Do you like the Los Angeles Chargers’ fourth-round pick RB Joshua Kelley?
The Chargers solidified the backfield with the selection of former UCLA running back Joshua Kelley in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The fact that Los Angeles addressed the running back position before offensive tackle, wide receiver or cornerback was head-scratching for many fans.
However, coach Anthony Lynn has made the point that he wants to establish the run game. Kelley offers a powerful and productive back who will be able to do more than just produce in short yardage situations.
He possesses the possesses quickness, burst, lateral agility, contact balance along with passing game ability to gain yards. If he refines his pass-blocking technique, he has the opportunity to become a feature back eventually.
I give the selection of Kelley a B+. Chargers fans, what do you think of the selection?
The Los Angeles Chargers took a running back at the top of Day 4. How did Twitter react to the pick?
The Chargers caught many off guard with their fourth-round selection.
Rather than taking an offensive tackle, wide receiver or cornerback, Los Angeles drafted a running back with former UCLA product Joshua Kelley at No. 112 overall.
Here is a look at some of the reactions to the pick via Twitter:
Just can’t process the rush to draft a third running back in the fourth round of a draft in which you had no third round pick and still need CB, WR, OL, EDGE. It’s a luxury pick for a guy who probably won’t see more than 5-6 touches per game.
— The Lightning Round Podcast (@Lightning_Round) April 25, 2020
Looks to be a RB by committee for Los Angeles in 2020, all three players have drastically different skill sets compared to each other pic.twitter.com/tlsO11ZfmS
Great news for the Chargers, they will have another top 10 pick next year bc they will be awful this year. No longer bullish on the Bolts. They really drafted a MLB and RB and gave away a pick. Horrible draft
Well, they took Joshua Kelley earlier than I expected, but I projected him to the #Chargers due to his skillset being a perfect complement to Ekeler. https://t.co/IXT9WNkzRE
Guys, my sweet friend and peer agent @MolllyMack just had her FIRST DRAFT PICK!!! Joshua Kelley to the Chargers in the 4th round. I am SO PROUD OF HER!! She is so deserving of this moment and worked her butt off for it. Go show her some love!! #NFLDRAFT#WomenInSports
At this point, I don't think there's any value in drafting an OT. For me, it was either Prince Tega Wanogho at 112, or skip the position altogether. It's looking increasingly likely that #Chargers will enter 2020 with Trey Pipkins, Sam Tevi and Forrest Lamp as their LT options.
The Los Angeles Chargers solidified their backfield with their fourth-round selection.
The Chargers selected former UCLA running back Joshua Kelley with the No. 112 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Over his 43 games for the Bruins, Kelley rushed 647 times for 3,442 yards and 31 touchdowns. He was named First Team All-Pac-12 in 2019 and earned an invite to the Senior Bowl.
Kelley possesses quickness, burst, lateral agility, contact balance along with passing game ability to make defenders respect him, but he lacks breakaway speed and needs refinement in pass protection.
Here are five mid-round running backs from the 2020 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills should keep an eye on.
Devin Singletary is the Buffalo Bills’ No. 1 running back heading into 2020, that much we know. Behind him is a bit of a question mark.
Frank Gore isn’t coming back to the Bills and that leaves TJ Yeldon. While the Bills front office has touted Yeldon’s skills this offseason, that appears little more than a smokescreen heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.
Yeldon was consistently inactive on game day for the Bills last season, so while the team has few holes in their roster, a complementary back to Singletary is among them. Still, the Bills don’t need to reach on a running back at the draft. There’s plenty of talent sprinkled all around every round.
Here are six mid-round running back prospects that should be on the Bills radar at the upcoming draft:
If you’re looking for a powerful runner for the Bills, Zach Moss could be a strong pick. The senior stands at 5-foot-9 and 223 pounds, according to his scouting combine recap. He uses that size to make arm tacklers a useless defender when he’s on the field. Moss also has a knack for finding the holes in the backfield to get to the next level on runs. This physicality also helps him in pass protection situations.
What Moss is really lacking is speed. He won’t burn anyone on defense and his combine numbers didn’t exactly help him as Moss clocked in at a 4.65 40-yard dash time, tied for the fourth-worst time among all running backs at the combine. Moss won’t be a second-round pick, but rounds 3-4, he’ll certainly be in play.
