CJ Verdell Scouting Report|CJ Verdell NFL Draft Prospect
University of Oregon
Running Back
5’8” 211 lbs.
I am a big fan of CJ Verdell. He has looked like an NFL running back since the olden times of 2018. I am able to watch a lot of Oregon football, so I’ve seen quite a bit of him. The rest of the country certainly noticed Verdell when he led the Ducks over the Ohio State Buckeyes. It’s time for me to go really deep into scouting and break down film at an in depth level. Let’s see if he looks as good after this deep dive.
CJ Verdell Positives
Size
Usually being short is a disadvantage, trust me I know. However, for a running back being shorter makes it easier to get lower than the defender and attempt to run through a tackle. Verdell runs powerfully, he’s a tough back to bring down. When Verdell runs he’s excellent at keeping his feet moving. This leads to more broken tackles and more big runs after bouncing off defenders.
Athleticism
CJ Verdell is an athletic freak. He should be a standout at the NFL Combine, putting up a huge SPARQ score. Verdell will not only put up a nice looking 40 time, I expect his 3 cone and 20 yard times to be impressive as well. He is that valuable mix of fast and quick. Verdell can break away with his straight line speed, but his change of direction ability might be even more impressive. He’s a silky smooth runner who can move in any direction he wants on a dime. Watch his broad jump and vertical numbers as well because Verdell is explosive. He goes from 0-60 very quickly and it sure is fun to watch.
Vision
Verdell is more than just an athlete running the ball. He plays smart and has excellent vision. He’s able to see which hole to hit and almost always ends up going through the right one. He knows when to bounce it outside and has a nice jump cut when he takes the run wide. Verdell is a good receiving back. He doesn’t have issues with his hands and is dangerous in the open field.
CJ Verdell Negatives
Injuries
The Oregon Duck running back doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses, but we need to get down to the nitty gritty here. Verdell had some nagging injuries in 2019. They weren’t serious enough to have him sit out a game, but he was unavailable for quarters in multiple games during 2019. In 2020 Verdell broke his thumb and missed the Pac-12 Championship and Fiesta Bowl.
Pass Blocking
On passing downs when Verdell isn’t running a route he’s pass blocking. This is where his lack of size really hurts him. Verdell seems to be above average at recognizing pressure, but blitzers are able to defeat him often. He did bulk up in 2019 to help his pass blocking, so that is something I will be watching closely in his final full season.
CJ Verdell Final Draft Grade
CJ Verdell is a talented running back. His athleticism and vision are top notch. He’s got extensive experience playing Pac-12 football which has given him plenty of experience against NFL caliber talent. I see Verdell as a nice day two pick. The running back position is devalued in the NFL and NFL Draft and I’m not ready to name Verdell as my RB1 yet. A strong finish to the season and improved pass blocking could move him up to late round one. It’s hard to see a lower floor than explosive change of pace back for Verdell and his ceiling is sky high. I’m excited to see what he does and where he goes.
