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Tyler Goodson NFL Draft Profile
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Tyler Goodson Scouting ReportGoodson displays impressive patience behind the line of scrimmage as he waits for the heralded Iowa offensive line to open up holes for him to exploit. He shows vision to not only hit those holes but also search out lanes further down the field. The Iowa RB is adept at finding cutback lanes in addition to following behind an oft-deployed fullback. Goodson is also exceptionally versatile as an NFL Draft prospect. In addition to lining up in the backfield, he’s taken snaps in the slot and out wide as a receiver. Furthermore, he’s impressive at leaking out of the backfield to pose a receiving threat. He displays excellent pass-catching technique, with few drops witnessed in the games studied. As an additional wrinkle, Goodson has also seen snaps as a Wildcat quarterback in high school and at Iowa. Finally, as the NFL looks for running backs who can stay on the field on all three downs, blocking is fundamental in evaluating the position. While Goodson isn’t the most physical back — something we’ll address shortly — he is highly willing in this regard. He’ll take on defensive linemen much larger than himself without a second thought. The Iowa RB also displays football intelligence in picking up free blitzes.
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Areas for ImprovementWhile Goodson’s scouting report ticks a lot of the boxes for an NFL Draft prospect at the position, there are some areas for improvement. Although I believe he should be considered a Day 2 prospect, some limitations could curtail his stock. Goodson’s not small by any stretch of the imagination. However, there were some examples where defensive linemen comfortably overpowered him in protection. From a technical perspective, he’s prone to lead with his elbow rather than face players square on. These issues extend to his ability to run the ball up the gut. While he displayed some ability to lower his shoulder into contact and grind out yards with his legs, Goodson is too often stymied with only a minimal gain when tasked with running straight into the heart of the offensive line.
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Tyler Goodson Career at SchoolGoodson made his first appearance for the Hawkeyes in a season-opening win over Miami (OH). While he would see carries in his first nine games (including a touchdown against Purdue), his first starting opportunity came against Minnesota. The young RB had come to Iowa wanting to help them win, and he rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown as the Hawkeyes handed the Golden Gophers their first defeat of the season. The performance propelled Goodson into the starting lineup permanently, scoring a touchdown in each of his next three starts. Furthermore, he rushed for a then career-high 116 yards at Nebraska. The Hawkeyes won every single game he started down the stretch, including a bowl win over USC. He also became the first freshman Iowa RB to lead the team in rushing yards. Goodson’s impressive freshman campaign paved the way for a standout sophomore season. The Iowa RB racked up 100-plus-rushing-yard performances in half of his games during the shortened 2020 season. He returned to ruin Minnesota once again, breaking off a 72-yard run on his way to 142 rushing yards and 2 TDs. The Iowa RB earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition for a season that saw him tally 762 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Meanwhile, he snagged 15 receptions for 152 yards as he embedded himself as one of the most dynamic threats in the nation. It was not lost on Indiana head coach Tom Allen as he prepared to face Goodson in the 2021 season opener. |
Tyler Goodson NFL Draft Player ProfileDespite the preparation, Allen couldn’t stop the Iowa RB from racking up 99 yards and a touchdown on opening day. Now an NFL Draft-eligible junior, Goodson has continued to elevate his reputation this season. Through Week 10 of the college football season, he’s racked up 754 yards, including a career-high 153 yards and 3 TDs against Kent State. Goodson also secured his first receiving TD against Maryland.
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