Breaking down the draft profile of UCLA RB Joshua Kelley, a potential pick for the Packers in the 2020 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is UCLA RB Joshua Kelley:
What he can do
– Not afraid to put his shoulder down and barrel through defenders
– Possesses a good combination of speed and power. Moves well enough to get the perimeter but isn’t afraid to mix it up between the tackles
– Caught 39 passes over the past two seasons at UCLA
– Could press the line before he cuts to the hold with greater consistency. Lack of patience allows for more forgivable run fits for opposing linebackers
– That said, athletically Kelly possesses a good jump-cut, showing good ability to get downfield
– Played well down in Mobile during Senior Bowl week
– Based on the available tape, it doesn’t seem like Kelly was asked to do much. When asked to run a route, he was mostly running into the flat, though he did show evidence of being a capable hands-catcher.
– Kelly might be at his best getting downhill. While some think he is better suited for a gap-power blocking scheme, so long as he’s getting momentum he should be fine. He has the speed (4.49) to be an outside-zone runner. He just needs to be coached on the finer details of stretching the zone and pressing the line of scrimmage.
– Some contact balance. A breeze won’t take him down but he’s also not deflecting would-be tacklers left and right.
– A willing blocker in pass protection. Can miss the target on cut blocks, but has shown enough pop to stone blitzing linebackers
How he fits
The Packers have two running backs whose contracts expire after next season. While Aaron Jones looks like a candidate for an extension, it’s hard to think Jamaal Williams will receive the same treatment. Insert Joshua Kelley, who like Williams can spell Aaron Jones and offer a slightly more bruising style to complement Jones’ flashy, home-run-hitting style. Kelley looks like a competent pass-catcher, too. The Packers would ideally like to have a back who can run, block and catch, and Kelley may be a good candidate. The biggest question will be whether Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur see Kelley benefitting in the Packers’ (mostly) zone scheme.
NFL comp
Kelley looks somewhat like former Arkansas Razorback Felix Jones. Tashard Choice is another good athletic comp, and it may be closer to Kelley’s realistic production.
Where Packers could get him
It’s likely Kelley will be available in the fourth round. He starts to become a valuable prospect in the fifth round.
Entering the month of April, here’s a full mock draft.
The Indianapolis Colts have entered the month of April, which means the 2020 NFL draft is right around the corner—and a new crop of rookies is set to arrive in Indy.
While we still don’t have a true idea of how the Colts will go about their draft, some of the moves in free agency point toward a certain approach when they are on the clock on Day 2.
After heavily addressing the defense in free agency, here’s a look at a mock draft for the Colts entering the month of April using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator:
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
No. 34 | Ezra Cleveland | OT | Boise State
Cleveland already has ties to the Colts in the pre-draft process. He’s had contact with the Colts even though meetings are prohibited in person. Even with Anthony Castonzo returning, Cleveland would be the perfect eventual successor on the left side.
What intrigues Cleveland the most in going to the Colts is his technique on the outside. He’s very proficient in run blocking and has that aggressive, mauler attitude that the Colts love in their offensive linemen.
Couple in the fact that he’s an excellent athlete and he seems like the perfect offensive line prospect in the draft for Indy.
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about UCLA running back prospect Joshua Kelley
Joshua Kelley | RB | UCLA
Elevator Pitch
Kelley joined the Bruins after spending his first two seasons with UC-Davis. He started his junior and senior seasons for UCLA, being a consistently productive player for them. His physical, downhill style of play fits in naturally with most NFL offensive schemes.
Kelley runs with good contact balance. Not a back that is easily taken down on first contact. His strong lower half of the frame allows him to power through weak arm tackles. He will square his shoulders to pop defenders attempting to bring him down. Has the athleticism to leap over a defender bracing for the big hit from Kelley.
Despite his power, he does possess some quickness to elude defenders in open space. He can evade tackles with a stutter step and then he is off to the races in the third level of a defense. Hard man to bring down one on one in space. Will get skinny by contorting his body angle to get through the hole as well.
Kelly showed that he can contribute in the passing game as a receiver but needs more work in terms of getting touches. Shows to be a decent blocker. He really wins in the red zone as a downhill runner. Has the power to carry defenders into the endzone.
Weaknesses
Kelley has issues with his vision, needs to work on setting up blocks and running into openings. Often times he ran into contact with other options available. Despite that he can evade tackles, he needs to do a better job of making defenders miss at the second and third levels. Not as athletic in terms of change of direction and short area quickness as you would like.
