Devante Mays | Running Back | Utah State | 5'11" - 230 lbs.

 

STRENGTHS Built like a truck with muscular legs and a powerful, broad chest. Has a 420-pound bench press to his name. Physical runner with a penchant for finishing with a bowed neck and heavy pads. Looks to accelerate through contact and can create additional yardage with his power through contact. Patient runner willing to follow lead blockers and accelerate when the time is right. Has adequate speed to threaten to the edges and force linebackers to flow hard. Fluid hips and light feet for a back his size. Praised by teammates and coaches for attitude and work ethic.

WEAKNESSES Recurring leg injury robbed him of all but 37 carries this season. Feet aren't always agreeable with his eyes and will get sticky when faced with traffic leaking into the backfield. Vision is inconsistent and he will leave yardage on the field. Appears to lack confidence in some running lanes and tends to scan for larger points of entry. Will need to expedite his processing and be willing to commit to a lane earlier. Had just two career catches at Utah State. Likely an early-down back only.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 7-PFA

BOTTOM LINE After a monstrous performance early in the season against Weber State, Mays was never able to get completely right after injuring his ankle against USC. While he may have slid off of radars after the season, his 4.5-second 40-yard dash and 40.5-inch vertical leap were likely a wake-up call for evaluators who could be intrigued by his size, power and explosiveness. Mays has the physical tools to find his way into a camp and battle for a spot at the back end of the running back depth chart.

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Taking 3 RBs makes you wonder. Wonder how much Teddy really likes his veterans. Willie Mays has long odds but perhaps he can force his way on to the roster. Could take a short trip to the PS first. Perhaps they will switch him over to FB. It will be easier to beat out Kerridge than Michael-Jackson along with Williams and Jones.

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Yeah, I'm not sure I like selecting three RBs in one draft for a team with so many needs. They had better been the best available player on their board.

Yeah I was strongly questioning the RB picks... I mean I like them... and I can see how they might of been best RB available... but I was strongly questioning if they were best available.

After the first RB, there were still a lot of good development TEs on the board, I would of been hard for me to pass on... yes the Packers have vet TEs, but they could use one for 3 or 4 years down the road and it takes TE about 3 years to develop it seems.

After the second RB, was some coverage ILBs and a CB that I really liked.

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The last 3 rounds it just seemed like Thompson was just throwing spaghetti against the wall.

Makes you question their commitment to Montgomery

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