NFL Draft Profile: John Emery Jr., Running Back, LSU Tigers
#4
Pos: RB
Ht: 5096
Wt: 215
40: 4.56
DOB: 7/7/2000
Hometown: Destrehan, LA
High School: Saint Rose
Eligibility: 2023
John Emery Jr.
LSU Tigers
One-Liner:
Tough inside runner who is tough to tackle. Unable to create and fails to make an impact as a runner or receiver.
Evaluation:
Bigger back with very good inside running skills. Emery is difficult to tackle, lowering the shoulder to have defenders bounce off of him and fall forward. He possesses the physicality to pick up first downs in short-yardage situations. Emery consistently reads blocking leverage and second-level defenders to find holes. He picks up momentum, not hesitating to get through lanes. In space, he is difficult to bring down for smaller defenders. Emery has below-average speed and burst, preventing him from breaking free and beating defenders to the corner. He struggles to change directions and is not dynamic making cuts, having to slow his momentum and often take multiple steps. Lacking creativity, Emery is unable to generate yardage for himself. His hands are not natural, suffering from wobbles and double catches. He does not display effort as a blocker, getting in the way of defenders halfheartedly. Tough inside runner who is tough to bring down and consistently falls forward. Emery has solid vision. He is not a creative runner and possesses below-average speed and change of direction. His impact as a blocker and receiver is minimal. Emery projects as a depth piece in a gap running scheme. He can take the occasional handoff up the middle and grind out tough yards. To get on the field more, he has to improve his third-down ability.
Grades
5th Round
Background:
John Emery Jr. is known as one the best running backs coming out of the 2019 Class and when he signed to LSU, it was similar to when Leonard Fournette committed. Emery Jr. is a five star prospect and in his freshman year, got involved with close to two hundred rushing yards in 2019, and in 2020, was second on the team in rushing and also had three touchdowns for LSU. Emery Jr. is from St. Rose, Louisiana and in 2022, will showcase why he was a five star prospect coming to LSU.
