Dynasty Scouts Player Profile: Cameron Artis-Payne
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Typically when the leading rusher from the SEC enters the NFL Draft, his name is listed among the top runners in that year’s draft class. That isn’t the case this year however. The 2015 NFL draft is stacked with talent at the running back position with players like Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley, but one tailback that isn’t often mentioned among the top-ten tailbacks in this class is Cameron Artis-Payne from Auburn. I decided to find out if people are overlooking the leading rusher from what is mostly considered to be the premiere conference in college football.
Artis-Payne started his college career at Allan Hancock Community College in California. In his two years there he ran for 3,412 yards and 43 touchdowns and when he left, was rated the nation’s top community college tailback. From there, he enrolled at Auburn.
In his first year on campus, Artis-Payne was used only as a change of pace back for the Tigers. Backing up Tre Mason, he was typically called upon only when the starter needed a breather. Once Mason moved on to the NFL though, Artis-Payne took over as the primary ball carrier.
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Artis-Payne had a very strong season in 2014. As I mentioned above, he led the SEC in rushing yards. He also averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored 13 times on the year. Although he didn’t make many long runs, he proved to be a true workhorse tailback as he led the conference in carries (303) in his final year on campus.
Primarily an inside runner, Artis-Payne did a majority of his damage between the tackles. With vision that rivals even the top tailbacks in this class, he showed excellent cutback skills. Always using patience to let blocks develop in front of him, Artis-Payne has an impressive stutter-step and changes directions quickly in the backfield to find backside running lanes.
Once he finds his crease, he displays very good burst through the hole for a guy his size (5’10”, 212 pounds). He runs behind his pads well in traffic and doesn’t run away from contact, instead keeping his feet churning to try to pick up extra yardage. Although he doesn’t break a lot of tackles, he does get yards after contact, especially in a pile, by spinning out of tackles and falling forward.
Even though he’s at his best when between the tackles and shouldn’t be considered an outside runner that can regularly get the edge on pitches and sweeps, Artis-Payne has shown the ability to get to the outside when the middle is clogged. His impressive vision and quick cutback skills allow him to break outside when blocking dictated he has no other choice.
When he finds himself in the open field, he doesn’t have a lot of tricks up his sleeve. His stiff arm is average at best as he often just sticks his hand out waiting for the defender to reach him rather than delivering a blow himself. He also attempts a spin move when facing a tackler one-on-one but despite the effort, nearly always takes contact which forces him to lose his balance and go to the ground.
Although Artis-Payne doesn’t have breakaway speed or flashy moves in the open field, he does display the ability to change directions at full speed. He regularly made college safeties coming down in run support look silly by putting his foot in the ground and slightly changing direction which forces the defender to have the wrong angle on him.
Despite showing the ability to get to the second level and find open field, Artis-Payne regularly got run down from behind while in college. He frequently made quality runs in 2014, regularly popping off gains of 25-plus yards, but ended the season with his biggest gain going for a 37-yard jaunt against Louisiana Tech. Expected to run in the low 4.6-second range at the combine, he surprised some when he was clocked at 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Even with the impressive time however, it’s difficult to trust his improved foot speed will make a difference for him at the next level.
As for his skills in the passing attack, Artis-Payne received mixed reviews while in college. Never really featured as a pass catcher, it’s difficult to get a gauge on where he fits in as a receiver. When given the opportunity to catch passes as a senior however, he did display rather soft hands. Always trying to catch the ball away from his body rather than letting it get to his chest, he plucks the ball cleanly and tucks it away immediately. Never being asked to run vertically, he primarily ran dump off routes and screens for the Tigers. Although he’ll likely never be anything more than a check down pass catcher at the next level, he looks comfortable in the role.
The part of Artis-Payne’s game that needs the most work is likely as a pass protector. Despite having the size and strength for blocking to be a asset, he showed very poor technique and approach when it comes to blocking. Instead of squaring himself to the oncoming rusher and being physical, he often throws himself at the defender in an attempt to slow him down rather than stop him. When he does get set to absorb contact he often gives too much ground, allowing pressure on the quarterback.
Overall, there are a lot of things to like about Artis-Payne’s game. On top of his impressive vision, great cutback skills and good burst, he’s the kind of tailback who loves contact and wears down defenses as the game goes on. Although all of that is desirable in a primary ball carrier, Artis-Payne also has shortcomings. He doesn’t break tackles well enough for a power back and lacks the balance you’d like to see in a between the tackles runner. His average pass catching abilities and poor pass blocking skills could also keep him off the field early in his career.
Before sitting down to watch Artis-Payne in preparation for this article, I’d really only watched him play one full game – against Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. That day he (as well as the Auburn offensive line) looked very good. Showing great vision and burst as well as good receiver skills on his lone catch of the day, I had high hopes for Artis-Payne’s upside on Sundays.
After he was so impressive in the bowl game, Artis-Payne opened the off-season as my ninth highest rated runner in this draft class. Since that point though, I’ve watched more film on him. Although that film proved a lot of what I saw on New Year’s Day was true, I also came away with the question marks that I included above. Those problems in his game as well as having the opportunity to see more running back prospects over the last few months, forced me to push him down my rankings. He currently rests in the mid-teens.
At this point, it’s difficult to see Artis-Payne as a fulltime NFL tailback – especially early in his career. While it’s possible that he could become the primary back in a committee, his upside likely lies as a rotational back due to his restrictions as a perimeter runner and pass catcher.
Most likely, those limitations will limit his fantasy potential to nothing more than a weekly flex play. While I’d be okay selecting him in the late rounds of a rookie draft due to his prowess between the tackles as a runner, I’d have a hard time investing a top-25 pick in him.
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