2015 Draft RB examination

[HellCrowe]

Yeah, after the first round, I didn't really have a big interest in any other back. Goes tons how you the fragility of the position. It does not mean that next season we don't look at drafting one. I'll be one of those talking them up just because it'll be the off season.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I read that SD is very disappointed with Gordon right now. He can't even unseat the late round draft pick from last year.

http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2015/8/31/9233931/the-san-diego-chargers-wasted-their-draft-pick

Thanks for the interesting article. I am so glad the Chargers took RB Gordon. I would have hated to see us pass on either CB Byron Jones in the 1st or DE Randy Gregory in the 2nd and instead draft Gordon.

It is only preseason and still early but I am very happy we chose who we did and not Gordon. In hindsight, if teams redrafted now, I doubt Gordon would be a 3rd round pick.

 

[jterrell]

Thats what I'm hoping for.

If I were GM I'd look to add two rookies or 2nd year guys to the PS. Much like RW last year. Give them a year to practice and show what they can do.
RB is a position where you need options and you want to remain cheap and young and healthy.
With 10 PS spots and RBs available that can play pretty much all the time it just makes sense.

When guys get hot and give you a great year or two, awesome!
But I'd not ever be paying a big salary there or using premium draft picks.
The data simply says not to.
Draft pick value at RB for the top 2 rounds is amongst the worst positionally in football.
And no position has a faster fall off and shorter shelf life.

 

[DFWJC]

You never now for sure with any player, and that certainly applies to RBs.

Not that preseason is always telling, but here are some of the rookies that have had least one good preseason game:

Ameer Abdullah, Detroit (Nebraska)
Jeremy Langford, Chicago (Mich St)
David Cobb, Tenn (Minn)
David Johnson, Arizona (N Iowa)
Mike Davis, SF (S. Carolina)
Zach Zenner, Detroit (S Dakota)..leads all rushers in preseason
Matt Jones, Washington (Florida)...3rd in preseason rushing
Josh Robinson, Indy (Miss St)
Kevin Monagia, Philly (Villanova)...5th in preseason rushing
Jarred Hayne, SF (Aussie)
Trey Williams Washington (Tx AM)
Terrell Watson, Cincy (Azuzu pacific)
Raheem Mostert, Philly, (Purdue)

 

[ShiningStar]

Yet we will survive, its not worth crying over. It wont be the first thing Dallas screws up, wont be the last. Did they NEED to draft a RB. No, did they handle teh situation correctly? No, so we move on. Let the chips fall where they will.

 

[AsthmaField]

Dike Concussion

I've heard those are bad... but I still wonder how they occur...

 

[packpitts]

Its a good possibility all of our draft picks make the team, which is nearly unheard of... But being greedy I wish we had taken a RB somewhere.

The one guy that could be giving us an extra wrinkle right now is Matt Jones. He could be the angry tough yard guy we seemingly miss right now. At Florida, everyone knew he was running the ball and he still got yards in the SEC. Big bodied tough guy IMO.

Chaz Green may become our next swing tackle or replacement at RT, but it will be next year before we find out. 20-20 Hindsight...Jones may have been a better pick, but we cant make that call yet on two rookies.

Examining the Rb's who were drafted, and looking for someone who could get cut, that would be a nice addition to the PS for depth, is Mike Davis. He may not make the squad in San Fran which would be a nice young addition for us I think. I would be interested to know if he can play ST's.

Dallas was interested in Davis' Pro Day:
http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/93770/mike-davis
"Davis was not running through drills and struggled to get through pass-catching drills," Pauline wrote. "Interesting note - the Dallas Cowboys sent a coach to specifically observe Davis. During the workout, which was run by the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Cowboys' coach was requesting for Davis to run specific drills. Shades of Tom Savage/Bill O'Brien from last year?" One would think Dallas takes a superior RB prospect earlier in the draft, but keep this note in mind if they pass on runners in the first few rounds."

Davis was selected one pick ahead of Damien Wilson. He may have been the RB they wanted. Wouldn't it be fitting if we wind up getting him anyway?

49er depth chart the way i see it:
Hyde, Bush, Hunter -- Davis and our Boy Phillip Tanner may not make it

Another interesting note, David Cobb was selected just a few picks later at the top of the 5th round, and he appears to be putting the heat on Bishop Sankey for the starting gig in Tenn. Dallas prob had Damien Wilson and Cobb ranked pretty close on their board and decided to go defense there since so many backs had been taken already and hoped they could get one in round 5. LBer was also a larger spot of need with Rolo's issues and the departure of Carter.

Rookie RB updates:
Lots of hamstring issues for these guys
Gurley - have to wait and see, but we never had a shot at him anyways.
Gordon - may eventually become the starter. I still think Dallas was hoping he was the pick. But didn't fall far enough.
round 3 - Tevin Coleman - hammy limited PS play
round 3 - Duke Johnson - hurt hammy - concussion
round 3 - Ajayi - hurt hammy
round 3 - David Johnson - hurt hammy
round 4 - Jeremy Langford - fighting for a spot, but makes team as ST guy probably
round 5 - Karlos Williams - hurt ..some kind of surgery on abdomen
round 4 - Buck Allen - still fumbling the ball
round 5 - David Cobb may start in Tenn but has an injury also apparently
round 4 - Jalston Fowler Tenn other draft pick is right behind him as a short yardage guy and possible FB

So all in all, if we had drafted any of these guys, and the same injury occurred to them, we would still have the same RB outlook going to game 4 of preseason.

