Nov 9, 2013; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Kapri Bibbs (5) rushes in the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Hughes Stadium. The Rams defeated the Wolf Pack 38-17.Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos have a pretty long history of undrafted players not only making the final 53-man roster, but they’ve also got guys making significant contributions.
Naturally, you could understand why the UDFA period is an exciting one for Broncos fans across the board, especially those who love the draft. I want to take a closer look at each player the Broncos have picked up, who can make an impact and how, and what guys are bringing to the table as young prospects.
Here is a look at a local running back prospect, Colorado State’s Kapri Bibbs.
Vitals
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 212 lbs.
40: 4.64
Bench: 24 reps
Vert: 29″
2013 Stats
281 carries
1,741 yards
31 touchdowns
6.20 yards per carry
Positive Attributes
- Solid build for a back
- Strong
- Good initial quickness
- Patient runner
- Solid vision
- Insanely productive in 2013 with 31 TDs
- Shows solid effort and explosiveness through the hole
- Nose for the end zone
- One-cut ability
- Lot of tread left at just 21 with one full season of full-time carres
Weaknesses
- Not a dynamic back
- Caught only 8 passes all season in 2013
- Doesn’t have that third gear to blow by defenders
- Didn’t show explosive measurables (29 inch vert, 4.64 40)
- Can he break a lot of tackles?
- Didn’t show out against some bigger teams like Alabama
- One year of college experience at D1 level
- Raw in pass pro
How Bibbs Fits With Broncos
First of all, this is a local prospect that a lot of Broncos fans were banging the table for. In addition to current Broncos starting running back and former 2nd round pick Montee Ball, Bibbs is one of four college backs to rack up 30 or more rushing TDs in one season.
This kid obviously has a nose for the end zone, and he’s driven. Prior to the draft, he made some pretty bold statements, saying he’d have been a top pick if he’d played in the SEC, as well as guaranteeing that he would be drafted.
That obviously never materialized, but he has a fighting chance with the Broncos who have the aforementioned Ball, Ronnie Hillman, and 2013 undrafted darling C.J. Anderson as players with NFL experience even on the roster.
If Bibbs could hand pick a great situation to not only make a roster but even potentially see the field as a rookie, Denver was a solid choice.
This is a player that has a lot of confidence in himself. He said this before the draft, per the Coloradoan:
“Being a free agent isn’t even an option at this point. I’m almost 100 percent sure,” Bibbs said. “A lot of teams are telling me I’ll be picked in the mid-rounds. Anywhere from the third to fifth round, really.”
Apparently, those teams were lying. They’ll do that. But, a couple of good things can come of that. First, it might humble Bibbs a bit. Second, it could put a chip on his shoulder. After a dominant sophomore season at CSU, Bibbs shocked a lot of people by leaving for the NFL and going undrafted makes it look on the surface like a foolish choice, but a chance to compete with the Denver Broncos is a situation that is very, very favorable.
His road to the NFL has been interesting to say the least. He was part of a recruiting class at CSU in 2011 before grades kept him out, and then he played that year at a community college in Utah before not playing at all in 2012. He returned to CSU in 2013 where he had a dominant ‘sophomore’ campaign, and at just 21 years old the thought is that there’s plenty of upside here.
So many Broncos fans wanted this guy, and he showed flashes of NFL talent this past year. However, his lack of elite athleticism could be his demise at the next level. He will have to work to separate himself from other ‘ordinary’ college free agent backs that come into the NFL every single year.
Kapri Bibbs vs. Air Force (2013) via Draft Breakdown