Bijan at 26. I don't hate it

[beware_d-ware]

I can't believe Jerry cut Zeke today... didn't think the old guy would ever do it. But that may just be freeing up room to draft his next shiny toy.

The more I think about it, the more I guess I wouldn't hate a Bijan pick. There's obviously plenty of dudes I prefer. But if it's down to say Michael Mayer or Bijan, or Steve Avila vs Bijan, I'm probably going Bijan at this point. And I wouldn't be surprised if Bijan is the pick regardless of what I think.

Here's my thinking on that.

• Bijan fits the Cowboys mold super cleanly. Monster, outlier kind of athlete. Big school. Fits McCarthy's new offense (which is yuk). Jerry could sell a billion jerseys. All the decision makers will love him.

• There's been a couple elite RBs picked in the 30s-40s zone. Chubb, Jonathan Taylor, Ken Walker last year... none of those teams are good, but I don't think they regret drafting those RBs either. Pick 26 isn't that far from the early 30s, and you do get a 5th year option with it.

• Bijan is ideally suited for the Zeke role. I don't believe in him as a receiver nearly as much as some do, but that dude can hammer downhill, and the Cowboys love power backs who can hammer downhill. It is a monster usage role for us.

• Knowing the Cowboys' track record, I would bet Bijan gets 250 carries immediately regardless of Pollard, and would continue to get 250+ carries every year until his health gave out. Zeke got 231 freaking carries last year, and he was totally washed. So I don't think Pollard would roadblock anything.

Where are you at on this?

 

[zrinkill]

I would love it ...... doubt he drops that far ...... but we never thought we would get Lamb or Dez where we got them either.

 

[Carson]

With MLB and CB no longer a need, it’s possible

 

[AsthmaField]

The only really good thing that Cleveland has had going for them is Chubb. With a normal back instead, they might have a ton less wins.

Yeah, I’m onboard with the “don’t get a RB in round 1” attitude… but it is different when you’re talking about:

• The 26th out of 31 picks
• RB that is that much better than the one’s in later rounds (Gibbs is kind of in Bijan’s category as well).
• A team that has decided that they have to run the ball efficiently and often.
• A team that has just cut its workhorse running back and is in the market

With those things considered, I wouldn’t mind the pick. You’re right that he would beast for Dallas. Bijan along with Pollard would simply scare the begeezus out of defenses, and make a play action passing game even that much more effective.

I’ll end by putting it this way: I guarantee that fans in NY, Philly and Washington would hate, hate, hate to see Dallas pick Bijan. That in itself should make Dallas fans be fine with him in Dallas.

 

[kskboys]

Pretty sure he won't drop that far, but I'd be fine w/ it also.

 

[exciter]

Apparently, according to some he’s 9 foot tall and “shoots lightning bolts from his arse” no way he gets to 26!

 

[T-RO]

He's been mocked to both my Cowboys and my Chargers. Wouldn't mind it in either case. Late first round is ok for an RB, and this guy is special, maybe best back of past 6-8 years.

 

[Ring Leader]

Apparently, according to some he’s 9 foot tall and “shoots lightning bolts from his arse” no way he gets to 26!

You can take our lives, but you can't take..... our STAR.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Yeah, it’s moot because I don’t think he drops that far but there is justification to take him at 26 if he is somehow there.

Pollard is coming off an injury and there’s always the risk of the unknown in terms of how he comes back (which is why I wouldn’t extend him at this point). And, I’m sorry, but I’m not holding out a roster spot for Malik Davis or Dowdle; we actually need a quality back coming out of this draft.

I actually would have liked to pick up Radhad Penny for as cheap as the Eagles did to pair with Pollard.

 

[Rayman70]

in 5 years the guy will be used ^. Will be great for 3 years then done.

 

[cnuball21]

Just can’t get behind it…

We’ve tried pumping money and high draft picks into the RB room and have nothing to show for it. Same for the rest of the league. The value is just too low.

 

[Acceptablename]

I can't believe Jerry cut Zeke today... didn't think the old guy would ever do it. But that may just be freeing up room to draft his next shiny toy.

The more I think about it, the more I guess I wouldn't hate a Bijan pick. There's obviously plenty of dudes I prefer. But if it's down to say Michael Mayer or Bijan, or Steve Avila vs Bijan, I'm probably going Bijan at this point. And I wouldn't be surprised if Bijan is the pick regardless of what I think.

Here's my thinking on that.

