Patriots NFL Draft Prospect: RB Mikel Leshoure, Illinois

by Richard Hill on Mar 31, 2011 12:00 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

Name: RB Mikel Leshoure

School: Illinois

Size: 6'0, 227 lbs

Expected Round: 1st-2nd

40 Time: 4.56s

Career Stats: Click Here.

Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]

Strengths: Big strong running back who is hard to take down. Hits the holes with viciousness. Makes quick cuts away from tacklers if there's daylight, but is willing and able to lower his shoulder if there's nowhere to go. Has the size to become an effective pass blocker, but comes from an Illinois program where he is inexperienced at blocking. Able receiver. Won't ever be taken down by arm tackles and is an elite red zone running talent. Zero fumbles.

Weaknesses: Not the fastest player, even though he's quick. Comes from an odd offense in Illinois so he'll have a steeper learning curve. Runs a little high in his stance, which makes him a larger target for defenders. While I wouldn't say he dances in the backfield, he can wait too long for his blockers, which makes him a backfield target. Some past character concerns.

Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!

Why the Patriots?: The Patriots are in the market for a three down back and Leshoure definitely has the potential. He's a strong runner who could help pass blocking on third down. He's one of the top talents in the draft and he's healthy. If you want a grinder in the backfield who has he ability to take off for a 40 yard gain, Leshoure's your man. If you want a third down back who can block and catch, Leshoure's your man. He's a do-everything player who could do everything in the Patriots' offense.

Why Not the Patriots?: Price tag. He's either a first or second rounder, which is a price the Patriots probably won't be willing to pay for a running back. If he drops into the middle of the second, I can see the Patriots making a move, but there are other viable options at running back who are solid alternatives for a cheaper price.

Verdict: I like Leshoure, but I think his price tag is too much for what he'll bring to the table. I'd wait for the middle rounds to draft a running back (at the earliest), which prevents me from committing to Leshoure. He can have success in the right offense, but I also question if he can be an NFL workhorse. He seems like a guy who would thrive in a smash-and-dash offense as the smash component- and the Patriots are lacking the "dash" aspect.

Courtesy of Aaron Aloysius

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His uniform looks really good.

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by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 31, 2011 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

Rich:
I certainly don’t think that Leshoure is priced out of our draft plan- the point is, if the need is there and a player does fulfill it, then what is the problem? I realize we have other needs and I am not saying that you must take a running back with your first pick. Leshoure has slash and dash both and he reminds me very much of Rashard Mendenhall- think that Belichick would mind having Mendenhall right now? Of course you can take Todman, Murray and the rest later on, but if Leshoure is available to us in the 2nd round I wouldn’t hesitate. Finally I can see Belichick trading #17 for anywhere between 21 and 24 as well as possibly trading #28 as well for next year and/or later on this year picks. So, the Pats will possibly have 1 or 2 extra picks in either the 2nd or 3rd round this year. I know that is a lot of picks to hopefully make the team but I think that scenario is very possible- he might trade those extra picks again, as well. Bottom line, Leshoure would be an upgrade over BJE/Woodhead- we need the depth there anyway and now, we have ,yet, another option close to the goal line…….Tim

by MD51 on Mar 31, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

Woodhead isn't "dash"?

He’s not Chris Johnson but he’s got elusiveness and enough to speed to break some. He had some nice runs for the Pats. Plus (if lockout threat ends) more practice and playbook time can’t hurt his production.

With that said, it would be great to get a big back to wear down the defense when we have a lead – which is 3/4+ of the time.

by iLikeStuff on Mar 31, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

He's more "shifty" than "dash."

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by Richard Hill on Mar 31, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

Green-Ellis is through-the-tackles back
Woody is Faulk-like back
we have no dash back

by pats4life on Mar 31, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

There is no way Wood is like Faulk

Faulk never had the elusiveness as Woody. He got yards where he could get them and barely took the wrong angle, but he couldn’t make 2+ guys grab air in one run.

As far as “dash” goes, you can’t dash until you get by 2 guys. Woody can do this. I don’t have enough film on him to see if he can outrun the secondary but I’ll take 20-30 yd runs any time.

The pats don’t have trouble putting points on the board anyway so to me any discussion of offensive players in the first 3 rounds is just talk unless a gem falls to them. What happens when teams stop turning the ball over and the pats not capitalizing…Oh wait we saw that in round 1 AT HOME vs. the Jets. Sanchez had all day and refused to force things. Look at the other QB they could have faced in the playoffs – Flacco. Unless his OC is being complete idiot, he’s being reigned in as well. Our defense will need to force the issue next year against teams with conservative QB’s and good defenses.

by iLikeStuff on Apr 1, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Woody is utilized like Faulk

if you don’t see that then that’s your problem

by pats4life on Apr 1, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Something about this guy.

When I looked at the video I looked at his feet as he was running through the line and something there bothers me. He can be brought down easily sometimes too. I think he has better hands than what he gets credit for. On the surface something screams Lawrence Maroney. A little bit of a finesse back with great hands.

by Patriots12 on Apr 1, 2011 12:00 AM EDT reply actions