Steve Slaton SELECTED BY: Houston Texans Round 3(26)

SI Grade 3.58 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter awarded varying degrees of All-Conference honors since his freshman campaign. Rushing numbers included 211/1051/17 last season when he also added 27/350/1 catching the ball. Sophomore-year totals included a career-high 1744 rushing yards.

POSITIVES: Patient, elusive ball-carrier with the ability to create yardage. Displays good vision, instincts, and the ability to quickly get through the small creases of the defense. Runs with good lean, quickly cuts back against the grain, and loses no momentum when he must immediately change direction. Sets up defenders and makes them miss. Uses an effective straight-arm to keep runs alive. Solid receiver who gets vertical and adjusts to the errant throw, pulling the fastball from the air. Immediately gets to top speed and can turn it on in a single step.

NEGATIVES: Not a heavy-duty back who can take a pounding or pick up a lot yardage off initial contact. Lacks blinding speed and cannot run to daylight.

ANALYSIS: Slaton comes off a disappointing junior campaign in which injuries slowed him down. He does not possess the size to be an every-down runner in the NFL, yet he could be a productive change-of-pace/third-down back in the right system.

PROJECTION: Early Fourth Round