Scouting Report: Jamal Haynes — RB | Georgia Tech | 2026 NFL Draft

DynastySignal | Film Review — Sick EditzHD Highlights Package (highlights_2_ series, 18 frames)

The Short Version

Jamal Haynes is a compact, lightning-quick speed back who is at his absolute best in open space — the kind of player who makes crowd gasps happen when he gets into the second level. His receiving ability out of the backfield adds a genuine second dimension that will generate NFL interest beyond pure rushing value. The case against: he's undersized for the position by NFL standards, he'll be a liability in pass protection until proven otherwise, and the ACC isn't exactly the proving ground for physical dominance. The ceiling is a dynamic satellite back in the right spread system; the floor is a practice squad speedster who can't stay on the field on third downs.

Measurables & Background

| Attribute | Detail |

|------------------|---------------------------------------|

| Full Name | Jamal Alexander Haynes |

| Position | RB |

| School | Georgia Tech (ACC) |

| Class | Senior (Redshirt Junior through 2024) |

| Height | 5'9" |

| Weight | ~175–190 lbs (listed variously) |

| Age (2026 Draft) | 23 (born October 5, 2002) |

| Hometown | Loganville, GA |

| High School | Grayson High School |

| Recruit Rating | 3-star |

Career Notable:

Film Sources Reviewed

| Source | Frames | Notes |

|--------|--------|-------|

| ACC Digital Network — Haynes King 2025 Highlights (prefix: highlights_) | 18 frames | DISQUALIFIED — wrong subject. Frames show Haynes King (GT QB) taking snaps and throwing passes. NOT used in this report. |

| Sick EditzHD — Jamal Haynes, Shiftiest RB in College Football (prefix: highlights_2_) | 18 frames | ✅ PRIMARY SOURCE — used exclusively. Confirmed Jamal Haynes #11 in GT white/gold, identified across multiple opponents (FSU, UNC, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, bowl game). |

| 680 The Fan — Is Haynes King Georgia Tech's Version of Cam Newton? (prefix: highlights_3_) | 19 frames | DISQUALIFIED — wrong subject. Haynes King QB content. NOT used in this report. |

All analysis and frame citations below reference highlights_2_ only.

What The Film Shows

1. Vision & Patience — Grade: B (6.5/10 NFL scale)

Haynes is not a slasher who predetermines his cut before he gets the handoff. He shows genuine patience to let blocks develop. In highlights_2_004 (vs. Kentucky, aerial shot at the 40-yard line), he holds his lane and waits for the block to seal before exploding through the crease — his cut is sharp and decisive rather than tentative. In highlights_2_002 (vs. FSU near the sideline), he threads through a narrow window between defenders rather than bouncing outside immediately, which shows trust in his blocking and an understanding of where the yards are. In highlights_2_011 (vs. Maryland, aerial view), you can see him reading the second level as he clears the line of scrimmage, adjusting his angle subtly to maximize space.

The concern here is he's not a player who creates yards where none exist. His runs tend to work when there's a designed lane — he finds it quickly and accelerates, but when the scheme breaks down, he doesn't have the size to bully his way to positive yards. He's dependent on blocking in a way that the elite vision guys aren't.

2. Explosiveness & Speed — Grade: A− (9.0/10 NFL scale)

This is the trait that gets him drafted. It's a legitimate, NFL-caliber weapon.

In highlights_2_003, a wide aerial shot shows Haynes completely alone inside the 10-yard line while all defenders are still at midfield or beyond. This isn't a blown coverage situation where one guy missed — he's outrun an entire defense sideline-to-sideline on what appears to be a sweep or counter. That kind of separation doesn't happen in college unless the player is genuinely fast.

In highlights_2_014 (vs. FSU, aerial), he's again alone in the open field near the sideline — defenders trailing hopelessly behind. In highlights_2_005 (vs. UNC, aerial), he turns the corner past two defenders who have the angle and simply outruns them. In highlights_2_008 (open-field one-on-one), he juke-steps a defender so violently that the defender is off his feet before Haynes is past him — a combination of lateral quickness AND burst off the cut that is legitimately special. The acceleration through cuts, not just straight-line speed, is what stands out. He's not a track guy who only goes fast in a straight line.

3. Contact Balance & Power — Grade: B− (6.0/10 NFL scale)

He's not a power back and nobody should pretend otherwise. But for his size, he shows solid contact balance and functional leg drive that keeps him from being a "fall-at-first-contact" back.

In highlights_2_013 (close-up vs. FSU, near goal line), Haynes shows excellent pad level — he's low through the contact, driving his legs, getting at least a yard or two past where a less disciplined back would go down. In highlights_2_015 (aerial, FSU — what appears to be the Dublin, Ireland opener), he goes over the pile for a touchdown rather than through it, showing athletic instincts to use his body advantageously. In highlights_2_016 (bowl game), a defender gets a high arm tackle on him and Haynes stays upright and keeps churning — decent contact balance for a smaller back.

The limitation is clear in highlights_2_006 (vs. Miami, aerial) and highlights_2_010 (goal-line pile): once multiple defenders arrive, he goes down. He's not going to drag anyone for extra yards in a phone-booth situation. The goal-line production in his stats (nine rushing TDs in 2024) owes something to his elusiveness getting him to the line rather than pure goal-line power.

