Pierre Strong Jr. is a good athlete with good straight-line speed while showing good body control as a runner. In the passing game, he’s shown sufficient hands out of the backfield. He is a definite threat in space when he gets the ball on a check-down. He is physical and willing in pass protection but should be better in this regard with pro coaching. In the run game, he is a slasher-type runner that has been extremely productive at the FCS level. He is a good decision-maker who has a good feel for weak-arm cutbacks on a defender. He runs with good vision and instinctive feel in traffic. He will not be a back who breaks many tackles or a back who consistently creates when nothing’s there. He also has a lot of clear air production in their system. However, he has redeeming attributes in his vision, footwork, and home-run potential. In the NFL, he would be an optimal fit in a zone run scheme, ideally as a complementary piece who could also remain on the field on passing downs.

Ideal Role: Change of pace, complementary back.

Scheme Fit: Heavy zone-blocking run scheme.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: UNI (2021), Southern Illinois (2021), NDSU (2021)

Best Game Studied: NDSU (2021)

Worst Game Studied: UNI (2021)

Vision: See Above.

Footwork: He has good footwork which helps him maintain balance after contact. His footwork also allows him to get extra yardage in space. He can stick his foot in the ground and get upfield to gain yardage.

Contact Balance: He has sufficient-level contact balance for the FCS level. However, this will likely not be his strength in the NFL. He’s more of a slasher who will not break many tackles in the NFL.

Durability: He has been durable in college. He is not the biggest or strongest back. As a result, limiting his touches by making him a complementary piece should maximize the output.

Explosiveness: See Above.

Versatility: He lacks true versatility. I don’t believe his ideal role is as a lead back in the NFL. He should be predominantly used as a change-of-pace running back who complements another piece.

Elusiveness: See Above.

Ball Security: There is nothing currently alarming about his ball security. He’s not the biggest running back so his ball security will be something to watch in the NFL.

Passing Down Skills: He doesn’t have a lot of production in the passing game. However, he shows the ability to catch check-downs and be a threat in space. However, pass pro will be something to monitor in the NFL.

Discipline: He runs with discipline. However, there are moments where he looks to hit the home run and will abandon the front-side play.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 74.10/100 (Fourth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 74.00/100

Marino Grade: 74.00/100

Harris Grade: 74.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 71.50/100

Weissman Grade: 77.00/100