Indy Football Report today continues its prospect-by-prospect look at the Indianapolis Colts’ 2009 NFL Draft with a look at Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno . . .
While many draft analysts are convinced Moreno will be gone by the time the Colts draft at No. 27, several recent mocks — including IFR v 2.0 — have had him slipping to late in the first round. Colts fans commenting on IFR understandably are intrigued by the idea of Moreno — a dynamic, entertaining, big-play back — and many believe although the Colts may have greater “needs,” that because of his talent he may be too good to pass.
So, today we’ll take a closer look.
Quickly, a reminder on the format for IFR’s looks at potential Colts draftees. We’re taking a look first at the basics for each player, then giving a synopsis of college stats, all-star games, combine performance and Pro Day results. Then, we’re breaking down where each prospect is being selected in a variety of mock drafts. For now, IFR’s Breaking Down the Indianapolis Colts 2009 NFL Draft segment will be using the following mock drafts: The Football Expert (3/29), Pete Prisco of CBS Sports (3/11), John McLain of the Houston Chronicle (3/15), Pat Kirwan of NFL.com (4/1), www.walterfootball.com and a USA Today eight-person panel (3/30).
That gives a decent variety of mocks from six sources — 13 if you consider each of USA Today’s eight-person panel. I’ll also make use of a good tool on Scout.com — the Draft Muncher.
So, here’s a look at . . .
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia, RB . . .
1) The Basics . . .
College: Georgia.
Year: Sophomore.
Ht: 5-11. Wt: 207.
Born: July 16, 1987.
Hometown: Belford, N.J.
High School: Middletown (N.J.) High School South.
* A fan site dedicated to Moreno.
2) The Statistics . . .
2008: 250 rushes, 1,400 yards, 16 TDs / 33 receptions, 392 yards, 2 TDs
Career (four seasons): 498 rushes, 2,736 yards, 30 TDs / 53 receptions, 645 yards, 2 TDs
3) The Highlights . . .
* Google’s Knowshon Moreno Video Page.
4) The All-Star Games . . .
Did not participate. He declared for the NFL Draft after his sophomore season, which he was able to do under NFL rules because he red-shirted as a freshman.
5) The Combine . . .
Moreno spoke confidently of improving running in the 4.4-second-range at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. He ran a 4.6, which wasn’t what he wanted but was one of many times considered slower than expected by running backs at the combine. “Top end” speed is a buzzword you hear around Moreno a lot, but he performed in college without it, and many great running backs haven’t been burners. See: Emmitt Smith.
Before . . .
* USA Today blogs on Moreno before combine.
* A story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution just before his combine workout.
After . . .
* Fan site weighs in on Moreno’s combine.
6) The Pro Day Reports . . .
A theme has developed about Moreno in the offseason leading to the draft. It’s one that confirms what many seemed to be saying in the fall, and that that’s while Moreno’s not a blazer, that shouldn’t keep him from being a first-round selection. He ran 40-yard dash times of 4.6 and 4.63 seconds at his Pro Day in Athens, Ga., on March 19, but ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay doesn’t think that was too slow for him to remain in the first round.
* More on the Pro Day from NFL Draft Scout.
7) Recent news . . .
*A recent ProFootball Weekly item quoting UGA RB coach.
* Google news page on Knowshon Moreno.
8 ) What the Best Draft Links are Saying . . .
* Fftoolbox.
9) Breaking Down the Mocks . . .
Selected by the Colts: None.
Available at No. 27:Five of 13 mocks (walterfootball.com, Football Expert, Prisco, Larry Weisman/USA Today, Derek H arper/NFLDraftScout.com).
Selected in first round: 12 of 13.
Highest: No. 14, New Orleans . . . two writers/analysts (Jim Corbett/USA Today and Nate Davis/USA Today).
Lowest: Out of first round (Prisco).
From the muncher: As of March 16, one in the Scout.com’s draft muncher was naming Moreno as the Colts’ selection at No. 27.
10) IFR Analysis . . .
A little more than two weeks before the 2009 NFL Draft, Moreno has begun to pique the interest of Colts fans. Actually, it’s probably more accurate to say he’s a distant dream of many Colts fans, because while Moreno is a dazzling prospect with memorable YouTube moments, most analysts seem convinced that he won’t be available when the Colts select at No. 27. The discussion of Moreno typically turns to speed, and all indications are that Moreno indeed lacks that pure, burning speed of, say, a Fred Taylor in his prime. Then again, most backs do, and the truth is, most great backs don’t have that breakaway gear. Edgerrin James was an effective back without 4.3 speed and Joseph Addai rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons without long, breakaway runs. A burner can add an element to an offense, but the NFL is about an ability to make the first tackler miss far more than it is the ability to “take it to the house” once that first guy is missed. From what I can tell from Moreno’s clips, he absolutely has that ability and as such, he would be intriguing choice should he fall to No. 27. It could be a Reggie Wayne-type selection in that I’m not sure Colts President Boll Polian is heading into the draft thinking he must have a running back — as was the case in 2006 with Addai — but he also knows the value of having impact offensive players, and there is a thought you can’t have enough of them. There’s probably a pretty small chance Moreno comes to the Colts, but it sure would be entertaining if he did.
obviously the colts had trouble running the ball last year, but i think that may have been more of a result of poor run blocking than the lack of talent at RB. That said i woudlnt complain if moreno was the pick.
I don’t think Moreno is left until 27….That said, I am one of the “Oh gosh, I hope they take a DT.” Guys.