Cowboys options at RB (most over/under rated)

[xwalker]

http://dal.scout.com/story/1532671-cowboys-over-or-under-rated-rb-round-table?s=112

Patrick Conn
Most Overrated Back: Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Most Underrated Back: David Cobb, Minnesota

Jeff Cavanaugh
Most Overrated Back: Tevin Coleman, Indiana
Most Underrated Back: Mike Davis, South Carolina
I don't hear anyone putting Davis in the group of guys in the mix for the 2nd and 3rd round at RB. I think he belongs squarely in the group of Gordon/Ajayi/Johnson/Abdullah/Coleman etc. There are two things that he has that I think a lot of other guys in the class don't. 1) He has great RB feet. By that I mean when you're in small spaces and you need to make someone miss, can you do it naturally without losing momentum? Davis can do the very subtle changes of direction/shoulder lean/hop steps without losing speed. 2) He finishes runs. There aren't a lot of pile pushers in this draft class. When you tackle Mike Davis you're going to earn your tackle and you're going to feel it. I also like some of what I've seen in pass pro. He's packed in there tight at 5'9 and 217, and he has the ability to square up some of the big boys blitzing and stonewall them.

Joey Ickes
Most Overrated: Jay Ajayi, Boise St
Most Underrated: Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

 

[btcutter]

Mike Davis is like a Murray clone to me.
The prospect that intrigues me the most is Duke Johnson. He looks like a young Charles at KC. Every time he touches the ball I feel like something big will happen. He's both quick and fast. He's not the physical specimen like some bigger backs but he has shown some ability in breaking tackles.

 

[tm1119]

Crazy how split everyone is on this RB class. Seems like you could ask 10 people and get 10 completely different rankings of #'s 2-9

I'm starting to lean towards the crowd of Gurley or wait. Mike Davis, TJ Yeldon, David Cobb, or Buck Allen....I'd be perfectly fine with any of those guys and we can definitely get 1 in the 3rd, and possibly 1 even would be available in the 4th.

Terrance Magee is also starting to interest me. The only thing I see wrong with him is the lack of breakaway speed.

 

[AbeBeta]

It is beginning to smell a lot like Felix Jones and Rashard Mendenhall in this "strong" class.

 

[btcutter]

It is beginning to smell a lot like Felix Jones and Rashard Mendenhall in this "strong" class.

After watching highlights of Sanky and Lattimore from prior years I think if AP will take $8 million a year I am more than happy to send this year's 2nd round pick for him.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I don't here much about Langford from Michigan State. I don't think the Cowboy have planned with him or Duke. Duke has looked great the ffew times I have seen him. However they might view both as part time RBs and are looking for more of a full time type.

 

[endersdragon]

Crazy how split everyone is on this RB class. Seems like you could ask 10 people and get 10 completely different rankings of #'s 2-9

I'm starting to lean towards the crowd of Gurley or wait. Mike Davis, TJ Yeldon, David Cobb, or Buck Allen....I'd be perfectly fine with any of those guys and we can definitely get 1 in the 3rd, and possibly 1 even would be available in the 4th.

Terrance Magee is also starting to interest me. The only thing I see wrong with him is the lack of breakaway speed.

1-9 as well, I have seen several people have Gordon ahead of Gurley. Draftbreakdown even has Gurley in 3rd.

 

[rags747]

Think I like Gordon more than Gurley, then I probably take Coleman.

 

[DFWJC]

I do agree that Cobb and Davis are underrated
It's one reason why I keep saying the best overall draft may come if we get a RB later.
Guess we have to see who falls to us though.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Unless we draft an RB in the first 3 rounds, I dont see us taking one at all. No room on the roster unless he can beat out Randle/Dunbar (if he's re-signed). I think there are 7 RBs who qualify: Gurley, Gordon, Abdullah, Coleman, Ajayi, Yeldon & Buck Allen. I dont think Duke Johnson is big or physical enough for the top tier. And from what I've seen, Mike Davis runs slow and without any special ability.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I like Cobb in the third round. Think he will be a very good pro, physical and always seems to fall forward.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The entire Cowboy RB situation and this draft class is stressing me out.