Kelley could find himself getting flagged at the next level due to how much he lowers his helmet on runs. Needs to keep the head up which should help with some of his vision. He will also need work with his running style as he leans forward a bit much and his pad level is a bit high. Small things that NFL coaches can work with.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with UCLA running back prospect Joshua Kelley
If your favorite NFL team is looking for a versatile running back who can do it all, UCLA’s Joshua Kelley checks every box.
A complete prospect who is as well-rounded off the field as he is on the gridiron, Kelley recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, how playing at UCLA prepared him for the next level, and what off-field passions he enjoys most.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
JK: It was awesome. Just being there, I had a chance to meet some Hall of Famers. It was excellent. I got to hang and chat with some legends out there. It gave me a chance to be in front of all those guys. There were so many great players out there. The running back group was especially awesome and full of talent. I enjoyed getting to know those guys. I had a lot of fun competing. It was a great experience.
JM: Not only did you compete, you went out there and turned some heads. You ran the 40-yard dash in a solid 4.49 seconds, and stood out in some of the other drills, as well. How do you grade your overall performance?
JK: Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate that. If I had to grade myself, I would give myself a C.
JM: That’s rough. You don’t think you deserve better?
JK: I felt like I did well in certain areas, but I’m never satisfied. I have to keep pushing the standard. I hold myself to a high regard. Nobody expects greatness from me more than I do. That’s just me. There were a lot of guys that did really well out there. We did well as a position group. I’m never satisfied.
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
JM: As you look back on the entire process, from the drills to the interviews, what do you feel is the overall impression you left out there?
JK: I just wanted people to get to know who I am. Whether it was a scout or a coach that I met with, I just wanted them to get to know me as a guy that loves playing the game of football. I love to compete. I have a winning mindset. I just wanted my personality to shine through. I wanted to show them that I could play the game at a high level as well. I can compete and I can do the things that they’re looking for. Those were my goals for the week. I enjoyed getting to know the coaches I met with. I just wanted them to see who I am as a person.
JM: That’s the perfect way to approach the week. Did you have many formal or informal meetings out there?
JK: I had a lot of informals. From the Senior Bowl to the combine, I’ve probably met with all 32 teams informally. The Senior Bowl was great for that. It prepared me so well for the combine. At the combine itself, I had formals with the Cowboys and the Rams. I loved both of their coaching staffs. They were so awesome. I enjoyed both of those meetings. I had a lot of fun. My Pro Day is coming up on March 24th and I’m just locked in on that right now. I’ll start taking my team visits after that.
JM: The Senior Bowl is great for that. It really gets you ready for the rest of the process.
JK: I definitely felt better prepared. You understand how it works. You realize that you’re not gonna get a lot of sleep (laughs). You’re gonna be up doing interviews and psychological testing. I felt very well prepared.
JM: What’s the strangest question you’ve been asked throughout this process? Every year we hear a report of a guy getting asked something really weird.
JK: Honestly, I didn’t get any weird questions. Everybody told me about that. Everybody warned me that there’s always that one weird question. I was so ready for a weird question but it never came (laughs). I was just sitting there waiting like here it comes. It has to be here somewhere, right? Nope. I was just asked questions about my personality and my role as a football player. They asked me a little about my passions outside of football. Everything was normal.
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
JM: Speaking of your passions, I read that you’re really into anime and reading. I find that interesting. Do you watch or read anime? Or is it both?
JK: It’s both. I love watching anime. That’s just something that I’ve always done. I grew up on Dragon Ball Z and Naraku. It’s always been a passion of mine. I love watching it. It actually relaxes me. I love it. I’m really into the story-lines and everything. It’s just so cool to me. I also read anime. I read a lot of books. It’s definitely something that I really like (laughs).
JM: What are some of your favorite books that aren’t anime?
JK: I really enjoyed “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” I read “As A Man Thinketh.” I love “The Catcher in the Rye.” That’s a great book. “Fahrenheit 451” was another good one. I love reading books. I really started to read more in high school and it’s a habit that I’ve had ever since.
JM: That’s a nice mixture of Sci-Fi and self-improvement.
JK: Yeah, exactly. You have to be well-rounded. It’s all about having versatility.
JM: You’re just as versatile on the field.
JK: Exactly, man (laughs). It’s all about that versatility. I love that.
JM: I know you’ll be happy to play anywhere, but is there one NFL quarterback that makes you think, “Wow, it would be cool to have that guy hand off the ball to me?”
JK: It has to be Tom Brady for me. That would really be something man, wow. That’s the GOAT right there. That would be crazy to me. Russell Wilson is another one. I feel like we share a lot of the same values and level of work ethic. We’re both very competitive people. Either one of those guys would be so cool to me. Those are two great leaders right there. That would be so awesome (laughs).
