Ezekiel Elliot vs Derrick Henry

[FuzzyLumpkins]

if we took Zeke at #4 from a business standpoint...wouldn't he be the most marketable player of anyone in this draft? I mean who is going to buy Bosa jerseys?

You're eating the cheese.

If Bosa plays like he did at OSU I would buy one. I've never seen a prospect with a 30 min highlight reel but if he does stuff like that to Eli Manning, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, or any other QB we face next year he'll sell jerseys. He plays extremely physical especially in his finishes. If he flattens Desean Jackson or rams Jones into Cousins to ice a game he'll sell jerseys.

Make plays and they will come.

 

[jobberone]

So this basically confirms what I already knew.
Anyone else want to tell me Elliott is not 4th round worthy?
Or Henry isn't worth the 34th pick?

How about using both 1st and 2nd round and run the power I formation?
Elliott HB
Henry FB

Lol. The old one is great two even better. Mr Inside Mr Outside.

 

[Spectre]

Take 'em both (#4 & #34).

Then run the ball every single play.

(j/k in reality, I think they're both a bit overrated for NFL talent... esp. Henry. None of those 'lab tests' translate to anything worthy in real world application. Elliot is certainly the better mold for NFL level performance between the 2.)

 

[Bullflop]

With the caliber of OL we presently have, no doubt, either of those two backs would complement our OL and RB corps to a "T." Shoot, I'd dance a celebratory jig if we drafted either one.

 

[SHAMSzy]

I've studied hours of tape on Zeke and Henry. Make no doubt about it that Zeke is the definition of a "complete" back. Zeke does not have any "flaw" in his game. He will be a very, very good player, no doubt. Very, very low risk pick.. This guy will clearly be a really good NFL RB. I would be pretty pleased if DAL took him at #4.. We're set at RB for the foreseeable future, this guy can play EVERY down. Literally every single down, that is his biggest strength. Don't expect Adrian Peterson though!

Also, the criticisms that some have here of Henry's ability to need a "runway" to get going is 100% true. To put this into application of a real scenario, if Henry gets picked to a team that struggles, particularly at the LOS he will struggle. The thing is, if he plays on the Cowboys, he WILL have that runway to get going. Henry is very slow around the LOS, but once he gets his "runway" he bursts and he is difficult to stop at that point. I liked what I saw from Henry in how he would project in Dallas' offense. I believe both of these backs would find a lot of success in Dallas. I'll do some grades with general gist of my thoughts.

Zeke --
Burst: A (he gets thru the hole fast, moves past the LOS fast)
Long Speed: A- (has a strange knack of getting caught from behind, like he slows down to look back, really annoys me.. not as bad as DeMarco tho)
Agility: A+ (unbelievable footwork, stop/start ability, quick movements, elite change of direction.. on some plays his agility is Shady McCoy-like)
Balance: A
Vision: A
IQ: A+ (you can just see how smart he is on the field after watching 5 mins of him play, even without the ball)
Power: A- (strong for his size, tough as well)
Moves: A- (nice simple juke moves using his agility, also has a spin move he will use)
Finishing Runs: A (always falls forward)
Pad Level: A-
Pass catcher: A-
Ball Security: A+
Blocking: A+
Overall: A

I'm nitpicking, but I wish he had elite breakaway speed to cap off his abilities.. When he is ahead of the pack he constantly looks back, wish he would just put his head down and sprint like his life depended on it. Also whats with their comparison to Marshawn Lynch?.. No not even close, I would say he is like Marshall Faulk.

