The Steelers took Florida RB Chris Rainey in the 5th round on Saturday, and some are already saying they got a steal with the back, who compared himself to shifty Saints back Darren Sproles.
Florida’s Chris Rainey is one of the best athletes in the 2012 NFL draft, and the only player who won three different events at the Scouting Combine. As the 159th overall pick to the Steelers late in the fifth round, he could prove to be a steal.
Rainey was the overall leader at the Combine in the 60-yard shuttle (11.06 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (3.93 seconds) and three-cone drill (6.50 seconds), and although there are questions about his size (5-foot-8 and 180 pounds) and off-field issues (he was arrested in 2010 for stalking an ex-girlfriend), there’s no question that Rainey is an elite athlete who can make plays with the ball in his hands, as a runner, receiver or returner.
At the Combine Rainey compared himself to Darren Sproles as an athlete and said he’d like to have that kind of impact in the league. He also vowed to be a hard worker on special teams, not just as a return man but running down the field covering kicks, and trying to block kicks.
Here’s a quick scouting report on Rainey:
2010: Suspended after being charged with aggravated stalking in September for sending a former girlfriend a threatening text message, pled to misdemeanor agreed to community service, anger management counseling … Appeared in eight games, starting six…Played wide receiver primarily, but shifted back to running back at times to aid UF’s injury-depleted running back group…had 51 carries for 366 yards (7.2 avg) as well as 25 receptions for 216 yards (8.6 avg.)…Led the Gators with three receiving touchdowns and had two on the ground…Matched UF’s career record for blocked kicks with two versus Vanderbilt, giving him four in his career. 2009: Saw action in all 14 games in 2009, including starts against Kentucky, LSU and Arkansas on Homecoming…Rushed 89 times for 575 yards (6.5 avg.) and scored five touchdowns…Also had 10 receptions for 161 yards (16.1 avg.) and one receiving touchdown…As one of UF’s punt and kickoff returners, returned four punts for 40 yards (10.0 avg.) and five kickoffs for 144 yards (28.8 avg.) during the season… Ranked second among running backs on the Gators’ squad with his 575 total rushing yards…2008: Played in all 14 games during his redshirt freshman season, tallying 84 rushes for 652 yards on the ground, including four touchdowns…SEC All-Freshman selection. 2007: Received a medical hardship…Appeared in the first four games before a shoulder injury ended his season….Finished the season with one rush for 10 yards, one punt return for 22 yards and one kickoff return of 39 yards. Other: Also competed with the UF track team in the spring indoor season in 2010.
Source: Steelers Gab
