Post-draft team analysis: RB/FB

[gimmesix]

Interesting point about the possibility of not carrying the rb starter backup on the roster at all. I go the opposite way than you though. I think it's very likely they do that. Jackson, Chunn, and Weber are interchangeable quality. If one gets poached, we'll use another and not shed a tear.

Zeke, Pollard, Olawale, and Austin are our roster and game day "RBs".

I'm not sure that I see them as interchangeable quality at the moment. They might prove to be that. I just don't think if they are that we will want to rely on one of them to step in if Zeke is hurt. To put it another way, do we really want to possibly start a back that no one likes enough to pick up on waivers?

Now, I guess it's possible we could count on Elliott not getting hurt since he's been pretty durable so far. Then if something happens to him, go shopping around the league. I just think that's a risky way to do it if Pollard doesn't prove that he can be an every-down backup. The best-case is obviously if Pollard looks great in all aspects of the game. Then, he's the specialty back while Zeke is healthy, the emergency game-day back if Zeke is hurt and then the stand-in if Zeke has to miss time.

I like the idea of giving Olawale some carries and some receptions as a fullback, but I'm wary of counting on him to play tailback some.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I'm not sure that I see them as interchangeable quality at the moment. They might prove to be that. I just don't think if they are that we will want to rely on one of them to step in if Zeke is hurt. To put it another way, do we really want to possibly start a back that no one likes enough to pick up on waivers?

Now, I guess it's possible we could count on Elliott not getting hurt since he's been pretty durable so far. Then if something happens to him, go shopping around the league. I just think that's a risky way to do it if Pollard doesn't prove that he can be an every-down backup. The best-case is obviously if Pollard looks great in all aspects of the game. Then, he's the specialty back while Zeke is healthy, the emergency game-day back if Zeke is hurt and then the stand-in if Zeke has to miss time.

I like the idea of giving Olawale some carries and some receptions as a fullback, but I'm wary of counting on him to play tailback some.

I think Olawale would be fine playing tailback some, and wouldn't have a problem at all with him being a third down back. New and improved Richie Anderson.

If we don't want to start a RB other teams might not pick up on waivers, then we need to find someone else. Weber, Chunn, and Jackson all fall in that category.

Right now, Stephen didn't seem to think Pollard would be better as a starter than our PS squad RBs. That's what I'm going with for now. Some boards list him as a WR.

 

[Cowboys1fan]

Still not sure what Garrett values in a fb but really not even needed. Wasted roster spot

 

[gimmesix]

I think Olawale would be fine playing tailback some, and wouldn't have a problem at all with him being a third down back. New and improved Richie Anderson.

If we don't want to start a RB other teams might not pick up on waivers, then we need to find someone else. Weber, Chunn, and Jackson all fall in that category.

Right now, Stephen didn't seem to think Pollard would be better as a starter than our PS squad RBs. That's what I'm going with for now. Some boards list him as a WR.

I'm just not sure why you would be fine with Olawale playing tailback some, but immediately dismiss the rest of our running backs ... the ones who actually have played tailback.

I would agree that Olawale could probably play third downs because it's primarily a pass protection/receiver role except in short yardage, but I don't know if we have any evidence that he'd be OK at tailback in other situations.

I don't think we have evidence just put Chunn and Weber in the category of not worth picking up on waivers. We need to see how Chunn develops and what Weber has first. A lot of late-round running backs have contributed to teams. The only player I dismiss is Jackson because I feel like I've seen enough to know what he is now.

I do think Pollard is more of a WR right now, but he can take handoffs and run with the football, which is why I think he's the third-down back in likely pass situations. He might be more than that, but I just think he runs too high to be effective as a power back. He needs space to operate.

 

[gimmesix]

Still not sure what Garrett values in a fb but really not even needed. Wasted roster spot

I'm hoping not this year. If the OC actually can incorporate him in other parts of the game, then it stresses the defense. It actually has to pay attention to the fullback because he might get a handoff in short yardage or come out of the backfield for a pass.

 

[Mr_437]

I'm hoping not this year. If the OC actually can incorporate him in other parts of the game, then it stresses the defense. It actually has to pay attention to the fullback because he might get a handoff in short yardage or come out of the backfield for a pass.

Yeah Jam, has a diverse skill set and maybe Moore can use this guy the right way. Former WR, who plays FB w/ HB speed. #49 could serve as a move TE (H-Back) on some plays too. Zeke, Pollard n Jam give Kellen plenty room for creativity.

 

[king987]

I'm excited to see this RB class at work. Plenty of potential.

On the off chance that the rookies don't impress enough during camp and preseason? There are still some RBs out of work looking for an opportunity. Could always go that route if they feel desperate.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I'm just not sure why you would be fine with Olawale playing tailback some, but immediately dismiss the rest of our running backs ... the ones who actually have played tailback.

I would agree that Olawale could probably play third downs because it's primarily a pass protection/receiver role except in short yardage, but I don't know if we have any evidence that he'd be OK at tailback in other situations.

I don't think we have evidence just put Chunn and Weber in the category of not worth picking up on waivers. We need to see how Chunn develops and what Weber has first. A lot of late-round running backs have contributed to teams. The only player I dismiss is Jackson because I feel like I've seen enough to know what he is now.

