Name: RB Mark Ingram
School: Alabama
Size: 5'9, 215 lbs
Expected Round: 1st
40 Time: 4.53s
Career Stats: Click Here.
Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]
Strengths: Solid size. Great vision and is able to get out of tight spaces to pick up extra yards. Able to move the pile in short yardage situations. Breaks every arm tackle for big gains. Able receiver who can pick up yards. Solid ball security (3 fumbles in nearly 650 carries). Able blocker. Patient runner who will set up his blockers while still gaining yards.
Weaknesses: Does not have elite speed- will not run away from anyone in the NFL. His mediocre speed could lead to some TFLs in the NFL. Raw as a pass blocker. Coming off an injury to his leg. Not a workhorse/feature running back, but more of a tandem running back, which is a negative for a first round prospect.
Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!
Why the Patriots?: Ingram is touted as the best running back in the draft and the Patriots are looking to add playmakers to their squad. He's a potential three down back who can do everything such as pass block, and catch and run the ball. He comes from a strong Alabama squad with plenty of success and he's a high character person. If the Patriots want the best player in their backfield, Ingram would be able to step on the field and immediately contribute.Why Not the Patriots?: High cost for whatever reward Ingram will return. Ingram's a tandem back, which means that he's not worth a first round pick. The Patriots can and will find success in later rounds. The player may not have the same success as Ingram, but his value will be great due to the cheaper cost. The Patriots would have to use their #17 pick to get Ingram- and they may have to move up.
Verdict: While Ingram is an incredible talent, he's not worth his first round price tag. He'll be taken in the middle of the round (around #17), which means that he would cost the Patriots' top draft choice. That's too expensive for a player who won't be a 3 or 4 down player.