Jaret Patterson 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Jaret Patterson

Position: Running Back

College: Buffalo

Height: 5’7”

Weight: 195 lbs

Overall Rank: No. 115 overall

Position Rank: RB7

Strengths: Coaches and opponents all rave about Patterson’s love of the game, drive and wiring. A shorter player but not small, Patterson will run over defenders and has a surprising amount of power to his game. He has a small strike zone for defenders to square up on and uses that to his advantage. Patterson creates space and makes tacklers miss. His balance after contact is special thanks to his center of gravity. His ability as a pass-catcher hasn’t been heavily utilized in college, but when given the opportunity he’s been productive.

Weaknesses: Level of competition is the first concern as Patterson feasted on a weak schedule. He doesn’t have great runaway speed and didn’t produce chunk plays in college or show much acceleration in space. It could have been on his offensive line, but Patterson loves to bounce plays and doesn’t always go where the blocks are pointing him. That could become a bad habit in the NFL where coaches want you to run the designed lanes. Patterson’s slight frame could be a concern for NFL teams, too.

What I Love: Patterson’s production was insane at Buffalo; to the point that with a bigger schedule in 2020 he should have been in Heisman talks. He’s not the biggest back, but his all-around game is enormous.

NFL Comparison: Ito Smith

Grade: 67/100

Position Specific Traits:
(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Agility: +

Ball Security: ++
Blocking: +
Contact Balance: +++
Hands: +
Power: ++

Speed: -