Unsung AP Draft Prospects Part VI: Jamall Lee

After reading this some may ask. NaNz(y) how do you find these guys!? Quite honestly I don't even know how, I'm a draft fanatic and things like this just pop up on my computer anyways back to the subject at hand. With all this controversy at the running back position assuming L.J gets traded were going to need a back to spell Jamaal Charles, even if LJ stays I think I found a nugget here, hailing from the great pines of Canada I present to you Jamall Lee. Heres my case for him.

via www.ubishops.ca

Position(s)

• Primary: Running Back
• Secondary: Slot Receiver
• Alternate: Return Man

Measurables

• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: 221
• 225 Bench: 19
• 40: 4.3
• Vertical: 44"

Production/ Achievements 

Production Notes

• His highlight reel is nothing short of spectacular.
• He shows all the tools needed to amount into at least a decent player in the NFL one day
• Shows great field vision utilizing the cutback often, allowing him to take tackles on his side rather than head on. A trait that may prove vital to his longevity in the NFL
• A real rumbler, lacks high end acceleration but when his momentum builds up he's hard to take down, he's a speedster with a lot of guts, enough to take on linebackers at the next level, corners and safeties don't match up as even some what formidable.
• GREAT hands out of the backfield, and good instincts after the catch (due to his experience as a running back). His hands allow him to move into the special teams unit as a return man.

Things to Look at

• Although he played in one of the most competitive divisions in Canada in college, fact is that only really amounts to the WAC division in American football. His lack of experience against pro level competition may get him seriously hurt, or ultimately prove he belongs in the CFL.
• With a 4.3 forty in the CFL combine, he broke the record for the fastest time in that category ever. Had he competed in the NFL combine he would have ranked fifth amongst all players.
• Putting it into proportion, at 6'1" 221, he's bigger than the likes of Knowshon Moreno, LeSean McCoy, Donald Brown, Cedric Peerman, Javon Ringer, and James Davis. All of which are top 10 prospect running backs this year. This leaves only Chris Wells, Rashad Jennings, and Shonne Green and Andre Brown, who are both shorter than Lee. And Lee turned in better 40 and vertical results than all of them. 
• Is going to watch the draft and almost certainly stay undrafted when it's all said and done. If a team loves him however, not only are they going to be in a bidding war with NFL teams, the CFL ranked him the 2nd best product of the combine.
• Played in the spread in Bishops College. Should we stick with the "Arrowspread" this year we'd have a four year vet of the system as a rookie.

Current NFL player comparison

via assets.nydailynews.com

Derrick Ward

Similarities

• At 5'11'' 228 pounds Derrick Ward is two inches shorter and seven pounds heavier than Lee, they carry just about the same body type.
• Ward is a hybrid running back, although he doesn't maul over defensive linemen like his former running mate Brandon Jacobs, Ward instead uses excellent vision and a precise cutback to maneuver his way into the secondary where he can take DB's and Safeties head on. 
• Ward will take on the occasional linebacker but when he does he uses a step or two to minimize impact, he uses his agility before he uses his shoulder.
• Never a victim to arm tackles (as you can see above), you either get his legs or wrap him up completely if you have the intent of bringing him down.
• His breakaway speed is ridiculous, once he gets into open field, he shows speed that rivals some corners and safeties. 

My Verdict

• Jamall Lee's size/ speed ratio is scary. If taught by a good running backs coach and mentored by a true NFL veteran Lee holds all sorts of potential.
• His inexperience against top tier talent is definitely scary, but it's worth the risk considering he will most likely be acquired via free agency.
• I'd love to see him take Kolby Smith's roster spot in training camp, under Larry Johnson's wing as a bruiser, and Jamaal Charles' wing as a speedster, we could get an earth wind and fire rotation for a RBBC. We could run the first ever LJJ (Larry, Jamaal, Jamall) RBBC!! haha
• His versatility on offense and special teams is intriguing, he can run it, catch it, return it, and with that size he could even get down field and hit some returners too. He definitely fits the mold of player Scott Pioli is interested in and as a rookie free agent there really isn't anything to lose on the guy.