NFL Draft: What happened to the Bryce Love, love?
Former Stanford standout Bryce Love has seen his NFL Draft stock plummet. Will the former Heisman runner up prove doubters wrong?
It’s been a tough year for former Stanford running back Bryce Love. The Heisman runner up to Baker Mayfield in 2018 rushed for 2,118 yards on his way to winning the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s best running back. Then he made the curious decision to return to college rather than enter the NFL Draft early.
His return to college was rooted in a desire to finish his degree and set himself up for life after football. He achieved that goal, but the cost might have been more than he could have ever anticipated. Even with his return to school, Love was supposed to be a sure-fire first round draft pick. He’s as good as he ever was, but that opportunity might be long gone.
Strengths
Love had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of first round pick Christian McCaffrey. Somehow he made the nation forget there had been another generation back toting the rock at the same school in recent memory. He was just that good.
A home run hitter, Love possesses the vision to find the hole and accelerate. He’s the kind of player that can take advantage of a linebacker who blinks at the wrong time and burst into the secondary without being touched. Love is elusive and can start and stop on a dime.
He’s had some receiving experience, catching 49 passes in four years for the Cardinal. That pass catching ability will be coveted at the next level.
Weaknesses
The last play of an injury-plagued senior season proved to be the most devastating for Love. His last game ended with a torn ACL, later surgically repaired by Dr. James Andrews prior to the NFL Combine this spring. Love was limited in his participation, further crushing his already slipping draft stock.
Running backs who are viewed as non-durable don’t last long in the NFL. Although he’s far from brittle, the 5-foot-9, 196-pound Love is far from being considered a heavy hitter. He also had the added benefit of an imposing offensive line who opened up big holes for him frequently. The line took a step backward once offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren left for Rice, and so did Love’s production.
Love has burst, but the instinctiveness of his cuts remain a question mark. He’s prone to lateral movement in the backfield, often forgoing the open short yardage runs for the chance at something bigger.
Draft expectations
After a rough two-year stretch health-wise, it’s hard to see Love being picked in the first two days of the draft. His skillset and quickness lend itself to being part of a committee as a change of pace or third down back. If that is the case, his toughness in pass protection will have to take another step.
NFL Draft: Projected first round after free agency. dark. Next
There’s a real fear that Love’s best year’s of football are behind him. But, the talent is still there. Love is the kind of player with the level of focus and mental fortitude which could make NFL scouts kick themselves for passing him over. The range of outcomes for his professional career remains vast. Someone is going to take a chance on him early on Day 3.