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Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Daniel Lasco, RB

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2016 NFL Draft prospects who could contribute to the Redskins

By Gabe Ward
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Daniel Lasco, RB
School: California | Conference: PAC 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23 
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 209 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Ryan Matthews

College Statistics

Player Overview

Daniel Lasco was voted team captain two years in a row spanning his junior and senior seasons. Lasco was a leader on offense that featured soon to be top pick Jared Goff. Lasco burst onto the National scene after his Junior season. He posted one of the best statistical rushing and receiving seasons in Cal's history since 2011. Lasco is a solidly built back and plays physically. He is tailor made for a one-cut running system. Lasco has the vision and decisiveness to find an opening and the speed to burst through it. Lasco plays with patience as well sort of biding his time when he's on the run, waiting for blocks to develop and looking for space in the open field. He also has good hands and is a threat catching out of the backfield. Another thing Lasco has going in his favor is his tackle production (26 over his career) in coverage when playing on special teams. 

A big concern regarding Lasco is his ability to remain healthy. After coming off his best season his Senior year was unproductive due to nagging hip and ankle injuries. Lasco is the type of back who puts his head down to mow people over. Can he stay healthy in the pros?

Strengths

  • Has a couple gears to him and can get to the top one quickly.
  • Showed he can produce at workhorse level with over 200 carries and 1000 yards in 2014.
  • Nice cutting and side step ability in tight spaces to reestablish a path forward.
  • Not afraid to cover the ball and bulldoze someone.  Always seems to fall forward.
  • Good catching ability out of the backfield.

Weaknesses

  • Injuries derailed his chance to prove he can be consistent in his production.
  • No elite elusiveness and struggles with yardage if a clear hole doesn't present itself.
  • Lack of patience can leave yards on the field. I saw several runs where he was prancing down the sidelines worrying about defenders instead of taking it upfield and making them worry about catching him.
  • Lacks fluid and seamless lateral and cutting ability. He is definitely more of a north / south type back.


Let's see his work: 



Combine Results

PRO DAY RESULTS
3-cone: 6.84 seconds
Short shuttle: 4.13 seconds

How He Would Fit on the Redskins

Daniel Lasco has looked good and healthy all offseason including at the Shrine game and Combine. Lasco's challenge will be proving to an NFL team that his hip and ankle issues are behind him and that he can once again become an high volume physical running back. I really do see a lot of Ryan Matthew's in Lasco's game and that may not be impressive to some who are looking for a clear-cut starter in the running back the Redskins select. It is endearing though if we are talking about a back that can participate and produce in a time-share which I think is the path forward for Lasco. He also brings additional value in the meantime for the team that drafts him as he contributed as a gunner on special teams at Cal and could move into that role immediately in the NFL. 

I think the Redskins will draft a running back to compliment Matt Jones this year. It makes sense that the Skins will be looking for a big and powerful back to take some of the workload of Jones from time to time. If Lasco is healthy I could see him being an option in the middle rounds for the Redskins.

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