Corey Clement, RB: He Has The Physical Talent Can He Improve His Mentality?

Corey Clement, RB
School: Wisconsin | Conference: BIG-10
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 220 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th or 5th Round
NFL Comparison: Shaun Draughn

College Statistics

Player Overview

Corey Clement was behind Melvin Gordon on the depth chart when he arrived in Madison. When Gordon had his exceptional senior season Clement still managed to run for over 900 yards and 9 TDs which is a testament to Wisconsin’s national prowess in the run game. He was supposed to take over in 2015 but was replaced after he injured his hand punching someone in an elevator and got sports hernia surgery (unrelated to the fight). Clement got a second chance in 2016 and performed really well. He is not the most athletic back and lacks the quick twitch of the best running backs in this draft but he is strong, decisive, and productive. He’s a bigger back that can power through for tough yards, withstand tackle attempts and tends to drag defenders with him for a couple yards. He runs with nice balance and is not only a grinder but is more than capable of popping off a few long runs on the outside. I think he has the potential to be a nice complementary back for a team.

Strengths

• Excellent size for the position with the power and strength to grind out tough runs.
• Has a couple cool moves, particularly a decent jump cut, an impressive stiff arm, and the good old-fashioned ability to make himself compact when running through gaps and making contact.
• Very impressive as a one cut runner and has enough vision and occasional patience to follow his blocks. Once he gets into open space he can be dangerous. Has sneaky good long speed when he has time to build up.
• Plays with great balance and is tough to bring down on first contact alone.
• A tough competitive player that plays without fear. Can hold his own in pass protection.

Weaknesses

• No great or elite athletic traits which will limit his value at the next level. 1 gear runner with occasional extra half gear that goes into effect.
• Not much of a threat in the passing game as a receiver.
• Lacks twitch and burst you want to see on the outside or in between the tackles. He isn't terribly slow but in the NFL he won’t win as many footraces as he did in college.
• The flip side of strength bullet point three - sometimes I watch him not realize gaping holes in his periphery, I also sometimes see a player who thinks he can get it all on his own instead of waiting for his teammates to clear the way for him.
• Lance Zierlein of NFL.com says his scouting sources have labeled him “entitled” and there are concerns about his leadership ability and character.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Outside of Tyus Bowser I don’t think I have outright said “pass” on a player (I leave that up to you guys) but I will definitely pass on Corey Clement. He doesn't have impressive athletic tools to work with which isn't a deal breaker but the more I read about that elevator punching incident and how he tried to cover it up and hide it from the coaches the more I was turned off. Lance Zierlein who is the best in the business at this whole profile thing rarely puts information so offputting in his scouting reports about players. He made it a point to include what he’s heard from scouts about Clement’s attitude which is yet another red flag. If he goes to the right team with strong coaches and teammates that will give him a stern kick in the butt he has a chance to turn things around for himself. I think the tools Clement does have could make him a decent complimentary back who can come in on short yardage and goalline situations and really really work out a niche with a team in that role. I don’t think the Redskins can provide the environment he needs to thrive and get a new outlook nor do I think he compliments any of the backs the team currently has on their roster well.