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Colts Select USF Running Back Marlon Mack with 143rd Pick in 4th Round

By Luke Schultheis

Sep 5, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) celebrates as he heads for the end zone during the half against the Florida A & M Rattlers at Raymond James Stadium. The touchdown was called back for taunting . Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) celebrates as he heads for the end zone during the half against the Florida A & M Rattlers at Raymond James Stadium. The touchdown was called back for taunting . Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts selected USF running back Marlon Mack with the 143rd pick in the 4th round following a trade down with the San Francisco 49ers where the Colts swapped the 121st pick for the 49ers 143rd and 161st overall selections.

The 5’11”, 213 pound running back rushed for 1,187 rushing yards on 174 carries (6.8 ypc avg) and 15 rushing touchdowns in 12 games during his senior season for the Bulls. Not to mention, he also added 28 receptions for 227 receiving yards–earning All-American Athletic 1st-Team honors (for the third time).

Oct 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) against the East Carolina Pirates works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) against the East Carolina Pirates works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Per Pro Football Focus, Mack possesses big play potential with his ability to breakaway from defenses:

"“In 2016, 52.3 percent of Mack’s 1,182 rushing yards came on his 15 runs of 15-plus yards, the fifth-highest breakaway percentage among draft-eligible running backs with at least 90 carries.”"

He finishes his 4-year collegiate career with 3,609 rushing yards on 586 carries (6.2 ypc avg) and 33 rushing touchdowns–having become the UFC and American Athletic Conference’s all-time career rushing leader (3.609), USF’s career all purpose yards leader (4,107), and USF career touchdowns leader (32).

Here’s his NFL.com draft profile:

"DRAFT PROJECTIONRound 3-4NFL COMPARISONDenard RobinsonBOTTOM LINEScat back with decent size and blazing getaway speed. Mack has plenty of wiggle to bounce from run lane to run lane and make tacklers miss, but he has a penchant for looking to break runs way outside when the interior becomes too trafficked and he won’t be able to get away with that against NFL speed. Mack is a complementary runner who can hit big runs against defenses who have been worn down, but he needs to be matched with the right scheme in order to unlock his big-play potential."

Here’s what other NFL Draft experts are saying on Mack:

Of course, there’s no question the Colts could clearly use a long-term answer to veteran starter Frank Gore, who turns 34 years old in May.

Otherwise, the Colts did re-sign veteran Robert Turbin, but he’s ideally suited as a 3rd down or short yardage running back who’s utilized situationally.

Next: Colts Select USC O-Lineman Zach Banner with 137th Pick in 4th Round

It’s unclear whether Mack can prove to be a ‘workhorse’ back at the next level, as he needs to learn to better run between the tackles, but he has the breakaway speed to be at least a special complementary rusher with the Colts–maybe even more.

While Gore and Turbin are ‘grinders’ inside, the Colts have really lacked ‘big play’ or ‘home run’ ability at running back in recent seasons, which is something that Mack projects to provide immediately.

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