Vic's picks: Top 5 running backs in draft

[Alexander]

I like Leonard from Rutgers in the 3rd round. He so freakin versatile. Do it Jerry/Stephen/Jeff/Wade/Rowdy!!!

He is a very intriguing player.

I would take him in the second round without a moment's hesistation.

 

[Big Dakota]

I wouldn't mind taking Nebraska's Brandon Jackson in the 4th/5th round

Living up here in S.Dakota and growing up a Husker fan(not so much anymore) i watch them a lot because they are on every weekend.. I really took a liking to this kid and think he's a poor mans Emmitt with the upside to be a #1 RB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7LqfRdnT0I

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Irons has some nice things to his game. He understands how to pick up the blitz and he can catch the ball. He runs hard and he has decent size. He's quick to the edge and from what I can see, he catches the ball pretty well. The thing I don't like about Irons is that he doesn't have as much juke to him as I'd like. He's kinda straight line.

Those who believe Leonard is just a FB are not paying attention IMO. He's a 4.5 guy who can run a 4.2 short shuttle. Leonard is not your everyday FB. He can block but he can also catch the football and he can run the rock. 207 career receptions 47 games. That's just over 4 catches a game. He averaged 9 yards a reception. 2779 yards rushing on 678 carries. That's 4.01 per rush. He was a 100 and 200 man in HS. He was also a stand out basketball player (PrepStar All-American and all conference player) in NY. That's not just average. This is a very good athlete and I tell you that if he was not considered a FB, he would be regarded much higher then he is. He played HB at Rutgers his freshman year. In fact, Rutgers lined him up in the slot and sent him out into patterns in there offense as well. As an H-Back, he would be very good in Washington. I think he can play as an every down back in our offense. You draft this kid and it's much harder to stop Barber or JJ. Right now, you know that either MB or JJ is going to get the carry. With this guy, you can't key on that. You have to account for him in the offense because he can do so much. I really like this player. In fact, I like him better then Irons because I think he can be an every down back.

 

[burmafrd]

What a novel thought. A FB who actually runs with the ball. Are there any left in the NFL?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Living up here in S.Dakota and growing up a Husker fan(not so much anymore) i watch them a lot because they are on every weekend.. I really took a liking to this kid and think he's a poor mans Emmitt with the upside to be a #1 RB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7LqfRdnT0I

yep, this RB class is weak, so it would be foolish to spend a 1st day pick on a RB when you can get a Booker, or a Jackson in the 4th/5th round

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Irons has some nice things to his game. He understands how to pick up the blitz and he can catch the ball. He runs hard and he has decent size. He's quick to the edge and from what I can see, he catches the ball pretty well. The thing I don't like about Irons is that he doesn't have as much juke to him as I'd like. He's kinda straight line.

Those who believe Leonard is just a FB are not paying attention IMO. He's a 4.5 guy who can run a 4.2 short shuttle. Leonard is not your everyday FB. He can block but he can also catch the football and he can run the rock. 207 career receptions 47 games. That's just over 4 catches a game. He averaged 9 yards a reception. 2779 yards rushing on 678 carries. That's 4.01 per rush. He was a 100 and 200 man in HS. He was also a stand out basketball player (PrepStar All-American and all conference player) in NY. That's not just average. This is a very good athlete and I tell you that if he was not considered a FB, he would be regarded much higher then he is. He played HB at Rutgers his freshman year. In fact, Rutgers lined him up in the slot and sent him out into patterns in there offense as well. As an H-Back, he would be very good in Washington. I think he can play as an every down back in our offense. You draft this kid and it's much harder to stop Barber or JJ. Right now, you know that either MB or JJ is going to get the carry. With this guy, you can't key on that. You have to account for him in the offense because he can do so much. I really like this player. In fact, I like him better then Irons because I think he can be an every down back.

I just don't see the fascination with Leonard.


I've always said the best way to judge a player's potential is to look at what they accomplished against other players who are going to play in the NFL. Leonard's faced very few competent defenses but when he did, he was virtually non-existent. Against Miami (probably the only team he faced his entire career with multiple future NFL starters) his freshman year, he proved too small to pound and too slow to outrun anyone. He also struggled mightily against the few other teams he faced with any speed at all in BC, Pitt and WVU.

He barely averaged four yards a carry for his career despite fattening up that average against the likes of UConn and Buffalo and having Temple on the schedule while playing halfback for three years.

I still believe he made an error in not bulking up to fit into an h-back or receiving fullback role. It may have hurt his draft status but helped his potential long term success.

Thanks to a Saturday morning golf buddy and Rutgers alum, I'm probably one of the few people who actually watched Rutgers games before this season and can say unequivocally that Leonard being replaced by Rice was the single biggest factor in their turnaround.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I just don't see the fascination with Leonard.


I've always said the best way to judge a player's potential is to look at what they accomplished against other players who are going to play in the NFL. Leonard's faced very few competent defenses but when he did, he was virtually non-existent. Against Miami (probably the only team he faced his entire career with multiple future NFL starters) his freshman year, he proved too small to pound and too slow to outrun anyone. He also struggled mightily against the few other teams he faced with any speed at all in BC, Pitt and WVU.

He barely averaged four yards a carry for his career despite fattening up that average against the likes of UConn and Buffalo and having Temple on the schedule while playing halfback for three years.

I still believe he made an error in not bulking up to fit into an h-back or receiving fullback role. It may have hurt his draft status but helped his potential long term success.

