Troy RB Kimani Vidal 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Kimani Vidal, RB

Height/Weight: 5-8, 215 lbs

Age: 22.5

College: Troy

Senior Bowl: Yes

Shrine Bowl: No

Rushing Stats:

Receiving Stats:

Pros:

• Powerful Runner
  Vidal may be shorter than most starting RBs, but he runs with authority downhill and attempts to bring as much, if not more, contact than the defender. 
  
  
• Natural Backfield Pass Catcher
  He looks very comfortable as a pass catcher out of the backfield. I think NFL offensive play callers will be excited to scheme Vidal open in space and let him fight through contact once it comes. 
  
  
• Immediate Speed
  Once he receives the handoff, he wastes no time hitting his spots. He isn't the fastest RB, so he knows he has to make up as much ground as possible before contact comes, and he does an excellent job. 
  
  
• Willing Blocker
  You don't always see a 5'8" RB willing to engage as a blocker, but Vidal doesn't back down to defender, no matter the size difference. 

Cons:

• Size
  Vidal is only 5'8", which unfortunately will likely take him off some team's boards as a true starting RB at the next level. 
  
  
• Top Speed
  He lacks the burner speed you would like to see from your RB. He uses the grunt of his speed immediately after the ball touches his hand, which at times doesn't leave him with enough speed to outrun the defense and, therefore, falls short of the home run play. 
  
  
• Too Eager to kick runs outside
  Too often on tape, Vidal abandons the tackle box and attempts kick runs outside. If he can't be consistently trusted as a between-the-tackle runner, it limits the roles NFL's teams will envision him in. 

Player Evaluation:

Vidal is a small but mighty warrior in the backfield. When you are smaller than the typical player at your position, you have to work twice as hard to overcome it. In Vidal's case, he may work three times as hard. No one will ever doubt his effort, whether after a catch, handoff, or even a block. His current skill set has some clear holes that will limit the roles teams will be willing to place him in immediately after being drafted, but if there's a guy I'd be willing to bet on working his tail off to improve at any area presented to him by an NFL staff, it's a player like Vidal. 

Player/Role Comp:

Floor Comp: Samaje Perine

Vidal has the talent to produce as a pass catcher and a blocker from day one for an NFL team. And I think a player whose career arc may be doable for him right now without much development is veteran Samaje Perine. Perine is a relentless blocker who has shown some upside as a pass catcher without track speed. 

Ceiling Comp: Josh Jacobs

Vidal is smaller than Jacobs, so this comp isn't perfect by any means. But the anger that Vidal runs with, whether it's from a handoff or a reception out of the backfield, reminds me a lot of Jacobs. Jacobs also doesn't have elite speed but has found ways to overcome it; he even led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 with 1,653 yards. 

A to Z Big Board Rankings:

Destin Adams' Latest Big Board: NA (RB 6)

James Foster's Latest Big Board: 77 (RB 2)