Damien Berry NFL Draft Scouting Report

Damien Berry
5’11, 217 pounds | Running back | Miami Hurricanes

Acceleration/burst/quickness: He has quick feet that helps him get a decent burst thru the hole. He can accelerate to full speed quickly. He does not have elite breakaway speed but adequate speed to get to the corner and shoot behind the defender in a flash. Can change directions with his feet quickly and not lose his balance.

Elusiveness: Berry is not a shake and bake runner, but has quick feet to make an occasional defender miss in the open field. He sees the backside hole well and uses his quick feet well to cut and get thru fast. Will deliver a blow to defender by lowering pad level and continued leg drive.

Pass Catching: He did not get many opportunities to display his pass catching in college. He needs work and more reps in this area to show that he is capable. He seems to have the hand size by what I have seen to be a capable pass catcher out of the backfield.

Pass Blocking: He is an adequate blocker. He needs to use better technique and fundamentals, but does give a good effort. Also did not get enough opportunities in college to show if he could be consistent because of a loaded backfield.

Power: Berry is a tough runner who fights for extra yards. Will lower shoulder and deliver a blow to the defender. When he became the starter in his senior year his production was excellent. He is definitely and in between the tackles runner. Needs to concentrate more at keeping his pad level low to maximize power.

Size: Berry is a well built back who has NFL size and strength. Durable player who has not had any major injury issues. He is a little lean in the lower body. With his frame he could put on a few more muscle to further help his power game and not lose any quickness.

Speed: He is not a breakaway speedster. He has adequate speed to get thru the hole or to the outside. He is not slow by any means. Has deceptive speed and burst.

Vision: Berry has very good run instincts and vision that consistently allows him to react very fast to what is in front of him. Excellent between the tackles runner who follows his blockers well sits on their hips and cuts off of their blocks. Tough kid who runs with aggressiveness and attitude every snap.

Final Word: Berry is a very good athlete with instincts/vision to find the hole quickly then burst thru with power when keeping his pad level low. He is a tough runner in between the tackles. Any NFL team that uses a power run game would be wise to take a look at this young man in the middle rounds. The way some NFL teams now use the 2-3 running back system, Berry could contribute immediately. For now he would be a great relief guy for a franchise starting back until he gets better at pass protection and catching out of the back field.