RB, Arian Foster, Tennessee

RB, Arian Foster, Tennessee

Pros:  Good size with the frame for additional muscle mass. Good initial quickness off the snap. Accelerates to and through the hole and reaches maximum speed quickly.

Cons:  Viewed by some as more of a jack of all trades, master of none type. Lacks the explosiveness to consistently make defenders miss in tight quarters and is not the power runner his size would indicate.

Styg's Broncos Fit:  The big question I have is whether Foster can cure his fumble-itis, but if he can, he would be a tremendous pickup as a last pick in the draft or better yet, a UFA. He runs with a power style, yet has the quickness to one-cut and go. He could play with more power though, and he could also get better at reading his line, but in the meantime, his leg-churn and forward lean should help him contribute where needed

Around MHR:

From "Scouting Halfbacks":

Arian Foster showed up to the Senior Bowl 15 pounds overweight. Arian Foster had no chance. The quarterback situation at Tennessee was so bad, opposing defenses often put nine or 10 men in the box to contain him. Foster still managed 4.4 yards per carry, totaling 570 yards on the year.

From "My Broncos Mock Draft"

Round 5: Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee. Here is the problem with the running back situation: If we draft a Running Back (which we should) we will be left with a total of 6-7 running backs when we enter training camp. Mind you, we had 8 injured so this might be smart but as it looks we will have 4 on the active roster and by picking a player in the 5th round we are guaranteeing to ourselves that we will drop a Correll Buckhalter, Ryan Torain, Lamont Jordan or J.J Arrington. It also puts our favorites like Peyton Hillis and his standing on the depth chart at risk. But when it is all said and done we need to do what is best for the team and that is drafting an underrated player like Arian Foster. Foster has great balance and hits the hole hard with a short and quick burst. While he lacks great speed, he might still be a solid addition to our roster or even the practice squad.

Around SBNation:

From "Senior Day Tribute" at Rocky Top Talk:

There were two good things about The Season of Which We Do Not Speak: (1) the Rally in the Valley, and (2) Arian Foster taking over the role of starting running back halfway through the season. Foster played in 11 games and started the last five after fellow RB Gerald Riggs suffered an ankle injury against Alabama. In each those five games he started, he rushed for at least 100 yards (and averaged 148.4), the first back to do that since Chuck Webb in 1989. He finished the season as a first-team Freshman All-SEC.

Highlights:

Top Play of 2007, short yardage goalline TD.

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Foster, who stands at 6'1'' and 216 pounds and can run under 4.5 in the 40 despite that hulking frame, racked up 1193 yards and 12 touchdowns on 245 yards last season. He also added 340 yards and two scores on 39 receptions.   [see more...]
• A two-year starter...Finished his college career second on the Vols all-time rushing list and third in all-purpose yardage...Underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following the 2007 season...Missed some action with a thigh bruise in 2008...Was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and underage consumption in 2006...Will try to follow in the footsteps of former Volunteers Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry...Was reportedly given a second round projection by the NFL and strongly considered going pro after his junior year...Draft stock took quite a hit in 2008 and he won't be selected nearly as early as he would have been a year ago...Solid all-around player with decent measurables and a track record of success...May never be a star but has starting potential at the next level...Could be a steal for someone if teams place  too heavy of an  emphasis on his  performance as a senior.  [see more...]
• Possesses impressive burst and lateral mobility for a back his size. Runs with good shiftiness through the hole and can consistently step through tackles. Has a powerful frame and runs with a good pad level through the hole. Displays an impressive first step attacking the line of scrimmage and gets up to top-end speed very quickly.  [see more...]
• A legitimate big back blessed with deceptive speed, Foster developed into one of the SEC's most dominant backs as a junior, finishing with 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing while adding 39 catches for 340 yards and two scores. But like the rest of his UT teammates, his statistics dropped precipitously in 2008 (131-570-1 rush, 19-166 receiving) because he received about half as many touches and the team's overall inconsistent offensive play.
  
  Foster had a strong start to his career, stepping in for an injured Gerald Riggs, Jr. as a redshirt freshman to lead the Vols with 879 rushing yards. Foster might potentially warrant the second-round grade he was given in 2007 by the NFL Advisory Committee, but must show more consistency and better ball security to be a success in the NFL.  [see more...]