In the late 2nd round, the Green Bay Packers selected Alabama's RB Eddie Lacy. His selection reminds me of 2011, when the Packers grabbed a productive SEC skill player with a late 2nd round pick (WR Randall Cobb). If Lacy works out as well as Cobb, this will be a great pick.
While Lacy was considered the top running back prospect leading up to the draft, he's not the first running back selected because of some medical concerns. He had a slight tear of his hamstring back in February and wasn't able to work out at the NFL combine. Assuming that's not a major concern, here's what Lacy brings to the Packers.
He's a big back (5-11, 231 lbs.) so his slower 40 time, he ran a 4.59 earlier this month, is not a big deal if you know about speed score. While speed score doesn't necessarily equal NFL success, a low score is a red flag, and his 40 time at 231 lbs. would have put him among the Top 5 backs if he'd ran it at the NFL combine.
What stood out for me was his vision and his ability to run through arm tackles on the video below. He had some huge rushing lanes open up for him, which isn't a surprise since most of his 2012 college offensive line was just selected in the NFL's 1st round, but he made defenders miss downfield too. Not only will he fight for extra yardage in short yardage, but he'll be able to make a move downfield if his offensive line can open up a running lane for him. He'll give their offense something they didn't have the last three seasons.
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