Nov 12, 2011; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Lamar Miller (6) runs the ball past Florida State Seminoles linebacker Christian Jones (7) during the second half of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 212 lbs
Arm Length: 31-3/8″
Hand Size: 9-1/4″
40 Yard Dash: 4.38 sec
Vertical Jump: 33.0″

NFL Mocks lists the following pros and cons for Lamar Miller:

Pros
Fast….powerful…can break tackles (rarely goes down on first contact) …decisive…gets down hill in a hurry…can break the game wide open with his speed…has return ability…shifty… adequate ball carrier vision…sets up the draw well……a plus blocker willing blocker with the body to continue to improve in that area (technique could use a little refinement).

Cons
Doesn’t set up blocks extremely well…not a special receiver out of the backfield for a player with his speed…haven’t seen him fumble much, but I can’t find the numbers to know for sure how often he fumbles, at the same time it doesn’t look like he covers up well enough in traffic will have to improve on that in the N.F.L…doesn’t have great hands…doesn’t run a lot of routes out of the backfield.

The Detroit Lions have looked into a number of running back prospect this draft season and Lamar Miller is one they brought to town for a pre-draft visit. Miller burst onto the scene with a breakout season as a first-year starter for the Miami Hurricanes in 2011. It was apparently enough for him to feel good about his prospects at the next level so he bolted as a true-junior despite just the one year of starting experience.

It is a bit of a gamble but it could pay off. The Denver Broncos reportedly really like Miller, could he be their first round choice? Perhaps. That would take him out of play for the Lions who figure to look elsewhere at 23 overall. However, if Miller falls past the Broncos (or another team that secretly like him) the Lions will be forced to weigh him versus the other options before them. Lamar Miller’s speed makes him an attractive option as insurance against lingering concussion issues with Jahvid Best.

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