DraftTracker
Round | Team | Pos. | School | Name
Vernand Morency
RB (5-9, 212, 4.66)
Oklahoma State
Grade: 80
Comments
Is at his best as an outside runner. Shows good initial burst and explosiveness through the hole. Gets north-south quickly and also shows good body control when cutting back. Is at his best in the open field. Is quicker than fast. Runs faster than his 40-time indicates. Shows a second gear in the open field. Has some elusiveness and shows some "wiggle" when he gets a one-on-one situation in space. Only had nine receptions last two seasons but is an underrated receiver. Needs polish as a route runner, but has loads of upside. Shows explosive speed and the potential to create mismatches. Hands are more than reliable. Shows the ability to snatch on the run and adjust to poorly thrown ball. His vision and patience are below average. He lacks height and has adequate bulk. Has just decent strength and does not run with a great deal of power as an inside runner. Needs to improve his lower body power and must run more aggressively. Doesn't run with good enough pad-level, takes too many shots to the body and doesn't fall forward as much as he should at the end of runs. Needs work as a blocker. Has adequate size but lacks great strength and power, especially in the lower body. Doesn't have great experience in this facet. Awareness and technique must improve. Needs to do a better job of picking up the blitz and getting into position. Must become more aggressive and physical. Missed most of 2002 season with an ankle injury. Had some minor injuries that slowed him in 2004, including a knee injury that cost him one game. Is an older prospect but doesn't have a lot of mileage on him only 413 carries in two years at Oklahoma State. Mental capacity; 11 on Wonderlic Test.Morency was signed by the Colorado Rockies out of high school and played minor league baseball for three years before enrolling at Oklahoma State in 2002. An ankle injury sidelined him most of his freshman season. Morency saw some action as Tatum Bell's (Broncos) backup in 2003, finishing with 918 yards and eight touchdowns 135 carries. Morency took over as a fulltime starter in 2004 and had a breakout season with 1,474 yards and 12 touchdowns on 278 carries. Morency is a 24-year old prospect with somewhat limited experience. He needs to improve his strength and become a more aggressive and powerful interior runner. However, Morency has the bulk, quickness, explosiveness and hands to emerge as a fulltime starter in the NFL. The team that drafts him will have to be patient in developing him and will assume a risk with an older prospect. But Morency's athleticism and potential to provide the home run at the next level is what makes him an attractive late-second round developmental prospect.
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