As for me, I'm hoping that Davis hits the streets, and we pick him up. He has some intriguing upside.

I'm hoping Davis for also.

 

[StylisticS]

They didn't think any of the RB's past Gurley and Gordon were better than what they have now and that's understandable.

 

[DFWJC]

They didn't think any of the RB's past Gurley and Gordon were better than what they have now and that's understandable.

I think they said once they got to the 4th or 5th they felt that way, not > late 1st.
But since Gregory was there, they made the best move with pick 60 anyway.

 

[locked&loaded]

Tj yeldon has also been meh. 8 carries for 10 yards in the only preaseason game he has played in because of a sprained finger. slow, upright running wussy

 

[KJJ]

Need to examine this after the season and see how our RB's stack up to some of the RB's the Cowboys could have drafted.

 

[phildadon86]

Its a good possibility all of our draft picks make the team, which is nearly unheard of... But being greedy I wish we had taken a RB somewhere.

The one guy that could be giving us an extra wrinkle right now is Matt Jones. He could be the angry tough yard guy we seemingly miss right now. At Florida, everyone knew he was running the ball and he still got yards in the SEC. Big bodied tough guy IMO.

Chaz Green may become our next swing tackle or replacement at RT, but it will be next year before we find out. 20-20 Hindsight...Jones may have been a better pick, but we cant make that call yet on two rookies.

Examining the Rb's who were drafted, and looking for someone who could get cut, that would be a nice addition to the PS for depth, is Mike Davis. He may not make the squad in San Fran which would be a nice young addition for us I think. I would be interested to know if he can play ST's.

Dallas was interested in Davis' Pro Day:
http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/93770/mike-davis
"Davis was not running through drills and struggled to get through pass-catching drills," Pauline wrote. "Interesting note - the Dallas Cowboys sent a coach to specifically observe Davis. During the workout, which was run by the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Cowboys' coach was requesting for Davis to run specific drills. Shades of Tom Savage/Bill O'Brien from last year?" One would think Dallas takes a superior RB prospect earlier in the draft, but keep this note in mind if they pass on runners in the first few rounds."

Davis was selected one pick ahead of Damien Wilson. He may have been the RB they wanted. Wouldn't it be fitting if we wind up getting him anyway?

49er depth chart the way i see it:
Hyde, Bush, Hunter -- Davis and our Boy Phillip Tanner may not make it

Another interesting note, David Cobb was selected just a few picks later at the top of the 5th round, and he appears to be putting the heat on Bishop Sankey for the starting gig in Tenn. Dallas prob had Damien Wilson and Cobb ranked pretty close on their board and decided to go defense there since so many backs had been taken already and hoped they could get one in round 5. LBer was also a larger spot of need with Rolo's issues and the departure of Carter.

Rookie RB updates:
Lots of hamstring issues for these guys
Gurley - have to wait and see, but we never had a shot at him anyways.
Gordon - may eventually become the starter. I still think Dallas was hoping he was the pick. But didn't fall far enough.
round 3 - Tevin Coleman - hammy limited PS play
round 3 - Duke Johnson - hurt hammy - concussion
round 3 - Ajayi - hurt hammy
round 3 - David Johnson - hurt hammy
round 4 - Jeremy Langford - fighting for a spot, but makes team as ST guy probably
round 5 - Karlos Williams - hurt ..some kind of surgery on abdomen
round 4 - Buck Allen - still fumbling the ball
round 5 - David Cobb may start in Tenn but has an injury also apparently
round 4 - Jalston Fowler Tenn other draft pick is right behind him as a short yardage guy and possible FB

So all in all, if we had drafted any of these guys, and the same injury occurred to them, we would still have the same RB outlook going to game 4 of preseason.

As for me, I'm hoping that Davis hits the streets, and we pick him up. He has some intriguing upside.

Where do you have Abdoullah on your list?

 

[AzorAhai]

Need to examine this after the season and see how our RB's stack up to some of the RB's the Cowboys could have drafted.

Still way to early to draw any conclusions. Won't really know for 3 years since we're talking about switching one draft oick for another.

 

[phildadon86]

I am really hoping Langford breaks off some long runs spelling Forte for me, i have him until Bell returns in FF, and need to either make a trade or stand PAT

 

[Silver N Blue]

That's not what I was reading in the draft chat.

Not by me BD...not by me

 

[Silver N Blue]

I've heard those are bad... but I still wonder how they occur...

lol I obvioulsy meant Duke but waited to long to correct....dike..duke....its all relevant he is shaping up to be an injury prone rb

 

[kevm3]

We're judging these runningbacks by a few preseason games?

 

[xwalker]

Its a good possibility all of our draft picks make the team, which is nearly unheard of... But being greedy I wish we had taken a RB somewhere.

