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Position: Running Back
School: Louisiana Tech
Size: 5-10, 212 pounds
Production: 4 year starter at LA Tech, totaling 802 carries for 4,483 yards (5.6 ypc) and 72 touchdowns.
Positives
- Great feet and jump-cut ability.
- Ideal size. Low center of gravity provides him with natural balance.
- Excellent pad level, staying low to maintain as much balance as possible.
- Outstanding in space. Plenty of wiggle to keep defenders guessing.
- Great pass catcher. Legitimate threat out of the backfield. Always catches the ball away from his frame cleanly.
- Explosive first three steps. Doesn't take him long to get up to speed.
- Seeks out contact. Aggressive runner.
Negatives
- 14 career fumbles.
- Pass protection needs some cleaning up. Drops his head and misses chops too often. Shows he has the ability, just needs more consistency.
- Great burst, but lacks that next gear of speed to break away.
- Despite his aggression, Dixon lacks some power. He won't be pushing many piles forward at the next level.
Examples
Here's a look at Dixon taking a swing pass. A linebacker squares up for the tackle and Dixon breaks his ankles. I think this is the area where he will earn his keep the most in the NFL.
This is what you call seeking out contact. Dixon shows enough speed to turn the corner, then finds a poor defensive back in his way. He's not big, but he's aggressive.
Overview
Kenneth Dixon is your prototypical "scat-back." He's outstanding as a pass catcher and more than willing as a pass protector. Dixon has that juice you look for in backs, showing off some wiggle and acceleration in the open field. He plays the game with a nasty demeanor, despite barely breaking 210 pounds. He checks a lot of boxes as a runner, showing off an above average burst and outstanding jump-cut ability.
His 14 fumbles are eye-popping and could keep him in the dog house with a lot of coaches. This is something that will have to be addressed before Dixon can be trusted with the ball in NFL action. I'm not sure that he will ever be a true RB1 in the league, but he will carry a ton of value as a change of pace and passing down back. Guys like Shane Vereen, Gio Bernard, Theo Riddick and Danny Woodhead bring tons of value to teams as pass catchers. I think Dixon fits somewhere in that mold of player.
Round grade: 3rd round
Expected draft slot: Mid-day two