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2013 NFL Draft: RB Eddie Lacy Runs Fast Forty Yard Dash, But Poor Workout Otherwise

Eddie Lacy has been linked to the Bengals in mock drafts throughout the winter and spring. He ran a fast forty time for the first time today in front of scouts. How will it affect his draft stock?

By Brennen Warner

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Butch Dill

A couple of months ago, things were going very smoothly for Alabama running back Eddie Lacy. Alabama had won the National Championship for the second year in a row, thanks to a complete offensive domination of the supposedly vaunted Notre Dame defense.

Lacy amassed 140 rushing yards from twenty carries, and had both a rushing and receiving touchdown. He also forced thirteen missed tackles in the game and gained 101 yards after contact, according to analysis done by Pro Football Focus.

Then, Lacy had an incredibly disappointing offseason. His hamstring issues did not allow him to workout at the Scouting Combine or Alabama Pro Day. Given that Eddie Lacy is 230 pounds, many people were curious to see his forty time and get an accurate estimate of his long speed.

Lacy held a workout today in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which was the first time scouts had seen him run. One reporter, Mark Edwards of the Anniston Star, an Alabama newspaper, had Lacy "at a 4.4 unofficially".

Later, Lacy explained that he was told he ran the forty yard dash in about 4.5 seconds. Another source entirely, the Senior Bowl staff, had Lacy at a 4.58-4.62. Finally, Pro Football Talk reported that "multiple teams clocked Lacy in the 4.55-4.58 range".

What all of that means is that Lacy probably ran in the middle-high 4.5 range, which is very good for a man of his size. At the combine, UNC's Gio Bernard ran a 4.53, and Oregon's Kenjon Barner ran a 4.52. Only four running backs at the combine ran below a 4.50, and only one of them (UCLA's Jonathan Franklin) could realistically be taken in the first three rounds.

As for the rest of Lacy's workout, NFL Analyst Bucky Brooks did not like what he saw.

Brooks also added that "the lack of conditioning exhibited today will lead some coaches and scouts to question his work ethic, and these concerns must be addressed in meetings."

All in all though, his workout today really didn't do much to change his stock. Some may make a big deal about the stamina concerns, but Lacy has been rehabbing from a muscle injury in his leg. Understandably, he probably hasn't been running for conditioning purposes recently.

Lacy has the best tape of this year's RB class, and his abilities once he gets past the line of scrimmage are special. The workout today shouldn't change his draft stock much, but he may have some explaining to do in meetings with NFL personnel.

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