Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Pass protection fundamentals need refinement - tends to lunge rather than establish base, limiting his effectiveness against power rushers.
• Despite good burst, lacks truly elite top-end speed that would consistently threaten defenses with home run potential on every touch.
• Limited collegiate volume (130 career carries entering 2025) raises questions about how he'll handle feature workload against top competition.
• Route tree appears rudimentary - primarily used on check-downs and screens rather than as a downfield target in passing game.
• Ball security in traffic remains somewhat of a mystery given limited collegiate sample size and high-volume carries.

Scouting Report: Summary

Between the tackles is where Haynes will earn his NFL money. The tape shows a decisive runner with natural vision and impressive contact balance, though questions remain about his third-down value given his inconsistent pass protection and limited receiving production. His abilities as a pure runner significantly outpace his other skill areas, revealing a back who can create yards but might initially be limited to early-down work until he develops a more complete skill set.

The Michigan transfer will need to show more as a pass catcher to elevate his draft stock, particularly in creating separation on routes beyond simple checkdowns. His compact frame and natural leverage work to his advantage in blitz pickup, but technique issues surface when asked to anchor against larger defenders. That said, Haynes' ability to press the line, make one sharp cut, and accelerate through arm tackles translates well to the professional game, where decisive runners often outperform more hesitant backs with superior athletic profiles.

What makes Haynes intriguing is the untapped potential still evident three years into his collegiate career. Despite the impressive high school resume, we've seen only glimpses of his capabilities in competitive settings. The testing numbers suggest a good but not elite athlete, which aligns with the film evaluation. Without significant improvements as a receiver and in pass protection, Haynes likely begins his NFL journey in a committee backfield with primary responsibilities on early downs and short-yardage situations. His path to increased playing time will depend on developing the complementary skills that turn a good runner into a complete back.