand catcher. He needs technique work on his route running and blocking, but displays effort. He can take punishment as a runner and play with pain. Good contact balance and athletic speed. More of an upright runner. Was recruited to Florida as a quarterback out of high school but spent two years at NW Mississippi Junior College after not qualifying. Spent 2008 at Butler (KS) Junior College and Manhattan (KS) Christian working on academics. Enrolled at Kansas State in July 2009.