Running Backs

Cody Schrader NFL Draft Preview

By Patrick Whelan

Posted on April 3, 2024

Cody Schrader NFL Draft Preview

OVERVIEW

Do you know who finished 9th in the Heisman voting? Well now you do, it was Cody Schrader out of Missouri. The sixth-year senior showed he had the prowess to perform against the elite in the SEC after walking on at Missouri and becoming a First-Team All-American selection. He lacks the ideal size, athleticism, and burst to become an every down back in the NFL, not to mention he is 24 with significant tread on his tires. But it would be foolish to overlook his ability as a running back given his production. He’s more of a monitor than a draft in dynasty fantasy football, but if you are looking for someone to root for, this is your guy.

MEASURABLES

• 5’8 1/2″ 202 lbs
• 40-yard dash – 4.61 seconds
• Vertical Jump – 33″

STATS AT MISSOURI AND TRUMAN STATE*

• 2023: 276 attempts, 1627 yds, 14 TDs, 22 catches, 191 yards
• 2022: 170 attempts 745 yds, 9 TDs 19 catches, 137 yards
• 2021*: 300 attempts 2074 yds, 25 TDs, 22 catches, 214 yards, 1 TD
• 2020*: 83 attempts 405 yds, 7 TDs, 8 catches, 52 yards
• 2019*: 96 attempts 605 yds, 7 TDs, 30 catches, 231 yards 1 TD

POSITIVES

Beyond being just a good story, there are a lot of things to like on tape. Schrader shows terrific balance and almost invites hits as he drives through the run. He knows how to handle linebackers and sheds tackles. His physical playing style is always on display with rugged runs and yards after contact littering his tape.

He also has excellent vision and patience as he is navigating runs. He waits for the play to develop and seizes the opportunity that his offensive line affords him. He very rarely rushes the hole or misses a cut-back lane and knows when to try to create or give up the ghost. Within the hole, he has decisive cuts and shows good footwork while finding seams.

Aligning with this are noticeable instincts on where to attack. He recognizes blocks before they happen and uses jump cuts effectively to find the next level.

Intangibles are always tough to quantify but he’s a team captain and came up big against Missouri’s toughest competition in games against Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, and Tennessee.

As a potential passing down back, he showed above-average hands and decent route running and was a very willing pass blocker who could read and feel blitzes.

NEGATIVES

Despite a lengthy positive list, Schrader still doesn’t grade out as a good enough pro to be fantasy-relevant for your squad. His acceleration and long speed simply aren’t on the level that is required of a true NFL running back. There is a major concern that he will simply be swallowed up as he is not able to adequately progress the ball with NFL gaps. It’s unlikely that he can create big plays in an NFL running scheme because of these limitations.

His elusiveness is also not on par with what is required of NFL backs. He got by a lot on broken tackles on toughness alone, something that is unlikely to fly with bigger defenders. Arm tackles that he broke in college will become small gains in the NFL. His yards after contact numbers won’t be good enough to garner a large amount of carries.

Grade: C-

I debated going into the D grade range with Cody, but his production is undeniable and, candidly, I just want to root for this guy. I don’t think he is going to be a long-term useful player in dynasty fantasy football, and likely shouldn’t be drafted other than very deep leagues, but I think he does have enough qualities to make a roster and offer an NFL team a hard-nosed runner who can get you that tough yard, as well as a special teams player who will give 110%. I put Schrader firmly in the “monitor” camp for dynasty, but given the right situation, it’s possible he could see carries as a gritty change of pace back and a potential touchdown vulture. Hopefully, he sticks.