DraftTracker
Round | Team | Pos. | School | Name
Eric Shelton
RB (6-1, 246, 4.53)
Louisville
Grade: 83
Comments
Is a downhill runner, at his best between the tackles. Shows good vision and patience. Would fit best in a zone-blocking scheme in the NFL. Reads blocks well and has a good feel for the cutback lane. Finds the crease, shows good upfield burst, and is a powerful runner that runs with good pad-level. Delivers a blow and will break many would-be arm tackles. Shows a good burst through the LOS. Has good speed for his size and does a good job of bouncing inside runs to the outside after he gets through the LOS. He's a load to bring down in the open field with a head of steam. Has a great frame and has the potential to become a better blocker than he is. Has good overall bulk and strength. Also shows a solid base to anchor versus the blitz when he's in position. Hands are adequate. Can catch the ball consistently when he's facing the QB and has shown the ability to pluck while on the run. Has good speed for his size but isn't a burner. Won't be able to consistently turn the corner as an outside runner in the NFL. Doesn't have a great second gear and doesn't show much "wiggle" in space. He has limited experience as a blockerand looks somewhat lost when asked to block in the passing game. Has trouble finding his assignment, looks too hesitant at times and tends to lunge too much. His routes are inconsistent and he shows a poor feel for reading coverages. He lacks explosive quickness and likely will never be a matchup threat as a RB that can be "flexed" out wide or into the slot. Stayed healthy in 2004 but 2003 neck injury cost him three games and is somewhat concerning. Upside in terms of durability, however, is that he split carries the last two seasons and only has 341 carries in three seasons of college football. Shelton began his career at Florida State, where he played 11 games as a freshman in 2001 and rushed for 130 yards on 29 carries. He transferred from Florida State to Louisville in 2002 and sat out that season because of NCAA transfer rules. Shelton rushed for 790 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2003 but missed the final three games with a neck injury. As a junior in 2004, Shelton led the Cardinals with 938 yards rushing and tied the school mark for rushing touchdowns in a season with 20. He carried just 146 times, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Shelton is somewhat of an enigma after transferring early in his career and then splitting carries with two other backs (Lionel Gates and Michael Bush) the past two seasons. Shelton has room to improve in the passing game both as a blocker and a receiver and he also has some minor durability concerns because of the neck injury. However, his upside is exciting and we think Shelton can be a better pro than college player, which is why he grades out as a second round prospect. Shelton has terrific size, good speed for his size, and is an athletic player that continues to improve with more experience. If drafted by a team with a power running scheme, Shelton has a chance to develop into a fulltime starter much in the mold of Jamal Lewis (Ravens).
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.