2018 Raiders Draft Prospect Profile
Name: Chris Warren III
Position: RB
School: Texas
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 238 pounds
Stats
Run Style
With Warren’s size, you get what you see. Between the tackles, Warren brings a straight-ahead nastiness to the play. Immediately after the handoff, Warren tries to get north/south in a hurry with as little dance as possible. For his frame, Norman exhibits patience, waiting to hit the right hope. However, some see this as tentative. Yet, Warren will carefully choose an opening. When he does, Warren will run through most arm tackles and absorb lazy shoulder blows. More importantly, Warren finishes with contact. If a defensive back goes high, Warren will use a thudding stiff arm to disengage.
Agility
Plain and simple, Warren is a one cut and go type of runner. That is to say, do not expect him to string together many moves. Warren can surprise with the random leaping over defender of quick cut in the open field.
Speed
While he did not run well at the combine, Warren trimmed down to time in the 4.5 at the Texas Pro Day. On tape, warren possesses adequate explosion and burst for a bigger back. While he may not consistently break long runs, Warren poses enough of a defensive threat to get to the outside.
Hands
In the Longhorns’ offense, Warren caught mostly swing and screen passes. To his credit, he catches the ball in perfect athletic position. Consequently, Warren transfers and heads upfield in one motion. At the next level, offenses may call upon him to open that route tree significantly.
Blocking
When called upon to stonewall a defender, Warren used his power to lock and drive defenders always from the pocket. Regardless of opponent, Warren display great knee bend and above average hand placement. For Warren, blocking could gain him snaps at fullback.
Raiders Fit
Warren, the son of former All-Pro RB Chris Warren could help the Raiders from the first snap. His size gives Jon Gruden the heir apparent and big back that the Raiders crave on offense. Next, Warren could pair with Marshawn Lynch to batter defenses into submission. While Lynch winds down his career, mentoring warren could become a part of his tasks. Now smaller, Warren brings a bit more wiggle and explosion to the team. In essence, Warren could apprentice for a season and start 2019 as a potential starter.
