Senior Bowl Spotlight: Matthew Dayes, RB North Carolina State

Height: 5’ 09”
Weight: 205 lbs
Hands: 10 1/2″
Arm: 30″
40 yard dash: 4.47 (range)
NFL Comparison: Bilal Powell, Ameer Abdullah, David Wilson

Scouting Notes: The first Wolfpack RB to gain 1,000+ yards in a season since 2002, Dayes also ranked 4th in receptions at NCSU in 2016 with 31. Dayes isn’t exceptionally powerful, but his patience and superb vision make him a dangerous weapon out of the backfield. He’s especially adept at moving laterally until he sees an opening and bursting through the hole, where he can use his low pad level to ricochet off of tacklers. As an option in an NFL outside-zone scheme, he’s the kind of player who won’t necessarily smash with volume over the course of a season, but could likely stand up to relative volume through a game or two running the stretch-play. Rather than run through defenders, Hayes is more likely to jump-cut and change direction on a dime or use a spin move to evade tackles. He’s not soft by any means, though, and he never fails to fall forward when he is eventually brought down. Hayes is a capable pass blocker, but it’s something he can improve on, as he often dives towards defender’s legs, which isn’t always effective and can be dangerous.

Fantasy Outlook: In a different draft class, Hayes would be in contention for a Day 2 pick, but with so many runners with similar metrics and more size available, he’ll probably be mid-round steal on Day 3. He’s a great character kid who works hard on and off the field in addition to being a shifty back with good hands who has stayed fairly healthy through college. I’m not sure if he’s big enough, yet, to be a three-down back in the NFL, but he’s got the potential to be a big time playmaker a la Bilal Powell or Ameer Abdullah who can have standalone fantasy value in specific situations where additional volume is likely due to game script and/or injuries. We’ll be excited to get our eyes on Dayes firsthand at the Reese’s Senior Bowl next week.

FROM THE NC STATE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Position: RB
Height: 5-9
Weight: 203
Class: Junior
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
High School: Cypress Bay

OVERALL
• Ranks 15th in school history with 1,690 career rushing yards, his 6.5 career yards per rush average ranks fourth in school history.
• Ranks fifth in school history in career rushing touchdowns. His 30 total career touchdowns is the sixth best mark ever for a Wolfpack player and he ranks 12th in career points scored (182).