Thanks to a Saturday morning golf buddy and Rutgers alum, I'm probably one of the few people who actually watched Rutgers games before this season and can say unequivocally that Leonard being replaced by Rice was the single biggest factor in their turnaround.

Actually, I think he only played HB his Freshman year. His Soph year, he was moved to FB.

Of the games last year, he really only had three poor YPC games.

Ill with 2.0 YPC but only 5 carries.
Cinn. with 1.5 but only 2 carries.
UWV with 2.0 but only 4 carries.

Look at his Freshman year. The year he played HB and I think you'll see production both running the ball and catching the ball. His freshman year, against Miami, he carried the ball 17 times for 52 yards with a 3.1 YPC average. He also had 8 catches for 54 yards, 6.8 YPC and the only TD in the game for Rutgers. Your talking about an 11-2 Miami team that year with how many NFL players on it? I think Rutgers was 5-7 that year and I doubt they had any NFL players on the roster. I think you have to consider who is was playing with as well.

I like this guy as an every down player.

 

[BHendri5]

Daurius Walker Is the complete package at RB.

 

[MONT17]

give me Irons I'm sure he can break tackles every once in a while!!!

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I'd take Lynch or I wouldn't take any at all.

Im with you 100%....

 

[NickZepp]

Doesn't have tremendous burst to the outside ...

That statement about Peterson is a complete joke.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Who ever picks Peterson is going to be happy--that is for sure.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I wouldn't mind taking Nebraska's Brandon Jackson in the 4th/5th round

I too like Brandon Jackson of Nebraska. I think he could end up being a better Pro then College player. Jackson is not fast but he has decent quicks and he does a lot of things well. Because he played in Nebraska's offense, he is going to be more ready to make the jump to a Pro offense then most other backs coming out. He will understand how to pick up the blitz or the hot route, he can catch the ball and understands the importance of rac. There are just a lot of things that I like about Jackson. I don't know if he will ever be a great back but I think he can be a decent third down type back. Maybe a full time starter if he can last.

There is another kid out there named Ronnie McGill. He does not show great speed, only adequate but he has very nice vision and balance. Cuts well even in the hole. Physical mentality, runs hard but has enough wiggle to maybe be something if he ever gets in good shape. He's hurt a lot and it's because he's never been in good shape IMO. He has some skills and he will be available later in the draft. He could turn into something.

 

[dmq]

I like Leonard from Rutgers in the 3rd round. He so freakin versatile. Do it Jerry/Stephen/Jeff/Wade/Rowdy!!!

With Parcells and Jersey players it would have been a lock. Look for the Patriots to draft him.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Actually, I think he only played HB his Freshman year. His Soph year, he was moved to FB.

Of the games last year, he really only had three poor YPC games.

Ill with 2.0 YPC but only 5 carries.
Cinn. with 1.5 but only 2 carries.
UWV with 2.0 but only 4 carries.

Look at his Freshman year. The year he played HB and I think you'll see production both running the ball and catching the ball. His freshman year, against Miami, he carried the ball 17 times for 52 yards with a 3.1 YPC average. He also had 8 catches for 54 yards, 6.8 YPC and the only TD in the game for Rutgers. Your talking about an 11-2 Miami team that year with how many NFL players on it? I think Rutgers was 5-7 that year and I doubt they had any NFL players on the roster. I think you have to consider who is was playing with as well.

I like this guy as an every down player.

I just don't see him as anything more than a receiver. Contrary to popular belief, he's not much of a blocker, or at least wasn't in college.

H-back at about 245 seems to be his best path to a decent career in the NFL.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I just don't see him as anything more than a receiver. Contrary to popular belief, he's not much of a blocker, or at least wasn't in college.

H-back at about 245 seems to be his best path to a decent career in the NFL.

He is not a crushing blocker but he is certainly adequate in that capacity. In fact, in the blitz package, he is actually better then average at picking up the free guy. He is exactly what Parcells would have looked for at FB IMO. I don't know that we would take him now but I can definatly see this guy being able to contribute to whatever team drafts him. As an H-Back, he would be very good. To me, he definatly balances an offensive back field at FB. JMO.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

He is not a crushing blocker but he is certainly adequate in that capacity. In fact, in the blitz package, he is actually better then average at picking up the free guy. He is exactly what Parcells would have looked for at FB IMO. I don't know that we would take him now but I can definatly see this guy being able to contribute to whatever team drafts him. As an H-Back, he would be very good. To me, he definatly balances an offensive back field at FB. JMO.

But that's the problem, he doesn't want to be a fullback and is probably too small for that now.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

But that's the problem, he doesn't want to be a fullback and is probably too small for that now.

I don't think that's the case. When you get into camp, you are basically fighting for a job. I am not aware of any statements this player has made saying he does not want to be a FB, per say. Of course, he wants to be considered as a RB. That's bigger money but that's a bit different then saying he won't play FB. As a FB, I think he's very valuable to a team. As a RB, I don't think he's nearly as valuable. When he gets to the NFL, he's going to play where ever he can land a roster spot. IMO, that's going to be FB. He easily played at 235 to 240 at Rutgers. I think he will be fine but we will see once he gets on the field. I really like him Stan.

 

[jay cee]

I don't know how an ankle injury and breaking a collar bone diving into the endzone is because of running upright. If he doesn't have tremendous burst to the outside then he has whatever word is just under tremendous. Definetely needs to work on ball security and what rookie doesn't need work on pass protection?

I was thinking the same thing.

I know his running style may be a problem as the hits continue to add up, but I don't see how it has been the cause of his injuries in college.