2020 NFL Draft Prospect: Anthony McFarland Jr.

Following three years at the University of Maryland, Anthony McFarland, Jr. decided to forgo his two remaining college football seasons and enter the NFL Draft. As a freshman in college, McFarland redshirted due to a a leg injury.

In his redshirt freshman year, McFarland really made a name for himself. He had 1,034 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He was named Second Team All-Big Ten. McFarland had an ankle injury in his redshirt sophomore year causing him to have limited carries. He finished the season with 614 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

McFarland was one of two Maryland running backs to participate in the NFL Combine. Javon Leake also declared for the NFL Draft and was invited to the combine. He is currently projected to be a third day pick, however he did impress some people with his speed at the combine. McFarland ran an unofficial 4.44 40 yard dash in Indianapolis.

McFarland wanted to get a 4.4 or better. His 4.44 time was the fourth fastest time for running backs.

One of the biggest offseason needs for the Bucs is a running back. If the Bucs wanted to use their earlier draft picks on other positions, they could get a steal with McFarland on the third day. McFarland is as. skilled as any running back in this draft class, however he is not rated as high as quite a few of the other running backs in this draft.

Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths:

• Elusive in open field
• Good with vision and timing on cuts
• Rushed for 298 yards and two touchdowns in redshirt freshman season against Ohio State
• Can build up speed out of the gate
• Played well in Big Ten conference
• Valuable receiver out of the backfield

Weaknesses:

• Two serious leg injuries while in high school and college
• Not a physical back who will run defenders over in the hole
• Could struggle to hold up in blocking situations
• Struggles with short-yardage situations
• Tries to use speed to bounce it outside too often