Our rookie scouting reports combine film and analytics to provide the best possible predictions for player performance. With the 2023 NFL Draft less than a month away, let’s take a look at the scouting report for UAB RB DeWayne McBride.
DeWayne McBride NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Running Back
- School: UAB
- Year: Junior
McBride was a three-star recruit out of Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida. He played for three years in college. After barely playing as a freshman, McBride became UAB’s feature back as a sophomore. In 2021, he carried the ball 205 times for 1,368 yards and 13 touchdowns.
In his final collegiate campaign, McBride handled 233 carries, turning them into 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns. He led the NCAA in rushing yardage.
Overall, McBride carried the ball 484 times for 3,523 yards and 36 touchdowns during his time at UAB.
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While McBride was incredibly prolific on the ground, he was a complete zero in the passing game. He caught five passes in three seasons. Yes. Five. Total. His best single-season target share was 2.1%.
Based on his college production, it’s quite clear McBride does not have a future as a receiving back. If he is able to carve out a meaningful role on an NFL roster, it would be as a two-down grinder.
McBride was incredibly dominant during his two final collegiate seasons and averaged an impressive 7.4 yards per carry. During his final season, he recorded three 200-yard rushing games.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for DeWayne McBride
Strengths: Super-productive ball carrier coming off a record-setting campaign. Displays tremendous vision, waits for blocks to develop, and quickly cuts back against the grain to get through the openings. Quick-footed, makes defenders miss in the open field, and squeezes through the small openings of the offensive line.
Possesses a burst and beats defenders into the open field. Keeps the play in bounds and works to pick up as much yardage as possible. Powerful and breaks tackles. Follows blocks everywhere on the field.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t display the agility necessary to turn the perimeter. Rarely used as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Runs with an upright style.
Overall: McBride burst on the scene in 2021, rushing for 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns, then he topped it last season with 1,713 yards rushing and 19 TDs. He has a compact build and brings a nice combination of quickness as well as power.
McBride is a bit one-dimensional, as he’s caught just four passes in three seasons, and his upright running style is worrisome. He could be a good situational back at the next level, though McBride must really develop a complete game.
DeWayne McBride Combine Measurements and Results
- Height: 5’10 1/4″
- Weight: 209
- Wingspan: N/A
- Arm Length: 30 5/8″
- Hand Size: 9 1/2″
UAB RB DeWayne McBride Current Draft Projection
On Tony Pauline’s latest Big Board, McBride ranked 158th overall and is projected to be drafted in the fifth round. With a 3.43 grade, he is Pauline’s RB17 in this class.
Given the shift in the NFL away from three-down backs, there’s definitely a path for McBride to play meaningful NFL snaps, even as a Day 3 pick.
Many of the most prominent running backs currently near or atop team depth charts are getting up there in age. The guys from the 2015-2017 classes are all nearing the end of their careers. The NFL needs a youth injection at the position, and they very well may get it.
With that said, if McBride is around the 17th running back selected, he will undoubtedly face an uphill battle. The majority of Day 3 RBs will never matter. However, a couple of them are usually able to break through each season.
Last year, we saw Dameon Pierce, Tyler Allgeier, and Isiah Pacheco all earn lead-back roles. In the 2021 draft class, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kenneth Gainwell, and Elijah Mitchell have emerged.
While the preceding classes didn’t really have anyone of note, the past two years show it is indeed possible. McBride almost certainly won’t emerge into a starter, but as a likely Day 3 pick, if he can work his way into a 20-30% snap share guy, that would be a success.