 

[ccb04]

There's a few I like for varying reasons. IIRC...Gurley, Gordon, Coleman & Ajayi all are supposed to visit with the Cowboys.

I personally still like Tevin Coleman quite a bit...but get some of the concerns. He led the nation with 10 TD runs of 40 or more yards. He lost just 26 yards & was 4th in the nation with an average of 3.2 yards after contact (with 2 of the backs ahead of him being Gurley & his teammate Chubb). He played most of the year with a broken big toe on his right foot and with subpar QB play after Sudfeld got hurt. He faced the eventual national champs & scored the longest rush TD ever given up by the Buckeyes. He also faced the #1, #5, #7, #11, & #16 rush defenses in the nation.

People's opinions are certainly split. Coleman is a great example. Some feel he's overrated. While former Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel (who helped push for the Bears to draft Matt Forte), has Coleman as his #1 RB in the class, saying: "Coleman has a complete game. He can run with power between the tackles, is creative, and consistently gets yards after contact. He has the speed to turn the corner and is elusive in the open field. As a receiver, he is very reliable, runs good routes and has very good hands. Add to that the fact that he can already pass protect and is a dangerous kickoff returner."

It can be nearly impossible to project these guys to the next level. We've seen RB's disappoint in the 1st...while some taken much later (or not at all), have done very well. The listed weaknesses of Demarco Murray from NFL.com:
Weaknesses
"Does not have the vision to consistently find open lanes and looks to bounce the ball outside too soon. Runs a bit high and lacks the power to get the difficult yards between the tackles. Lacks the agility to always make the first man miss in the hole. Has struggled to stay on the field."

 

[Macnalty]

RB chosen after the first rd makes this a better draft for the boys IMO. Third rd is the last stop for us for one of the quality backs unless something hinky happens in the first two rds. If we get a steal in the third rd with a RB we have a real chance of getting three starters from this draft and that would be a special draft for a playoff team. No doubt Gurley leads the talent laden pool and would cause a Manziel pause before we went to the podium.

 

[btcutter]

We may have to "over draft" our RB so do speak. Meaning taking a RB one round earlier then where he suppose to go. Why? Because every team in the NFL knows we are picking a RB between 2-4th round and there will be a run or trade up to pick RB before us.

 

[CATCH17]

My problem with a lot of these guys like Cobb is I don't like them more than Randall or Ryan Williams.


Duke Johnson isn't an answer for this team. WE need a workhorse.

 

[AzorAhai]

I like Cobb on film, but the 40 time he put up is pretty scary to me. If he's putting those numbers up now, how will he be after a couple of years in the league?

 

[btcutter]

My problem with a lot of these guys like Cobb is I don't like them more than Randall or Ryan Williams.


Duke Johnson isn't an answer for this team. WE need a workhorse.

Jamaal Charles is a work horse for KC. Johnson is listed at 206. Charles at 199. I don't know if I discount Johnson because he's 5'9. Forsett in Baltimore is smaller than Johnson and carried the load nicely.
Johnson may not be the bruiser that Murray was but I think he can carry the load especially if we are planning on having RB by committee plan. I think it would be a mistake to not consider Johnson based on size alone. He is explosive. I see he squeeze through small opening and explode out from the crowd. Some of the other RBs that I watched are running through gaping holes.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Jamaal Charles is a work horse for KC. Johnson is listed at 206. Charles at 199. I don't know if I discount Johnson because he's 5'9. Forsett in Baltimore is smaller than Johnson and carried the load nicely.
Johnson may not be the bruiser that Murray was but I think he can carry the load especially if we are planning on having RB by committee plan. I think it would be a mistake to not consider Johnson based on size alone. He is explosive. I see he squeeze through small opening and explode out from the crowd. Some of the other RBs that I watched are running through gaping holes.

Not really much to do with what We might think (I like Duke as well), It seems like the Cowboys do not view him that way as he was not one of the many guys they plan on bringing in for a visit...at least from what I have gathered.

 

[Macnalty]

RB for the current regime at the Ranch is not a long term position they are willing to pay for at this point in time. Pretty much use them up and draft a replacement which works wonderfully as long as you have a draft master who can conjure up the right player. Thats the rub.