How should we rebuild our running back room?

[Cowboyny]

The Cowboys went against the grain of today's league, by not only drafting a RB at the top of the draft, but also giving him a huge extension. The Giants are about to make the same decision with Barkley. Past history suggests, very bad idea giving a RB a second contract, the likes of Gurley. Bell and now Zeke have crashed and burned.

Tony Pollard is in a different situation, as the team limited his touches throughout his career. However, he is coming off of major surgery, giving him an extension offers some risk, he also is a player that never had to carry the load, since his high school days.

When I look around the league, the best teams either have running backs by committee or a dual threat running QB. The committees that peak my interest are in Green Bay and Detroit. Jones/Dillion, Jamal Williams/Swift. They both have a power back to go along with an elusive one has big play abilities both in the run/passing games. Remember that combo in NO with a young Ingram/Kamara.

Just a few prospects that fit:

Power Backs to consider-Robinson, Evans, Charbonnet
Some Speed Backs to consider-Gibbs, Achane, Spears

 

[beware_d-ware]

Cheaply!

I'm in favor of signing a cheap vet, ie Motor Singletary, and then drafting a guy. Charbonnet is worth pick #58 IMO, and there are a slew of dudes in the 3rd and 4th who can play.

 

[xwalker]

The Cowboys went against the grain of today's league, by not only drafting a RB at the top of the draft, but also giving him a huge extension. The Giants are about to make the same decision with Barkley. Past history suggests, very bad idea giving a RB a second contract, the likes of Gurley. Bell and now Zeke have crashed and burned.

Tony Pollard is in a different situation, as the team limited his touches throughout his career. However, he is coming off of major surgery, giving him an extension offers some risk, he also is a player that never had to carry the load, since his high school days.

When I look around the league, the best teams either have running backs by committee or a dual threat running QB. The committees that peak my interest are in Green Bay and Detroit. Jones/Dillion, Jamal Williams/Swift. They both have a power back to go along with an elusive one has big play abilities both in the run/passing games.

Just a few prospects that fit:

Power Backs to consider-Robinson, Evans, Charbonnet
Some Speed Backs to consider-Gibbs, Achane, Spears

There are 2 options:

Franchise Pollard
- Draft a RB between R2 and R4.
= Consider RB in the 1st depending on other options and if no RBs were taken before #26.

Let Pollard leave.
- Draft a RB at #26 regardless even if the unlikely event happens where the top 3 are drafted before #26.
- They absolutely have to draft RB at #26 even if a top 5 player at another position on their board drops to #26.

Obviously, the 2nd option would be completely moronic.

 

[Cowboyny]

Cheaply!

I'm in favor of signing a cheap vet, ie Motor Singletary, and then drafting a guy. Charbonnet is worth pick #58 IMO, and there are a slew of dudes in the 3rd and 4th who can play.

Really like Charboonet too, he would be an ideal replacement for Zeke. Have heard Murray comparisons made by some others here. Would like to draft 1 high and 1 late.

 

[Cowboyny]

There are 2 options:

Franchise Pollard
- Draft a RB between R2 and R4.

Let Pollard leave.
- Draft a RB at #26 regardless even if the unlikely event happens where the top 3 are drafted before #26.
- They absolutely have to draft RB at #26 even if a top 5 player at another position on their board drops to #26.

Obviously, the 2nd option would be completely moronic.

Some you are saying, if Pollard isn't back, they must reach to fill a need. I cannot see the team going in the draft without 1 veteran, if that's Pollard or someone other in fa. In any event, taking a rb within the top 3 rounds is probably a priority this yr. Could find some gems later, but we need talent at the position.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Really like Charboonet too, he would be an ideal replacement for Zeke. Have heard Murray comparisons made by some others here. Would like to draft 1 high and 1 late.

He kind of reminds me of Josh Jacobs. 3 down power back who doesn't have top-end speed, but is a plus at everything else.

 

[cnuball21]

Cheaply!

I'm in favor of signing a cheap vet, ie Motor Singletary, and then drafting a guy. Charbonnet is worth pick #58 IMO, and there are a slew of dudes in the 3rd and 4th who can play.

Yea, as cheap as possible.

Franchise TP at most…please don’t give him a contract and Zeke has to go.

Our offense improves if Zeke is not on the roster.

 

[Cowboyny]

He kind of reminds me of Josh Jacobs. 3 down power back who doesn't have top-end speed, but is a plus at everything else.

That's exactly what we need to pair with Pollard or someone else with a similar type of game. Him in rd 2 makes a lot of sense.

