NFL Draft Profile: Running Back Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue
Strengths, weaknesses and a summary of running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Position: Running Back
School: Purdue
Play Style: Versatile Back
Age: 24
DOB: 11/23/1999
Height: 5'11
Weight: 209 lbs
40-Time: 4.48
FantasySP Position Ranking: 6
Round Projected: 3-4
NFL Comp: Antonio Gibson
Summary
Despite spending the entirety of his career as a wide receiver up until 2023, Tracy is a fundamentally sound and skilled running back. If you watch his film you wouldn't think this was a guy with very little experience at the position. His pass-catching background then gives him a massive upside and potential big role in the NFL.
The thing is he doesn't really play like a pass-catching specialist but has the skill set built in. The comparison we made here is Antonio Gibson. While Tracy isn't quite as dynamic an athlete as Gibson, he is better at just about everything from a skill and fundamentals standpoint. If he builds off 2023, he could be a three-down back in the NFL and a very productive and versatile one at that.
Strengths
- Extremely versatile
- Surprisingly good at the position considering his lack of experience as a running back
- Shows creativity with the ball in his hands
- Impressive acceleration and burst in tight areas
- High-level agility and elusiveness to evade would-be tacklers
- One of the better pass blockers in this class, if not the best
- Has excellent pass-catching skills thanks to spending his career up until 2023 as a wide receiver
- Smooth runner with good flexibility
- Outstanding body control
- Makes sharp precise cuts
- Is fully capable of turning the corner
- Contributor on special teams as a starting kick returner
Weaknesses
- Lacks experience as a running back
- Needs to be a bit more disciplined as a runner
- At times passes up the easy yards trying to make a big play to the outside that isn't there
- Will have to improve his vision and decisiveness in the NFL
- Is already 24 years old
- Tends to get over his pads and lose balance and momentum due to leaning forward
Our Take
We really love his potential and upside heading into the NFL. Most of his weaknesses are due to a lack of experience, which can be fixed with more practice and game reps. If a team figures out how to maximize his ability as a pass-catcher and develops him as a running back, he could break out and be hugely productive as well as a matchup nightmare.
The fact that he's already 24 and will turn 25 in November is a concern for a running back. However, he doesn't have much tread on the tires since he just became a running back. Carries and touches tend to be a better indicator of an upcoming cliff than just age. Even so, if you draft a running back, you're hoping to get four good years out of him and if you can do that it's a win.
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