Dynasty Spotlight: Jay Ajayi, RB Boise St.

Height: 6’0”
Weight: 221 Pounds
Hand Size: 10”

40 Time: 4.57 (NFL Combine)
Vertical Jump: 39”
Broad Jump: 121” (10’1”)

NFL Comparison: Charles Sims, James Starks, Matt Forte

Scouting Notes:

We aren’t buying the hype. Boise State RB Jay Ajayi is an uninspiring talent at the running back position. He bounces everything outside, and does the majority of his work on the perimeter, a la Reggie Bush. The problem is, Bush had electric 4.4 speed coming out of USC as a prospect. The skill set Ajayi shows on tape in college will not translate to the NFL at 4.57. He’s going to have to run much faster at Boise Pro Day to start climbing up NFL Draft Boards.

Ajayi has a moderately upright running style with his six-foot frame. He doesn’t play low, and doesn’t generate the power he should at 221 pounds. Time after time, he is completely ineffective at moving a pile, and does not run with force between the tackles.

Admittedly, Ajayi is a good pass catcher who is very capable in the screen game. He also flashes nifty feet (as you see in the .gif below), and is a willing pass blocker. But, his lack of physicality in pass protection is concerning even when you project him as just a third-down back. His vision, instincts, and creativity as a runner are average. Ajayi is capable of making some nice plays for chunks of yardage. However, he just doesn’t do anything eye-popping.

Ajayi showing nifty feet

Quotable from the Combine…

On how much he looked up to Emmitt Smith as a kid:

“Growing up, watching the Cowboys and watching the way Emmitt Smith ran, how great of a running back he was,it really motivated me to just try to do great things just like him.”

On other NFL running backs he enjoys watching:

“Definitely guys like Matt Forte, DeMarco Murray, Arian Foster and Marshawn Lynch. Those are the four guys I really pattern my game around, just the styleof play that they have, being complete backs and being able to be on the field all three downs. The tenacity that Marshawn runs with is something I try to put in my game as well, just fighting for every yard after contact. Those four guys are the top five running backs in the NFL. That’s what I want to strive for and work towards.”

On what scouts/coaches are telling him:

“With talks with the coaches yesterday and with scouts, they tell me that my game translates very well to the NFL. That I show that I’m a three-down back, that I’m complete, that I can catch the ball out of the backfield and with work on my pass protection that I’ll be able to stay on the field on third downs as well. They say my game translates very well to the NFL.”

On why teams are going away from that three-down back guy:

“I just think you have to have guys that are able to do it. To be able to be on the field three downs you have to be good enough running the ball on first and second down and being capable of picking up blitzes on third down, catching the ball out of the backfield on third down. That’s where a lot of these games are won, converting on those third downs and getting more first downs. You have to find running backs who are able to do that.”

On the value of running backs:

“I think there is a resurgence of running backs. Just looking at this class of running backs that we have in this draft class, I think this is a very strong class and I think for the years to come that the NFL is going to see a rise, and a new running back class will just help the position grow and become more of a prime position.”

On where he ranks in this running back class:

“To be completely honest, I think of myself as one of the best. I don’t think I would be doing myself justice if I played this game not trying to be the best and not striving to be the best. I’m a determined guy. I’m motivated. I play with a chip on my shoulder. Every time I touch the field I want be the best person on that field.”

On how much he has watched of Gordon and Gurley and how he compares to those players:

“Those guys are guys you see on TV all the time. They are great running backs, top of this class. I feel like I’m right up there with them. They are guys that did a lot of great things for their teams. Those are guys that I see myself in the same group as.”

On off the field issues he had earlier in his career and if those shaped him into the person he is now:

“Absolutely. With my off-the-field issues my freshman year, it was a time where I was very immature, I made a youthful mistake and I didn’t appreciate the opportunity that was given at the time. Looking back at it to where I am today and just seeing how I’ve grown from that issue and what I’ve learned from it, it’s just night and day. I’m so much more mature now and I really appreciate the opportunity I’m given now and I feel blessed to even still be in this position because my college career could’ve been cut short early. To be where I am now and to have learned from it, is just the best feeling in the world.”

Fantasy Outlook:

For our taste, at 221 pounds, Jay Ajayi plays way too much like 205-pound guys such as Joseph Randle and Bilal Powell. Given the right opportunity, Ajayi will be effective in spots as a rookie – but looks incapable of carrying a full load. Although, much like Randle or Powell, if we knew that due to some circumstance, he was set for 15-20 touches every now and again, we’d be willing to start him for a week or two in our fantasy leagues. Unless he’s drafted to a team like Philadelphia, it’s going to be very difficult for us to recommend dynasty leaguers exercise anything more than a late-round pick on Ajayi in rookie drafts. There are just too many other good options.