The one guy that could be giving us an extra wrinkle right now is Matt Jones. He could be the angry tough yard guy we seemingly miss right now. At Florida, everyone knew he was running the ball and he still got yards in the SEC. Big bodied tough guy IMO.

Chaz Green may become our next swing tackle or replacement at RT, but it will be next year before we find out. 20-20 Hindsight...Jones may have been a better pick, but we cant make that call yet on two rookies.

Examining the Rb's who were drafted, and looking for someone who could get cut, that would be a nice addition to the PS for depth, is Mike Davis. He may not make the squad in San Fran which would be a nice young addition for us I think. I would be interested to know if he can play ST's.

Dallas was interested in Davis' Pro Day:
http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/93770/mike-davis
"Davis was not running through drills and struggled to get through pass-catching drills," Pauline wrote. "Interesting note - the Dallas Cowboys sent a coach to specifically observe Davis. During the workout, which was run by the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Cowboys' coach was requesting for Davis to run specific drills. Shades of Tom Savage/Bill O'Brien from last year?" One would think Dallas takes a superior RB prospect earlier in the draft, but keep this note in mind if they pass on runners in the first few rounds."

Davis was selected one pick ahead of Damien Wilson. He may have been the RB they wanted. Wouldn't it be fitting if we wind up getting him anyway?

49er depth chart the way i see it:
Hyde, Bush, Hunter -- Davis and our Boy Phillip Tanner may not make it

Another interesting note, David Cobb was selected just a few picks later at the top of the 5th round, and he appears to be putting the heat on Bishop Sankey for the starting gig in Tenn. Dallas prob had Damien Wilson and Cobb ranked pretty close on their board and decided to go defense there since so many backs had been taken already and hoped they could get one in round 5. LBer was also a larger spot of need with Rolo's issues and the departure of Carter.

Rookie RB updates:
Lots of hamstring issues for these guys
Gurley - have to wait and see, but we never had a shot at him anyways.
Gordon - may eventually become the starter. I still think Dallas was hoping he was the pick. But didn't fall far enough.
round 3 - Tevin Coleman - hammy limited PS play
round 3 - Duke Johnson - hurt hammy - concussion
round 3 - Ajayi - hurt hammy
round 3 - David Johnson - hurt hammy
round 4 - Jeremy Langford - fighting for a spot, but makes team as ST guy probably
round 5 - Karlos Williams - hurt ..some kind of surgery on abdomen
round 4 - Buck Allen - still fumbling the ball
round 5 - David Cobb may start in Tenn but has an injury also apparently
round 4 - Jalston Fowler Tenn other draft pick is right behind him as a short yardage guy and possible FB

So all in all, if we had drafted any of these guys, and the same injury occurred to them, we would still have the same RB outlook going to game 4 of preseason.

As for me, I'm hoping that Davis hits the streets, and we pick him up. He has some intriguing upside.

1   10   Todd Gurley    St. Louis Rams
1   15   Melvin Gordon    San Diego Chargers
2   36   T. J. Yeldon    Jacksonville Jaguars
2   54   Ameer Abdullah    Detroit Lions
3   73   Tevin Coleman    Atlanta Falcons
3   77   Duke Johnson    Cleveland Browns
3   86   David Johnson    Arizona Cardinals
3   95   Matt Jones    Washington Commanders
4   106   Jeremy Langford    Chicago Bears
4   125   Javorius Allen    Baltimore Ravens
4   126   Mike Davis    San Francisco 49ers
5   138   David Cobb    Tennessee Titans
5   149   Jay Ajayi    Miami Dolphins
5   155   Karlos Williams    Buffalo Bills
5   174   Cameron Artis-Payne    Carolina Panthers
6   205   Josh Robinson    Indianapolis Colts
7   230   Marcus Murphy    New Orleans Saints
7   235   Kenny Hilliard    Houston Texans

 

[Muhast]

Langford is a guy that will develop into a good player.

He has a lot of Demarco Murray qualities.

 

[KJJ]

Still way to early to draw any conclusions. Won't really know for 3 years since we're talking about switching one draft oick for another.

It's going to come down to how our backs play compared to the backs that were drafted that were on the board when the Cowboys were on the clock. If one of these rookie RB's the Cowboys could have had ends up more productive in 2015 than either McFadden or Randle it's going to create some interesting discussion especially if the running game isn't what we hoped it would be. With the Cowboys having a need at RB after losing Murray I felt certain they would roll the dice on one at some point in the draft especially considering this was graded out to be a strong RB crop. If a back does emerge into a better runner than either McFadden or Randle even if the player we drafted instead turns into a solid player not sure it will make up for missing out on a productive RB.

For Romo to be successful he needs a strong running game and having a productive RB threat is important if the Cowboys want to be the team they were last season and have any chance of improving on it. In 2012 they could have had Lacy or Bell in the second round but made the poor decision to take Escobar who me and many others on draft day said was a mistake. I wanted Eddie Lacy with that pick and thought it was a ridiculous move to go for another damn TE with a #2 pick. The Cowboys had a need at RB in that draft and ended up taking Randle in the 5th. Selecting Escobar with a #2 had STUPID written all over it.