Why no love for Jeremy Langford

[BlindFaith]

Key stat: Closed his career by rushing for more than 100 yards in 16 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents. Also rushed for 40 TDs over his last two seasons.

He has breakaway speed and great burst. The only other back that has ran so far that I have that has both qualities is Corey Grant.

Coleman and Gurley will probably slide in here as well.

Breakaway I calculated by looking at the time to get from 20-40. Burst is 10 yard time.

 

[Gaede]

Probably my pet cat. Not flashy but everything we need.

Watch the OHIO State game. He gets better and better as the game goes on vs a good defense

 

[AnHero]

I like him a lot. The last MSU back is pretty good in the pros.

 

[Derinyar]

My best guess as to why you're not seeing him higher is very simple. Most evaluators don't see him as a NFL starter. That pushes you down out of the first few rounds. It seems like the reason that they don't see him as a starter is that he has good but not great football speed, is a decent pass catcher but doesn't do a lot with it after he catches it, can cut some but is slow to accelerate out of a cut. Basically a guy who doesn't really have a carrying skill.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

My best guess as to why you're not seeing him higher is very simple. Most evaluators don't see him as a NFL starter. That pushes you down out of the first few rounds. It seems like the reason that they don't see him as a starter is that he has good but not great football speed, is a decent pass catcher but doesn't do a lot with it after he catches it, can cut some but is slow to accelerate out of a cut. Basically a guy who doesn't really have a carrying skill.

Agreed.

And from what has been reported it seems like the Cowboys are more interested in a RB that they see as a starting RB vs a platoon RB or RB by committee in the first few rounds.



SOURCES TELL US
"I don't see him as a starter. I think he can be a backup or compete as a third down back, but he doesn't run tough enough to be able to project him as a starter in really any scheme." -- NFC East scout
NFL COMPARISON
Donald Brown
BOTTOM LINE
Langford showed improvement from 2013 to 2014, but he doesn't accelerate through contact and will usually get what is blocked. Without an ability to maximize his yards with each carry, teams could peg him as a "committee back" with an ability to play on third downs.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jeremy-langford?id=2552379


http://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/college/MichiganState_logo.gifJeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 208.
40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2015): 4-6.
3/14/15: At the Combine, Langford had a superb 40 time to help him stand out in a crowded running back class. However, Langford doesn't play as fast as he times. Langford totaled 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2014 while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He also had 11 receptions for 62 yards. Langford is a physical back, and would be best as rotational back. He was the workhorse for the Spartans' offense and subjected to a heavy load. Langford's performance at the Senior Bowl was just average.
Read more at http://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/draft2015RB.php#7qpfElpB9Gq32IEz.99

 

[BlindFaith]

My best guess as to why you're not seeing him higher is very simple. Most evaluators don't see him as a NFL starter. That pushes you down out of the first few rounds. It seems like the reason that they don't see him as a starter is that he has good but not great football speed, is a decent pass catcher but doesn't do a lot with it after he catches it, can cut some but is slow to accelerate out of a cut. Basically a guy who doesn't really have a carrying skill.

He ran a 4.42 at the combine vs 4.52 for Gordon

His 10 yrd time was 1.55 which was among the very best. Gordon was 1.62

His 20 to 40 time was among the very best at 1.84. Gordon was 1.86.

His numbers indicate that he is faster than Gordon. The only other runner that has ran and that was as fast overall was Corey Grant.

 

[bodi]

I have no idea

 

[BlindFaith]

Agreed.

And from what has been reported it seems like the Cowboys are more interested in a RB that they see as a starting RB vs a platoon RB or RB by committee in the first few rounds.



