A transfer from Tennessee, Eric Gray does not strike me as a bell cow running back and won’t be a “suitable starter” at the NFL level, it was not a role he was able to hold down in college. Gray instead is a valuable immediate contributor to a specific role in an NFL offense to complement the bell cow running back on the team, much like Tony Pollard has contributed to the Cowboys over the last couple of years. I don’t doubt that Gray will be a good NFL player, but I think that his specific role requirement will push him down draft boards.
Eric Gray
RB – Oklahoma Sooners
HT: 5091
WT: 206
Year: Super Junior
High School: Lausanne Collegiate (Memphis, TN)
Rating: 4-star (0.9244)
Projected Draft Grade: Immediate Rotation Role
Projection: 4th/5th Round
Eric Gray scouting notes
Pros:
- Excellent quickness and speed.
- Change of direction is pretty solid. Quick through his fakes and is manipulative.
- He has a little arsenal of moves to make defenders miss and get the proper angle to fall forward.
- Accelerates well.
- Gray reads his blocks well and finds space with ease. Uses his blocks extremely well.
- Gray shows the ability to manipulate defenders with his movement. Well-timed cuts pick up additional yardage while forcing defenders to miss.
- Surprisingly stout between the tackles.
- He has very decent hands. More than capable receiver out of the backfield.
- Very solid route runner. Clean and immediate cuts. Runs routes like a wide receiver. Would flex out wide as a wide receiver within the Oklahoma scheme.
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer much run power, but consistently falls forward.
- Could show some better contact balance in space. Not one of his best traits.
- Doesn’t have the size or the power to hold up well in pass protection.
- Commits to his stance much too early to be a very effective pass blocker. Needs to lure the defender in better. I think he does it because of his lack of size/strength.
- Not nearly effective enough with his chip.
