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49ers: 2017 NFL Draft Mid-Round Prospect — Travin Dural

By Conor McGuire

Oct 3, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles defensive back DaQuan Pace (1) is called for pass interference against LSU Tigers wide receiver Travin Dural (83) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles defensive back DaQuan Pace (1) is called for pass interference against LSU Tigers wide receiver Travin Dural (83) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Travin Dural (83) runs from South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore (10) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Travin Dural (83) runs from South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore (10) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Travin Dural and the Blocking Game

Blocking is never the sexy talk when evaluating a wide receiver. But it is a trait that becomes very important at the NFL level. Facing more press coverage and dealing with more audibles at the line of scrimmage, it’s important for receivers to be able to block to stay on the field.

Coming from a pro-style offense and against elite SEC defensive talent, Travin Dural has been forced to become an adequate blocker. Dural is no Hines Ward by any means, but he is serviceable. He tends to rely on “running the defensive back off,” meaning he acts as if he’s running a deep route to get the defensive back(s) away from the box.

Dural is excellent at faking this, and his speed is likely so feared that defensive backs are forced to acknowledge it.

On the occasions when he does engage as a blocker, Dural struggles to keep his hands on his man, often times over extending his arms and not keeping a good base. He fails to consistently break down and position his body to shield the ball carrier. He is always active, even on running plays, in the 10 games watched for this breakdown, he didn’t seem to dog it on any single play.

Conclusion: Dural is a capable blocker and has traits that will lead to success, but he really needs to work on his technique. Running defenders off won’t work as often in the NFL.