Player: Kenneth Dixon
Position: Running Back
School: Louisiana Tech
Draft Status: Fourth Round, 136th Pick (Baltimore Ravens)
Rookie Running Back Ranking: #3
College Stats Year | Class | Rush | Yards | AVG | TD | Rec | Yards | TD |
2012 | Freshman | 200 | 1,194 | 6.0 | 27 | 10 | 35 | 1 |
2013 | Sophomore | 151 | 917 | 6.1 | 4 | 14 | 85 | 1 |
2014 | Junior | 253 | 1,299 | 5.1 | 22 | 30 | 385 | 6 |
2015 | Senior | 198 | 1,073 | 5.4 | 19 | 33 | 464 | 7 |
Totals | Four Years | 802 | 4,483 | 5.6 | 72 | 87 | 969 | 15 |
Tech's primary ball carrier since his freshman season, Dixon enters the NFL with the most distinguished college resume of any other running back in the class. His honors out of the gate were amazing. Dixon broke the NCAA all-time single season freshman record with 27 rushing touchdowns and 28 total touchdowns in 2012.
Interestingly, Dixon started his career off slowly by failing to put up 100-plus yards in three of his first four games. He then absolutely dominated competition in the Western Athletic Conference, tallying 822 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in the team's final eight games, including a six rushing touchdown performance against Idaho.
Despite missing two games to injuries the following season and seeing his touchdown numbers drop from 28 to five as a sophomore, Dixon still found a way to put up 1,000-plus total yards. Included in this were two 200-plus rushing yards outings against UTEP and Southern Miss.
It was, however, Dixon's final two seasons that he made his name on the national stage. He tallied nearly 1,700 total yards and 28 touchdowns for a Tech squad that earned its first bowl appearance since 2011. Dixon tallied a touchdown in each of Tech's 14 games, including a two touchdown performance in a win over Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
There was little doubt that Dixon could have declared for the draft following his junior season, but he decided to go back to Louisiana Tech to finish out his four-year career. The running back responded by joining Jeff Driskel to form one of the highest-scoring offenses in the nation. He put up 100-plus yards in all but two games, tallying 225 total yards and four touchdowns in a win over Arkansas State in the New Orleans Bowl.
Scouting Report
Strengths: Powerful and compact runner (5-foot-10 and 215 pounds) that boasts a hunger few others in the class have. He couples that with tremendous lateral quickness and lower center of gravity to make the most out of ever play. Rarely goes down at POC, instead pushing for whatever extra yardage he can gain. Field vision and defensive scheme understanding enables him to find the right hole at the right time. Has a nose for the end zone. Capable receiver out of the backfield.
Weaknesses: Knee injury in 2013 forced him to miss two games. Concern over workload in college and ability to hold up in the NFL due to physical running style. Ball security and pass protection are also issues.
2016 Outlook
With Justin Forsett and Buck Allen as his primary competition for the starting job, there's little doubt that Dixon will see a nice amount of action as a rookie. The only real question here is when he will take over the primary ball-carrier duties.
There's a tremendous upside in adding a player of Dixon's ilk in re-draft contests simply due to his skill-set and experience at the college level. Couple that with a lack of existing talent on Baltimore's roster, and there's a whole lot to like here.
The upsider here in re-draft leagues is top-10 production from the running back position. That will depend on whether Dixon earns the starting job in camp. If so, 15-plus touches per game should make him a 1,200-yard rusher as a rookie. The floor here, barring injury, has to be top-end FLEX production. Dixon's PPR value should also be taken into account.
Dynasty Outlook
We have Dixon below Derrick Henry in re-drat contests, but ahead of the new Tennessee Titans running back in dynasty leagues. It's rather simple. Dixon's competition for the starting job two years down the road is nowhere near as difficult as Henry with the Titans.
What we saw on tape and just how much Dixon fits into the Ravens offense seems to indicate that consistent top-10 fantasy production from the running back position is on the horizon. Likely a top-10 pick in rookie pool drafts. Remember. Dixon was recruited by LSU and Auburn before choosing Louisiana Tech. The talent is obviously here.