Henry --
Burst: A- (starts slow behind LOS but has nice burst once he gets going)
Long Speed: A+ (never ever gets caught from behind)
Agility: C (very slow to move behind LOS, slow COD, biggest weakness -- to be expected at his height/weight)
Balance: C+ (slips, gets tripped up)
Vision: A+ (had holes in Bama, but really knew where he needed to go even when LOS got clogged up, problem was a lot of times he couldn't get to that spot fast enough bc of lack of agility.. also maneuvers into positions to assist his blockers. I believe this trait is very important in how he would fit into Dallas)
IQ: B+ (lacking when he doesn't have the ball in his hands)
Power: A- (he actually doesn't display as much power as you'd like for his size.. this should be an A+. he is NOT a PURE POWER back)
Moves: B-
Finishing Runs: A (same comments as power, this should be an A+.. but he definitely falls forward, doesn't "punish" defenders like you'd expect. this guy is NOT a pure POWER back ie Brandon Jacobs.. everyone makes this comparison but it is simply not true. Jacobs was a pure bruiser where as Henry is more of a technician / home run runner. He shows less power than DeMarco Murray, that being said maybe this would develop in his time in the NFL. Honestly any scout who says Henry compares to Jacobs is being extremely lazy or hasn't watched his tape, this dude is not a bulldozer)
Pad Level: C (think DeMarco Murray)
Pass catcher: B- (dunno why people criticize his receiving skills, he is definitely not bad)
Ball Security: A+
Blocking: B (has some good moments in blocking, but man he is really soft in blocking for his size)
Overall: B (his strengths would put him at a B+/A- in Dallas.. his vision, long speed, and ability to be a bellcow RB would translate well to our offense. One issue would be his pass blocking)

One weird thing I noticed is that Zeke is a tougher football player than Henry, despite Henry being way bigger. This really shows in Zeke's blocking, and his general competitive toughness when he isn't getting the ball. Henry seems a bit soft when blocking and when he isn't carrying the ball.

Zeke has the big advantage in that he could be on the field for every single play and it'd never be a giveaway with what the offense is doing. It'd be tough to trust Henry to protect for Romo, particularly as a rookie. I believe Henry would be a fantastic runner (not a total back) behind our OL. It just comes down to the cost of Zeke (#4) vs Henry (#34). Its weird when I type this out because I actually like Henry a lot, but Zeke is soooo much better than him. If Zeke had Henry's long run speed.. my god. If we picked Henry I would hope that he developed his power game more so with an NFL strength/conditioning program + some coaching. He doesn't utilize his size as much as he should.

 

[kazzd58]

I've always liked henry and seen his potential with this line alot of eople on this board do not like or want henry whatsoever, me i wouldnt be mad at all if we got Henry.... but

i really would rather have Zeke tho at rb for the cowboys

 

[Silver N Blue]

Zeke is really special intellence-wise. Understands offense. Studies. He's a coaching staff's dream

plus he is not a RB from Bama when given the opportunity in the NFL to be a bellcow fails

 

[TheCount]

Take 'em both (#4 & #34).

Then run the ball every single play.

(j/k in reality, I think they're both a bit overrated for NFL talent... esp. Henry. None of those 'lab tests' translate to anything worthy in real world application. Elliot is certainly the better mold for NFL level performance between the 2.)

I actually think their tests translate as well as combine tests, and they've tested both incoming talent as well as established players, so there's a more relevant number to compare it to.

They also tested Henry's power, which they don't look at during the combine at all. The combine really favors track stars.

 

[Daillest88]

I have a hard time fathoming why someone would be okay drafting Elliot at 7-10, but not at 4. Seems an absurd distinction to me. There's just so much to love about him.

Because at 7-10 we would have extra picks, but if we got him at 4 I wouldn't be mad

 

[Zimmy Lives]

My guess is we do not draft a RB until the 5th, 4th at the earliest.

2 defensive players and a QB in the first 4 rounds.

This.

Elliott and Henry would both be great assets but are they the best value in the 1st and 2nd rounds? I don't know; I'd rather see QB and defense targeted in rounds 1-3.

 

[BrassCowboy]

I've studied hours of tape on Zeke and Henry. Make no doubt about it that Zeke is the definition of a "complete" back. Zeke does not have any "flaw" in his game. He will be a very, very good player, no doubt. Very, very low risk pick.. This guy will clearly be a really good NFL RB. I would be pretty pleased if DAL took him at #4.. We're set at RB for the foreseeable future, this guy can play EVERY down. Literally every single down, that is his biggest strength. Don't expect Adrian Peterson though!

