2019 Raiders Draft Prospect Profile
Name: Devine Ozigbo
School: The University of Nebraska
Position: Running Back
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 235 pounds
Round Projection: Day 3
Stats
Run Style
For Ozigbo, he runs exactly the way he looks. With his style, there lies little nuance and trickery. From the moment he receives the handoff, he attempts to immediately run don field. Without hesitation, Ozigbo begins looking for contact. With shoulders square, he meets the tackler and proceeds to churn his legs to move the pile. In all honesty, swarm-tackling Ozigbo is the worst move. He will keep moving among that heap of humanity and gain an extra yard or two.
Agility
Despite his frame, Ozigbo does present shiftiness. One he gets free of the line of scrimmage, he will slide away from the defender and cut downfield. Often, in space, Ozigbo may try to make the first tackler miss
Speed
As mentioned, Ozigbo runs how he looks. As a result, do not expect sprinter speed or home run capabilities. Yet, what he will provide is enough burst to rip off chunk yardage late. Those four-yard carries will become twelve-yard gains in the fourth quarter.
Hands
Unlike many of his draft classmates, Nebraska looked to Ozigbo in the passing game. Granted, he did not use a complex route tree. However, flares, flats, and checkdowns accommodated him just fine. With a smooth snare to secure method, Ozigbo made the catches should and provided Nebraska another option in the passing game.
Awareness
At the next level, a sound running backs coach will show Ozigbo the ability to pick his spots. However, sound coaching will also help Ozigbo with more of a feel in the passing game. While he is adept as a receiver, he will need to expand those route horizons if he is to become an every down back.
Raiders Fit
When Chris Warren III burst onto the scene during camp, the fanbase thought the Raiders had their heir to Marshawn Lynch. After spending the season on IR, Warren looks to return. However, his spot should not affect Ozigbo in the slightest. First, Jon Gruden loves the power running game and the ability to bludgeon opponents. The Raiders could have that hammer in Ozigbo. Next, no one knows if DeAndre Washington or Jalen Richard will return. Under those circumstances, spending a Day 3 pick on a running back feels right. In Ozigbo, the Raiders get a dependable receiving back that lives to truck opponents.
