Daniel Thomas of Kansas State ~ 6.2/228
"A tall, well-built back who runs angry and inside. Does a nice job dropping his shoulder into contact, churning his legs and fighting for additional yards. Exhibits a pretty good feel between the tackles, knows how to set up blocks, be patient and accelerate into the open field. Possesses above-average body control for a back his size with the ability to side step a defender, break a tackle and stay on his feet.
However, is an upright runner who exposes too much of his body when running inside. Allows defenders to easily get into his frame and needs to do a better job running behind his pads. Isn’t the most sudden or coordinated of backs and routinely gets too long/overextended with his footwork, failing to consistently keep his feet under him and maintain proper balance. Has the ability to cut against the grain, stick his foot in the ground at full speed and side step a defender in space. However, he isn’t shifty enough to make a man miss in tight quarters and create for himself behind the line. Doesn’t exhibit a great first step when asked to press the hole and seems to only have one gear to his game. Struggles to get back up to speed quickly out of his breaks and isn’t going to outpace anyone to the edge at the second level.
Impression: A big, physical back who runs hard and exhibits the ability to pick his way through traffic. However, isn’t a real impressive athlete, runs upright and will have a tough time averaging over 4.0 yards per carry at the next level. Looks more like a physical backup type runner to me who isn’t dynamic enough to start in the NFL."
However, is an upright runner who exposes too much of his body when running inside. Allows defenders to easily get into his frame and needs to do a better job running behind his pads. Isn’t the most sudden or coordinated of backs and routinely gets too long/overextended with his footwork, failing to consistently keep his feet under him and maintain proper balance. Has the ability to cut against the grain, stick his foot in the ground at full speed and side step a defender in space. However, he isn’t shifty enough to make a man miss in tight quarters and create for himself behind the line. Doesn’t exhibit a great first step when asked to press the hole and seems to only have one gear to his game. Struggles to get back up to speed quickly out of his breaks and isn’t going to outpace anyone to the edge at the second level.
Impression: A big, physical back who runs hard and exhibits the ability to pick his way through traffic. However, isn’t a real impressive athlete, runs upright and will have a tough time averaging over 4.0 yards per carry at the next level. Looks more like a physical backup type runner to me who isn’t dynamic enough to start in the NFL."
"Standing at 6’2” and 228 pounds he is blessed with prototypical size to go along with his outstanding athleticism. Thomas is a one-cut runner who shows very good ability in the open field once he reaches the second level. For a big physical back Thomas is very good at locating his blockers and waiting for his blocks to develop, displaying an understanding of the fact that gaining yards on the ground isn’t simply about the running back. Schematically the K-State product is unlimited as he can play in a smash mouth offense or one which calls for a speedy, slice and dice back. While he has an excellent body it’s not necessarily NFL perfect. His upper body is fantastic but his legs are a bit thin and lack the power you would expect for a man of his size. Thomas also lacks elite speed and will never be considered a burner at the next level."
"Daniel Thomas is highly rated by a number of scouting services yet in our opinion, he’s an upright interior, ball carrier with minimal upside. Thomas shows toughness in his game, keeps his feet moving up the field and possesses a decent amount of strength in his running. His game offers minimal quickness, he lacks the ability to turn the corner and his tall running style leads to a lot of heavy hits. We project Thomas as a second or third running back on an NFL roster."
"Positives: Has very long legs, is a long strider who glides with the football... Does not have great long speed, is more of a bruiser... Strong upper body allows him to shed arm tackles, gets a lot of yards after contact... Has more upper body strength than lower body, his base appears a bit weak and most of his power comes from up top rather than driving with his legs... Patient runner, very smart with the football, has great vision... Below average receiver out of the backfield, doesn't have great hands and struggles running crisp routes... No significant red flags with injury history or character concerns... Played two years of JUCO ball and two years at Kansas State, has run for over 2,700 yards and 27 TD at Kansas State... North/south runner who has a nose for the end zone... Could be used as a goal line back... Has run plays out of the wildcat, played quarterback at his junior college, could fit well with a team that runs a lot of wildcat formations... Large upside only has two years experience as a running back.
