2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Boise State RB Jay Ajayi

JAY AJAYI- 6’0, 216- RS JR.

2015 will be a great year for running backs in the 2015 NFL Draft class, and Boise State running back Jay Ajayi should be one of the first few backs selected. Ajayi, who is built similarly to the NFL’s leading rusher in 2014, Dallas Cowboys back DeMarco Murray, had a ton of success in his redshirt junior season, and his skill set should enable him to be a go-to pro running back in short order.

Ajayi is capable of making plays while running both between the tackles and to the outside, and he has perhaps the best vision of any back in the class, as he quickly makes a read on exactly where to go and hits the hole forcefully. In addition, Ajayi has plenty of experience as a receiver and has shown the ability to make big plays while catching balls out of the backfield.

We’ve seen over the past couple years that teams are reluctant to take running backs in the first round, but they seem to start coming off the board quickly in the second. Ajayi should be one of the first five backs taken, which makes him a likely candidate to go on the draft’s second day in either round two or three.

POSITIVES: good all-around size…very good command of his balance, handles trips well and can break tackles…strong sideline-to-sideline movement skills, gets to the outside well…does a good job of hitting the hole, does it quickly but intelligently, not tentative in the backfield but doesn’t plow straight into holes that he’s obviously not going to get through…strong, purposeful vertical runner…experiences success running both between the tackles and outside the hashmarks…great hip movement, makes it easy for him to juke defenders…exceptional command of his feet, does a phenomenal job of staying in bounds while toeing the sideline…good receiver who gets a lot of work catching passes out of the backfield.

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NEGATIVES: has amassed 596 carries and 72 receptions over the past two years and could begin to break down if an NFL team gives him a heavy workload right away…while he is a high-effort pass protector, he needs to develop his skills significantly, must get his knees bent and do a better job of sitting back to gain power…Is he in optimum condition? While other backs get up to full speed on long runs, Ajayi seems to tire out after 20-30 yards…Positively affected by poor competition? While he had at least 100 yards in 16 games against non-power conference teams over his three years at Boise State, only had 100 yards in one out of five games against “Power Five” conference teams…possible that there could be lingering character concerns stemming from a 2011 incident where he was arrested and served a five-day jail stint for stealing sweatpants from a Walmart.

2014 Summary: Ajayi had a spectacular season as a redshirt junior, running 347 times for 1823 yards and 28 touchdowns. He led the FBS in carries while finishing second in touchdowns and fourth in yardage. Ajayi also contributed 535 yards and four touchdowns on 50 catches. He had over 100 yards in 10 of the Broncos’ 14 games, including seven straight near the end of the season. Perhaps Ajayi’s greatest feat was putting up his first 100-yard-plus performance against a Power Five conference defense, collecting 134 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona in the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl.

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Talent Grade: Second Round

Rams Role: With the presence of breakout rookie performer Tre Mason, steady third down back Benny Cunningham, and Zac Stacy, who put up an impressive rookie performance in 2013 before struggling in 2014, it would appear unlikely that the Rams will invest another draft pick in a running back. It may be wise for them to bulk up at the position, however, since they’ve changed things up each year during Jeff Fisher’s tenure. Steven Jackson gave way to rookie Daryl Richardson a little bit in 2012, while Richardson took the starting job in 2013 following Jackson’s departure as a free agent, only to be replaced in the early part of the season by Stacy, who was then replaced by Mason at roughly the same point this past season.

They may not want to spend another first or second-day pick on a back, but perhaps they would be willing to spend a pick on one during the final day. Ajayi isn’t necessarily a fit for the Rams’ scheme, being bigger and less explosive than a typical Fisher back, but he’s very talented and may catch their eye during the evaluation process.

Film Watched: vs. Colorado State (2014), vs. Ole Miss (2014), vs. Wyoming (2013), vs. Nevada (2013), vs. Air Force (2013)

Next: 2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings

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