Jahvid Best NFL Draft scouting report

Jahvid Best
5’10, 195 pounds | Running back | California

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Has top notch stop and go ability. Can reach his top speed in a blink and explodes through the smallest of windows. Has the advantage even when a linebacker has the initial angle on him in traffic.

Ball Protection: Very aware when in traffic, keeps the ball tight to his body and places a high value of keeping both hands on when a hit is on the way. Rarely seen out in space with the ball floating away from his body. Could keep it higher to maximize strength.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Very hard to get a hold of in open space. Has arguably the top agility of any back in this draft class. Makes a lot of defenders completely whiff. Feet are light on the ground, appears to be gliding when makes his way through traffic

Pass Catching: Was not given a lot of opportunity as a receiver, but he made the most of the looks he got. 62 career receptions. An effective wheel-route runner that can see the ball in to his hands while running at full speed. Adjusts well to the poorly thrown ball.

Pass Blocking: Was taken off the field on obvious passing downs. Partially to keep him fresh, partially because he got pushed around by blitzing linebackers repeatedly. The effort is there, but he lacks the strength and physicality to knock a defender around.

Power: Does not run with any power. Rarely breaks tackles when a defender gets squared up, goes down on first contact way too often. Will put his shoulder down and fall forward consistently, but he tries to miss tacklers rather than run through them.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Lacks the ideal build for an every down back. Slight frame that needs more bulk, especially to the lower half.

Speed: Has been clocked under 4.4 in the 40. Big time speed once he breaks free in to the second level. Has the extra gear in the open field that makes it very difficult to catch him from behind. Homerun threat every time he touches the ball, has several long touchdown runs.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Sees the field exceptionally well. Does not have tunnel vision that a lot of backs possess. Can turn a broken play in to a big gain because of his ability to see the entire width of the field. Reads blocks and knows when to run north-south or east-west. Has such a smooth running style with no wasted motion as a result of his tremendous balance.

Final Word: Best has showed elite ability with the ball in his hands and has the potential to be a big time playmaker at the next level. His speed and quickness can be a factor from day one and every offense is always looking to add another player that is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. With that said, Best does not have the frame, bulk, or strength to handle every down duty in the league. The lack of ability to break tackles and pass protect are alarming red flags that cannot be overlooked. On top of that, Best suffered a severe concussion and neck injury in 2009 that ended his season early and is will be coming in to the league with some surgery history to both his elbow and ankle. Now if he can be put in to a system where is a change of pace back, his value to a team will be tremendous. But if he is depended upon to be on the field for 30+ plays per game, his flaws will be exploited. With that said, Best has top 10 ability but his weaknesses are tough to overlook and it could bump him down to the middle of the 2nd round.