SOURCES TELL US
"I don't see him as a starter. I think he can be a backup or compete as a third down back, but he doesn't run tough enough to be able to project him as a starter in really any scheme." -- NFC East scout
NFL COMPARISON
Donald Brown
BOTTOM LINE
Langford showed improvement from 2013 to 2014, but he doesn't accelerate through contact and will usually get what is blocked. Without an ability to maximize his yards with each carry, teams could peg him as a "committee back" with an ability to play on third downs.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jeremy-langford?id=2552379


http://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/college/MichiganState_logo.gifJeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 208.
40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2015): 4-6.
3/14/15: At the Combine, Langford had a superb 40 time to help him stand out in a crowded running back class. However, Langford doesn't play as fast as he times. Langford totaled 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2014 while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He also had 11 receptions for 62 yards. Langford is a physical back, and would be best as rotational back. He was the workhorse for the Spartans' offense and subjected to a heavy load. Langford's performance at the Senior Bowl was just average.
Read more at http://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/draft2015RB.php#7qpfElpB9Gq32IEz.99

STRENGTHS: Runs low to the ground with excellent pad level and energetic feet to get the most out of every touch. Displayed improved vision, balance and finishing ability as a senior.
Langford is a workhorse type with a hard-nosed, no-nonsense style of running the ball, getting stronger as the game progresses. Has a little shake-and-bake to him to extend runs, keeping his legs pumping through contact.
Langford really shines in areas where most young backs struggle like pass protection, reliability in the screen game and also the ability to get stronger and better as the game goes on.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal ankle flexibility to be overly shifty. Takes a moment to get back up to full speed after gearing down and needs to show better patience with a bad habit of running into his own blockers. Handled a heavy workload for the Spartans over the past three seasons.
--Dane Brugler

PLAYER OVERVIEW
When discussing the top Big Ten running backs, Langford is rarely mentioned in the same breath as Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah or Indiana's Tevin Coleman. But with 12 straight 100-yard rushing performances against Big Ten competition, Langford earned his way into the conversation. Langford is the type of prospect that grows on you and the gap behind Gordon and Abdullah isn't as big as most think.

Langford emerged as not only the most reliable and efficient back, but also the best all-around player at the position in 2013. Langford finished the 2013 season with 1,422 rushing yards and 18 rushing scores. He closed his career with a single-season school record-tying 22 touchdowns in 2014 to go with 1,522 yards.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1762313/jeremy-langford

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

STRENGTHS: Runs low to the ground with excellent pad level and energetic feet to get the most out of every touch. Displayed improved vision, balance and finishing ability as a senior.
Langford is a workhorse type with a hard-nosed, no-nonsense style of running the ball, getting stronger as the game progresses. Has a little shake-and-bake to him to extend runs, keeping his legs pumping through contact.
Langford really shines in areas where most young backs struggle like pass protection, reliability in the screen game and also the ability to get stronger and better as the game goes on.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal ankle flexibility to be overly shifty. Takes a moment to get back up to full speed after gearing down and needs to show better patience with a bad habit of running into his own blockers. Handled a heavy workload for the Spartans over the past three seasons.
--Dane Brugler

PLAYER OVERVIEW
When discussing the top Big Ten running backs, Langford is rarely mentioned in the same breath as Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah or Indiana's Tevin Coleman. But with 12 straight 100-yard rushing performances against Big Ten competition, Langford earned his way into the conversation. Langford is the type of prospect that grows on you and the gap behind Gordon and Abdullah isn't as big as most think.

Langford emerged as not only the most reliable and efficient back, but also the best all-around player at the position in 2013. Langford finished the 2013 season with 1,422 rushing yards and 18 rushing scores. He closed his career with a single-season school record-tying 22 touchdowns in 2014 to go with 1,522 yards.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1762313/jeremy-langford

Cowboys don't view him the way you do. I personally like him as well...but they don't appear to see him in the same light, nor do they seem to look at Duke Johnson the same way.

Sometimes when looking at draft picks and who this team might take, we don't see them looking in the same direction we might like when it comes to a position or type of player.

When that happens, even if I really like a player, I just decide that it is a waste of time to worry about it since it looks like they are looking in a different direction. Not being mean here, just saying...they like what they like.

