Scouting Profile: Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon

by
John David Mercer / USA TODAY Sports

Get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class, leading up to the NFL Draft which takes place from April 30 to May 2 in Chicago.

To view our complete list of 2015 prospect profiles, tap here.

T.J. Yeldon

Position: RB
School: Alabama
College Experience: Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 226 lbs.
Age: 21

Combine Results

Event Result
40-yd Dash 4.61 sec
Bench Press 22 reps
Vertical Jump 36 inches
Broad Jump 117 inches
3-Cone Drill 7.19 sec
20-yd Shuttle 4.22 sec

Strengths

  • A natural runner who appears to churn up yardage and make sharp cuts with very little effort.
  • Fluid hips. Freezes defenders with subtle wiggle moves.
  • Displays good vision in locating cutback lanes. Ideal for one-cut zone schemes.
  • Enough strength to push the pile.
  • Strong receiver, particularly on swing passes. Can play all three downs.

Weaknesses

  • Runs high, exposing himself to big hits.
  • Arms are too loose, risking fumbles.
  • Good first step but can still take too long to accelerate to top speed.
  • Lacks ideal breakaway speed.
  • Not a tackle-breaker. Knocked off balance too easily.

NFL player comparison: Arian Foster

The way Yeldon appears to glide through the hole and around defenders is reminiscent of Foster. Yeldon's ease finding cutback lanes and weaving around defenders makes him a great fit for a one-cut zone blocking scheme similar to the one in which Foster has excelled.

Ideal Fit: Houston Texans

Foster will be 29 when the season begins and he's taken a pounding in his career. Adding Yeldon as a backup would give the Texans a potentially dominant one-two punch in the immediate future and an ideal succession plan if Foster's production drops off.

Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3

The Digest

Scouting Profiles: Breaking down the top prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft

by theScore Staff
Tom Lynn / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class, leading up to the NFL Draft which takes place from April 30 to May 2 in Chicago.

Tap the links below to see a full scouting report for each player. 

Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston
Marcus Mariota
Garrett Grayson
Bryce Petty
Brett Hundley

Running Backs

Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon
Ameer Abdullah
Jay Ajayi
Duke Johnson
T.J. Yeldon
Tevin Coleman

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Amari Cooper
Kevin White
DeVante Parker
Jaelen Strong
Maxx Williams
Dorial Green-Beckham
Breshad Perriman
Devin Funchess

Offensive Linemen

Brandon Scherff
Andrus Peat
Ereck Flowers
Cameron Erving

Defensive Linemen

Leonard Williams
Danny Shelton
Malcom Brown
Arik Armstead
Eddie Goldman

Edge Rushers/Linebackers

Dante Fowler Jr.
Randy Gregory
Vic Beasley
Shane Ray
Bud Dupree

Defensive Backs

Trae Waynes
Landon Collins

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