Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 205 pounds
School: Washington Huskies
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
Bench press: 24 reps (fifth-best among running backs)
Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 10 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.19 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.27 seconds (fifth-best among running backs)
Myles Gaskin 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Myles Gaskin was born and raised in Lynwood, WA and attended O’Dea High School. He was a two-sport star dominating both football and track and field. As a junior, Gaskin rushed for over 2,000 yards and earned all-state honors while being named League offensive player of the year. The running back followed that up with an even more impressive senior year, rushing for 1,567 yards, 25 touchdowns, an average of 14.4 yards per carry and also handled kickoff return and safety duties. Gaskin was named the league’s kick returner of the year, was named first team all-state at running back and first team all-league at safety.
Gaskin participated in six different track and field events and won the 2015 3A state title in the 100 meters with a time of 11.02. He took second in the 4×100 relay race, the 200 meters and the shot put competitions at the state finals. Gaskin was a three-star recruit, according to 247 sports, but only received two scholarship offers. The running back chose the Huskies over Washington State due to the connection he had with coach Chris Petersen.
Gaskin was good enough to start as a true freshman for the Huskies and became the first ever true freshman to rush for 1,000 or more yards in program history. He also set the program record for most rushing touchdowns as a true freshman (14) and his 1,302 rushing yards was good enough to earn freshman All-American first-team honors. 2016 was a special year for Gaskin and the Huskies. The running back rushed for 1,373 yards, nine touchdowns and was named first-team all-Pac-12 at the end of the season. Gaskin, along with Jake Browning and a stout Washington defense, led the team to the College Football Playoff semi-finals, where they eventually lost to Alabama 24-7.
In 2017, Gaskin rushed for 1,380 yards and 21 touchdowns. He set a career-high with 202 rushing yards in the game against Colorado and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors. Gaskin became a more reliable threat in the passing game as well hauling in 19 receptions on the season. In his final year, Gaskin rushed for 1,268 yards becoming the first player in Pac-12 history and second in FBS history (Ron Dayne) to rush for 1,200 yards or more in four straight seasons. The running back holds the program record for most career rushing yards (5,323), rushing touchdowns (57) and total touchdowns (62). He was named second-team all-Pac-12 at season’s end and was invited to play at the Senior Bowl. However, a shoulder injury forced him to decline last minute.
Strengths
- played in a pro-style offense at Washington;
- has exceptional vision in finding running lanes;
- a patient runner that allows his blocks to develop;
- has ‘home run’ speed that allows him to finish big runs;
- has very soft hands as a pass catcher;
- reliable receiving target during his career at Washington;
- extremely durable, only missed two games his entire career;
- maintains good balance after initial contact;
- not extremely shifty but does have a good juke arsenal when in the open field;
- capable of lowering the shoulder and running over smaller defenders;
- has good footwork when operating near the sidelines;
- ball security was not an issue;
- a capable pass blocker;
Weaknesses
- considered undersized for the position;
- slows down when anticipating contact;
- limited experience running between the tackles;
- played against weaker competition in the Pac-12;
- has a lot of miles on him which brings concerns for his durability;
NFL Comparison: James White
NFL Teams with a Need at the Position: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Day three
Bottom Line
Gaskin is an interesting prospect because he checks off all the boxes that you want a running back to have. He is a very good pass catcher, is willing to pass protect and is a very gifted runner. Gaskin is a proven leader, secures the ball well and has the traits of a three-down back but teams might be turned away due to his size and the mileage on him. While his skill set may be that of a late second or third round pick, he may fall until day three of the draft because running backs are that undervalued in the current NFL. Whichever team does draft Gaskin is getting a pro-ready player that can contribute as a great change of pace back, contribute on special teams or be that pass-catching weapon out of the backfield.
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