 

[Iron_Man]

Key stat: Closed his career by rushing for more than 100 yards in 16 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents. Also rushed for 40 TDs over his last two seasons.

He has breakaway speed and great burst. The only other back that has ran so far that I have that has both qualities is Corey Grant.

Coleman and Gurley will probably slide in here as well.

Breakaway I calculated by looking at the time to get from 20-40. Burst is 10 yard time.

This draft have some really talented RBs available. I would be thrilled if the boys picked him.

 

[xwalker]

He ran a 4.42 at the combine vs 4.52 for Gordon

His 10 yrd time was 1.55 which was among the very best. Gordon was 1.62

His 20 to 40 time was among the very best at 1.84. Gordon was 1.86.

His numbers indicate that he is faster than Gordon. The only other runner that has ran and that was as fast overall was Corey Grant.

Based on game footage his speed looks about the same as Gordon.

Having said that, RB is the position where forty times are the most deceiving. Running with the ball in their hand slow some guys down much more than others.

 

[AsthmaField]

Not being mean here, just saying...they like what they like.

You're kind of being mean here...

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You're kind of being mean here...

Nah...that is me being nice.

 

[Derinyar]

Why does Langford have better timed speeds but Gordon/Abdullah are discussed as being faster then him? My guess is that the tape shows that those two play faster then Langford. Its also possible that both of them accelerate better on the field then him. Another place that Brugler talks about him he basically says he doesn't play as fast as timed, lacks explosive traits, and is impatient and doesn't always wait for his blocks to develop.

I'm not saying he's terrible or he's trash, just that there's a reason he's considered by most to be in the second grouping of runners as opposed to the first collection of runners.

 

[AsthmaField]

Nah...that is me being nice.

lol, I guess you're right, now that you mention it. Carry on!

 

[BlindFaith]

Based on game footage his speed looks about the same as Gordon.

Having said that, RB is the position where forty times are the most deceiving. Running with the ball in their hand slow some guys down much more than others.

That's simply not true. I was a running back in college. Carrying the ball does slow you down a little, but never would I say that it slows one person down more than another.

Fast is fast, regardless. Endurance is the biggest factor that affects speed. A running back does it all, and it wears you out. You run the ball, taking hits. You block, you run routes. WR's run a lot, but they aren't taking the pounding. And they aren't in on as many plays.

 

[BlindFaith]

Cowboys don't view him the way you do. I personally like him as well...but they don't appear to see him in the same light, nor do they seem to look at Duke Johnson the same way.

Sometimes when looking at draft picks and who this team might take, we don't see them looking in the same direction we might like when it comes to a position or type of player.

When that happens, even if I really like a player, I just decide that it is a waste of time to worry about it since it looks like they are looking in a different direction. Not being mean here, just saying...they like what they like.

Not really sure how anyone knows what the Cowboys are thinking regarding any player. Based on players brought in? Did they bring Murray or Randle or even 1% of any player that they ever drafted in for a personal interview?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Not really sure how anyone knows what the Cowboys are thinking regarding any player. Based on players brought in? Did they bring Murray or Randle or even 1% of any player that they ever drafted in for a personal interview?

The only person they have not brought in in the first round the last few years is Claiborne.

As far as those two names you mentioned...yes they did show interest in both of those players prior to the draft.

 

[BlindFaith]

Another place that Brugler talks about him he basically says he doesn't play as fast as timed, lacks explosive traits, and is impatient and doesn't always wait for his blocks to develop.

And he also said - Lacks ideal ankle flexibility. What the heck does that mean? lol I've never hear anyone say "Wow, that guy has great ankle flexibility, looks like a first rounder."

 

[BlindFaith]

The only person they have not brought in in the first round the last few years is Claiborne.

As far as those two names you mentioned...yes they did show interest in both of those players prior to the draft.

I'm not saying Langford is a first round running back.