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Tyrone Tracy, Jr. 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Main Image: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrone Tracy, Jr. 2024 NFL Draft Overview

Height: Five-foot-eleven
Weight: 219 pounds
Position: Running back
School: Purdue

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2024 NFL Draft: Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Scouting Report

Coming out of high school Tyrone Tracy, Jr. was among the top recruits from the state of Indiana and elected to sign with Iowa. As a true freshman in 2018, Tracy only appeared in four games and managed one catch for 22 yards. Starting out with the Hawkeyes, Tracy was a wide receiver and started to get regular run in 2019. As a sophomore, Tracy started nine games and appeared in another four. In total, he recorded 589 yards and three touchdowns off of 36 receptions. He actually ended up as the second-leading receiver.

From there, his productivity dipped. In 2020, Tracy only accounted for 154 yards and a score while making four starts and appearing in another four. Then, in 2021, it was just 106 yards and one touchdown. Following the 2021 season, Tracy decided to test out the transfer portal and landed at Big 10 West rival, Purdue.

With the Boilermakers, Tracy stayed at wide receiver and amassed 198 yards off of 28 receptions while adding 138 yards off of 17 rushes. In 14 games and five starts, Tracy did not find the endzone for Purdue. Last season, Tracy made the switch to running back and became one of the feature backs in the Big 10. With nine starts and two other appearances, Tracy ended up with 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, 132 receiving yards, and 408 kick return yards with one touchdown. Tracy was a do-it-all player for Purdue in 2023 and had the second-most all-purpose yards in the Big 10.

He earned Third-Team All-Big 10 as a return specialist and Honorable Mention as a running back.

Strengths

  • Did everything for Purdue; rushing, receiving, kick returns
  • Adept at change of direction
  • Very smooth runner with the ball
  • Keeps legs moving and fights for every yard
  • Better at pass protection than you’d expect
  • Great option as kick return specialist

Weaknesses

  • Still a bit raw as a running back with only one year of experience
  • Has a WR-like tendency to try and be a hero and make plays when there’s nothing there
  • Doesn’t have that breakaway speed
  • Vision of rushing lanes needs development
  • Age; will be 25 in November

NFL Player Comparison: Miles Sanders
Projection: Fifth Round
Best Fits: Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs

Bottom Line on Tyrone Tracy, Jr.

Perhaps one of the best things of Tracy’s game will also be one of the issues. Tracy is a raw running back prospect who would be worth developing but with his age, there is a concern that he may be close to his ceiling already. Even then, his versatility is intriguing.

Tracy has a track record of being a load-carrying running back while also being a legitimate receiving option. He has a physicality to his game that will bode well in the NFL. Tracy is multi-faceted and will be a nice change-of-pace back with an established RB1.

With his kick return abilities, Tracy is a great bet to be a roster lock. In deep dynasty fantasy leagues, Tracy and his receiving abilities out of the backfield would make him worth stashing.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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