Emani Bailey 2024 NFL Draft Profile
We’re going to hit all these running backs as fast as we can for the Draft Profile series. It’s a bad running back draft and guys like this sum up what we’re working with this year. Where does Emani Bailey stand in terms of the 2024 NFL Draft? Let’s talk about him.
I thought Bailey had a really nice showing at the Senior Bowl. Most of which had to do with his ability to catch the football. He did a really nice job making plays in the passing game. Get the ball in his hands and he can make things happen. 2023 was his most productive season in terms of catching the ball hauling in 25 receptions for 184 yards and a score.
Bailey, a former three-star prospect coming out of high school, transferred to TCU for his final two collegiate seasons. The former Horned Frogs running back got his start at Louisiana Lafayette. In a small sample size as a redshirt freshman, Bailey made a bit of a name for himself with the Ragin Cajuns rushing for 6.3 yards per carry and eight touchdowns on 102 attempts.
Bailey didn’t make much of an impact after transferring to TCU. He had just 21 carries as a junior (albeit productive 8.2 YPC) and finally took over the backfield in 2023. Sorry, Trey Sanders. In 223 attempts during his final season with TCU, Bailey rushed for 1,209 yards and eight touchdowns along with some passing game work.
The problem is we saw some of those limitations at the Combine. A 4.61 at 5-foot-7, 202 just isn’t cutting it. There is no second gear. He does a good job with the one cut-and-go stuff. However, he’s not a chain mover. Chain mover in the sense that he can’t chain his moves together. There are wasted movements and fumbling issues. Bailey fumbled three times during his limited time at TCU and he’s just never going to blow you away. Does a decent job fighting for extra yardage and has some toughness. Just never going to be physically imposing.
I have Bailey as an undrafted free agent. He’s a camp body that you hope sticks on the roster. Given how invaluable running backs are, Bailey shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than that. Hopefully, he can crack the roster and work his way into a rotation. That’s about the best case scenario.
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