Get both of the 'Jonhsons'

[Spectre]

Every year around this time the Jones' start scouring the forums looking for my recommendations for the draft (they never seem to use them though?). Well here it is...
-Gurley is overrated in my opinion. He ping pongs off too many defenders. Not sure that'll fly in the pros.
-Gordon can play, no doubt. He is, however, a bit long-legged for my liking. Certainly wouldn't hate this pick if we make it.
-Duke Johnson is my guy. Deceptively fast with a quick first step. Darren Sroles-ish, without the major size deficit. This guy can shimmy!
-Yeldon moves well for his size but is too big/tall, imo.
-Ameer Abdullah is my other choice. Runs low in a good way. Great foot control and athlete. Looks like a true every down back to me.
-Ajayi is a slow first step. No thanks. I'm calling bust.
-Tevin Coleman is big-footed. No thanks, again. Another bust prediction.

Get R' Dun Jones'eses!

Side note* David Johnson is a unique player that should be targeted (maybe even slightly reached for). He's green and not a typical rb build- tall, longlegged- but carries it well. Looks like he's running on prosthetic limbs (a good thing for speed & spring; bad for durability?). Appears he could play a number of positions well.
I think this guy becomes a real weapon for some team- perhaps not as an every down rb, maybe with carries, catches and returns- hopefully ours.

 

[Rogerthat12]

All of these runners have ability and weaknesses so with respect to Dallas, we need the most complete back in our search.

Gordon has outstanding burst and home run ability on any given play, he is typically ranked first because of this and with respect to the Gurley injury. I like Gordon and would pull the trigger because of the home run ability because of top end speed but he needs to improve with ball security and lacks true power like Gurley.

Gurley is a top 10 talent labeled "special" by Brugler and others, a rare combo of size and speed like Lynch in the pros. Before I hear this again, his medical recheck is April 18 and is projected to be ready for game one this upcoming season. Needs work on setting up blockers and has average vision.

Abdullah has NFL burst and decent speed with good hands. His major issues are ball security, size (small) with issues in pass protection.

Duke Johnson is a nice back with quick feet and explosive burst. I really like the player but not as the main back. Most compare him to Spiller, he lacks size, power to run inside and is pretty poor in pass protection.

I think Abdullah and Duke are simply too small which will be problematic with reference pass protection. They both have great explosion but lack the power to run inside with great success.

I think Dallas will look for a back with size, speed and power that can already run, catch and pass protect.

 

[Spectre]

All of these runners have ability and weaknesses so with respect to Dallas, we need the most complete back in our search.

Gordon has outstanding burst and home run ability on any given play, he is typically ranked first because of this and with respect to the Gurley injury. I like Gordon and would pull the trigger because of the home run ability because of top end speed but he needs to improve with ball security and lacks true power like Gurley.

Gurley is a top 10 talent labeled "special" by Brugler and others, a rare combo of size and speed like Lynch in the pros. Before I hear this again, his medical recheck is April 18 and is projected to be ready for game one this upcoming season. Needs work on setting up blockers and has average vision.

Abdullah has NFL burst and decent speed with good hands. His major issues are ball security, size (small) with issues in pass protection.

Duke Johnson is a nice back with quick feet and explosive burst. I really like the player but not as the main back. Most compare him to Spiller, he lacks size, power to run inside and is pretty poor in pass protection.

I think Abdullah and Duke are simply too small which will be problematic with reference pass protection. They both have great explosion but lack the power to run inside with great success.

I think Dallas will look for a back with size, speed and power that can already run, catch and pass protect.

Good analysis. I agree my two favs are potentially too small for a full load in the nfl, though the same was said about Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Lesean McCoy.. I could go on. To that respect I gotta say Gordon is the guy. I'd be pleased with that pick although it would have to be our 1st (and that's IF he fell that far- don't think he will). Yeldon is an intriguing prospect in that regard as well. I definitely see Ajayi as a bust (particularly if he's one of the top 5 rbs taken). And I don't see what everyone else apparently sees in Gurley (#1 overall?).

 

[Rogerthat12]

Good analysis. I agree my two favs are potentially too small for a full load in the nfl, though the same was said about Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Lesean McCoy.. I could go on. To that respect I gotta say Gordon is the guy. I'd be pleased with that pick although it would have to be our 1st (and that's IF he fell that far- don't think he will). Yeldon is an intriguing prospect in that regard as well. I definitely see Ajayi as a bust (particularly if he's one of the top 5 rbs taken). And I don't see what everyone else apparently sees in Gurley (#1 overall?).

I disagree on Gurley, most draft evaluators are saying he is special, a true top 10 talent, complete back with power and speed.

Think M. Lynch with more speed, that would make a huge difference.

 

[VACowboy]

Duke Johnson is a nice back with quick feet and explosive burst. I really like the player but not as the main back. Most compare him to Spiller, he lacks size, power to run inside and is pretty poor in pass protection.

How big is big enough? Duke Johnson is 5-9, 207. That's bigger than Spiller, McCoy, Jamaal Charles and Tevin Coleman, all of whom are taller and weighed less coming out of college. Emmitt, who is also 5-9, weighed all of three pounds more than DJ did at the combine.

