Rakeem Boyd 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Rakeem Boyd

Position: Running Back

College: Arkansas

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 213 lbs

Overall Rank: No. 238 overall

Position Rank: RB20

Strengths: Rakeem Boyd has had an untraditional college experience, beginning at Texas A&M before bouncing back to JUCO for an impressive season and then landing at Arkansas. His time at Arkansas fizzled out after high hopes entering the 2020 season. Nonetheless, the traits on display in 2019 suggest there’s something to polish up for quality production potential. Boyd is a natural in the passing game and has soft hands to extend and catch cleanly in all planes of direction. He’s a downhill runner that doesn’t shy from contact and is routinely pushing to fall forward. There’s no indecisiveness in the box, with a see-it-and-go style that hits the hole with burst and purpose. 

Weaknesses: Elusiveness is often more about instincts and feel rather than a true technical ability. Regardless of how it manifests, Boyd doesn’t have much of it. He’s too often unable to create and manipulate space on the field and, as a result, has to choose to run right at defenders. Soft hands shine, but Boyd is unpolished as a route runner and won’t get away with his current technique versus NFL linebackers. Quite simply, he has to win with more nuance, pacing, and creativity. What Boyd might provide in the pass game as a receiver, he negates in pass protection. He struggles to set into pass protection with a competitive angle and makes life more difficult for himself than needed. He’ll need to spend time in the NFL working on finding a technique to hang his hat on in pass protection or he’ll significantly limit the value he provides. 

What I Love: Boyd has the makings of a high-level backup with a rounded out game. Particularly as an offensive chess piece, he can provide some packaged plays in the quick game, lateral pre-snap movements, and boundary screens. 

NFL Comparison: CJ Prosise

Grade: 55/100

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

Agility: -
Ball Security: +
Blocking: -
Contact Balance: +
Hands: -
Power: +
Speed: -