2015 NFL Draft Profile: Jay Ajayi, RB Boise State

Boise State running back Jay Ajayi is a bit of an enigma. On the field, he is a monster. When he is playing football, he has very few flaws in his game and looks to be an intelligent player that knows how to maximize his potential. However, his problems off the field counter that by making scouts worry about how he will transition to the NFL.

Jay Ajayi is a strong runner that lowers his pads and can absorb a lot of punishment on his strongly built frame. He can change directions, accelerate and reach top speed at the drop of a hat. He’s got soft hands as well, which is a huge bonus to teams that would look to include him in their passing game. He has a well established and documented record of success at running back during his time at Boise State.

But the real questions surrounding Jay Ajayi is whether or not he’ll be able to stay out of legal trouble long enough to have a productive NFL career. He’s been arrested for theft in the past and has also struggled to stay in the good graces of his coaches at Boise State. He also tore his ACL during the 2011 season, but hasn’t seemed to be a factor since he recovered from the injury. Ajayi has also confessed that soccer, not football, is his real passion.

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jay Ajayi (27) waves during warm ups before the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos won 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Combine Measurables:

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 221 pounds
Arm Length: 32″
Hand Size: 10″
40 Yard Dash: 4.57 seconds
Bench Press: 19 reps
Vertical Jump: 39″
Broad Jump: 121″
3 Cone Drill: 7.10 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.10 seconds
60 Yard Shuttle: 11.10 seconds

Draft Projection

Jay Ajayi is currently the #41 overall prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports and is their #3 rated running back. He is projected to be a second round draft pick.

NFL Player Comparison

NFL.com: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
CBSSports.com: Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans

Fit For The Vikings

Minnesota currently has enough running backs on the roster that the position isn’t one of need for the team. However, there is still quite a bit of time before draft day and anything can happen to open up a roster hole before the Vikings look to draft a rusher.

My Take

The Vikings have already visited with Jay Ajayi, so we know that there is some level of interest. However, I don’t expect the Vikings to pull the trigger on a running back in the early rounds of the draft unless something really serious happens with the Adrian Peterson situation and a need develops. Until then, I can’t see Minnesota drafting him.

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