2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Ellis Merriweather, RB, Massachusetts

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Ellis Merriweather, #7
School (Code)	MAUN
DOB, Class Yr	04-07-1999, 5th year SR
Height, Weight	6010, 225
40 Yd Dash	4.66
Arms, Hands	3338, 0912
Position/Depth	RB/1st Team
Honors/Captainship	Phil Steele All-Independent Second team honors/2x Captain, voted on by peers
Season Viewed (yr)	2021, 2022
Games Watched	PAPT (2021) VALB (2021) OHTO (2022)
Scout Name / Date	Victor Horn / 10-14-2022

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	66 ATT 240 TDS 1 TD; 2 REC
2021	218 ATT 1138 YDS 5 TD; 22 REC 165 YDS
2020	42 ATT 115 YDS; 1 REC 4 YDS
2019	(Garden  City CC) 90 ATT 513 YDS 6 TD; 5 REC 71 YDS
2018	(Garden  City CC) 69 ATT 327 YDS 3 TD

Player Summary:

Ellis Merriweather style of play is one of a physical, bruising back. He is an above-average size of an prototypical NFL RB. When carrying the ball, he does not misstep when coming out of his stance attacking the hole with authority. If he is able to become lower when approaching the hole with the ball he could have more rushing yards due to the defense front having difficulty detecting if Merriweather is carrying the ball or not. Has good vision especially when he sees a cutback, able to see it and accelerate through the selected hole. Not as elusive after the first level but compensates for his consistent toughness of attacking the hole as a ball carrier when number is called. Reads blocks well. Shows patience for the play to develop, rushing with average speed with below-average flashes of shiftiness. Fights for positive yardage especially when there is traffic on the playside before reaching the first level of defense and past the first level of defense. Make an effort to fall forward. An effective pass catcher out of the backfield, catching passes in the flat and wheel routes. Runs passing routes as if play is designed for him, making him a passing game threat to opposing defenses. In pass pro, Merriweather relies heavily on the chip block, and could be more effective by aggressively using sound pass blocking technique against the defender. At times, gets defeated in pass and run blocking. Has the ability to be an above-average pass blocker with improvement of hand technique, proper leverage, with his physicality. 

Scheme Fit:

Single Set, Pro Set

Power Statement:

Merriweather is a big, physical RB having the ability to be a high carry back. A between the tackle, down the hill type ball carrier. Has next level physical attributes good vision, toughness, read blocks well. Has elusive speed to get past first level, not accelerating speed, below average shifiness to outrun open field defenders. Improvement needed in pass pro with proper leverage, hand technique. A durable RB.