15 minute read
Fullback/H-Back
nick ralston (rSR)
1
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Height: 6’1”
Weight: 240 lbs.
40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE:
n/a
2019 STATS:
1 rush
1 yard
15 receptions
100 yards
4 TDs
in A nuT SHEll:
Ralston is, in all of the best ways, the modern version of the fullback. He’s big and strong enough to be able to pancake and punish defenders. He’s also a capable receiver and will be a stalwart on all special teams. If you’re a team looking for a Kyle Juszczyk type, Ralston is your guy.
In the run game, Ralston shows the ruggedness and physicality to knock defenders over. He also possesses the athleticism to be a swipe player, running split zone and able to create lanes in that respect. He can also line up as a wing player.
In the pass game, he’s never going to be a major threat, but he does enough to be exactly what you need him to be. He’s a flat option on play action and roll outs and shows dependable hands as a receiver. He also has running back experience, so he’s a threat to run someone over once he has the ball.
COllEGE CArEEr:
Ralston started his career at Arizona State, where he proved to be a valuable lead blocker for the Sun Devils. An under-theradar graduate transfer fullback, Ralston made his mark at Louisiana, being the primary lead blocker for one of the best rushing attacks in the country.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
If the Packers decide to move on from Dan Vitale, Ralston would be an ideal fit. Their play styles are very similar, as they’re both good fits in Matt LaFluer’s system: athletic receiving threats who double as battering rams in the run game. Ralston could earn a starting job if he’s brought in. Ralston could be the fullback in Green Bay for a decade, if he gets the chance.
Mikey Daniel (rSR)
2
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 235 lbs.
40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE:
n/a
2019 STATS:
113 rushes
535 yards
7 TDs
3 receptions
14 yards
in A nuT SHEll:
Daniel is a bruising running back who will be looking to make the transition from tailback in college to a fullback/H-Back role in the NFL. A three year starter at SDSU, Daniel compares to Lawrence Vickers, a former Colorado runner who was too slow to be a starter in the NFL and transitioned to fullback with the Cleveland Browns. He’ll need to work on other aspects of the position, but his ball-in-hand skills are some of the best in this class amongst this position.
As a runner, Daniel is a big, tougher runner with a propensity to hurdle oncoming tacklers. He has shown good ball security throughout his career with the Jackrabbits and has shown the ability to catch the ball, despite not getting ample chances.
He’ll be a complete project as a blocker, but if he can show the willingness to be physical and stick his face in the fan, he can develop into the type of player whose value with the ball in his hands will make up for his non-devastating blocking.
COllEGE CArEEr:
A walk on at South Dakota State, Daniel was a local Brookings native and made his mark. After working his way to a scholarship during his redshirt freshman season, Daniel became the primary ball carrier for the Jackrabbits, one of the perennial powerhouses in FCS that has the misfortune of being in the same conference as North Dakota State. Daniel was a bruising tailback for SDSU.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
Daniel projects as someone the Packers could be potentially interested in if they believe his blocking is adequate or will continue to improve. Like any fullback, he’ll need to prove his worth on special teams and could be a practice squad candidate to continue to develop his blocking ability. Daniel is the type of prospect who’s worth taking a swing on because the upside is worthwhile, and he’s a high character kid who won’t make any waves in the locker room.
3 4
MEASurAblES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 250 lbs. | 40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE: n/a
2019 STATS: 5 receptions | 55 yards | 1 TD
in A nuTSHEll:
Mouton is a huge human being who transferred from LSU prior to the 2018 season before finishing his career at Nicholls State. Mouton is a devastating blocker, and that physicality will get him into the door for an NFL team. He’s more of a project as a ball carrier/receiver, with limited experience since high school. Mouton will be a special teams demon as well.
As a blocker, Mouton can play both as a fullback as well as an in-line tight end. He may be used more as a wing or tight end type of role in the NFL, but Mouton is a strong, physical blocker who will force defenses to play the run more honestly when he’s lined up on that side.
As a receiver, Mouton hasn’t been utilized often. This isn’t to say that he’s unable to be utilized in this role, but he simply doesn’t have a ton of production from his past to indicate it’s something he will be asked to do moving forward.
College Career: Mouton was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and came to LSU with some fanfare and high expectations. Unfortunately, after three seasons in Baton Rouge with mixed results, he transferred to in-state Nicholls State, who has produced multiple NFL prospects over the past few seasons. Mouton was able to make the most of his final opportunity with the Colonels.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
Due to Mouton’s lack of receiving production and athletic profile of a more stiff, rigid athlete and blocker, the Packers likely will be looking elsewhere at the fullback position. If they believe they can draw out his receiving ability, he could be a low risk choice. However, it’s more likely Green Bay will be looking for players with more history of production at the position.
