RB, Cedric Peerman, Virginia

RB, Cedric Peerman, Virginia

Pros:  Short, thick build that appears capable of handling NFL punishment. Quick to the hole. Good lateral agility to make defenders miss. Runs with surprising authority.

Cons:  Lacks the bulk teams are looking for in a bell-cow runner. May have to be a change of pace back in the NFL due to his struggles in staying healthy. Missed second half of 2007 with Lisfranc surgery on his right foot and missed time last season with a bruised knee. Very small hands, which scouts fear will lead to fumbles. Didn't help his cause in this area with a fumble during the Senior Bowl.

Styg's Broncos Fit:  Closer to a change-of-pace-style back, which Denver may still value, Peerman is like an upgraded version of Andre Hall. He runs nice and low, keeps his feet moving and falls forward, yet plays very quick, can make moves at the second level and can pull away if he gets in the clear. What the coaches will like, however, is how hard he works, and how much effort he puts into every play, regardless of the situation. Unfortunately, though he is a good receiver, he had some poorly timed fumbles, and with small hand measurements, analysts have reason for concern. It will be interesting to see if he falls down draft boards, and if he did, where Denver might target him. I give him 3 stars, and if he should fall far enough, that could be a steal.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Revenge of the Birds:

As a Virginia fan, I’m quite familiar with Cedric Peerman. He’s no Thomas Jones or Tiki Barber, but he could be a steal in the draft. A semi-porous o-line and constantly having to play from behind didn’t do a whole lot for his stats, but he’s got the talent to be more than just a kick returner in the NFL.

From "Draftek Interview" at RotB:

An interesting prospect to me that fits 2 needs for the Cardinals is Cedric Peerman of Virginia - a 5'10", 216 lb. RB that motors a 4.39 forty, soft hands for pass receptions and has excellent KR capabilities. He strikes me as an excellent change-of-pace for Hightower.

From "Seattle Mock 1.5" at Field Gulls:

Peerman is extremely talented. He's a studious guy and very religious. In fact, he's a ordained minister. He played in 41 games at Virginia. As a running back, Peerman is fast, elusive, powerful and, well, sometimes a highlight reel betters adjectives.  The knocks on Peerman are injuries and hand size. Both might be a little trumped up. Peerman suffered a Linsfranc injury in 2007. Lisfranc injuries can threaten a career depending on the severity, but given his production his senior season and his strong showing at the combine, that's probably not the case with Peerman.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Just a year and a half of starting experience...Averaged 25.1 yards on 50 kick returns during his career with the Cavaliers...Missed half of the 2007 season with a right foot injury (Lisfranc) that eventually required surgery...Honorable Mention All-ACC as a senior...Classic jack-of-all-trades but master of none...Decent all-around player who may lack any special qualities...Really not much better as a prospect than Wali Lundy was coming out of college...Probably doesn't profile as anything more than a backup and/or special teamer at the pro level.  [see more...]
• A physical back who runs with good power and leg drive between the tackles. Showcases good vision and instincts at the line of scrimmage and does a nice job reading his blocks. Displays quick feet and flexibility when changing directions in space. Runs with a good pad level and can break tackles inside. Possesses a good first step attacking the hole.  [see more...]
• While Virginia struggled as a team running the ball in 2008, Peerman's tough, low center of gravity style makes him a valued commodity. The honorable mention All-ACC pick rushed for 774 yards and seven scores while catching 44 passes (for only 193 yards, 4.4 per reception) as a senior.
  
  Peerman's biggest contribution as a young NFL player might be on kickoff returns, where he averaged 26.5 yards on 40 attempts in 2005-06 before his touches there were limited by coaches wanting him healthy on offense (and by teams kicking away from him). Peerman was one of the more impressive running backs at the Senior Bowl at times, but a fumble in the game may have confirmed scouts' worst fears.  [see more...]
• "As a running back, I have a tendency sometimes to create something out of nothing," said Peerman, a graduate of William Campbell High School. "Sometimes, you've got to put your head down and, for what it's worth, live to play another play.
  
  "A lot of times, I've tried to bounce outside, but sometimes you're better off just getting back to the line of scrimmage. That's something that I've recognized that I need to do."  [see more...]