DeWayne McBride (Ala-Birmingham) - 2023 NFL Draft Pick #222 by MIN
What The Experts Thought Before The Draft
Pre-Draft Analysis for DeWayne McBride
College: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
Player Profile
- Position: Running Back
- Height: 5'10"
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Year: Junior
Strengths
- Vision: McBride displays excellent field vision, allowing him to quickly identify running lanes and make decisive cuts.
- Balance: He possesses exceptional balance, making it difficult for defenders to bring him down after initial contact.
- Power Running: McBride is a powerful runner who can break tackles and gain yards after contact, showcasing his ability to carry defenders.
- Consistent Production: Over his college career, he demonstrated consistent production, amassing significant yardage and touchdowns.
Areas for Improvement
- Pass Protection: Needs to develop better skills in pass protection, as blocking assignments have been a concern in his game tape.
- Receiving Skills: While capable, he may need to improve his route running and hands to be a more versatile back in the passing game.
- Speed Concerns: Though he has good speed, it may not be elite at the next level, potentially limiting his home-run hitting ability.
Overall Projection
DeWayne McBride is viewed as a solid prospect with the potential to be a reliable starting running back in the NFL. His ability to break tackles and consistently gain yards makes him an attractive option for teams seeking a physical runner. However, improving his pass protection and receiving skills will be crucial for him to thrive at the professional level. Depending on team needs, he could be selected in the mid to late rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.