MEASurAblES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 232 lbs. | 40 Time: 4.66
nfl COMbinE: 36” vertical | 10’3” broad | 4.28sec. 20 yd |
25 bench reps
2019 STATS: 134 rushes | 537 yards | 8 TDs | 24 receptions |
114 yards | 1 TD
in A nuTSHEll:
Olonilua is a big, strong, impressive looking athlete and was TCU’s primary rusher the past few seasons. Built like a bodybuilder, he’s more of a linear athlete who is faster than you expect a back who played at nearly 240 pounds to be. However, he can struggle with wiggle and lacks the lateral mobility to make him a true tailback at the next level.
As a runner, he has nice build-up speed and can be tough to bring down for defensive backs due to his size. If moved to fullback, he could be a chore for perimeter defenders if he’s able to gain momentum, but he isn’t super dynamic when changing direction. Has shown the ability to be an outlet receiver but ran a limited route tree at TCU.
Olonilua has little experience as a blocker; he will have to learn that part of the position as he goes.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
While the Packers lack a true power back on the roster, their offense is a poor fit for Olonilua as a runner, so fullback would have to be an option for the TCU product. His lack of experience as a blocker could lend to him having a tenure on the practice squad for him to continue to learn the position and develop his skills as a blocker.
5 6
MEASurAblES: Height: 6’3” | Weight: 238 lbs. | 40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE: n/a
2019 STATS: 14 receptions | 164 yards | 4 TDs MEASurAblES: Height: 6’0” | Weight: 250 lbs. | 40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE: n/a
2019 STATS: 1 carry | 3 yards
in A nuTSHEll:
Idrizi is a tight end body type but played a variety of roles for Boston College. He lined up as a fullback, in-line tight end, wing and even out in the spot for the Eagles. While not used a ton in the passing game, he was able to snag four touchdown receptions and showed dependable hands when called upon in BC’s run-heavy offense.
As a blocker, he shows no hesitation in going to lead block on isolation plays, kickout out edge defenders on power or being a perimeter blocker out of the slot. He’s physical and shows a bit of a chippy side at times, which is something offensive coordinators love.
As a receiver, he’s a bit stiff but shows the ability to catch the ball when targeted. He didn’t have a ton of production, but Boston College’s offense isn’t known for its proficiency through the air.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
Idrizi likely won’t be an ideal target for the Green and Gold, as he’s a bit of a tweener between tight end and fullback but doesn’t have the history of the ball in his hands often that someone like Dan Vitale had coming into the NFL. Idrizi would be a solid special teams player and could be someone the Packers could covet if they’re looking for a swing player who could potentially play both spots.
in A nuTSHEll:
Worship is a big tailback who got lost in the Purdue depth chart after missing 2018 with an injury, but in 2017, showed the ability to be a dependable tailback for the Boilermakers when needed. He ran with a physical style, but also with some finesse for a man near or at 250 pounds.
He ran for 253 yards and three touchdowns as a junior in 2017, averaging nearly five yards per carry. As a runner, he’s not the fastest, but he’s fast enough to be a threat to defenses. During his limited time, he showed solid ball security as well. Worship caught 10 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns in 2017 as well, so the ability to catch the ball is there as well.
As a blocker, he’d be a bit of a project. He hasn’t had substantial playing time in two years, and when he did receive time it wasn’t as a blocker, so that would have to be developed.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
While Worship’s lack of production may scare some teams away, Green Bay has shown interest in players like Worship in the past (John Kuhn, Aaron Ripkowski): bigger runners in college who had shown the ability to carry the ball but wouldn’t be tailbacks at the next level. Worship projects to a fullback body type, and he has the history of ball-in-hand skills to have some potential at the next level. Ultimately, his effectiveness and willingness as a blocker could be the catalyst to his ability in the NFL.
7 8
MEASurAblES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 250 lbs. | 40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE: n/a
2019 STATS: 13 carries | 67 yards | 1 TD | 6 receptions | 24 yards MEASurAblES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 240 lbs. | 40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE: n/a
2019 STATS: 134 rushes | 530 yards | 7 TDs | 8 receptions | 76 yards
in A nuTSHEll:
Furuta is built like a linebacker and runs like one, too. An oversized running back in an offense that was primarily a passing attack in Hawai’i, Furuta was the change-of-pace for the offense as a rusher, whose primary responsibility was pass protection when in the game. He suffered an ankle injury that required surgery early in the season but was able to return and play in multiple late season games.
