Call your shot at RB in the draft...

[xwalker]

I predicted back in January that we'd sign McFadden. http://cowboyszone.com/threads/do-not-be-surprised-if-the-free-agent-rb-we-sign-is-mcfadden.313661/

Now I am calling my shot at RB in the draft... I think it is TJ Yeldon in the 2nd. I think he had a bit of a down year last year because he put on too much weight, but I think he is a Leveon Bell clone who is perfect for our one-cut zone blocking scheme. I think he has great feet and body lean, can get the tough yards, and can catch. And has done it against the best talent in the nation, playing in the SEC. Plus, with the Garrett-Saban connection, we will have a bit of inside info. Negative is that he has been fumble prone and has a good number of carries on him. Here is what Greg Cosell had to say about him:

Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon might be a better fit as a "true foundation back" in the NFL than Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, according to NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
"The guy I really like (is) T.J. Yeldon out of Alabama," said Cosell. "I think his running style and his mentality is well suited to the NFL. He has a very intuitive feel to attack downhill with conviction, and he has great ability to work effectively between the tackles. He's very compact in his movement and he gets through small cracks. That is so critical in the NFL for backs, to be able to get through small cracks at the point of attack." We agree with a lot of what Cosell says, but we're not with him on this one. As much as he's high on Yeldon, it seems he's down on Gordon, a viewpoint we don't share. Concerning Yeldon, we see a smooth runner with burst who has a delightful habit of always falling forward on contact. He's a mid- second-rounder.

Here's his greatest hits:

Like to hear other's calls...

I like Yeldon. What is his fumble rate? I prefer better than 1 in 80. I would likely pass on any RBs that were worse than 1 in 70 unless it'a at late round pick.

 

[Rogerthat12]

There are so many options from 1-5 rounds, it just depends what we do at #27, if Gurley is there I draft him and never look back.

Guy is a top 10 talent, if not I will be looking for Coleman next.

 

[LittleD]

I'm telling you as I have been telling everyone this guy is the best back in the class. He is demarco murray 3.0.....he has more burst, speed and better vision

Anyone who doubts should just go watch some film on this guy. He seems like a perfect fit for the Cowboys
running style. I think we'd have a shot to draft him in the second and I really hope the Cowboys bring him
in as one of their 30 visits.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

There are so many options from 1-5 rounds, it just depends what we do at #27, if Gurley is there I draft him and never look back.

Guy is a top 10 talent, if not I will be looking for Coleman next.

Funny the two comparisons this guys makes about Coleman...

NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein believes Indiana junior RB Tevin Coleman's NFL comparison is Darren McFadden.
"They're both upright runners with home-run speed. They can both catch it out of the backfield and make you pay. Neither has great wiggle -- they don't make you miss very often," Zierlein wrote. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Coleman rushed for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, becoming the fourth fastest and the 18th FBS player to reach the 2,000-yards in a single season. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler Brugler wrote that "Coleman looks like DeMarco Murray on some carries and Darren McFadden on others with his NFL projection landing somewhere in between those two backs."

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

I am not high on Yeldon, he lacks power, ball security issues, upright runner that does not run through tackles consistently.

Interesting, other than the ball security issue, I see the opposite... skinny thru the hole, breaks alot of arm tackles in an elite conference, good body lean, and falls forward when tackled.

 

[LandryFan]

Yeldon's fumbles are a concern, especially for a fanbase that crucified Murray for his career high 3 fumbles lost. If in the 3rd, can live with Yeldon. But would much rather have Tevin Coleman in the 2nd.

Murray actually had 6 regular season fumbles (and one in playoffs)...but your point is well taken.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Funny the two comparisons this guys makes about Coleman...

NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein believes Indiana junior RB Tevin Coleman's NFL comparison is Darren McFadden.
"They're both upright runners with home-run speed. They can both catch it out of the backfield and make you pay. Neither has great wiggle -- they don't make you miss very often," Zierlein wrote. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Coleman rushed for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, becoming the fourth fastest and the 18th FBS player to reach the 2,000-yards in a single season. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler Brugler wrote that "Coleman looks like DeMarco Murray on some carries and Darren McFadden on others with his NFL projection landing somewhere in between those two backs."

The difference between Coleman and Yeldon, though they both are upright runners, is that Coleman has top end speed and burst with power to break tackles.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Interesting, other than the ball security issue, I see the opposite... skinny thru the hole, breaks alot of arm tackles in an elite conference, good body lean, and falls forward when tackled.

Pass protection will get Romo killed!

Yeldon from NFL.com

Weaknesses
Upright runner in space, opening himself and the ball up to big hits. Pad level too high at point of collision. Mediocre power for size. Doesn't push the pile and won't run through many tackles. Pass protection lacking. Throws shoulder at pass rusher rather than squaring up and taking on with good posture. Tends to bounce and juke a little too long at the second level. Must improve ball security after fumbling 10 times over 576 career carries.

