Marshall RB Rasheen Ali 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Rasheen Ali, RB

Height/Weight: 5-10, 200 lbs

Age: 22.9

College: Marshall

Senior Bowl: Yes

Shrine Bowl: Yes

Rushing Stats:

Receiving Stats: 

Pros:

• Elite Athlete 
  Ali will likely test well at his pro day and the scouting combine (if invited). This offseason, he recorded a 36-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump, and many believe he will run a mid 4.4 40-yard dash. Those types of numbers in front of NFL teams could help his draft stock skyrocket. 
  
  
• Acceleration 
  Defenders will have to be careful not to give Ali much space; he can hit his top speed in the blink of an eye, which is a trait that will earn him many fans across the NFL. 
  
  
• Pass game upside
  You won't see Ali mentioned among the best pass-catching RBs in this class because he was not used much in that role at Marshall. His second season was his most productive year in the passing game, as he hauled in 45 catches for 334 yards. He showed flashes of what he could do once the ball was in his hands in space, and I think NFL teams will attempt to unlock that skill. 

Cons:

• Blocking
  Ali's struggles when asked to block are notable. If a team can't trust their RB to block, it's hard to envision them in a three-down role. Ali has the size and strength for a team to unlock this trait, but at the moment, he is a liability as a blocker.  
  
  
• Strictly a straight-line runner
  Ali's straight-line speed is undoubtedly impressive, but he slows down significantly when the defense forces him to change his direction. To become a starting RB at the pro level, he must improve his cuts and ability to adjust his body while running without losing so much of his speed in the process. 
  
  
• Route Running
  While I did say above that Ali has some upside as a pass catcher, his inability to create separation as a route runner is currently holding him back in that regard. His cuts need to be much sharper, and honestly, he looks uncomfortable when asked to do anything in the passing game that isn't a screen or swing pass, where he could just rely on his speed after the catch. 

Player Evaluation:

Ali isn't going to be a top RB on a team's board that is looking for a day-one starter, but a compliment-back role or a backup to an aging veteran could be a perfect spot for him. His freakish athleticism gives him one of the highest ceilings of any RB in this year's class. His current skill set and the player he is today will attract some teams, but the idea of the player they could develop him into should attract all teams. 

Player/Role Comp:

Floor Comp: Rotational change of pace back 

I think Ali possesses too much pure skill not to at least get some run at the NFL level. I think his floor would be a player who gets used for screen action or an occasional swing pass to give the starter and goal-line backs some rest but still offers the big-play ability for an NFL offense. 

Ceiling Comp: Austin Ekeler 

A player of Ekeler's talent level may be a tall ask for Ali, but I think it's the role and ceiling that teams will envision for him. His chances of reaching that ceiling depend on his ability to develop into a true dual-threat. I'd love his fit playing behind a player like Ekeler or even Alvin Kamara to get to watch a special pass-catching RB 

A to Z Big Board Rankings:

Destin Adams' Latest Big Board: NA (RB 8)

James Foster's Latest Big Board: NA (RB NA)