As a runner, Furuta is thickly built and runs low to the ground. He shows a surprising amount of wiggle for his size, and, while he lacks pure speed, is pretty fluid and smooth as a rusher. Furuta also showed the ability to catch dump offs and checkdowns but little outside of that.
As a blocker, Furuta was effective but not particularly outstanding. More of a shield blocker than a physical one, despite his size.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
Furuta fits the type of build the Packers like in their fullbacks, and, given his experience as a ball carrier, he could be an intriguing option at fullback. He’s as raw as they come as a blocker, but he has the physical profile and size to do it. He’d likely be a candidate to sit on a practice squad and see if Green Bay’s coaches can further develop him.
in A nuTSHEll:
Nicknamed the “Fargo Freight Train,” Johannesson holds multiple high school records in the state of North Dakota and was recruited by many Division I programs as a linebacker before deciding on the University of Minnesota as a running back. He then transferred to UND for the final three seasons of his college career. He’s a punishing runner who projects to fullback at the next level due to his lack of speed.
As a runner, Johannesson is a physical and gritty runner who excels between the tackles. He shows solid vision and delivers the blows to defenders, rather than the other way around. He wasn’t used often in the pass game.
As a blocker, Johannesson would be a work in progress. As the primary ball carrier for the Fighting Sioux over the past couple of seasons, he wasn’t asked to block often, though he has shown the physicality and willingness for contact to indicate it might not be out of reach.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
Johannesson fits the mold of what Green Bay has shown to look for in the position in years past. With the ball in his hands, he’s a bowling ball that has shown the ability to make things happen. Though he hasn’t been used often as a receiver, his chances as a fullback would be limited, so that learning curve wouldn’t be huge. He shows the physicality as a runner to project that he’d be a willing blocker. He would also have to contribute on special teams.
9 10
MEASurAblES: Height: 5’11” | Weight: 235 lbs. | 40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE: n/a
2019 STATS: 149 rushes | 658 yards | 8 TDs MEASurAblES: Height: 6’1” | Weight: 255 lbs. | 40 Time: n/a
nfl COMbinE: n/a
2019 STATS: 9 receptions | 52 yards
in A nuTSHEll:
Slomka, a downback in Army’s triple option offensive attack, was one of the primary options for the Golden Knights as a senior. He’ll attempt to be the latest in a string of triple option runners to make the transition to fullback in the NFL. One of the positives of the position he played at West Point is that he got hit on every play, so physicality isn’t an issue.
As a runner, he’s not overly creative but will get what’s blocked in front of him. Unfortunately, as a triple option downback, he has zero college receptions. This isn’t an indication that he can’t catch, as he simply was always the play-action back. However, that lack of experience creates an awfully large learning curve stepping up in competition.
As a blocker, he did enough of it for Army by getting tackled and leading up into the hole; physicality will be no issue, simply a matter of gaining experience as a blocker.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
With how Green Bay likes to use their fullbacks as weapons in the passing game, I can’t imagine they’ll be overly-anxious to target Slomka given his lack of experience and polish in the area. He does possess the body type they’ve looked for at the position, but Slomka won’t be highly sought after by the Green and Gold.
in A nuTSHEll:
Gilliam is a big, thick lead blocker who was effective in his role for the Rockets, but he struggled to stay healthy, as he never played more than eight games in a season during his three in Toledo.
As a ball carrier, he’s stiff and fairly linear but shows the ability to get north and south and pick up what he can when given opportunities. He’ll always be a blocker first but the ability to catch the ball has been exhibited.
As a blocker, he’s more in his element, being physical and laying the wood on defenders. While limited athletically, he’s shown the ability to get the job done when called upon.
fiT wiTH THE PACkErS:
Gilliam likely won’t be high on the Packers’ list due to his limited athleticism and his inability to stay on the field. He has some of the skills they covet at the position with its importance within the offensive scheme, but the lack of upside will likely keep him off of Green Bay’s list at the end of the day.
Position Analysis: Ross Uglem
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1. ceeDee Lamb, Oklahoma 2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama 3. Henry Ruggs, Alabama 4. Laviska Shenault, Colorado 5. Justin Jefferson, LSU
6. Denzel Mims, Baylor 7. Tee Higgins, Clemson 8. Jalen Reagor, TCU 9. brandon Aiyuk, Arizona St 10. kJ Hamler, Penn St
11. Donovan peoples-Jones, Michigan 12. Michael pittman, Jr, USC 13 Tyler Johnson, Minnesota 14. Devin Duvernay, Texas 15. chase claypool, Notre Dame
16. John Hightower, Boise St 17. van Jefferson, Florida 18. collin Johnson, Texas 19.. kJ Hill, Ohio St 20. bryan Edwards, South Carolina
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