The RB situation

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by DFWJC

Just in general, here are some players that finished in the top 15 in rushing and many near the very top:
Arian Foster--undrafted
Alfred Morris--undrafted
Jamaal Charles--3rd rd
Ray Rice--2nd rd
Stevan Ridely--3rd rd
Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis--undrafted
Matt Forte--2nd rd
Ahmad Bradshaw--7th rd

Morris was a 6th round pick.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Vintage

We have zero reliable running backs on the roster.

RB is a huge need.

I think Garrett will shock some fans with an early pick because of that very reason. By early, I think a third round pick. This is one reason that I started the thread. LB is also a bigger need than most think. Lee and Carter have injury issues and another starting quakity LB will be needed for the 4-3 defense. Damn, this team has too many holes. It is going to take several good drafts to fill them. Free agency is going to be too expensive with the cap situation.

[dart]

give me one of these guys

5'11" 210 Montee Ball
6'2" 242 Le'veon Bell
6'0" 220 Knile Davis
5'10" 213 Rex Burkhead

[Idgit]

Originally Posted by jnday

I think Garrett will shock some fans with an early pick because of that very reason. By early, I think a third round pick. This is one reason that I started the thread. LB is also a bigger need than most think. Lee and Carter have injury issues and another starting quakity LB will be needed for the 4-3 defense. Damn, this team has too many holes. It is going to take several good drafts to fill them. Free agency is going to be too expensive with the cap situation.

They aren't holes if you're just assuming the starters are going to all get hurt. Every team looks thin if you start projecting their best two starting linebackers and their starting tailback get hurt out of the gate.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Idgit

They aren't holes if you're just assuming the starters are going to all get hurt. Every team looks thin if you start projecting their best two starting linebackers and their starting tailback get hurt out of the gate.

The team doesn't have a starting third LB yet and since they are going to a 4-3 I figure they are going to need one along with depth at the position. I would consider that a hole. When you have two starting LBs and you need three it is a problem. When you have players that have never played an entire season, you have to be prepared to treat them as part-time players. If you look at the Cowboys free agents, it strips all depth from some positions.

[Idgit]

Originally Posted by jnday

The team doesn't have a starting third LB yet and since they are going to a 4-3 I figure they are going to need one along with depth at the position. I would consider that a hole. When you have two starting LBs and you need three it is a problem. When you have players that have never played an entire season, you have to be prepared to treat them as part-time players. If you look at the Cowboys free agents, it strips all depth from some positions.

Actual holes are, obviously holes. We're going to need to add a SLB. But our ILB depth from last season was actually very good.

[DFWJC]

Fixed

Just in general, here are some players that finished in the top 15 in rushing and many near the very top:
Arian Foster--undrafted
Alfred Morris--6th
Jamaal Charles--3rd rd
Ray Rice--2nd rd
Stevan Ridely--3rd rd
Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis--undrafted
Matt Forte--2nd rd
Ahmad Bradshaw--7th rd

[theranchsucks]

Originally Posted by Verdict

I would be pretty surprised if we take a running back in the 3rd round unless we end up with multiple picks in the top 3 rounds in a trade down.

You might be pretty surprised then. We have a very good running back in DeMarco Murray but he has missed more games than he has played and there is not much behind him other than two undrafted rbs that no matter what people say, they haven't shown much at all yet. Spot/cleanup duty can make a backup running back look really good untill its time for that person to step up and become a starter.

[Muhast]

I really like this RB class. There are a lot of guys who could help us this season that will go rnd 3+.

I like most of the guys listed so far, one guy I'd keep an eye on is Theo Riddick in the late parts of the draft. He won't go high at all, and we could likely take him in rnd 5-6 and he'd add a lot of value as a 3rd down back. He is very versatile, and is a guy Garrett would really like as he can split out wide and be a mismatch and do the things we wanted to see out of Felix. He isn't an every down back, but he could add a lot of value later in the draft.

Analysis
Strengths
Slasher with some open-field speed. Flashes a strong cut and acceleration to get through a hole. Has value as a receiver out of the backfield with his experience as a slot man. Freezes linebacker with his wiggle in his route, can adjust to poor throws to bring them in. Willing to lower his pads and lean for the extra yard in short-yardage situations, also not afraid to bring his shoulder or step through a would-be tackler. Runs behind his pads, and keeps his legs churning when hit. Finds a defensive lineman to chip via a thrown shoulder in pass protection.
Weaknesses
Longer legs and leaner overall build than many teams prefer in a tailback. Upright runner who doesn’t tuck the ball away in the open field. Gets himself off-balance with too much dancing in space. Stands up to blitzers in pass protection but won’t anchor against stronger linebackers.
NFL Comparison
Bernard Scott
Bottom Line
Riddick made some plays as an inside receiver in his sophomore (40 catches, 414 yards, 3 TD) and junior (38-436, 3 TD) seasons, but the former all-state running back from New Jersey returned to his natural position for his senior year, while also seeing snaps at receiver when Cierre Wood was in. Riddick's chess piece potential will likely earn him a draftable grade.

[Gaede]

Good call. Forgot about Riddick. Good player.

[DBOY3141]

Give me Taylor, Bell or Franklin in the 3rd.

But I would not be surprised if Lacy is there in the 2nd, if they don't take him. Garrett and Saban are buds and a few years ago, Dallas tried to move up to take Ingram.

Jerry has already stated he likes this OL. I see DT or DE in the 1st. If we don't take OL in the 2nd, it will come down to BPA. Lacy is a better prospect than any safety in this class. With a deep OL class, don't be shocked if Lacy is our second round pick.

[DFWJC]

Originally Posted by DBOY3141

Give me Taylor, Bell or Franklin in the 3rd.

.

I think Franklin could start for us.

[DBOY3141]

Originally Posted by DFWJC

I think Franklin could start for us.

I do too, I think he will have a solid career.

[reddyuta]

RB is definitely a big need for us. Demarco murray is good but not really dependable and the Dunbar and Tanner are nothing special (and definitely not allround RBs) .

[Muhast]

I would draft riddick or lattimore in the 5th personally and feel much better at rb.