NFL Draft preview -- Stanford's Anthony Kimble
Anthony Kimble really developed into a nice running back his senior season. The thunder and lightening he represented with Toby Gerhart made for a great backfield. In games the Gerhart was struggling or injured, Kimble stepped up with big runs. 
Watching him progress as he made the change from wide receiver to running back his sophomore year, to the player he was at the end of his Stanford career, he clearly became a better runner.
Watching him progress as he made the change from wide receiver to running back his sophomore year, to the player he was at the end of his Stanford career, he clearly became a better runner.But will that be enough to take it to the next level? Here is what NFL.com has to say about his positives and negatives:
Analysis
Positives: Versatile back capable of helping in a variety of ways. Good patience and vision to locate the hole. Can get to the 
second level and gain yardage in chunks. Former receiver whose soft hands are evident as a reliable receiver out of the backfield. Willing to take on the blitzing linebacker in pass protection. Also has experience returning kicks (22-yard average on 26 returns from 2007-08). Team-first guy who mentored Gerhart and other young backs.
second level and gain yardage in chunks. Former receiver whose soft hands are evident as a reliable receiver out of the backfield. Willing to take on the blitzing linebacker in pass protection. Also has experience returning kicks (22-yard average on 26 returns from 2007-08). Team-first guy who mentored Gerhart and other young backs.Negatives: Jack of all trades, master of none type. Lacks burst to the hole and doesn't have the acceleration or straight-line speed to capitalize when he's in the open field. Not much of a power runner despite good size due to his upright running style and marginal leg drive. Missed five games in 2007 with a right shoulder injury.
I think the “jack of all trades, master of none” comment sums up Kimble well. (I could add this is a saying I have used about my own career time and time again). Kimble is fast, but is he fast enough? He can make some moves, but can he juke NFL defenders? Does he have the size and speed to make it as a kick returner?
When I look at other Stanford players that I would put in his category in the past, most did not last in the NFL. I am thinking there are too many question marks and that teams will not draft him. But if some team does like his running numbers and his versatility, maybe they do take a shot at him in the 7th round.
Otherwise I expect Kimble to be called on Monday morning and signed as an undrafted free agent.
Other Stanford players that could get drafted:
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