 

[chagus]

Ajayi in the 2nd or 3rd OR Gurley in the 1st. I just heard Ajayi said "Playing for the Dallas Cowboys would be awesome!". Its always a plus when the player is a lifelong fan... more passion for the game. In saying that, i think McFadden is gonna play REALLY well. Just a hunch.

 

[reddyuta]

Ajayi or David Johnson.

 

[BAT]

Murray actually had 6 regular season fumbles (and one in playoffs)...but your point is well taken.

2 receiving and 1 in postseason rushing so yes, 6 total, thanks. Was just counting regular season rushing fumbles lost.

 

[jday]

I predicted back in January that we'd sign McFadden. http://cowboyszone.com/threads/do-not-be-surprised-if-the-free-agent-rb-we-sign-is-mcfadden.313661/

Now I am calling my shot at RB in the draft... I think it is TJ Yeldon in the 2nd. I think he had a bit of a down year last year because he put on too much weight, but I think he is a Leveon Bell clone who is perfect for our one-cut zone blocking scheme. I think he has great feet and body lean, can get the tough yards, and can catch. And has done it against the best talent in the nation, playing in the SEC. Plus, with the Garrett-Saban connection, we will have a bit of inside info. Negative is that he has been fumble prone and has a good number of carries on him. Here is what Greg Cosell had to say about him:

Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon might be a better fit as a "true foundation back" in the NFL than Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, according to NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
"The guy I really like (is) T.J. Yeldon out of Alabama," said Cosell. "I think his running style and his mentality is well suited to the NFL. He has a very intuitive feel to attack downhill with conviction, and he has great ability to work effectively between the tackles. He's very compact in his movement and he gets through small cracks. That is so critical in the NFL for backs, to be able to get through small cracks at the point of attack." We agree with a lot of what Cosell says, but we're not with him on this one. As much as he's high on Yeldon, it seems he's down on Gordon, a viewpoint we don't share. Concerning Yeldon, we see a smooth runner with burst who has a delightful habit of always falling forward on contact. He's a mid- second-rounder.

Here's his greatest hits:

Like to hear other's calls...

If he falls, Melvin Gordon will not get past the Cowboys in the 1st. If Gordon and Gurley are gone, then Ajayi in the 3rd (possibly the 2nd).

 

[JohnsKey19]

Allen or Yeldon in the 3rd round. Bigger backs that are also effective catching the ball. Yeldon can be coached up on pass blocking.

 

[LandryFan]

2 receiving and 1 in postseason rushing so yes, 6 total, thanks. Was just counting regular season rushing fumbles lost.

Gotcha...

 

[Rogerthat12]

Allen or Yeldon in the 3rd round. Bigger backs that are also effective catching the ball. Yeldon can be coached up on pass blocking.

Weaknesses
Upright runner in space, opening himself and the ball up to big hits. l too high at pPad leveoint of collision. Mediocre power for size. Doesn't push the pile and won't run through many tackles. Pass protection lacking. Throws shoulder at pass rusher rather than squaring up and taking on with good posture. Tends to bounce and juke a little too long at the second level. Must improve ball security after fumbling 10 times over 576 career carries.

 

[UncleOscar]

I hope Gurley is gone by the time Dallas drafts. I don't want the dilemma and temptation of drafting a college player with a history of injuries, particularly a RB. A 2013 ankle and a 2014 ACL. Plus he supposedly wont be ready until the 6-8 game.

Let us not forget often injured college player Sean Lee as well as Bruce Carter.

 

[Hardline]

Gurley if he is on the board.
Gordon if he is on the board and Gurley is gone.

If both Gurley and Gordon are gone then I think they target Coleman in the second. But there is a good chance he goes before then.

There at some point will be a run on running backs.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Have to be able to pass block dan catch, not just run.....Gordon and Gurley are complete backs.

Gurley could be the next Perterson.

 

[LittleD]

I hope Gurley is gone by the time Dallas drafts. I don't want the dilemma and temptation of drafting a college player with a history of injuries, particularly a RB. A 2013 ankle and a 2014 ACL. Plus he supposedly wont be ready until the 6-8 game.

Let us not forget often injured college player Sean Lee as well as Bruce Carter.

If Gurley was there in the 1st, I would seriously consider finding a trading partner for the pick.
Since the 27th pick is really a second round pick, adding another pick would really set the
Boys up for a nice draft haul.

 

[Rogerthat12]

I hope Gurley is gone by the time Dallas drafts. I don't want the dilemma and temptation of drafting a college player with a history of injuries, particularly a RB. A 2013 ankle and a 2014 ACL. Plus he supposedly wont be ready until the 6-8 game.

Let us not forget often injured college player Sean Lee as well as Bruce Carter.

Gurley is projected to be ready by game one, they will know by April 18 how the medical is looking.

I have no worries with Gurley and injuries, he is a top ten talent, rare combo of size and speed.