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Marteze Waller, running back, Fresno State Bulldogs
5'11", 216 pounds
Mocking the Draft position ranking: N/A
Mocking the Draft overall ranking: N/A
Strengths: Though his overall production was hindered, to some extent, by erratic quarterback play in the last two years, Waller nonetheless showed a proficiency in the running back screen game: From 2013-15, Waller caught 70 passes for a relatively modest 6.34 yards per reception, and he's one of just four running backs to have 20+ catches and 600 or more rushing yards in each of those three seasons. He's also shown the ability to take care of the football, having fumbled just three times during his Bulldogs career (and not since 2014) and having benched 225 pounds twenty-three times during last month's pro day.
Weaknesses: Waller's biggest hindrance may be that he does not possess the top-end speed that other running backs in the MWC have displayed this offseason. His fastest recorded 40-yard time, 4.58 according to NFL Draft Scout, would have placed him in the middle of the pack among those invited to February's combine; his pro day time last month, 4.67, would have placed him in the bottom five of that same group. Furthermore, his Speed Score -- 90.8 -- would've been second-worst among combine participants. There may also be some durability concerns, though some of that may be tied to erratic usage patterns (see, for example, his workload during the first half of the 2014 San Jose State game).
The bottom line: Waller carried the increasingly erratic Fresno State offense on his shoulders at times, but his drop in overall production from 2014 to 2015 -- he lost two yards per carry on a similar workload -- must have given evaluators some pause. Some of it can be explained away by the widespread talent drain, but it's more likely that the Georgia native will have to work on special teams and get lucky in order to create a chance for himself.
Prognosticators seem to be split on whether Waller will be a Day Three pick or not, though I imagine it'd be better to go undrafted and forge his own path.
Possible floor: Zach Zenner, Rex Burkhead
Possible ceiling: Brandon Bolden, Alfred Morris
Projected Round: 7th, or undrafted