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Dynasty League Rookie Prospect: Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah

By Bruce Matson

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Oct 25, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Ameer Abdullah is one of those running backs that you either really love or you really hate. I have seen some analysts list Abdullah as their 3rd overall running back in this draft, and I have seen some that have him outside the top 10. The ultimate question is where should you draft Abdullah in your rookie draft?

College Production

Abdullah broke out during his sophomore year (age 19) by rushing for 1,137 yards  and 8 TDs, while catching 24 passes for 178 yards and 2 TDs. His success from his sophomore year carried over to his junior season (age 20) by rushing for 1,690 yards and 9 TDs, while catching 26 passes for 232 yards and 2 TDs. Abdullah finished his senior year (age 21) by rushing for 1,611 yards and 19 TDs, while hauling in 22 receptions for 269 yards and 3 TDs. During his senior year, Abdullah accounted for 27.4% of his team’s total offense, 51.59% of Nebraska’s rushing yardage, and 25.58% of Nebraska’s touchdowns. Abdullah’s college production stands out amongst his peers in this draft class. He is one of the few running backs with 3 solid years of college production.

Player Metrics

Abdullah has a slight build at 5’8 205, which suggests that the odds of him handling the 3-down back role in the NFL are very slim. Abdullah’s 40-time is on the slow side at 4.6, and it’s very alarming that he ran a 4.6 40-time while weighing 205 pounds. At that weight, you want him running 4.4 or faster. The odd thing about Abdullah is that he has one of the most explosive 3-cone and Vertical jumps at the running back position. Abdullah has very small hands at 8 5/8 inch hands, which is an indicator that he could have issues with fumbles and dropped passes.

Film Review

After watching a few carries I noticed that Abdullah isn’t very dynamic. He doesn’t have a 2nd gear, and he gets caught from behind a lot. If he’s getting caught from behind a lot in college he’s going to get caught from behind more often in the NFL. He’s very good at getting low at the point of attack. He has excellent vision, and he moves laterally very well. He looks very thin on tape. He looks like a slot receiver in the backfield. You could tell me that was Randall Cobb playing running back for the Cornhuskers and I would believe it. He’s a willing blocker, but he whiffs a lot of blocks and gets driven back by defensive ends while trying to protect the quarterback. He has the ability to be a good receiver, but he does have a tendency to drop passes. He also has an issue with fumbling.

Player Value

Abdullah has a lot of appeal with his college production, but he has too many red flags to invest a 1st round pick in him. The only way I would spend a 1st round pick on him was if he was drafted by a team like Dallas. I have Abdullah valued as a mid-2nd round rookie pick. I know there are a lot of guys who rate Abdullah a lot higher than I do, but I think it’s going to be hard for him to stick in the NFL because he is a smaller back with limited speed with fumbling issues. Abdullah is going to be a top 100 pick in the NFL Draft, but he’s going to be a player that I’m going to avoid in a lot of my leagues.

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