I do think Pollard is more of a WR right now, but he can take handoffs and run with the football, which is why I think he's the third-down back in likely pass situations. He might be more than that, but I just think he runs too high to be effective as a power back. He needs space to operate.

Weber managed to make the 7th round. Teams are not dying to pick up 7th round rookies from other teams at the start of a season. They've got their own to cut, who they clearly preferred over Weber. Chunn was undrafted and has never had an NFL carry. We have plenty of evidence that no one has ever perceived them as worth investing in.

They weren't picked by other teams to even come to camp, let alone stay on their 53. Once the season hits, they're nobodies who won't even have camp experience with a team thinking about picking them up. At least their own nobodies spent camp with them and know where the bathrooms are.

I probably am more positive on Olawale than most. But so is the team. They paid him a real salary with real guaranteed money. I expect them to be using him some. He's big, fast, and can run routes and catch the ball. Looks useful to me.

 

[gimmesix]

Weber managed to make the 7th round. Teams are not dying to pick up 7th round rookies from other teams at the start of a season. They've got their own to cut, who they clearly preferred over Weber. Chunn was undrafted and has never had an NFL carry. We have plenty of evidence that no one has ever perceived them as worth investing in.

They weren't picked by other teams to even come to camp, let alone stay on their 53. Once the season hits, they're nobodies who won't even have camp experience with a team thinking about picking them up. At least their own nobodies spent camp with them and know where the bathrooms are.

I probably am more positive on Olawale than most. But so is the team. They paid him a real salary with real guaranteed money. I expect them to be using him some. He's big, fast, and can run routes and catch the ball. Looks useful to me.

Every pick that you make you hope turns out to be a find. Jay Ratliff managed to make the 7th round, too, but he would have been scooped up in a second if we waived him. Noah Brown was a seventh-rounder, Rico Gathers (for what that's worth), Sean Lissemore, Alan Ball, etc. How teams will feel about Weber at the end of camp strictly depends on how he plays. He may play like a seventh-rounder or he may play like someone who should have been taken much earlier. He's not a lock for the roster at this point, but I don't think we can just discount him because he's a seventh-rounder.

I like Olawale, too. He's got good speed, very good receiving skills (as a former WR/tight end) and is an OK runner. We need to give him some dive plays and we definitely need to get him involved in the passing game. The only area I have any issue with is him being the primary backup to Elliott. I don't think there's enough evidence he can handle that role. I certainly don't mind us using him in one-back sets some in the preseason and seeing how he does, but I feel if Pollard doesn't show that he's more than a specialty back, then we're going to need to carry someone who can be a true backup to Elliott.

I don't know if Weber or Chunn will prove worthy of that role or if we'll need to go shopping for a backup if Pollard can't handle it. For gamedays, though, I think Elliott, Pollard and Olawale will be fine because Pollard playing on third downs should give Elliott enough rest that Olawale probably won't be needed for more than a few plays as a single back, if that.

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah Jam, has a diverse skill set and maybe Moore can use this guy the right way. Former WR, who plays FB w/ HB speed. #49 could serve as a move TE (H-Back) on some plays too. Zeke, Pollard n Jam give Kellen plenty room for creativity.

Frankly, I thought we needed to use him more last year instead of a second tight end. Most tight ends aren't great blockers coming out of the backfield and they certainly can't be used on running plays, while Olawale has proven in the past that he can be quite effective in the passing game.

When we brought in Olawale, I thought it really opened up some possibilities for us on offense and then he was barely used. Instead, when he was out there it was as a lead blocker for the running game, which isn't even his best attribute although he can still do a better job of it than most tight ends.

 

[Cowboys1fan]

I'm hoping not this year. If the OC actually can incorporate him in other parts of the game, then it stresses the defense. It actually has to pay attention to the fullback because he might get a handoff in short yardage or come out of the backfield for a pass.

Lol ain’t no defense worried about a fullback. They get no respect in today’s game.

 

[gimmesix]

Lol ain’t no defense worried about a fullback. They get no respect in today’s game.

You've got to make them worry about it. A few years ago, Oakland relied on Olawale to be a true triple threat. This is the player I hoped he would be here, but we didn't really use him as much more than a lead blocker.

 

[buybuydandavis]

You've got to make them worry about it. A few years ago, Oakland relied on Olawale to be a true triple threat. This is the player I hoped he would be here, but we didn't really use him as much more than a lead blocker.

Second.

You can't have a snoozer of a skill player on the field. Makes life too easy on a defense. Olawale's size, speed, and receiving ability are not things a defense should be taking a nap on.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Hill played short yardage FB. 308 lbs. Giggity.

I think Weber is the PS guy. 7th round rookie. We're not going to sweat losing him, and would rather have a vet as our roster backup.

A street free agent vet or Jackson?

 

[buybuydandavis]

A street free agent vet or Jackson?

Right now it would be Jackson over the rookies, as they haven't made any noises I'm aware of about looking for a veteran rb outside the team. They might also like Chunn. Jackson is RFA next year, and Chunn ERFA. So there's some payoff in the future in investing in them this year.

I expect the oline to be a lot better than last year, so that whoever gets the call will be made to look pretty good.

They're starting to do a roster churn with late round backs. Bring in one a year and keep them on and off the PS. Have a few, so that if you lose one, you still have options.