2011 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford

Let's use today's 2011 NFL Draft prospect profile who would make old-time football players proud. Owen Marecic of Stanford played two ways for the Cardinal in 2010, starting at both fullback and middle linebacker.

Marecic's NFL future, however, is at fullback. That is where he has been working out and where he tested during the NFL Scouting Combine.

When it comes to Marecic I don't really care about the scouting reports that say he might not be strong enough or he might not be a good enough pass catcher. This is a player who obviously has heart, determination, smarts -- and ability -- and I don't see how you go wrong adding players like to your football team.

Scouting reports after the jump.

Owen Marecic
FB, Stanford
6-foot-1, 248 pounds
Projection: Middle rounds

Scouting Reports

From NFL.com:

Strengths:
Marecic has a large frame and good speed. Fierce competitor that seeks out contact and fights to the whistle. Takes proper angles when run blocking and steps up well in pass protection. Downhill runner that dishes out punishment and is very effective in short yardage situations.

Weaknesses:
Does not show great power at the point of attack and struggles to sustain blocks against bigger players. Not athletic enough to make people miss in the open field and will not pick up many yards after contact. Raw route runner that lacks the explosiveness and fluidity to separate in man coverage.

Overview:
Marecic is a throwback player that lined up on both sides of the ball in college. He projects as a fullback at the next level, as he is a fierce run blocker that looks to dominate opponents. He flashes the ability to make multiple blocks on one play and he explodes through the holes making him an asset on third in short. He is not fast or fluid enough to be a weapon in the passing game and he lacks the brute strength to be a consistent road grader. Overall, Marecic is a coach's dream and will be a later round pick despite his less than ideal physical tools.

From National Football Post:

A well-built lead blocker who does a great job using his hands to engage into blocks, seal targets and pump his legs through contact. Looks really comfortable reaching defenders off his frame on perimeter runs, breaking down in space and keeping them from ever getting a sniff of the play. Reads and reacts quickly to defenses inside and has a great feel for the run game. Isn't the most fluid of athletes and will struggle to maintain balance when asked to quickly change directions. But showcases good pop when asked to lunge into blocks off his frame and can still create a seal for his running back inside. Plays till the whistle and always seems to be working to push the pile, a real team-first guy.

Physically he isn't the most dominant guy when asked to drive defenders off the ball and overwhelm them at the point of attack. Possesses good, not great, strength for the position, but relies more so on his coordination, hands and grit to get into blocks and seal in the run game.

Impression: A really impressive fullback who understands angles, has a great feel inside and consistently is able to get into blocks and eliminate his man on contact. Looks like a starting caliber lead guy in the NFL from day one and is one of my favorite fullback prospects in the draft.

From Sideline Scouting:

Positives: The most versatile football player in the draft, can be a standout at both fullback and linebacker... Played both linebacker and fullback in every game in 2010... Has above-average size for an NFL fullback... Shows good technique as a pass blocker and loves to push linebackers as a lead blocker... High effort player who leaves it all on the field... Won the Paul Hornung Award this year, given to the most versatile college player in the country... Phenomenal special teams contributor who will see time immediately on return units... Good in short yardage situations, always fights for the extra yard.

Negatives: Limited as a runner and receiver because of his lack of physical gifts, relies mostly on effort... Slow and doesn't have much experience running the football... Below-average route runner... Does not have a high ceiling.