 

[tm1119]

There are 2 options:

Franchise Pollard
- Draft a RB between R2 and R4.
= Consider RB in the 1st depending on other options and if no RBs were taken before #26.

Let Pollard leave.
- Draft a RB at #26 regardless even if the unlikely event happens where the top 3 are drafted before #26.
- They absolutely have to draft RB at #26 even if a top 5 player at another position on their board drops to #26.

Obviously, the 2nd option would be completely moronic.

Stephen Jones is that you?

Signing a free agent RB is/should be 100% in the realm of possibility. You can get a talented back for $3-6M.

Free agent RB + 2nd/3rd round and the RB position is filled more than adequately.

 

[quickccc]

The Cowboys went against the grain of today's league, by not only drafting a RB at the top of the draft, but also giving him a huge extension. The Giants are about to make the same decision with Barkley. Past history suggests, very bad idea giving a RB a second contract, the likes of Gurley. Bell and now Zeke have crashed and burned.

Tony Pollard is in a different situation, as the team limited his touches throughout his career. However, he is coming off of major surgery, giving him an extension offers some risk, he also is a player that never had to carry the load, since his high school days.

When I look around the league, the best teams either have running backs by committee or a dual threat running QB. The committees that peak my interest are in Green Bay and Detroit. Jones/Dillion, Jamal Williams/Swift. They both have a power back to go along with an elusive one has big play abilities both in the run/passing games. Remember that combo in NO with a young Ingram/Kamara.

Just a few prospects that fit:

Power Backs to consider-Robinson, Evans, Charbonnet
Some Speed Backs to consider-Gibbs, Achane, Spears

To each his own .... but if I'm the Titans do you think i'm letting Derek Henry walk away as an UFA, because it's against the grain ?
So if you decided to draft Bijan Robinson, .your planned strategy is to let him walk after a couple of All pro, pro bowl stellar seasons.. and gamble on drafting another RB ?

- Gurley had a chronic knee since college days; chronic came back to hunt
- ZKE - Garrett just pounded and work him down to a crawl.
- Bell's hesitate jump hop style works only with Steelers- he bluffed and got burnt real bad in negotiations.
- Barkley is still playing on a high level, only slight than what he used to be prior to ACL and various leg injuries.

- Had Red Garrett NOT pound and wear out Zeke, he could've been putting up Adrian Peterson like numbers and career status.
But Red wanted him to be Emmitt Smith 2.0 grind and bell cow pound , until there was 'nuthin left
Freakin' utterly useless Rod Smith as a " relief" back ..?

 

[Cowboyny]

To each his own .... but if I'm the Titans do you think i'm letting Derek Henry walk away as an UFA, because it's against the grain ?
So if you decided to draft Bijan Robinson, .your planned strategy is to let him walk after a couple of All pro, pro bowl stellar seasons.. and gamble on drafting another RB ?

- Gurley had a chronic knee since college days; chronic came back to hunt
- ZKE - Garrett just pounded and work him down to a crawl.
- Bell's hesitate jump hop style works only with Steelers- he bluffed and got burnt real bad in negotiations.
- Barkley is still playing on a high level, only slight than what he used to be prior to ACL and various leg injuries.

- Had Red Garrett NOT pound and wear out Zeke, he could've been putting up Adrian Peterson like numbers and career status.
But Red wanted him to be Emmitt Smith 2.0 grind and bell cow pound , until there was 'nuthin left
Freakin' utterly useless Rod Smith as a " relief" back ..?

Yes, I think running back by committee is the way to go in today's game. Unless you have a superstar at the position, draft the next one every four years. Robinson would be the same category as Henry. We have seen the so called great back still get drafted high, don't see Robinson falling all the way to the Cowboys. Gurley had an acl injury and still was taken at 10, I believe.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Some you are saying, if Pollard isn't back, they must reach to fill a need. I cannot see the team going in the draft without 1 veteran, if that's Pollard or someone other in fa. In any event, taking a rb within the top 3 rounds is probably a priority this yr. Could find some gems later, but we need talent at the position.

We have to keep in mind, at the start of free agency, Pollard will still be 2-3 before he can work out or pass a physical. I don't see any team willing to offer him a long-term deal or much-guaranteed money at that time ( start of free agency) Even when he gets healthy, most teams probably have their guy via free agency or draft. This is why I'm sure we will have to even use the tag to keep him for another year. Offer him 1 year $10M, 5-6M guaranteed and he can make the rest with playing time. I would much rather do that than bring in any other vet who will likely cost about the same money and of course draft one rounds 2-4.

