I doubt that we're going to pick a running back early, but I'd be surprised if we don't pick one in the third day. After Jennings, we have Scott who is coming off a serious injury and still hasn't proven he's addressed his fumblitis and problems with blocking; Hillis who's solid, but with no upside and Cox who hasn't proven much of anything.
Gaffney is big, athletic back who was a two sport guy and is just really starting to focus on football. His speed and agility numbers were better than the smaller backs. And he carried the ball 300 times last season, so defenses were keying on him. And he's from Stanford, so he'll probably learn the offense pretty quickly. We probably could pick him up in the fifth or sixth round and he should give us good value there.
What do you think of him as a day 3 pick?
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Yes, thanks.
If the Giants take a running back in this draft, it is going to be a back that will protect Eli. I see two backs that fit that mold-Gaffney and James White of Wisconsin. Both should be available to the Giants in the 5th round and I'd be happy with either.
Likes: He can move the pile and drag tacklers. Which is very surprising given that he runs very deliberately, and doesn't appear explosive. He has good long speed when he breaks into the open. He normally runs with two hands around the ball. (The video shows him getting stripped, but it doesn't happen very often.) He's smart. (Hey, it's Stanford!) He's very patient/tentative when he approaches the L.O.S.
Concerns: He's slow to the L.O.S. Doesn't show a burst. He runs very deliberately without explosion. He's very patient/tentative when he approaches the L.O.S.
Given his style of running it's all the more surprising and impressive that he shows well above average power after contact. But I'm concerned that given that style, his skills might not translate as well to the NFL where he's going to be playing against bigger, faster and stronger competition than in school. My concern is that he's going to wind up getter swallowed up at the P.O.A., or worse, stopped in the backfield by any defenders who penetrate.
Video: Gaffney vs. Oregon - ( New Window )