Xazavian Valladay 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Xazavian Valladay 2023 NFL Draft Profile

It’s officially draft season. The Super Bowl is over and it’s time to start becoming familiar with the hundreds of prospects eligible to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. We begin our 2023 NFL Draft profile series on Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay. What do you need to know about Valladay and is this someone your favorite team should be interested in on draft day?

For starters, Valladay was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine so we won’t get official measurements or a 40 time out of him. However, the book on Valladay is pretty simple. The ASU product measures in at 6-foot, 200, but looks much skinnier than that when actually watching him. Valladay is a five year college standout so there should be plenty for teams to go off when making a decision.

Valladay, 23, was a former three star recruit in the 2017 cycle. Valladay spent the first four years of his career at Wyoming with varying degrees of success. After an up and down career with Wyoming, Valladay took the leap to the Pac 12 as a grad transfer. A decision that likely helped salvage his draft stock.

In 2022 Valladay rushed for 1,192 yards, 5.5 YPC, and 16 touchdowns with the Sun Devils. Valladay also set career highs in the passing game reeling in 37 receptions for 289 yards and two more scores. Valladay also made the Doak Walker watch list being recognized as one of the most productive backs in the country.

Valladay made an appearance at the East-West Shrine game. During the game, Valladay had a pretty good showing and reminded me a lot of Rachaad White a year ago. One cut and go. Get up field and do damage. Can catch. Not a tackle breaking machine but does have some wiggle. A slightly poor man’s version of White is probably the correct way to describe Valladay.

When projecting Xazavian Valladay to the next level, the size concerns are obvious. This is not someone that’s going to be a three down workhorse and take the backfield for himself. Has the ability to catch but is for sure on the smaller side in terms of a build. Too lean would probably be the right way to put it. Has a good burst but isn’t super duper twitchy. Feels and looks like a committee style back for a modern NFL offense.

I have a 7th round grade on Xazavian Valladay. Someone that can come in and compete for a number three or four role on a team in the running back room. Can do a little bit of everything but not oozing with talent to the point where you feel he’s a lock to be a stone cold contributor at the next level.

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