 

[quickccc]

A big problem is NFL coaches in general will jump on their RBs back and single handed demand they carry the team physically on a down to down, game to game, season to season
basis .. because it's all they know. ..that's what they feel most secure and comfortable with

Yes, the nature of that position does lead to a short career in NFL.. compounded by coaches to overloading the feature back and resorting to JAG to subpar backups and even more excessive time
on the field. Some do not realize that even blitz- blocking can amount to

Some can go on and on about drafting Zeke 4th overall, .and giving him a " bad contract" to which he did earn that by leading the entire NFL in rushing ..Twice !

 

[quickccc]

Giants stuck in a predicament of chancing one of the two of QB Daniel Jones or Saquon Barkley walk as a UFA,.. could they transition tag Barkley in hopes of returning a high draft pick ?
and then pursue a RB early in the draft ?

Barkley is a much better player than Daniel Jones .. but Daniel does play in a much more demanding, very difficult to find position role.

- Bijan Robinson has some power, but it's his great elusiveness in between the tackles, in and out of run holes that has everyone talking about ..
Scary thing is i can see him landing with the Eagles with their 2nd of two first round picks.
They don't appear to have the cap space to go after Barkley in FA.

 

[cnuball21]

Yes, I think running back by committee is the way to go in today's game. Unless you have a superstar at the position, draft the next one every four years. Robinson would be the same category as Henry. We have seen the so called great back still get drafted high, don't see Robinson falling all the way to the Cowboys. Gurley had an acl injury and still was taken at 10, I believe.

Use all the RB money elsewhere.

Get a cheap vet and draft a mid rounder.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Yes, I think running back by committee is the way to go in today's game. Unless you have a superstar at the position, draft the next one every four years. Robinson would be the same category as Henry. We have seen the so called great back still get drafted high, don't see Robinson falling all the way to the Cowboys. Gurley had an acl injury and still was taken at 10, I believe.

I see what you're saying and even agree somewhat but I'm guessing most, if not all team plan/hope their first round will be with the team for more than five years ( which is about the NFL life cycle for an RB). But I suppose it could work if recycling/investing a first in the position every 5 years.

But remember what Zeke and his agent.......forced the Cowboy's hand after the 3rd year. Pretty much said, you are not putting the wear and tear from years 4 and 5 without a new contract or I'm sitting out.

 

[quickccc]

Yes, I think running back by committee is the way to go in today's game. Unless you have a superstar at the position, draft the next one every four years. Robinson would be the same category as Henry. We have seen the so called great back still get drafted high, don't see Robinson falling all the way to the Cowboys. Gurley had an acl injury and still was taken at 10, I believe.

We can keep drafting RBs but it's not a given that it is gonna be stamped that it's gonna be an impact.

Such as we can come up with pleasant surprised gems (ala Kamara, Chubb, Taylor, Pollard) ..we can also come up with how many RBs have came and gone
on a year by year basis.

That's why when the Saints stumble upon a Kamara, .. or Cowboys a Pollard,.. teams will seek to lock them up for years to come.

 

[JBS]

I’m handling Pollard like Dallas handled Schultz

Tag and bring in the replacements

Tag pollard

Bring in Gibbs - Pollard / Gibbs combo next year is lethal

 

[Cowboyny]

We have to keep in mind, at the start of free agency, Pollard will still be 2-3 before he can work out or pass a physical. I don't see any team willing to offer him a long-term deal or much-guaranteed money at that time ( start of free agency) Even when he gets healthy, most teams probably have their guy via free agency or draft. This is why I'm sure we will have to even use the tag to keep him for another year. Offer him 1 year $10M, 5-6M guaranteed and he can make the rest with playing time. I would much rather do that than bring in any other vet who will likely cost about the same money and of course draft one rounds 2-4.

Yes, if we have a veteran, rather have Pollard then another fa. I think we all can agree, drafting another rb is a priority this year, could see one drafted as high as day 1, but more likely on day 2.

 

[Cowboyny]

A big problem is NFL coaches in general will jump on their RBs back and single handed demand they carry the team physically on a down to down, game to game, season to season
basis .. because it's all they know. ..that's what they feel most secure and comfortable with

Yes, the nature of that position does lead to a short career in NFL.. compounded by coaches to overloading the feature back and resorting to JAG to subpar backups and even more excessive time
on the field. Some do not realize that even blitz- blocking can amount to

Some can go on and on about drafting Zeke 4th overall, .and giving him a " bad contract" to which he did earn that by leading the entire NFL in rushing ..Twice !

Zeke was excellent on his 1st contract, but gotten worse each year after his extension. Clearly Garrett ran him into the ground.