Travis Dye NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5′-10”
Weight: 201 lbs
School: USC
2023 NFL Draft: Travis Dye Scouting Report
Travis Dye began his collegiate career primarily as a backup running back for the Oregon Ducks before transferring to USC in 2022. His best season in Corvallis was in 2021 where he played in 14 games and ran for 1,263 yards on 210 carries for an impressive average of 6.0 yards per run. He would complete his career in Oregon with 16 touchdowns and only three fumbles. For good measure, he would add 47 receptions for 398 yards.
1K for 2⃣6⃣
Travis Dye is the 19th running back in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season! #GoDucks | @Babydye23 pic.twitter.com/PmsG2TgaO4
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 27, 2021
In Los Angeles for the 2022 season, Dye would appear in 10 games for the Trojans, racking up 889 rushing yards on 146 carries. He would add nine touchdowns on 145 attempts, while he also had 21 pass receptions for 202 yards.
Strengths
- Ability to provide depth and versatility coming out of the backfield;
- Can be featured on special teams;
- Strong candidate as a third-down running back;
- Solid in pass protection;
- Has a relentless motor that will impress coaches;
- Finds the gap and demonstrates a strong burst;
- Good change of speed;
- Very patient and intelligent running back.
Weaknesses
- Does not possess overwhelming speed;
- Has demonstrated the ability to be elusive, but will not break any tackles;
- Problem with separation from run defenders;
- Lack of size which will not serve him well against NFL defenders.
- Ceiling is lower than many but will show strength as a third-down back.
- Dye had a knee injury in 2022 that must clear medical staff evaluation. The status for 2023 is unclear.
NFL Comparison: Chase Edmonds
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants
Projection: Sixth or seventh round
Bottom Line on Travis Dye
Travis Dye came out of a solid program at USC but was hampered by an injury late in the 2022 campaign. Teams who are looking to add depth at the running back position should look not just at what Dye did and did not do at Southern Cal, but also at his field of work at Oregon. He showed growth and the ability to quickly learn and implement a new offense and blocking scheme.
His size is prototypical at 5’-10” and 201 pounds. With a 4.48 time in the 40-yard dash. By adding reliable receiver, Dye provides teams many skills to work with. Additionally, he can be used in a variety of sets; running back, as a hybrid wingback, and as a wideout. If need be, he can serve as a blocking back who can get out of a block and catch the football as an outlet receiver.
NO BLOCKY, NO ROCKY @Babydye23
https://t.co/NNtkzBT6p0
— Lincoln Riley’s BagMan (@LincolnR4Prez) February 21, 2023
There is little doubt that Dye will be low on the depth chart running back but is also flying under the radar. However, in the right situation, he can be a valuable asset coming off the bench and spelling a starter. While not your typical product from “Tailback U”, he can be another in a long list of talent from the NFL pipeline in Los Angeles.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
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