Scouting Report: Dion Lewis

This was one of the reports I had written during my 2018 Spring Semester with the Scouting Academy.

Dion Lewis

RB, #33

New England Patriots

Stats:

• 2015: Started in 6 of 7 games before injury. 49 carries, 234 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 36 receptions, 388 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs.
• Played in all 16 games for first time in career in 2017, including all 3 playoff games.
• 2017 regular season: 180 carries, 896 rushing yards, and 6 rushing TDs (career highs). 32 receptions, 214 receiving yards, and 3 receiving TDs.
• 2017 playoffs: 33 carries, 135 rushing yards, 16 receptions, 111 receiving yards.
• Fumbles: 4 in career, 0 in 2017.

Injuries:

• 2013: Fibula fracture, Preseason Week 2.
• 2015: Abdomen muscle sprain/pull, Week 6, missed 1 game. ACL tear, Week 9, placed on IR.
• 2016: Knee tear, follow-up surgery, preseason. Missed Weeks 1-10.

Context:  

7^th year RB who has started 19 of 54 games in his career, 8 of 16 in 2017. Signed with the Patriots in 2015 and has played under OC Josh McDaniels since, running a mix of zone and gap run schemes. Ran in various formation packages, including with a FB and as a singleback, and faced different types of defensive fronts. Has been a part of a committee with the team, splitting time with Mike Gillislee, James White, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Bolden in 2017, leading all of them in percentage of offensive snaps at 35.56%. Also led the group in rushing yards with 896.

Athletic Ability:

Short with a thickly built lower body. Marginal height and arm length, adequate weight and hand size. Possesses very good athletic ability combining very good balance and explosiveness with elite quickness and lateral agility.

Strengths: 

Good mental processing. Patient after the mesh point with good tempo to LOS. Shows understanding of blocking assignments in GAP schemes and is very aware of when a block breaks down. Willing to slow down and wait until the appropriate running lane is made available in ZONE schemes. Excellent at finding and hitting the cutback lane, often getting through the hole before LBs can react. Recognizes defensive alignments, seeing the flow of LBs at the 2^nd level and setting them up for his blockers with good angles. Very good vision and ability to create behind LOS. Makes quick, sudden cuts to get in position to attack running lanes and can maneuver through trash very well. Excels at running in between the tackles by being decisive and getting north-south without making too many moves in the backfield. Very good burst. Gets skinny through the hole and hits top speed instantly. Elite open field elusiveness with good play speed, displaying the balance and flexibility to change directions without losing speed, while utilizing juke and spin moves to avoid tackles and create big plays at the 2nd and 3rd levels. Good run finisher. Maintains balance after contacted with high tackle attempts or dive tackles to his lower body by LBs and DBs. More than willing to lower his shoulders into defenders when nothing else is available. Always keeps feet moving through contact and uses good pad level and leg drive for better leverage to gain whatever he can. Has solid play strength to drag DBs on solo tackle attempts for extra yards. Good receiver in the passing game. Lines up all along the formation, whether detached from the line, in the slot, or out wide. Gets separation on LBs by using athletic ability. Runs short, intermediate, and deep routes. Catches with hands whether on the move or at a stop and quickly gathers to turn upfield. Good blocker with proper technique. Bends knees and has a wide base to punch through and give QB enough time in the pocket. Very effective when he decides to cut block. Gets power behind his shoulder when chipping. Elite ball security. Holds ball tight to torso when contacted and doesn’t let it hang far from body when running in space. Dangerous kick returner, using open field ability and decisiveness. Elite competitive toughness. No hesitation to play a physical style of running and doesn’t wear down late in games. Overcame a year away from football by improving his overall athletic ability and earning a spot on the roster. Despite previous major injuries still plays at a very high level.

Weaknesses: 

Tends to not see blockers and run into them when making a cut behind the LOS. When blocks break down behind the LOS, will attempt to stop and cut back against the grain instead of continuing the path, resulting in negative plays. Will try to outrun blockers in space at the 2^nd level instead of being more patient and setting them up. Doesn’t have the burst or speed to get to the edge/outside on DL who have good contain or LBs who have a good angle. Doesn’t possess the long speed to break away from DBs. Unable to break tackles at the LOS or 2^nd level. Brought down consistently with low wrap-up tackles. Not enough play strength to push piles. In the passing game, can round out his in or out-breaking routes, limiting his separation ability. Unable to get any separation from CBs when lined up out wide.

Projection: 

Overall, a starting RB you can win with. A versatile weapon who can run both GAP and ZONE schemes inside and out because of his elusiveness, vision, and willingness to run with both physicality or finesse. His lack of power and injury history would limit him to being part of a committee as opposed to being able to carry a full workload on a weekly basis.