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What’s the biggest lesson any coach at UCLA ever taught you?
JK: I want to share lessons that I learned from both of the head coaches I played for. Coach [Jim] Mora and coach [Chip] Kelly are both amazing coaches and I’ve learned so much from both of those guys.
The thing that stands out about Coach Mora is that he would emphasis and make sure that we were taking time out every single day to master our positions. He taught me to understand and value the little things. I thought that was a really important lesson for me to learn. He’s a guy that’s been coaching the game at the highest levels for such a long time. He’s been around the game for so long and that really stood out me. We all play the game but we don’t all understand what our true position is. Master your position. Do you understand all of the little things that goes into it? Master the details.
As for coach Kelly, he was all about how to handle adversity. He taught us how to approach adversity. He taught me how to approach the game in a way that would help me off the field as well. He was all about creating good habits that we could carry with us in every day life. Both of those coaches were so awesome. I learned a lot from both of them.
JM: What kind of a person is a team getting when they draft Joshua Kelly?
JK: They’re gonna get a guy that loves to work hard. My work ethic is impeccable. I love the game of football. I’m extremely passionate about it. I’m a consistent runner. Consistency is the key. I’m always looking to get North-South. I like to keep my feet churning after contact. I don’t fumble the ball. I have great ball security. You’re getting a guy that truly loves the game. I’m competitive and consistent. I’m gonna give it my all for whichever organization I end up with. I’ll embrace any and every opportunity I get. I’m a silly guy (laughs). I have a lot of personality but I take this game very seriously. I’m very excited for what’s next.
The Houston Texans need help at running back and edge rusher, and that is what NFL.com’s latest three-round mock has the AFC South champs addressing.
The Houston Texans do not pick for the first time until No. 57 overall in Round 2 of the NFL Draft, but they can still fix pressing needs on the roster.
In the latest three-round mock at NFL.com, the AFC South champions address their pass rush first by taking edge rusher Curtis Weaver, a redshirt junior from Boise State. The 6-3, 265-pounder played outside linebacker his last two seasons at Boise State. Weaver produced 13.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, 52 tackles, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception in his 14 games in 2019. If the Texans can get that level of production from Weaver, he could become a decent successor to Whitney Mercilus.
In the third round, the Texans end up with a compensatory pick at 102nd overall. Houston then drafts running back Joshua Kelley, a redshirt senior, from UCLA.
Kelley carried 229 times for 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Bruins last season, and also caught 11 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in his 11 games. Going the route of Kelley would indicate the Texans have decided to move on from running backs Lamar Miller and Carlos Hyde, both of whom are 29 years old and also without a contract. In the Bill O’Brien era, the coach has shown the propensity to go with an established, veteran runner atop the running back stable, whether it was Arian Foster, Miller, or Hyde, who came in an Aug. 31 trade to replace Miller, who had torn his ACL in the third preseason game.
Weaver would be a pick that could contribute immediately, and it would help the Texans’ cause if he could. The club finished 2019 tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the sixth-fewest sacks in the NFL with 31. If Houston can get their pass rush back to a formidable level, it would help maintain their reputation as a stingy defense and also help their own quarterback, Deshaun Watson, have easier games to manage.
A week of practice for more than 100 college seniors from across the nation culminated on Saturday with the 2020 Senior Bowl, where the North had a dominating 34-17 victory over the South team. The North won the game with a strong run game, and a great front-four that was rotated throughout the game.
Could the Bills be interested in any standouts from the game?
Let’s look at who stood out during the Senior Bowl and helped their draft stock before the NFL combine:
North defensive lineman Alton Robinson. Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
EDGE Alton Robinson, Syracuse
This is the beginning of the edge rushers that will be discussed because the North created consistent pressure with just four men. Not many people outside of Central New York saw Alton Robinson play during his time at Cuse but he had 19.5 sacks in his career, who has a variety of moves and a great motor.
During the Senior Bowl he had two sacks, the first was against the elusive Jalen Hurts where Robinson bullied his matchup and dragged Hurts down. His second was against Steven Montez where Montez escaped the initial pressure but, Robinson tracked him down and finish the sack.
The Buffalo Bills need more players who can pressure the quarterback, and Robinson is projected as a Day 3 pick, so he should be on the radar of Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott.
A closer look at @CuseFootball's Alton Robinson and his performance at the 2020 Reese's @seniorbowl.
