NFL teams
Todd McShay, senior NFL draft analyst 12y

Ball security affects five teams, backs

Insider College Football, NFL, NFL Draft

It has taken several years of evaluating running backs and talking to teams about their varying offensive schemes to narrow down a universal list of critical factors when evaluating backs. Here are the five position-specific traits I assess when breaking down running back prospects:

• Competitiveness (ball security is a key component here)
• Vision/patience
• Agility/acceleration
• Power/balance
• Passing game

Teams value certain skills differently when evaluating running backs. For instance, one team that employs a zone-blocking rushing attack views these as the five critical factors:

• Ability to make one cut and accelerate through a crease
• Willingness/toughness in pass protection
• Run with a naturally wide base
• Run behind pads, drive through contact
• Durability and ball security

However, ball security is key regardless of scheme, and the New England Patriots' running back situation is a perfect example.

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