Slot WR vs Passing Receiving "3rd Down" RB

Hawkeye0202

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While that's true we can't play him as much as we have been playing him and not expect to get hurt. Tired players are more likely to get injured.

This and Zeke led the team in catches last season. No way in hell this should happen if we're planning to sign him long-term.
 

darthseinfeld

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He's not really good at anything but reverses and punt returns.

I don't understand how Tavon Austin is such a jag and someone like Tyreek Hill is an elite WR with basically the same skill set.
Austin just isnt a very good football player. IIRC his offense at WVU was very WR friendly
 

OmerV

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He's not really good at anything but reverses and punt returns.

I don't understand how Tavon Austin is such a jag and someone like Tyreek Hill is an elite WR with basically the same skill set.
Austin has similar size as Hill, and at least as much pure speed, but the same kind of instincts and elusiveness don’t automatically go with that.
 

conner01

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I think a good way to enhance the slot WR depth is by getting a pass receiving RB.

The Duke Johnson type RB would be good to have on the roster. He could used as a slot WR on some snaps depending on matchups and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield could be used to do some of the things a slot WR does.

Beasley was great in his niche role of owning the short area to move the chains; however, his limitations were often a limitation on the offense. He didn't have the deep speed of some smallish WRs to back defenders off and his quickness was negated one longer routes where defenders have more time to react with the ball in the air and can use their size to reach around/over him.

Using a WR with outside WR ability in the slot allows for more creativity on offense; however, the bigger WRs (Cooper is an exception) often don't have the quickness of Beasley. That's where a quick pass receiving RB can be an asset in the slot or from the backfield but running routes in that same short area where Beasley excelled.

I have not looked at these types of RBs in the draft.

Although I'm a big fan of RB Bryce Love, he was not used much as a receiver. I don't know if that was because he was limited or just because they didn't need that from him.

Tavon Austin can be used as a slot WR with elite speed and quickness but he's not an ideal option to use from the backfield because he can't pass block like some of the short but stout RBs. Lance Dunbar was about the same height but was a very good pass blocker. Dunbar probably outweighed Austin by 25 pounds. Obviously injury issues limited Dunbar just like they've limited Austin in his career.


Summary: In the draft I would focus more on a pass receiving RB than a slot WR.
I’d get both
 

starfan1

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This and Zeke led the team in catches last season. No way in hell this should happen if we're planning to sign him long-term.
As much as I love Dak part of that is his fault and part SL. He’s gone now so hopefully it changes

I’m still going through this thread but I thought part of the reason zeke was taken at 4 is because he’s a 3 down back who can catch and block

I agree we could use an upgrade on rod smith but this business about needing a scat back I’m not convinced

We need Dak to improve and we need better play calling and consistent line play. If we stay healthy this year we will win division if we improve in areas mentioned as well as Defense we may win a couple games
 

Whirlwin

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I think a good way to enhance the slot WR depth is by getting a pass receiving RB.

The Duke Johnson type RB would be good to have on the roster. He could used as a slot WR on some snaps depending on matchups and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield could be used to do some of the things a slot WR does.

Beasley was great in his niche role of owning the short area to move the chains; however, his limitations were often a limitation on the offense. He didn't have the deep speed of some smallish WRs to back defenders off and his quickness was negated one longer routes where defenders have more time to react with the ball in the air and can use their size to reach around/over him.

Using a WR with outside WR ability in the slot allows for more creativity on offense; however, the bigger WRs (Cooper is an exception) often don't have the quickness of Beasley. That's where a quick pass receiving RB can be an asset in the slot or from the backfield but running routes in that same short area where Beasley excelled.

I have not looked at these types of RBs in the draft.

Although I'm a big fan of RB Bryce Love, he was not used much as a receiver. I don't know if that was because he was limited or just because they didn't need that from him.

Tavon Austin can be used as a slot WR with elite speed and quickness but he's not an ideal option to use from the backfield because he can't pass block like some of the short but stout RBs. Lance Dunbar was about the same height but was a very good pass blocker. Dunbar probably outweighed Austin by 25 pounds. Obviously injury issues limited Dunbar just like they've limited Austin in his career.


Summary: In the draft I would focus more on a pass receiving RB than a slot WR.
I'm also getting tired of Elliot taking himself out on 3rd Downs after 7 or 8 plays. I like Rod but yes a versatile football player would be nice in the slot
 

Number1

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I totally agree.

If he could have stayed healthy he was an prototype 3rd down RB because in addition to his WR type receiving skills and elite speed, he was a very good pass blocker. Many of these types struggle to pass block but Dunbar was very good at it.

ain't seen him block much

I got news for you - Austin is likely to get some RB snaps... look at t like this on 10 total touches a game (RB / WR / PR) he like gets a TD, speed kills

this O will be very different - they intend to play Austin
 

sbark

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Combo rb and a move te (jarwin) in and out of the slot.....create mismatches vrs def. package in
 

WillieBeamen

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It's actually not a bad idea we definitely need more balance. We don't need Elliott taking himself out of the game cuz he gets gassed. Think about it
Quick, who was Emmitts backup in the 90s? And would Emmitt routinely come off the field on 3rd down?
 

LatinMind

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I think a good way to enhance the slot WR depth is by getting a pass receiving RB.

The Duke Johnson type RB would be good to have on the roster. He could used as a slot WR on some snaps depending on matchups and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield could be used to do some of the things a slot WR does.

Beasley was great in his niche role of owning the short area to move the chains; however, his limitations were often a limitation on the offense. He didn't have the deep speed of some smallish WRs to back defenders off and his quickness was negated one longer routes where defenders have more time to react with the ball in the air and can use their size to reach around/over him.

Using a WR with outside WR ability in the slot allows for more creativity on offense; however, the bigger WRs (Cooper is an exception) often don't have the quickness of Beasley. That's where a quick pass receiving RB can be an asset in the slot or from the backfield but running routes in that same short area where Beasley excelled.

I have not looked at these types of RBs in the draft.

Although I'm a big fan of RB Bryce Love, he was not used much as a receiver. I don't know if that was because he was limited or just because they didn't need that from him.

Tavon Austin can be used as a slot WR with elite speed and quickness but he's not an ideal option to use from the backfield because he can't pass block like some of the short but stout RBs. Lance Dunbar was about the same height but was a very good pass blocker. Dunbar probably outweighed Austin by 25 pounds. Obviously injury issues limited Dunbar just like they've limited Austin in his career.


Summary: In the draft I would focus more on a pass receiving RB than a slot WR.

77 for 567 and 3tds.
Elliot isnt good enough?
 

GenoT

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Zeke will not play 100% of the snaps.

Zeke is arguably the best 1st/2nd down RB in the league.

If Zeke is not going to play 100% of the snaps, then the backup either has to play 1st/2nd type downs or 3rd downs.

It's much harder to replace Zeke on 1st/2nd and short yardage than on 3rd downs (intermediate and long yardage 3rd downs).

A very good 1st/2nd short yardage backup RB would have a limited role; whereas an elite pass receiving backup RB would be able to function in many roles.

Also 1st/2nd and short yardage type RBs are more expensive if they're a good player because teams without an elite RB like Zeke will give them snaps in a starter by committee type of function or in the draft teams will think those players can develop into legit starters because they have the size/measurable(s).

Really good pass receiving RBs that are too small to play a lot of snaps running the ball are often available later in the draft.
Of course Zeke won’t play 100% of the snaps.

But who would you rather have in a critical 3rd-down situation; the best RB in the league who’s also a very good receiver, OR a designated “3rd Down” RB, whose very presence on the field signals to the opposing D that we’re absolutely gonna pass the ball?
 
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