Negatives: Runs too upright, will be prone to injury... Would like to see him wrap the ball up better when fighting through trash, too often he leaves the ball visible to defenders... Taller running backs seem to wear down quickly in the NFL... Will be a 24 year old rookie... Lacks explosion, is more of a slow twitch runner, may struggle shaking tacklers at the next level... His upright running style gets him knocked off balance too easily and it allows him to be pushed backwards far too often... Running style and frame are comparable to former Colorado Buffalo Chris Brown who had a very short NFL career."
Negatives: Runs too upright, will be prone to injury... Would like to see him wrap the ball up better when fighting through trash, too often he leaves the ball visible to defenders... Taller running backs seem to wear down quickly in the NFL... Will be a 24 year old rookie... Lacks explosion, is more of a slow twitch runner, may struggle shaking tacklers at the next level... His upright running style gets him knocked off balance too easily and it allows him to be pushed backwards far too often... Running style and frame are comparable to former Colorado Buffalo Chris Brown who had a very short NFL career."
"It is not often that the eighth rated junior college prospect in the state of Mississippi turns into an NFL prospect. Thomas was certainly successful during his two years at junior college, but he has come a long way in a very short amount of time. After ending up at Kansas State, Thomas was thrown right into the running back mix and quickly emerged as the Wildcats' go-to-guy. On 247 carries, Thomas rushed for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was even third on the team with 25 receptions for 257 yards.
Kansas State fans and NFL scouts wanted to see if Thomas could continue that success during his senior campaign. Through six games, the answer is an overwhelming yes. Thomas has increased his yards per carry average from 5.1 as a junior to 5.4 as a senior and has made seven trips to the end zone. Thomas has proven that he can carry the load and at 228 pounds, he has the size to be a bruising back in the NFL.
Thomas, who played quarterback in high school and a little bit in junior college, is a smart and tough player who has had to carry the Kansas State offense and done a very good job of it. When all is said and done, Thomas should be a second or third round selection and one of the safer running backs in this class. He may not be quite as explosive as some others, but he is an every down back."
Kansas State fans and NFL scouts wanted to see if Thomas could continue that success during his senior campaign. Through six games, the answer is an overwhelming yes. Thomas has increased his yards per carry average from 5.1 as a junior to 5.4 as a senior and has made seven trips to the end zone. Thomas has proven that he can carry the load and at 228 pounds, he has the size to be a bruising back in the NFL.
Thomas, who played quarterback in high school and a little bit in junior college, is a smart and tough player who has had to carry the Kansas State offense and done a very good job of it. When all is said and done, Thomas should be a second or third round selection and one of the safer running backs in this class. He may not be quite as explosive as some others, but he is an every down back."
"A finesse big back who can run, catch and block, Thomas is light on his feet and has good body control for a 225-pounder, uniquely showing he can run with power and quickness. He churns on contact and can pick up yardage in chunks, but he has no burst in the open field and cannot be expected to be effective outside the tackle box in the pros.
Thomas is the only legitimate offensive weapon the Wildcats have, and most defenses know where the ball is going, yet he still has been able to crease them. Some evaluators have been so enamored with him that they have stamped late first-round grades on Thomas, but his lack of foot speed likely will push him down a round or two."
Thomas is the only legitimate offensive weapon the Wildcats have, and most defenses know where the ball is going, yet he still has been able to crease them. Some evaluators have been so enamored with him that they have stamped late first-round grades on Thomas, but his lack of foot speed likely will push him down a round or two."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Daniel Thomas
High Runner. Doesn't have good instincts. I think he'll get killed in the NFL, if he tries to play full time. Too risky for anything but a very late Round Pick, and he'll probably go in the 2nd. I'd pass.
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