2015 NFL Draft Profile: RB Jay Ajayi

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back

Jay Ajayi

(27) celebrates following the game against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Wildcats 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s have a look at another player heading to the NFL draft. For several weeks we have been taking a look at players the Jets may choose in the NFL draft, and we will continue to do so until the NFL draft arrives at the end of April.

Rushing & Receiving

Ajayi is the first player in the history of FBS (Division I-A) to rush for over 1,800 yards and post over 500 receiving yards in the same season. Clearly, Ajayi can get the job done on the ground and through the air, which would be the type of player the Jets would be looking for to change the pace for Chris Ivory.

Ajayi’s yards per carry average has been over five yards for his entire college career, which I like to see. He was the workhorse last year, carrying the rock 347 times to go along with 50 receptions. That can be good and bad. One one hand, it shows that Ajayi can carry the load when needed. Then again, is he bringing mileage with him into the NFL? With nearly 600 carries over the last two season, could Ajayi be limiting his career a bit.

It’s something to keep in mind.

Next: NFL Combine

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jay Ajayi (27) against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Wildcats 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Ajayi performed well at the NFL Combine back in February. He measured at 6’0″, 221 pounds. He ran the forty yard dash in 4.57 seconds. Ajayi topped the vertical and broad jump drills with 39″ and 121″, respectively. He also topped the 20 yard shuttle, running it in 4.10 seconds.

Here are Ajayi’s positives and negatives from his NFL draft profile:

STRENGTHS: Good size and great feet. Former soccer player with sudden feet. Able to string together multiple moves at a time. Varies speeds as a runner and can call on second gear when he sees daylight. Hips and feet always in sync thanks to soccer background. Shows enough wiggle to make defenders miss and can create and improvise if creases aren’t offering much. Runs with wide base and generates leg drive to push. Plays with bend and bursts through the hole with low pad level. Reliable yards-after-contact back. Accelerates into contact on second level. True weapon out of backfield with adequate hands and good feel for maximizing each catch in space. Twists and turns and fights to fall forward. Asked to be physical, downhill runner between tackles and he obliged. Shows good blitz recognition. Showed mental toughness and character, coming back from deep in the doghouse for October 2011 arrest.

WEAKNESSES: Gets too cute at times looking to sift laterally from gap to gap as he approaches line of scrimmage. Needs to run with more urgency to perimeter. Can get out-flanked when opportunity to turn corner was previously available. Average feel through the hole. Runs into defenders he should be able to avoid. Heavy workload in 2014 with 398 total touches (28.4 per game). Ball-security concerns with 11 fumbles over last 597 carries. Pass-protection technique needs improvement. Tore his ACL in 2011. Was arrested for stealing sweatpants in 2011 and faced long road of severe punishment from then-coach Chris Petersen.

As always, film and final thoughts on the next page.

Next: Film and Final Thoughts

Overall, Jay Ajayi is an excellent player. I like his hands out of the backfield a lot. That element of his game would be a perfect change-up from the game of Chris Ivory, who although is improving in the passing game, still isn’t great. I also like watching Ajayi turn it on at the second level. If Ajayi survives the first wave of defenders, which he often does, he can fly.

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I pause for a couple of things. In some ways, he reminds me of Shonn Greene, and not positively. He happens to be built very similarly to Greene, as Greene is 5’11”, 233 pounds. But his style is similar as well. As the previous page mentions, Ajayi does sometimes dance in the hole a little bit. He doesn’t always turn it on quick enough, making it possible to catch him off the edge.

Also, look at Ajayi as he runs through the hole. He isn’t as evasive as a small guy should be. He seeks out contact, rather than dodging tacklers that he should be able to evade. In that way, Ajayi reminds me of Shonn Greene. Ajayi isn’t big enough to go through people, so he needs to be more creative with his moves to evade opponents.

The draft profile of Jay Ajayi projects him in the second round. To me, that is a bit high. I see Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, and Duke Johnson as ahead of him. I would be OK with this guy for the Jets in the 3rd round at the earliest.

What do you guys think of Jay Ajayi?

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