Fish: Drafting Bijan Robinson vs signing Tony Pollard

[Nova]

Bijan's a great player. If he's there at 26, he'll likely be BPA.

That said, the RB position doesn't warrant the 26th pick for this team.

Bad long term investment, and honestly, probably a bad short term investment, too. Long term, I'd rather use 26 on a trench player. Short term, I'd rather trade the 26th pick to get someone like Jalen Ramsey or Jerry Jeudy, and address RB later.

That said, the Jones' would likely take Bijan because he'll sell jerseys and tickets.

 

[McKDaddy]

The only problem in NOT taking Bijan is if he's there at no.26 he WILL be BPA.
His presence on the field would certainly make the 49er's bring their Safties down and LB's honest....just saying.

Just a few thoughts in general:
RB's have become devalued. So, most years there are RB's who are BPA long before they are taken. Do we really want to spend a first round pick on any RB?
Do we really want to go into a draft where all the other teams know who we would like to draft? We need to do enough before the draft to at least keep the other teams from being sure they can anticipate our moves.
Surely we can fill other positions in the first and take a RB later.

None of this is a knock against Bijan (honestly don't know that I have watched him at all) just general feelings about the position.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Yes, it's Fish but let's be honest, it's probably a debate we are going to hear until the draft is completed. Couple of quick nuggets to factor in

• Fairly strong RB draft class
• Strong free-agent year for RBs
• All signs point to strengthening the running game as a major off-season priority
• At best, rookie RBs will give you 4-5 quality years.

Top 10 free agent RBs

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/nfl-free-agents-2023-ranking-top-10-running-backs

There are other good backs available as well. I would sign a guy like Foreman for 3 million, a guy like Alexander Mattison (Vikings) for 3 million, then I would draft one of these great young backs in the 2nd or 3rd round. OR bypass Mattison and keep Pollard for the one year 10 million.

Now you have a great stable of 3 quality backs with talent. Foreman is your thumper and the other two guys make big plays and are dynamic.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The only problem in NOT taking Bijan is if he's there at no.26 he WILL be BPA.
His presence on the field would certainly make the 49er's bring their Safties down and LB's honest....just saying.

I would rarely spend a first round pick on a back. Complete waste of a pick.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Cut Zeke!!!! You sign Pollard to a three year contract and draft a bell cow from the second to 5th round. Most importantly after cutting Zeke, you draft a power left guard and keep Tyler at left tackle. One of the best running games in the league if we do that.

no way resign pollard for 3 years. Why make the same mistake twice? Keep him for one year and then hes gone if you keep him at all.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Why bother as Jerry is going to franchise tag Pollard and restructure Zeke while standing pat on the running back position.

So sadly true.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I know some don't wanna hear it but you are right........I can't him NOT being a top 3 player left on their board if he drops to 26.

Again, why are you going to turn around and make the same mistake we did with Zeke taking a RB in the first round?

Olineman are much more valuable. Plenty of good backs will be in the 2nd and 3rd round.

 

[McKDaddy]

We need a starting LG

Why do you say that? Because you don't think McG was good or because you think he probably priced his way out of our plans?

How do you suggest we upgrade? If FA, who are you getting that is an equal \ upgrade that isn't going to cost as much or more than McG?

If draft, that's great from a salary perspective but no guarantees they can win the spot.

Farniok? Maybe he's ready.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Why do you say that? Because you don't think McG was good or because you think he probably priced his way out of our plans?

How do you suggest we upgrade? If FA, who are you getting that is an equal \ upgrade that isn't going to cost as much or more than McG?

If draft, that's great from a salary perspective but no guarantees they can win the spot.

Farniok? Maybe he's ready.

McG is a free agent.......

 

[CowboyoWales]

I would rarely spend a first round pick on a back. Complete waste of a pick.

Well I wouldn't expect any difference !!!! It's a multi-dimensional pick that helps both run and passing game.
It's hardly picking at no.4...we are talking getting a similarly ranked back as Zeke 22 pi ks later. He'll certainly help Dak, e.g. The 9ers won't rely on just 4 man run blocking

 

[baltcowboy]

no way resign pollard for 3 years. Why make the same mistake twice? Keep him for one year and then hes gone if you keep him at all.

One year 10 million hurts your cap space for this season. I am talking about signing Pollard for a 3 year 18 million in guarantees a fake 3 year 30 million dollar contract. I bet he signs that. Zeke has us afraid of giving another any money.

 

[starfan1]

We need a starting LG and CB......

Ya we got lots of things that need upgraded but ya its all dak. LOL

 

[CowboyoWales]

Just a few thoughts in general:
RB's have become devalued. So, most years there are RB's who are BPA long before they are taken. Do we really want to spend a first round pick on any RB?
Do we really want to go into a draft where all the other teams know who we would like to draft? We need to do enough before the draft to at least keep the other teams from being sure they can anticipate our moves.
Surely we can fill other positions in the first and take a RB later.

None of this is a knock against Bijan (honestly don't know that I have watched him at all) just general feelings about the position.

From the tape he's as close to a 'generational talent' as there is in the draft. He WILL be the BPA at 26 (if he's there), it opens up the Offensive options, especially if we're going to play WCO....we also save $10m on not FTing Pollard.
I'm not a 'must have Bijan' type of fan, just if he falls he's virtually a must (a game changer)

 

[Cowboyny]

We have enough picks to bring in a good tight end prospect early. I think they will have a hard time passing on a cornerback but I would like the Cowboys first three picks to be a power guard, tight end, and running back. I think that would sure up our offense.

You get it!! It's all about fixing the team's run game this offseason! I wouldn't pigeon hole Guard, though, can also draft a Tackle for the need. However, wouldn't rule out taking a high corner as well.

 

[Pass2Run]

C'mon, Fish. It's not a false dilemma.

 

[McKDaddy]

From the tape he's as close to a 'generational talent' as there is in the draft. He WILL be the BPA at 26 (if he's there), it opens up the Offensive options, especially if we're going to play WCO....we also save $10m on not FTing Pollard.
I'm not a 'must have Bijan' type of fan, just if he falls he's virtually a must (a game changer)

Like I said, there are RB's in every draft that are BPA and will almost certainly step in and make a difference day 1. But the fall off from them to a later round RB is less than the falloff for DT's for example.

 

[McKDaddy]

McG is a free agent.......

Yeah, I am aware. Was just curious to your deeper thoughts on the subject.

 

[baltcowboy]

You get it!! It's all about fixing the team's run game this offseason! I wouldn't pigeon hole Guard, though, can also draft a Tackle for the need. However, wouldn't rule out taking a high corner as well.

They need to draft a more powerful McGovern that can play tackle or center as well as guard. I just don’t trust Tyron. I want him to be our swing tackle. A good 2nd corner back makes our secondary elite. It the the right one falls to 26 we might have to pull the trigger. Downey thinks Byron Jones gets released by Miami and thinks we should take a flyer on him.

 

[Sydla]

LOL. Generational talent.

Barkley was a generational talent at TB too. And it got the Giants nowhere. Build the lines, backfill the TB position. That's how you win.

 

[Einstein]

10th overall???? Why would they do that when one of their starting CB is a free agent

Yup... I don't know, but that is how it went