The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and a recent metric could help the cause of one former UCLA player who just returned from the East-West Shrine Bowl.Â
Running back Carson Steele, who combined for 1,010 all-purpose yards and eight total touchdowns in 2023, is a projected late-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But a recent graphic showcases Steele’s unique skillset and ability to avoid tacklers.
In a post by Football Insights, an X account that dives deep into neglected statistics and analysis, Steele ranked as one of the best running backs in the NCAA for rush yards after contact, receiving yards, and missed tackles per game.
Rush yards after contact/rec yards per game and Missed tackles per touch among RB prospects
Thought isolating for more player-specific yardage as a rusher/receiver could add some context to volume pic.twitter.com/X6ZO3vKHkG
— Football Insights đź“Š (@fball_insights) February 13, 2024
Steele ranks above fellow 2024 NFL Draft prospects like Blake Corum and lags only slightly behind first-round pick from 2023, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Though the statistics can only say so much about a player, they could help bolster his draft stock as he approaches the NFL Draft. These statistics, at the very least, show that Steele is a dynamic runner with the ability to make defenders miss and rack up yards after contact.
Considering most NFL teams are looking for a player who can do it all out of the backfield, Steele could be a steal on draft day for one lucky franchise.