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In 2005 Aaron Rodgers was projected to go high in the draft and many thought he might be a number one pick overall. And then, Aaron waited, and waited, and waited… until he was picked up by the Packers and he has turned out to be the steal of the 2005 draft.
According to Wes Bunting in his Mock Draft 3.0, C.J. Spiller might be set to become another steal for the Packers. Bunting thinks he will quietly slip to the 23rd slot where the Packers will pick up another bargain.
Spiller is expected to be a top ten (or at least a top 15) pick. It’s certainly agreed upon that he’ll be the number one pick among running backs. And, if he slips to number 23 in the draft, could be a huge steal for the Packers.
College Stats
In 2009, C.J. ranked #25 in total rushing yardage. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry and scored 12 touchdowns for Clemson. Combine those numbers with Spillers blazing speed and you’d expect the guy to go pretty high in the first round.
However, what most catches my attention about Spiller is his Reggie Bush-like ability to be an effective part of the passing game, as well as the running game. While C.J. ranked #25 in rushing, he was #4 in the country in all-purpose yards.
- 1212 yards rushing
- 503 yards receiving
- 210 yards in punt returns
- 755 yards in kick returns
Spiller contributed 191.43 yards a game (on average) in college.
An all-purpose running back like that would be a great asset to a pass-first team like the Packers.
Combine Results
Spiller and his world-class speed were expected to put on quite a show in the combine’s glamor event, the 40 yard dash. In that event he posted a time of 4.37 seconds. That was second among running backs and third overall.
C.J. competed in the bench, but wasn’t one of the top performers in that event. That’s not really surprising though. Many have big concerns over Spiller’s size. At 5’11″ and 195 lbs., Spiller is on the small side for an NFL running back. In order to handle the punishment doled out by NFL defensemen, teams like to see running backs in the 210 to 230 pound range.
Spiller’s lack of size might be the factor that allows him to fall far enough in the draft to give the Packers a chance to pick him up.
Long Wait on Draft Day for Spiller?
Will Spiller have to make the long, agonizing wait that Aaron Rodgers made in 2005? It’s hard to tell, but, if he does, he might be too tantalizing for Ted Thompson to pass up.
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Twitter: jrehor
I would love to see Spiller drop to 23 the same way Rodgers did. He is explosive, would be the change of pace back the Packers so desperately need, and would give a giant boost in the return game. I don’t think he’ll be there at 23, but if he is, I see no way Thompson could pass him up. The draft is deep at OL-take Spiller in the 1st and improve OL and CB later in the draft.