We now have some more information on workout measurements coming in so I thought I would update the Explosion Index rankings. One name that I’ve been looking at more over the past few days has been Central Florida running back Latavius Murray, whose combination of workout numbers and rushing yards per game fit the mold of a decent pro running back. Murray currently sits at 3rd on the Explosion Index behind Christine Michael and Michael Ford.
One potential problem with the Explosion Index is exposed by Eddie Lacy’s ranking. Because I only average the standard deviations above/below average for the drills that the player does, the Index might overvalue players that only participate in drills they know they can do well. Lacy’s performance on the 40 and his size are similar to Le’Veon Bell. But Bell ranks much lower because he posted subpar performances in the Vertical Leap and Broad Jump.
I’ve also added in Denard Robinson’s name as a running back as Eric Stoner has argued persuasively in the past that Robinson would be best suited to being an NFL running back. Stoner’s reasoning is that Robinson has been accustomed to running back workloads and also receiver is a technician position with a steep learning curve that Robinson might struggle with. Robinson actually does really well on the Explosion Index despite being penalized for his undersized frame.
| Name | WT | 40 Time | Vert | Broad | Composite (Avg Z-Score) |
| Christine Michael-Texas A&M | 220 | 4.54 | 43 | 125 | 1.24 |
| Michael Ford-Louisiana State | 210 | 4.50 | 38.50 | 130 | 0.99 |
| Latavius Murray-Central Florida | 223 | 4.38 | 36 | 124 | 0.98 |
| Knile Davis-Arkansas | 227 | 4.37 | 33.50 | 121 | 0.72 |
| Cierre Wood-Notre Dame | 213 | 4.56 | 37.50 | 124 | 0.56 |
| Eddie Lacy-Alabama | 231 | 4.58 | NA | NA | 0.53 |
| Denard Robinson-Michigan | 199 | 4.43 | 36.50 | 123 | 0.46 |
| Rex Burkhead-Nebraska | 214 | 4.73 | 39 | 125 | 0.39 |
| Matthew Tucker-Texas Christian | 221 | 4.55 | 35.50 | 118 | 0.27 |
| Mike James-Miami (FL) | 223 | 4.53 | 35 | 115 | 0.17 |
| Zac Stacy-Vanderbilt | 216 | 4.55 | 33 | 122 | 0.15 |
| Kenjon Barner-Oregon | 196 | 4.52 | 35.50 | 122 | 0.08 |
| D.J. Harper-Boise State | 211 | 4.52 | 33.50 | 120 | 0.08 |
| Giovani Bernard-North Carolina | 202 | 4.53 | 33.50 | 122 | -0.01 |
| Joseph Randle-Oklahoma State | 204 | 4.63 | 35 | 123 | -0.01 |
| Le’Veon Bell-Michigan State | 230 | 4.60 | 31.50 | 118 | -0.02 |
| C.J. Anderson-California | 224 | 4.60 | 32 | 119 | -0.04 |
| Kerwynn Williams-Utah State | 195 | 4.48 | 35 | 118 | -0.07 |
| Andre Ellington-Clemson | 199 | 4.61 | 34 | 122 | -0.19 |
| Onterio McCalebb-Auburn | 168 | 4.34 | 34 | 121 | -0.20 |
| George Winn-Cincinnati | 218 | 4.75 | 34.50 | 119 | -0.24 |
| Mike Gillislee-Florida | 208 | 4.55 | 30.50 | 119 | -0.34 |
| Johnathan Franklin-UCLA | 205 | 4.49 | 31.50 | 115 | -0.36 |
| Montee Ball-Wisconsin | 214 | 4.66 | 32 | 118 | -0.38 |
| Stefphon Jefferson-Nevada | 213 | 4.68 | 31 | 117 | -0.57 |
| Theo Riddick-Notre Dame | 201 | 4.68 | 32 | 118 | -0.65 |
| Montel Harris-Temple | 208 | 4.68 | 32.50 | 113 | -0.71 |
| Zach Line-Southern Methodist | 232 | 4.77 | 30.50 | 111 | -0.75 |
| Robbie Rouse-Fresno State | 190 | 4.80 | 34 | 114 | -1.10 |
| Stepfan Taylor-Stanford | 214 | 4.76 | 30 | 110 | -1.13 |
| Ray Graham-Pittsburgh | 199 | 4.80 | 32.50 | 112 | -1.17 |
| Jawan Jamison-Rutgers | 203 | 4.68 | 29 | 110 | -1.24 |
