Devine Redding, RB: A Tough And Shifty Grinder Who Could Be A Nice Change Of Pace Back

Devine Redding, RB
School: Indiana | Conference: BIG-10
College Experience: Junior | Age: 214
Height / Weight: 5-8 / 205 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late Rounds
NFL Comparison: Branden Oliver

College Statistics

Player Overview

Devine Redding looks to be the next running back coming out of Indiana headed to the NFL. Indiana has produced Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard the last couple years out of the program and both have become productive contributors at the NFL level. Redding looks to join their ranks and contribute for an NFL team. I think he has a much steeper curve to overcome to get to where his predecessors are now though. Redding produced two impressive seasons both going for over 1,000 yards. However, he is lacking some of the physical and athletic traits as well as the versatility that has made his former teammates successful. Devine bombed at the combine which is unfortunate because his tape shows a much better player though he may be pegged as purely a zone runner. He ran a slow time, he isn’t as big or well built as Coleman or Howard and he lacks the receiving skills that made those guys versatile backs and not just 3rd down contributors. Redding has a shot to be a decent change of pace back.

Strengths

• Has good vision operating from the backfield and follows his blocks. Can get skinny through gaps and has good short area burst to gain yardage.
• Has some eye-catching wiggle and shiftiness to his game is definite a one cut type back but he flashes some impressive footwork and cuts to make guys miss.
• Will put his head down and try to finish guys at the end of runs.
• Decent blocker in pass protection.

Weaknesses

• Could stand to had more weight and muscle to his frame. He’s an in-between the tackles type runner with limited long speed. I think it would help him to bulk up to last longer at the next level.
• I saw a couple balance issues that I’m not sure can be corrected, at times he's a choppy runner and has to learn how to maintain his balance through contact.
• Inconsistent and limited ability as a receiver out of the backfield
• As a likely 3rd running back on a roster has limited special teams value. He’s not a returner do you really expect him to tackle?

Let’s see his work:

NFL Media's Lance Zierlein compared Indiana RB Devine Redding to Seattle Seahawks RB Alex Collins.

Zierlein writes that Redding is a "[g]arden variety zone-scheme runner who has the decisiveness and vision to operate in that offense, but lacks the explosiveness, size and play strength to make a living as an NFL starter." This past season, the 5-foot-8, 205-pounder rushed for 1,122 yards, his second consecutive campaign of at least 1,000 yards on the ground. While Zierlein is none too high on Redding's potential as a starter, he does see him as being able to compete for more of a complimentary backup role. A late Day 3 selection is the best that the Indiana standout can realistically hope for come the draft. - Rotoworld

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

I almost feel slightly bad for Redding. He has some interesting skills that I think he could grow into a bit more and be a real change of pace option for a team. I’m not sure why he felt the need to declare early but if he had come out in a typical draft class and not a ridiculously deep one at running back I feel he would be a 5th or 6th round lock. Instead, there are fair questions as to if he will even be drafted due to his limited abilities, versatility, and fit in a zone run scheme. Unless the Redskins draft a RB relatively high the top three spots are arguably already taken between Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, and Matt Jones. On paper, I don’t think Redding is a threat to any of those guys at the moment but he strikes me as the type of kid that will outperform his draft position. In truth, Redding reminds me a great deal of Fat Rob though he is a smaller version so the coaching staff might like a player like him. For the Redskins the real question is if they will carry 4 running backs on the roster that's where I think Redding has a shot to make the team in a competition between himself, Mack Brown, and Keith Marshall.