Lamical Perine, University of Florida
Lamical Perine was taken at Pick 120 in Round 4 by the New York Jets and was the 11th running back off the board. He spent four years at the University of Florida where he ran for 676 yards on 132 carries (5.1 yards per carry) and caught 40 passes for 262 yards with 11 total touchdowns during his last year in college.
Athletic Profile
Film Analysis
Running: I won’t beat around the bush. Lamical Perine did not look good at all running the football at Florida. His first instinct is to put his head down and bull rush forward despite not being a pile pushing running back. His ability to create yards for himself from behind the line of scrimmage looked non-existent. Once he gets out in space, he’s a much different runner. In space, he showed good acceleration and pretty good contact balance. His ability behind the line really puts a damper on his overall potential, but Perine will be looked at for elite ability out wide.
Receiving: Perine’s ability as a route runner is elite for a running back. He looked much more natural out wide than he did behind the line of scrimmage. Perine catches the ball smoothly and just looks so much more natural in space. He ran routes out wide and was also utilized in the wide receiver screen game. In both scenarios, he displayed more playmaking ability than any runs from behind the line of scrimmage. He is much more comfortable out wide and may be used exclusively as a receiving option that can be thrown in the backfield only if necessary.
Pass Blocking: Perine is a top third down back option in this class not just because of his receiving ability, but because it’s paired with his solid work in pass protection. Perine got a plus here and that should help him see the field in limited fashion earlier than other backs in this fourth tier.
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Landing Spot Reaction
My New York Jets just got their compliment to Le’Veon Bell in Lamical Perine. The Jets continue to draft players that they believe will reach their potential in two to three years. Perine doesn’t run the ball well right now, and the Jets offensive line, despite investing in Mekhi Becton in round one, still won’t help him run well. He will be utilized as a versatile running back/receiver weapon in Adam Gase’s offense. With the Jets lack of receiving options, Perine could see a decent snap percentage in year one. He also becomes the primary backup running back to Bell which offers some upside in case the 28 year old running back gets hurt. Unfortunately, from a fantasy perspective, Adam Gase’s offenses led by anyone other than Payton Manning have not produced anyone truly fantasy relevant. Perine will have to break through a rough history of inconsistent fantasy value if he wants to be relevant, but who knows, he will probably outlast Adam Gase anyways.
These are the names behind Le’Veon Bell in the Jets backfield: Josh Adams, Kenneth Dixon, Trenton Cannon. These were not fantasy relevant names and they still aren’t. Le’Veon Bell will still be the workhorse in New York (New Jersey). Darnold is getting weapons to use finally with Mims and Perine plus Becton protecting him so he might be a candidate for breakout…if he can escape Adam Gase’s clutch.
Dynasty Draft Projection
Lamical Perine was one of my top rated receiving backs in the class and should see playing time early with a weak receiving corps in New York. His upside will be limited though as Bell should handle most of the snaps as long as he is under contract (currently through the next three years). Lamical Perine isn’t the running back that the Jets will want if Bell gets hurt so I doubt he’s going to be labeled as a handcuff. I wouldn’t spend more than a late third or early fourth round pick on Perine unless Gase leaves and the Jets offense becomes more consistent.
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