Rookie Scouting Spotlight: Jeremy Langford – 2015 NFL Draft
The Rookie Scouting Spotlight Series on RosterWatch is written by Chris Nicolaou. Check back often as he adds new 2015 NFL draft prospects to his notebook, and make sure to tune in to RosterWatch on SiriusXM to hear Chris’s additional thoughts and breakdowns along with other RW writers and contributors. Follow Chris Nicolaou on Twitter @cnic_11
Jeremy Langford, RB Michigan State
Height: 5’11 1/8″
Weight: 211
Hand: 8 7/8″
Arm: 31″
Wingspan: 75 1/8″
40-yard dash (projected): 4.45
NFL Comparison: Ryan Matthews
Jeremy Langford is a four-year starter for the Spartans. He had a productive career that might have been overshadowed by other Big 10 senior runners entering the 2015 NFL draft such as Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) and David Cobb (Minnesota). During Langford’s time in East Lansing, he rushed for 2,967 yards on 577 carries (5.1 YPC) and tacked on 40 career touchdowns. Langford ran the ball, caught the ball and pass-blocked quite well, which made him a true triple-threat. Langford was a monster in-conference as he ran for 16 straight 100-yard rushing games against Big 10 opponents. Langford will contribute at the NFL level. Many teams may not view him as a starter, but as a third-down back or complement, but he could provide excellent value if a team is able to land him with a mid-Day 3 pick.
Positives:
– Great change-of-pace back who has the capability to step up and contribute in all phases of the game, not just situationally as a receiver out of the backfield or a gadget player
– Tall but does not play like it; has shown through college that he is durable and adept at shielding his body’s surface area from big hits
– Pass protection is excellent; He’s a natural with understanding where pressure is coming from
– Speed is above average ( his coaches would tell you it’s elite as they claim he was hand-timed at 4.3 during his sophomore season) and he has shown at times (although not always) that he can hit holes quickly without sacrificing power
– Was a three-down back in college, and is right on the precipice of having enough mass to hold up in the same way at the NFL level
– Very good hands; watches the ball in and rarely starts upfield before it’s secured
– Hits a second gear in the open field
– Above-average route runner
– Downhill runner who can get behind his shoulder pads and high-knee through garbage at the line of scrimmage
Negatives:
– Footwork needs to get quicker when making cuts and diagnosing defensive movement post-snap behind the line of scrimmage
– Not a “home-run back” right off the cuff, he takes a second to get his wheels under him and moving at full speed – has more long-speed than suddenness
– While he can plow through contact, he doesn’t accelerate through contact; usually gets what is blocked in between-the-tackles situations
– Awareness level not where some may want it in regard to being decisive with where he wants to attack in relation to the defensive front
– Had a very pedestrian week of Senior Bowl practices, being largely outshined by the aforementioned Cobb and Abdullah as well as David Johnson of Northern Iowa
. . .
Projected Draft Round: 4th – 5th
