2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Camerun Peoples (RB – Appalachian State)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Camerun Peoples.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Camerun Peoples (RB – Appalachian State)

Camerun Peoples (RB – Appalachian St.)

6’2″ – 225 lbs.

Background:

Carried the ball twenty times in his first two seasons with the Mountaineers, then stepped into a starting role in week twelve of the shortened 2020 season, finishing with 168-1,124-12 (6.7) on the ground that year, his best campaign. Followed that up with 166-926-14 (5.6) in 2021 and 101-593-5 (5.9) over an injury-plagued 2022 season. Also caught eleven career passes.

Positives:

Massive running back who averaged over six yards per carry and was a touchdown machine when healthy in school, playing in a zone-based scheme. Physical runner who doesn’t waste much time hitting the hole and can lower his shoulder and deliver punishment to opposing defenders. Shows the patience to wait for holes to develop and above-average burst when he gets going. Footwork is above average for a back his size, with the ability to cleanly shuffle into lanes. Smooth accelerator who can beat defenders to the edge on off-tackle runs and sweeps. Size, toughness, and leg drive allow him to grind out additional yards after contact and could make him an effective short-yardage option at the pro level. Has plenty of experience in blitz pickup off of play-action, with an ideal frame for the role and a tendency to engage from his feet, showing solid contact balance.

Negatives:

Over-aged and will be 24 in September. Production has been declining for the past two seasons, and he missed time as a senior. Still developing his vision; a handful of snaps per game where he runs into the backs of his linemen. Some attempts to bounce runs outside end with losses when a small gain may have been possible up the middle. Doesn’t run with as much knee-bend as you’d like, and as a bigger back, has a high center of gravity, to begin with. Has six career fumbles on 454 carries. Offers little passing-down value. Recognition skills/awareness in blitz pickup still need polish, leading to him being caught out of position. Doesn’t always engage with his hands; lapses into throwing a shoulder.

Summary:

A big, physical running back who is smoother and has more burst than usual for a player with his size but whose production declined in each of the past two seasons and who currently offers little value in the passing game, either as a receiver or blocker, his stock will depend to some extent on medical evaluations after appearing in just nine games this past year. However, has the raw talent to compete for a short-yardage role relatively early and potentially end up as the power back in a committee.

Projection: Round 4-5

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