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'Why Pierre Strong Jr.?'

In the mold of Tony Pollard -- meshed with the economical solutions of Chase Edmonds.

Movement ecomony & manipulating defenders

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It's the fluidity, and economy that makes Strong Jr. a top option in the 2022 Running Back class. 

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Extremely calm runner inside and outside of the tackles who can drop into curvilinear patterns to dip around defenders with efficiency. 

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When looking at the ecomonical solutions of a Running Back it's important to watch how they observe & react based on what the defense is doing. 

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#25 is flowing downhill towards the outside hip of the guard - Strong Jr, baits outside opportunity to create his lane - finishes the run by using his talents as an accelerator to outrun an already pursuing #3 post slalom. 

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When watching Strong Jr., you notice how easily he chains lateral to linear. 

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Covers a lot of ground when he cuts back and when he does so, he can enter linear acceleration simultaneously. 

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Economical solutions equaling open field opportunities.

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Strong Jr. created a lot of opportunities for himself as a Jackrabbit by making timely, correct decisions. 

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Good luck catching him once he gets past the second level.

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Over 1,100 yards - 11 touchdowns - 9.5 ypc as a Freshman, on less than 120 carries -- no matter what Division you play in, those are impressive numbers.

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Negating contact and being able to just slip by defenders is something that is fun to watch when evaluating Strong Jr. 

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Now, Division 1AA isn't the NFL, but these traits are fantastic to see from a back with his surface-level capabilities. 

Capabilities as an accelerator

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What sticks out when you watch Strong Jr. is how quickly he gets to top-end speed even when he doesn’t have a purely linear path.

 

Can bend & deviate path without losing speed, and an element that I see sporadically in his game is using his accelerative capabilities as a weapon through contact.

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Backs that can change speed are more important than one-speed readers.

 

An efficient variance of pace, with the patience to finish off runs in the Red-Zone.

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Again, we see the ability to use his capabilities in acceleration as a weapon through contact.

 

Would like this to be a consistent element of his game because it is one that will add some depth to his open-field skillset.

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4.5 yards after contact per carry for his collegiate career, upper-tier numbers. 

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Abrupt is how I would describe Strong Jr. as an accelerator.

 

Hard to take an angle on him at the second level - gets to top-end in a hurry.

Through contact skill set & Anticipatory qualities 

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Notice how Strong Jr. prepares for contact - adept at dropping his shoulder to negate. 

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A bit inconsistent with low contact, but does well with direct contact. 

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Not a big part of his game, but Strong Jr. shows flashes of being able to create behind the line of scrimmage.

 

Not a large through contact toolbox - still can be a tough out as a ball carrier. 

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Strong Jr. is better through contact the closer he is to the line of scrimmage - can drop level well and get through arm tackles with ease. 

 

He can struggle at the second level with shoestring-type tackles.  

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You see the shoe-string tackles being an issue here. 

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Yards can be left on the field if he doesn't avoid low-contact.

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As a short-yardage back Strong Jr. is solid because of his efficiency. 

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Stays on schedule - can usually get through the first engagement. 

Skill set as a receiver

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Strong Jr. can run the full running back route tree and run it well. 

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Angle & option routes, screen game, seam & wheel patterns.

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In the slot - top of the screen. 

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Unsure if this will be a big part of Strong Jr.'s NFL role, but he does have the patience & movement tools to rotate out to the slot and be a mismatch on backers & safeties.

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This is the "can he do it against better competition?" 

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He can, and he proves that he belongs as an athlete. 

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Didn't have a high target share as a Jackrabbit, but has the capability to be a plus receiver out of the backfield and with dynamism in open space. 

Ascension grades

Tier 1: 75.00 & over -- Gold Jacket potential

Tier 2: 65.00 - 74.99 -- All-pro ceiling

Tier 3: 55.00 - 64.99 -- Pro-bowl ceiling

Tier 4: 49.98 - 54.99 -- Average to Above-average starter

Tier 5: 44.96 - 49.97 -- High ceiling / High-risk prospect

Tier 6: 39.50 - 44.95 -- Secondary committee option 

Tier 7: 39.49 & below -- Depth piece with low ceiling

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