DJ's power deficit is a myth. He spent his college career in Miami's pro set, a bunch of it between the tackles running through contact. He has GREAT vision, quickness, balance and speed, and when he sees a hole he's through it and gone. This is a highlight vid, but it demonstrates the point. Barely 10 secs in and he's breaking tackles:



I'm not sure where the idea that he's lousy in pass prom comes from either. I wouldn't play him at left tackle, but he's more than capable in blitz pickup.

 

[Rogerthat12]

How big is big enough? Duke Johnson is 5-9, 207. That's bigger than Spiller, McCoy, Jamaal Charles and Tevin Coleman, all of whom are taller and weighed less coming out of college. Emmitt, who is also 5-9, weighed all of three pounds more than DJ did at the combine.

DJ's power deficit is a myth. He spent his college career in Miami's pro set, a bunch of it between the tackles running through contact. He has GREAT vision, quickness, balance and speed, and when he sees a hole he's through it and gone. This is a highlight vid, but it demonstrates the point. Barely 10 secs in and he's breaking tackles:



I'm not sure where the idea that he's lousy in pass prom comes from either. I wouldn't play him at left tackle, but he's more than capable in blitz pickup.

I like Duke Johnson but he does lack the size, power and inside rush ability to be a complete back. There are simply better options for a ball control offense!


Weaknesses
Average inside runner, where feel and instincts are concerned. Vision fails him at times when running between the tackles. Won't always see initial hole and will mash turbo button, hoping to power through to second level. At times unwilling to do dirty work in pass protection. Looks for cut blocks rather than squaring up and playing with technique and toughness. Tries to run to daylight once in open field rather than just finishing runs. Hampered by injuries in 2014 and broke his ankle in 2013. Medicals will be combed over. Must improve ball security after fumbling six times over last two seasons.

Weaknesses:
Johnson’s weaknesses are the run-of-the-mill weaknesses for a scat back. At 5’9” and 207 pounds, he is too small to be an every-down back in the NFL and durability is a concern after several injuries in college. Johnson won’t be able to consistently grind out the tough yards up the middle of the field, nor does he have much experience pass-blocking. Johnson is a great change-of-pace player and complement to another back, but the fact that he is a role player limits his value in the NFL.

 

[VACowboy]

I like Duke Johnson but he does lack the size, power and inside rush ability to be a complete back. There are simply better options for a ball control offense!.

I could've quoted opinions that said the exact opposite. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Dallas will look for a back with size, speed and power that can already run, catch and pass protect.

So you think Dallas will want Ajayi then.

 

[Rogerthat12]

So you think Dallas will want Ajayi then.

I think Gurley, Coleman, Ajayi will all be in the mix, it just depends on how the board falls.

 

[Rogerthat12]

I could've quoted opinions that said the exact opposite. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

These are from the most prominent evaluators, I really like Duke Johnson but not as my featured back.

He has great attributes in terms of explosiveness and elusiveness, I just think we want another workhorse!

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Gurley, Coleman, Ajayi will all be in the mix, it just depends on how the board falls.

I don't disagree there. I'm afraid Gurley will be gone by 27 though. I've kind of put him out of my mind because I just don't think it will happen for us.

 

[Rogerthat12]

I don't disagree there. I'm afraid Gurley will be gone by 27 though. I've kind of put him out of my mind because I just don't think it will happen for us.

You may be right, we are probably looking in rounds 2-3, it will be interesting to see the value at #27 if RB is not available, probably CB or maybe a DE if someone falls.

Several of us would like to see that 1 tech but our front office seems not to value that position in round one!

 

[VACowboy]

These are from the most prominent evaluators, I really like Duke Johnson but not as my featured back.

He has great attributes in terms of explosiveness and elusiveness, I just think we want another workhorse!

Yeah, I wouldn't advocate giving many RBs 400+ touches, but I'd love 500 split between Duke Johnson and DMC. I like a workhorse in the backfield too, but I'd like to see a couple more explosive guys busting into the space created by the nasty Dallas OL. There's something to be said for steady, but IMO, there's no reason not to put weapons in the backfield.

 

[jday]

All of these runners have ability and weaknesses so with respect to Dallas, we need the most complete back in our search.

Gordon has outstanding burst and home run ability on any given play, he is typically ranked first because of this and with respect to the Gurley injury. I like Gordon and would pull the trigger because of the home run ability because of top end speed but he needs to improve with ball security and lacks true power like Gurley.

Gurley is a top 10 talent labeled "special" by Brugler and others, a rare combo of size and speed like Lynch in the pros. Before I hear this again, his medical recheck is April 18 and is projected to be ready for game one this upcoming season. Needs work on setting up blockers and has average vision.

Abdullah has NFL burst and decent speed with good hands. His major issues are ball security, size (small) with issues in pass protection.

Duke Johnson is a nice back with quick feet and explosive burst. I really like the player but not as the main back. Most compare him to Spiller, he lacks size, power to run inside and is pretty poor in pass protection.

I think Abdullah and Duke are simply too small which will be problematic with reference pass protection. They both have great explosion but lack the power to run inside with great success.

I think Dallas will look for a back with size, speed and power that can already run, catch and pass protect.

Gordon is my pet cat of the draft. If we can somehow get him, I would be pretty happy about the draft as a whole, regardless of who follows.

 

[jday]

So you think Dallas will want Ajayi then.

I really hope not. I want to like him, being the hometown guy, but his running style looks exactly like Randle - not especially great at any one attribute, but average all around.