Dallas Cowboys Draft Fullback Deon Anderson
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James Joyner | Sunday, April 29, 2007 |
The Dallas Cowboys have drafted Connecticut fullback Deon Anderson with the 21st pick in the 6th round (195 overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. He’s an excellent blocking fullback with outstanding size and strength but generally considered undisciplined and a “character” problem.
Here’s his Scouts, Inc. profile:
Deon Anderson | FB | (5′10″, 243, 4.73) | CONNECTICUT
Scouts Grade: 31
Flags: (C: CHARACTER) Problems on and off the field
Strengths: Has good size, runs with adequate leverage and is a powerful short-yardage runner that rarely goes down with the first hit. Is physical and looks to run over defenders. Plays with a mean streak, possesses good upper body strength and is physical at the point of attack. Shows good focus while the ball is in the air and rarely drops passes that should catch. Keeps head up, shows good awareness and can pick up the blitz when asked to help out in pass protection. Plays with a good motor, has experience covering kicks and can contribute on special teams.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t show great balance as a blocker, fails to lock onto defenders at times and has some problems sustaining blocks. While is capable of knocking defenders back doesn’t always roll hips into blocks and isn’t fundamentally sound. Appears hesitant at times and has problems getting into position at the second level when isn’t aggressive. Doesn’t have the burst to turn the corner and lacks ideal top-end speed. Isn’t elusive and isn’t going to make many big plays. Missed the 2005 season for unspecified reasons and looked into transferring before returning to the team in as a walk-on in January of 2006, he has had some off-the-field problems and character is somewhat of a concern.
Overall: Anderson started six of the 12 games he appeared in during his true freshman season in 2002, rushing for 119 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries and catching five passes for 12 yards. He started five of the 12 games he appeared in during the 2003 season rushing for 124 yards on 35 carries and catching 15 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. Anderson started three of the 12 games he appeared in during the 2004 season rushing for 99 yards on 22 carries and catching 14 passes for 133 yards. He missed the 2005 season and re-joined the team as a walk-on in 2006. In his return to action in 2006 he played in 11 games with nine starts, missing the season finale against Louisville with a neck stinger, and finished with 23 carries for 78 yards (3.4 average) and 14 catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
There are concerns about Anderson’s character and he needs to work on his technique as a blocker. On the positive side, he displays the toughness, size and versatility to develop into an every-down fullback for teams in search of his kind. Anderson might be too much of a risk to waste a draft pick on but he is worth bringing into training camp as a priority free agent.
SI.com didn’t even think he was worth drafting:
POSITIVES: Hard-working blocker who flashes abilities handling the ball. Quick off the snap, has a burst of speed and accelerates into blocks. Jolts opponents at the point, sealing them from the action and opens holes for running backs. Fluid into pass routes.
NEGATIVES: Looks lean on the field and does not play like a 250-pound lead blocker. Not a natural pass-catcher.
ANALYSIS: A solid athlete who has displayed flashes of skill at Connecticut, Anderson has the ability to develop into a lead blocker for a West Coast offense. Must sort out his personal issues, which ultimately could keep him from having a career at the next level
PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent
Another rather dubious pick.
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