The Atlanta Falcons just completed their second trade in the 2011 NFL Draft, though this one was admittedly much less panic-inducing than the Julio Jones blockbuster. The Birds gave up their second-to-last seventh-round pick to the St. Louis Rams, setting up a pick of Oregon St. Beavers RB Jacquizz Rodgers, a five-foot-six ... /searches for term ... fire plug! That'll do.
He's quick, versatile and productive, but doesn't have the top speed you'd expect from such a compact guy. At 196 pounds, however, he's far more imposing than the average multi-tool back.
In three years as a starter at OSU, Rogers compiled at least 250 yards receiving and 1,100 yards rushing every season and even threw for a couple touchdowns. A sharp route runner, he averaged over eight yards per catch his freshman year. His pass blocking will need work to become anywhere near as good as fellow little guy Warrick Dunn's was, but he should provide an acceptable change of pace from Michael Turner, Jason Snelling and Ovie Mughelli -- let's say he's about as traditional of a speed back as we're going to get during the coinciding Mikes Smith and Mularkey eras.
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