Welcome to the first scouting report to prep you for the 2025 NFL Draft. I suggest saving these links, bookmarking them, etc., throughout this process. I will be updating as many as I can from the time I publish these to the time they take part in the Scouting Combine and pro days.
I figured a good place to start is with a very interesting player in a rich running back class. Cam Skattebo has a physical style that will have fans clamoring for more, but could lead to durability concerns.
CAM SKATTEBO
• Position: Running back • College: Arizona State (2023-24), Sacramento State (2021-22) • Class: Senior • Height: 5-11 • Weight: 215 • Bowl invite: Senior Bowl • PFF Big Board: No. 46 • Games watched: vs. Mississippi State, at Kansas State, vs. Iowa State (Big 12 Championship), vs. Texas (Peach Bowl)
NFL comparison: Jaylen Warren
OVERVIEW
Skattebo became the second player in Big 12 history to compile 1,500-plus rushing yards and 500-plus receiving yards in a season. He's a punishing runner who excels at maintaining balance through contact with an exceptional ability to catches passes in a number of ways, helping him rack up 2,074 all-purpose yards despite missing a game. There are some questions about his lifespan at the NFL level. He's already amassed 822 touches over four college seasons, including 338 touches in his final season with the Sun Devils.
The NFL will likely undervalue Skattebo due to a lack of breakaway speed and small-school background. However, regardless of competition level, Skattebo has done nothing but produce. This is highlighted most by his 262-yard performance against Mississippi State, an SEC school.
While Skattebo may never be the fastest or most explosive back on an NFL roster, he will challenge every other player on the roster with his tenacity and work ethic. He'll likely start on any team as a complementary piece before earning a larger role, which would fit well in Pittsburgh.
HIGHLIGHTS
PFF GRADES
• Overall grade: 93.2 (4th of 444 RB) • Rushing grade: 94.6 • Zone grade: 87.3 • Gap grade: 93.2 • Yards after contact per attempt: 4.09
STRENGTHS
• He runs with tremendous forward lean and natural leverage, consistently falling forward through contact while maintaining elite balance. Reminds me a lot of the way Warren maintains balance through contact, but with a bigger body. Also has great leg drive on short-yardage runs.
• He's a patient runner who sets up blocks effectively, and loves to hit the hole with authority. Also exceptional at spotting cutback lanes, which makes him an effective runner in wide zone and outside zone. He's a bowling ball between the tackles.
• Seeks contact and thrives when defenders try to arm tackle him.
• A naturally-skilled receiver with good hands. He's a versatile pass-catcher who knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage.
• Underrated lateral agility for his build, can makes defenders miss more often than expected. Can be very shifty in space.
WEAKNESSES
• Lacks breakaway speed. While he has yet to record an official 40 time, it shows up on film with defenders occasionally running him down from behind.
• Very inconsistent in pass protection. Doesn't shy away from contact, but technique needs significant refinement.
• Needs to run downhill more often. He can get too cut happy at times, which works against Big 12 defenders, but he lacks the start-stop speed in short spaces to consistently beat NFL defenders that way.
• Huge workload over four college seasons raises some serious durability questions, especially considering his physical, aggressive style.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
4:55 pm - 01.22.2025DowntownScouting report: Cam Skattebo
Welcome to the first scouting report to prep you for the 2025 NFL Draft. I suggest saving these links, bookmarking them, etc., throughout this process. I will be updating as many as I can from the time I publish these to the time they take part in the Scouting Combine and pro days.
I figured a good place to start is with a very interesting player in a rich running back class. Cam Skattebo has a physical style that will have fans clamoring for more, but could lead to durability concerns.
CAM SKATTEBO
• Position: Running back
• College: Arizona State (2023-24), Sacramento State (2021-22)
• Class: Senior
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 215
• Bowl invite: Senior Bowl
• PFF Big Board: No. 46
• Games watched: vs. Mississippi State, at Kansas State, vs. Iowa State (Big 12 Championship), vs. Texas (Peach Bowl)
NFL comparison: Jaylen Warren
OVERVIEW
Skattebo became the second player in Big 12 history to compile 1,500-plus rushing yards and 500-plus receiving yards in a season. He's a punishing runner who excels at maintaining balance through contact with an exceptional ability to catches passes in a number of ways, helping him rack up 2,074 all-purpose yards despite missing a game. There are some questions about his lifespan at the NFL level. He's already amassed 822 touches over four college seasons, including 338 touches in his final season with the Sun Devils.
The NFL will likely undervalue Skattebo due to a lack of breakaway speed and small-school background. However, regardless of competition level, Skattebo has done nothing but produce. This is highlighted most by his 262-yard performance against Mississippi State, an SEC school.
While Skattebo may never be the fastest or most explosive back on an NFL roster, he will challenge every other player on the roster with his tenacity and work ethic. He'll likely start on any team as a complementary piece before earning a larger role, which would fit well in Pittsburgh.
HIGHLIGHTS
PFF GRADES
• Overall grade: 93.2 (4th of 444 RB)
• Rushing grade: 94.6
• Zone grade: 87.3
• Gap grade: 93.2
• Yards after contact per attempt: 4.09
STRENGTHS
• He runs with tremendous forward lean and natural leverage, consistently falling forward through contact while maintaining elite balance. Reminds me a lot of the way Warren maintains balance through contact, but with a bigger body. Also has great leg drive on short-yardage runs.
• He's a patient runner who sets up blocks effectively, and loves to hit the hole with authority. Also exceptional at spotting cutback lanes, which makes him an effective runner in wide zone and outside zone. He's a bowling ball between the tackles.
• Seeks contact and thrives when defenders try to arm tackle him.
• A naturally-skilled receiver with good hands. He's a versatile pass-catcher who knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage.
• Underrated lateral agility for his build, can makes defenders miss more often than expected. Can be very shifty in space.
WEAKNESSES
• Lacks breakaway speed. While he has yet to record an official 40 time, it shows up on film with defenders occasionally running him down from behind.
• Very inconsistent in pass protection. Doesn't shy away from contact, but technique needs significant refinement.
• Needs to run downhill more often. He can get too cut happy at times, which works against Big 12 defenders, but he lacks the start-stop speed in short spaces to consistently beat NFL defenders that way.
• Huge workload over four college seasons raises some serious durability questions, especially considering his physical, aggressive style.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!