Also, the criticisms that some have here of Henry's ability to need a "runway" to get going is 100% true. To put this into application of a real scenario, if Henry gets picked to a team that struggles, particularly at the LOS he will struggle. The thing is, if he plays on the Cowboys, he WILL have that runway to get going. Henry is very slow around the LOS, but once he gets his "runway" he bursts and he is difficult to stop at that point. I liked what I saw from Henry in how he would project in Dallas' offense. I believe both of these backs would find a lot of success in Dallas. I'll do some grades with general gist of my thoughts.

Zeke --
Burst: A (he gets thru the hole fast, moves past the LOS fast)
Long Speed: A- (has a strange knack of getting caught from behind, like he slows down to look back, really annoys me.. not as bad as DeMarco tho)
Agility: A+ (unbelievable footwork, stop/start ability, quick movements, elite change of direction.. on some plays his agility is Shady McCoy-like)
Balance: A
Vision: A
IQ: A+ (you can just see how smart he is on the field after watching 5 mins of him play, even without the ball)
Power: A- (strong for his size, tough as well)
Moves: A- (nice simple juke moves using his agility, also has a spin move he will use)
Finishing Runs: A (always falls forward)
Pad Level: A-
Pass catcher: A-
Ball Security: A+
Blocking: A+
Overall: A

I'm nitpicking, but I wish he had elite breakaway speed to cap off his abilities.. When he is ahead of the pack he constantly looks back, wish he would just put his head down and sprint like his life depended on it. Also whats with their comparison to Marshawn Lynch?.. No not even close, I would say he is like Marshall Faulk.

Henry --
Burst: A- (starts slow behind LOS but has nice burst once he gets going)
Long Speed: A+ (never ever gets caught from behind)
Agility: C (very slow to move behind LOS, slow COD, biggest weakness -- to be expected at his height/weight)
Balance: C+ (slips, gets tripped up)
Vision: A+ (had holes in Bama, but really knew where he needed to go even when LOS got clogged up, problem was a lot of times he couldn't get to that spot fast enough bc of lack of agility.. also maneuvers into positions to assist his blockers. I believe this trait is very important in how he would fit into Dallas)
IQ: B+ (lacking when he doesn't have the ball in his hands)
Power: A- (he actually doesn't display as much power as you'd like for his size.. this should be an A+. he is NOT a PURE POWER back)
Moves: B-
Finishing Runs: A (same comments as power, this should be an A+.. but he definitely falls forward, doesn't "punish" defenders like you'd expect. this guy is NOT a pure POWER back ie Brandon Jacobs.. everyone makes this comparison but it is simply not true. Jacobs was a pure bruiser where as Henry is more of a technician / home run runner. He shows less power than DeMarco Murray, that being said maybe this would develop in his time in the NFL. Honestly any scout who says Henry compares to Jacobs is being extremely lazy or hasn't watched his tape, this dude is not a bulldozer)
Pad Level: C (think DeMarco Murray)
Pass catcher: B- (dunno why people criticize his receiving skills, he is definitely not bad)
Ball Security: A+
Blocking: B (has some good moments in blocking, but man he is really soft in blocking for his size)
Overall: B (his strengths would put him at a B+/A- in Dallas.. his vision, long speed, and ability to be a bellcow RB would translate well to our offense. One issue would be his pass blocking)

One weird thing I noticed is that Zeke is a tougher football player than Henry, despite Henry being way bigger. This really shows in Zeke's blocking, and his general competitive toughness when he isn't getting the ball. Henry seems a bit soft when blocking and when he isn't carrying the ball.

