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For the second year in a row, the Ravens have drafted a running back in the fourth round. Last year it was Javorius 'Buck' Allen, this year, the man is Kenneth Dixon. Dixon is a strong and powerful rusher who plays through the whistle with a lot of heart. Many gave him a good evaluation and believed that he could be a third round pick. Dixon possesses all of the keys to be a good all-around back in the NFL, and it appears that the Ravens got a great guy at the end of the fourth.
Collegiate Stats
Rushing & Receiving
Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
2012 | Louisiana Tech | WAC | RB | 12 | 200 | 1194 | 6.0 | 27 | 10 | 35 | 3.5 | 1 | 210 | 1229 | 5.9 | 28 | |
2013 | Louisiana Tech | CUSA | SO | RB | 10 | 151 | 917 | 6.1 | 4 | 14 | 85 | 6.1 | 1 | 165 | 1002 | 6.1 | 5 |
*2014 | Louisiana Tech | CUSA | JR | RB | 14 | 253 | 1299 | 5.1 | 22 | 30 | 385 | 12.8 | 6 | 283 | 1684 | 6.0 | 28 |
2015 | Louisiana Tech | CUSA | SR | RB | 11 | 198 | 1073 | 5.4 | 19 | 33 | 464 | 14.1 | 7 | 231 | 1537 | 6.7 | 26 |
Career | Louisiana Tech | 802 | 4483 | 5.6 | 72 | 87 | 969 | 11.1 | 15 | 889 | 5452 | 6.1 | 87 |
Scouting Report:
(NFL.com)
STRENGTHS
Hungry runner who almost never gives in to the defender. Light on his feet using outstanding jump cut and lateral quickness to sidestep danger in the backfield and create a positive play. Elusiveness on second level often leaves tacklers grasping at air. Able to string moves together and hit the explosive play. Despite being keyed on, still creates yardage for himself. Determined and competitive. Accelerates through initial contact and squeezes carries for everything he can. Averaged almost twice as many yards per carry after first contact (3.3) than before first contact (1.7). Greedy eater when endzone in his sights with 39 rushing touchdowns since 2014. Quick recognition of defensive flow and adjusts running lanes accordingly. Decisive runner with plus burst and ability to charge it up to his top speed instantly. Has very good feel for running lanes and tacklers and is able to navigate both without much wasted movement. Violent finisher for his size and enjoys thumping corners and safeties. Reliable pass catcher who can hurt teams out of the backfield.
WEAKNESSES
Very average thickness through lower half. Struggled with a knee injury in 2013 and missed two games in 2015 with an ankle injury. Physical running style could lead to durability concerns. Not as likely to slip out of side doors against substantially better competition. Average long speed makes him more slasher than home-run hitter. Competitive resolve leads him to try and do too much on some snaps. Base narrows in space and can be susceptible to shoestring tackles. Aggression and competitiveness as a runner isnt as readily available in pass protection. Needs to improve ball security. Has fumbled 13 times over last three seasons.
Stay tuned as the Ravens are just getting started!
The Ravens have the following selections in day three:
RD 4 (104th overall) - Tavon Young, CB, Temple
RD 4 (107th overall) - Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati
RD 4 (130th overall) - Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska
RD 4 (132nd overall) - Willie Henry, DT, Michigan
RD 4 (134th overall) - Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
RD 5 (146th overall)
RD 6 (182nd overall)
RD 6 (209th overall)