Athleticism:

Lamar Miller is an outstanding athlete who is a true home-run threat. He has elite breakaway speed and should have one of the top 40 times at the combine. He’s got good size as he’s well over 200 lbs. and has a solid build. He has an excellent first step and once he turns on the jets in the open field it’s over for the defense. He has quick feet and good lateral agility to make defenders miss as well.

Grade: 4.5

Power:

Miller is surprisingly a powerful runner. You’d expect him to be a scat-back who dances around but he’s really not that type of player at all. He can break through most arm tackles and he really helps himself out by running with good leverage and getting low once he hits the hole. He also does a good job of keeping his legs moving on contact and always fights for every yard. So while he might not generate all of his power from a pure physical stand point he does show the ability to pick up yards after contact.

Grade: 3.0

Vision:

Miller has good vision and it’s what make him a home-run threat and a play maker. He does a good job of hitting the open hole and wastes little time doing so. He doesn’t like to dance around too much in the back-field and prefers to get north-south as soon as possible. He shows good patience and does a good job of running behind his blockers on sweeps and outside runs. He can sometimes be too patient if there is no hole and will be tackled for a loss.

Grade: 3.5

Hands:

Miller has shown that he can catch the football out of the back-field although he isn’t used much as a receiver in Miami. He is certainly a guy you can use on screens and swing passes to get him in space. One thing he has to improve on is looking the ball in and securing it. He tends to peek up the field before he has the ball firmly in his grasp and it has led to some drops.

Grade: 2.5

Blocking:

Blocking is an area where Miller has to improve in to become a better back in the NFL. He’s not as physical as you’d like him to be in pass protection and coaches will get on him for it. You want to see him meet defenders head on more often than he does. His cut block can also be hit or miss and he has to improve on driving through the defender instead of just diving at their legs. He can also be a bit slow recognizing the free rusher and can be late in getting over to help.

Grade: 2.0

Intangibles:

Beat out several good running back prospects at Miami to take over the starting job and hasn’t looked back. Made an immediate impact as a freshman in a crowded back-field. Has the size and play making ability to hold up as a #1 runner at the next level and he’s too talented to keep him relegated to 3rd down duty. He’s suffered no major injuries although he has had problems with his shoulder. He missed some time in 2010 due to a shoulder injury and he got banged up again this year. Has experience returning kicks.

Grade: 3.0

Outlook:

Lamar Miller has 1st round talent. He has elite speed and play making ability that you don’t see too often out of a running back. He’s comparable to Chris Johnson in that regard. He’s also a deceptively powerful runner who likes to get up the field and doesn’t dance around much. He’s capable of being the #1 back but isn’t a true workhorse who you can hand the ball off 25 times a game to. Needs to work on being a more complete player but certainly has the potential to be a great player in the NFL.