• Bijan fits the Cowboys mold super cleanly. Monster, outlier kind of athlete. Big school. Fits McCarthy's new offense (which is yuk). Jerry could sell a billion jerseys. All the decision makers will love him.

• There's been a couple elite RBs picked in the 30s-40s zone. Chubb, Jonathan Taylor, Ken Walker last year... none of those teams are good, but I don't think they regret drafting those RBs either. Pick 26 isn't that far from the early 30s, and you do get a 5th year option with it.

• Bijan is ideally suited for the Zeke role. I don't believe in him as a receiver nearly as much as some do, but that dude can hammer downhill, and the Cowboys love power backs who can hammer downhill. It is a monster usage role for us.

• Knowing the Cowboys' track record, I would bet Bijan gets 250 carries immediately regardless of Pollard, and would continue to get 250+ carries every year until his health gave out. Zeke got 231 freaking carries last year, and he was totally washed. So I don't think Pollard would roadblock anything.

Where are you at on this?

Robinson is my number one pick. He’ll just never make it that far down in my opinion.

 

[tyke1doe]

The only really good thing that Cleveland has had going for them is Chubb. With a normal back instead, they might have a ton less wins.

Yeah, I’m onboard with the “don’t get a RB in round 1” attitude… but it is different when you’re talking about:

• The 26th out of 31 picks
• RB that is that much better than the one’s in later rounds (Gibbs is kind of in Bijan’s category as well).
• A team that has decided that they have to run the ball efficiently and often.
• A team that has just cut its workhorse running back and is in the market

With those things considered, I wouldn’t mind the pick. You’re right that he would beast for Dallas. Bijan along with Pollard would simply scare the begeezus out of defenses, and make a play action passing game even that much more effective.

I’ll end by putting it this way: I guarantee that fans in NY, Philly and Washington would hate, hate, hate to see Dallas pick Bijan. That in itself should make Dallas fans be fine with him in Dallas.

Great post!

 

[cowboyec]

i'd love it.
best back in the class and a helluva player.
in the end...i don't care what position he plays as long as he is a helluva player.
bijan checks that for me.
if he's the pick...i'd love it.

 

[morasp]

Pretty much a no brainer.

 

[MikeT22]

I think he will be gone, so the real question is would we take Gibbs at 26?

I had rationalized Bijan since he’s a top 5-10 player in the draft and supposedly one of the best RBs in the last 6-8 years. But I’m not as.sold on Gibbs, especially since it is a deep class.

 

[Sydla]

The only really good thing that Cleveland has had going for them is Chubb. With a normal back instead, they might have a ton less wins.

Yeah, I’m onboard with the “don’t get a RB in round 1” attitude… but it is different when you’re talking about:

• The 26th out of 31 picks
• RB that is that much better than the one’s in later rounds (Gibbs is kind of in Bijan’s category as well).
• A team that has decided that they have to run the ball efficiently and often.
• A team that has just cut its workhorse running back and is in the market

With those things considered, I wouldn’t mind the pick. You’re right that he would beast for Dallas. Bijan along with Pollard would simply scare the begeezus out of defenses, and make a play action passing game even that much more effective.

I’ll end by putting it this way: I guarantee that fans in NY, Philly and Washington would hate, hate, hate to see Dallas pick Bijan. That in itself should make Dallas fans be fine with him in Dallas.

1) I think Bijan is overrated by some back here. They act like he's some sort of generational guy. Frankly, I don't think he's significantly better than a TB that you could get in the 2nd or 3rd round (relative to ROI).

2) I think fans of the Eagles and Giants and Commanders wouldn't really care if we took him. We did the same thing with Elliott (who IMO was a better prospect) and it resulted in no significant change in trajectory for this franchise. I can say Eagles fans would rather us take Bijan than add a stud interior OL or DL. They think we were dumb tagging Pollard.

 

[cnuball21]

1) I think Bijan is overrated by some back here. They act like he's some sort of generational guy. Frankly, I don't think he's significantly better than a TB that you could get in the 2nd or 3rd round (relative to ROI).

2) I think fans of the Eagles and Giants and Commanders wouldn't really care if we took him. We did the same thing with Elliott (who IMO was a better prospect) and it resulted in no significant change in trajectory for this franchise. I can say Eagles fans would rather us take Bijan than add a stud interior OL or DL. They think we were dumb tagging Pollard.

Bijan is a stud but I agree.

 

[Doomsday101]

At the 26th pick you bet I would take him if he is on the board. I doubt he will be but draft has thrown some surprises over the year.

 

[jsb357]

Where are you at on this?

I see several teams above Dallas that could draft the top rated RB.