Running Back/Full Back

Mississippi State

6-1 233

40 time: 4.65

Draft board overall prospect rank: #70

Draft board running back rank: #7

Overall rating: 74*

1/17/10: Not the most mobile guy, but he’s agile for his large frame, 240 pounds, and is a very strong and physical runner and he gets his pads down low to the ground when he runs unlike Toby Gerhart and should be able to be a decent running back at the next level and break tackles. However, he’s slower than Gerhart and doesn’t have much upside at all. In fact, one can argue that he ran the ball too much in college, 910 attempts in 4 years, and that will shorten his NFL career. He also has a DUI to his name and that is a bit of a red flag. He’ll be drafted in the 3^rdround range as a kind of, you know what your getting type guy. I don’t see him as a feature back at the next level.

            Anthony Dixon is being often compared to Toby Gerhart of Stanford this season because both are having amazing seasons and are big power backs that lack elite speed. I think, as a football player, Anthony Dixon is actually better than Heisman favorite Toby Gerhart. Dixon is a better pass protector, has better mobility, better hands, and a better college track record. However, he has more off the field troubles. He was arrested for DUI before this season, but was not suspended. When I heard, that, I thought that , coupled with a lack of elite speed, would make the former elite recruit a 6^th round prospect at best. Then he came out and had the best season of his career and flashed the potential to possibly be an every down back at the next level like Brandon Jacobs. I love players who perform consistently over multiple seasons. This entire season Dixon only rushed for less than 81 yards once and that was against Florida which makes it somewhat excusable, especially since he only got 15 carries in that contest. Dixon led Mississippi State in rushing not once, not twice, not three times, but in every single season in his college career. He has amassed almost 4000 rushing yards in his college career on 910 carries and 42 touchdowns. His use of hands in pass protection are elite for someone of his age and figure to improve as he matures. He also doesn’t fumble that often which is often a problem for young backs and he’s a good pass catcher for his size. If he can keep his off the field troubles away, he can be a nice backup, goal line back, and possibly a 3^rd down back. He also has the potential to be a feature back, which I don’t think Toby Gerhart has.

NFL Comparison: Michael Bush

*= For a breakdown of what this means, click here