4. Receiving Ability — Grade: B+ (7.5/10 NFL scale)

This is the second reason he gets drafted and the trait that carries the most dynasty upside.

The bio confirmed 28 catches for 166 yards and 3 TDs out of the backfield in 2024 alone — that's not token usage, that's a designed role. Highlights_2_009 (bowl game end zone, aerial) shows what appears to be a TD catch — he's secured the ball in the end zone coming out of his break. In highlights_2_018 (near the 10-yard line vs. FSU), he's releasing out of the backfield on a route, showing natural separation and body control in space. In highlights_2_008, he carries the ball as a receiver in space and shows the same cuts that make him dangerous as a rusher.

The highlight reel doesn't include many catch-at-the-line situations to evaluate hand technique under duress, which is a gap in the sample. But his usage numbers in 2024 are the validation. For dynasty purposes, a back who contributes in the passing game doesn't fall off the map during injury weeks the same way a pure runner does. This trait matters.

5. Pass Protection — Grade: C (5.0/10 NFL scale)

Nothing in the highlights film addresses this — as expected from a hype reel. Given his size (5'9", ~175–190 lbs), this will be the biggest obstacle to staying on the field at the NFL level. He does not have the frame to absorb NFL edge rushers or linebackers in blitz pickup. This is a legitimate concern that could cap his early-career role to obvious run/pass situation groupings.

No frames from highlights_2_ showed any pass pro reps. Grade is based on size/profile projection, not film evidence. NFL teams will need to evaluate this specifically before investing draft capital.

6. Scheme Fit — Grade: B+ (7.5/10 NFL scale)

Haynes is tailor-made for a modern spread, RPO-heavy offense that uses backs as receivers and weapons in space. Think 49ers-style outside zone, or a Chiefs/Eagles-type system where the back serves as a primary release valve in the passing game while threatening big plays on designed runs into space. The worst fit would be a traditional power-run offense that asks him to pick up blitzes and pound between the tackles on early downs.

Highlights_2_003, 005, and 014 all show him at his best: space, speed, and angles. Highlights_2_008 shows the open-field elusiveness that an NFL OC can design around. The GT offense gave him the right diet — outside runs, screens, receiving routes — and he thrived. That scheme familiarity is a good sign for NFL transition.

Strengths Summary

Concerns & Risks

NFL Comp

Primary Comp: Raheem Mostert (SF/MIA)

The profile is similar: undersized, speed-over-power, took years to find the right situation, then exploded in an outside-zone/space scheme. Mostert was a career practice squad player before the 49ers unlocked him — Haynes has a similar ceiling/floor split. In the right scheme (outside zone, spread-heavy), he's a game-breaker. In the wrong scheme, he's a roster bubble back. The key for dynasty owners: target him in the right landing spot.

Secondary Comp: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)

The receiving ability and role in the passing game is the closest recent comp for Haynes' dual-threat potential. CEH was similarly discussed as a PPR weapon coming out. The difference is CEH had superior size and a premium landing spot. Haynes needs to thread both needles — find a team that designs the offense around his receiving and open-field traits. The upside is real; the team dependency is also real.

Bottom Line

Jamal Haynes is a legitimate speed-and-space weapon who belongs in an NFL backfield — the question is whose. The receiving production is real (28 catches in 2024), the open-field explosiveness is NFL-caliber (confirmed on film across multiple opponents), and the vision is good enough that he doesn't just run fast into traffic. The concerns — size, pass protection, scheme dependency — are legitimate and will push him down boards. For dynasty, the play is to target him in rounds 5–7 on draft day and monitor his landing situation closely. A scheme fit (spread, outside zone, pass-heavy) immediately makes him a relevant PPR asset; a bad fit (power run, physical AFC team) and he's a waiver wire afterthought.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 62/100

Projected Pick: R5, Pick 155–175

Film Score: 62 / 100

Scout 2 Report: Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech

The Short Version

Haynes is the shiftiest back in the '26 class—elite jukes and vision make him a nightmare in space—but his diminutive frame caps power and long-term durability. Contrarian take: Not a lead back; gadget/3rd-down specialist with RB2 dynasty upside in PPR.

Measurables & Background

| Category | Details |

|----------------|----------------------------------|

| Height | 5'9\" |

| Weight | 190 lbs |

| Age | 23 (DOB: Oct 5, 2002) |

| Class | Senior |

| High School | Grayson HS (GA), 3-star recruit |

| Background | Converted WR to RB; dynamic athlete from Georgia Tech offense |

Film Sources

Film Analysis

Limited to 18-frame highlight reel, but reveals elite movement skills vs. ACC competition (e.g., FSU).

Key RB Traits (graded 1-10):

Overall Grade: B (82/100) — Elite mover, average power/contact.

Strengths

Concerns

Dynasty Outlook (1-3 Year Window)

Year 1: RB3/ROT handcuff in committees. Year 2: RB2 in PPR if lands pass-happy OC. Year 3: Flex with spike weeks, but unlikely workhorse (200 touches max).

NFL Comp

Bottom Line

Day 3 steal for creative OC needing spark plug. Pass if you draft for bellcow RBs—Haynes thrives in niche.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 82/100

Projected Pick: "R4, Pick 100-130"

Film Score: 82 / 100