Zeke has the big advantage in that he could be on the field for every single play and it'd never be a giveaway with what the offense is doing. It'd be tough to trust Henry to protect for Romo, particularly as a rookie. I believe Henry would be a fantastic runner (not a total back) behind our OL. It just comes down to the cost of Zeke (#4) vs Henry (#34). Its weird when I type this out because I actually like Henry a lot, but Zeke is soooo much better than him. If Zeke had Henry's long run speed.. my god. If we picked Henry I would hope that he developed his power game more so with an NFL strength/conditioning program + some coaching. He doesn't utilize his size as much as he should.

Nice writeup although I don't have time to read it in its entirety. Only thing is I want to point out is this video says that Henry has the fastest takeoff speed from get go so you saying he would need a runway to get going is a little questionable. Now if you are saying he is not a fast at seeing an open lane, no not as fast as zeke.

That being said, zeke is by far the superior back and would love to e him first.

 

[SHAMSzy]

Nice writeup although I don't have time to read it in its entirety. Only thing is I want to point out is this video says that Henry has the fastest takeoff speed from get go so you saying he would need a runway to get going is a little questionable. Now if you are saying he is not a fast at seeing an open lane, no not as fast as zeke.

That being said, zeke is by far the superior back and would love to e him first.

No, Henry's vision is fantastic. The issue is his lateral agility. Most of a RB's movement behind the LOS is agility based by cutting, changing directions, etc. Henry is very slow with these movements, whereas Zeke is catlike. Zeke will cut, stop and go, maneuver thru holes way faster than Henry. Zeke can play behind a weak OL, whereas Henry would quickly be out of the league behind a weak OL. On the other hand if the LOS is controlled and there is a "runway" on the LOS available for Henry to burst through, he has surreal home run potential. I believe he will feast on a good football team with a physical offensive line, while he'd struggle on a crappy team. This is why I say his skills would be magnified with Dallas. Henry would be hard to trust in passing situations, but as a runner I believe Henry would flourish here. Zeke would flourish in every scenario. Can't say enough about his blocking ability.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Agreed…

Henry needs a "runway" to get going. His lateral movement is average, at best and if he doesn't have time to build up a head of steam he gets pulled down. He was able to run over guys in the college game, but it's a different breed of cat in the NFL. There's a reason he's being projected as a second or third rounder.

Doesnt the fact he has the fastest acceleration they have tested kind of disprove the claim he needs a runway to get going?

 

[pancakeman]

You misunderstand… It's not about his acceleration for the time it takes to "get going ". It's about the space he needs to get going.

Uh, it's been a while since I was in a physics class, but it seems to me with quick acceleration an object would need both less time AND less space to reach velocity.

 

[conner01]

I have a hard time fathoming why someone would be okay drafting Elliot at 7-10, but not at 4. Seems an absurd distinction to me. There's just so much to love about him.

Simple, at 4 you just get Elliott while at 7-10 you get another pick to help build the defense. I think everyone likes Elliott but the drop off at RB from the best to say the 5th best is probably smaller than any position

 

[hornitosmonster]

If we can get Ramsey and Henry I would be ok with missing out on Zeke

 

[jaybeware]

Draft Defense until third round then grab henry if there and head back to drafting defense. Having a home run guy in the backfield like Zeke is great but with our line we just need someone who can reliably move the chains on 3 and 4, with the occasional 3 and 5. Which I think can be found later in the draft.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Henry would be like brandon jacobs was for the giants. Big guy with good feet but body may break down fast.

Jacobs is the comparison right? Except Jacobs was 6'1"" and 267lbs and ran a 4.4 at the combine. Henry is 20 pounds lighter, a tenth slower and 2-3 inches taller.

 

[Jenky]

Jacobs is the comparison right? Except Jacobs was 6'1"" and 267lbs and ran a 4.4 at the combine. Henry is 20 pounds lighter, a tenth slower and 2-3 inches taller.

Nearly certain Jacobs was taller than 6'1.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I wonder how they get their numbers. According to combine, Henry is not the fastest in the first 10 yards. Henry timed at 1.60.

Elliot timed at 1.58. In fact, only Perkins, Drake and Collins timed slower in the first 10 yards and that's only the RBs. I didn't look at other positions.