Kenneth Dixon drafted by Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have added one of the nation’s most prolific running backs by selecting Kenneth Dixon with the No. 134 overall pick, late in the fourth round.

Dixon’s production at the collegiate level was nearly unparalleled, as he rushed for a school-record 4,483 yards with 72 touchdowns and added 87 receptions for 969 yards and 15 scores. He finished his four-year career ranked second in NCAA history in overall TDs (87), while his 72 rushing touchdowns are tied for fourth all-time. His consistency was even more remarkable; he tied an NCAA record by scoring at least one touchdown in 38 games.

Although he came from a smaller school (Louisiana Tech), that type of ridiculous production is impressive for any player and demands attention regardless of the level of competition he faced. But those pure statistics aren’t what sets Dixon apart from other lower-profile prospects.

It is his versatility as both a dynamic rusher and receiver that makes him such a valuable offensive weapon in any scheme. Dixon is as skilled at catching balls out of the backfield or in the slot as he is at taking handoffs. He averaged 10.4 yards per pass target last season, the best mark among the top 20 prospects in SB Nation’s latest running back rankings, and also churned out a solid 5.4 yards-per-carry average on the ground.

One of Dixon’s best traits is his elusiveness in the open field. He’s incredibly agile and able to cut on a dime, consistently making defenders miss while exploding for additional yardage at the second level. Dixon has the vision, quickness and patience to turn a potentially negative carry into a big play. He literally looks like he’s shot out of a cannon on this 99-yard touchdown run.

At 5’10, 215 lbs, Dixon doesn’t have the prototypical measurements of a bruiser but he’s proven to be more than just shifty scatback. Despite his smaller size, he has a powerful and compact build that allows him to absorb contact, gain extra yardage and run between the tackles effectively. His fierce and determined running style is a skill that you just can’t teach.

One of the weaknesses in Dixon’s game is his propensity to cough up the ball. He’s fumbled 14 times (on 801 carries) in his career, a rate of 1.7 percent that has raised some red flags among scouts. There is also concern about the wear-and-tear on his body after four years of carrying an extremely heavy workload at Louisiana Tech. He’s never had a major injury, but several minor dings caused him to miss a handful of games.

The former Bulldog might not be an every-down, feature running back in the NFL, but his well-rounded skill set should make him a solid rotational player at the next level. With his big-play potential, plus his overall toughness and competitive drive, Dixon has the mental and physical makeup to step in and immediately be a valuable asset in the Baltimore offense.