I've been grading over the past few weeks....and I think the one position that really stands out in terms of quality depth is RB. In 2014, the WR class had more guys at 80+ (my personal barometer for Pro Bowl caliber prospects) that I have ever had. This year, I will have more RBs in the 80+ range than I have ever had and a handful of guys right under that tier.
The NYG duo of Jennings and Williams isn't bad at all. They both run hard between the tackles and can pick up the tough yards. They both break tackles. Jennings is a good pass catcher, although Williams leave a lot to be desired.
Now it won't matter who is in the backfield if the OL doesn't improve, but I can say with confidence that NYG will put their resources in to the OL via FA and the draft. With that in mind, I think NYG has an opportunity to bring in a playmaker to the backfield.
Whether you think the RB position is a dying breed or not....it is and always will be an incredibly important piece to the offense. Yes, you can find quality backs late in the draft. Same can be said for any position, therefore I dismiss that reply in a heartbeat.
I think as soon as round 2, NYG can be on the look out for RB value. I think you are gonna have several options in rounds 2-3-4 for guys that have higher grades than those respective draft slots.
The question becomes, do you go after a specific kind of back? A guy that can really catch the ball and be effective in space? Or do you get another between the tackles type runner? They need ball security and they need to show they can block, that is a fact as long as Coughlin is here.
A few names to consider by round:
Round 2
Todd Gurley - Georgia
Duke Johnson - Miami
Tevin Coleman - Indiana
Round 3
Ameer Abdullah - Nebraska
Jay Ajayi - Boise State
TJ Yeldon - Alabama
David Cobb - Minnesota
Mike Davis - South Carolina
Round 4
David Johnson - RB/Northern Iowa
Cameron Artis-Payne - RB/Auburn
Understood. I think return value has taken a hit because of the abundance of touchbacks...but I think it is still part of the equation. A lot of these guys can be thrown in to the role without a problem. PR a little different though.
Abdullah was one of my favorites to watch in 2014 from a pure entertainment value. Very elusive and quick, explosive to his top speed. Tough guy and a coach's favorite. Issue with him though....incredibly small hands and has had a severe fumbling issue throughout his career. Not a dominant blocker by any means...he just has the look of a guy that Coughlin would really downgrade.
BTW- Speaking of dying positions, have you taken a look at Michael Burton, the Rutgers FB? Kid blocks like a Mack truck and is a good receiver out of the backfield. I think some team is going to be pleasantly surprised, particularly if they get him as an UDFA.
All comes down this physical. So I can't really answer that...but knowing how well guys have been bouncing back from ACL injuries, I would lean towards him being back at full strength at some point. And he was viewed as a top 10 caliber guy. So yes I take him in round 2.
BTW- Speaking of dying positions, have you taken a look at Michael Burton, the Rutgers FB? Kid blocks like a Mack truck and is a good receiver out of the backfield. I think some team is going to be pleasantly surprised, particularly if they get him as an UDFA.
I'm not a huge Langford guy. He's solid between the tackles, but I view him as a 5th, maybe a 4th, rounder.
And yes, Gordon will be a 1st rounder I think.
My question - Sy, where did Tre Mason sit in your rankings last year? Over/Under 80? How might he compare to this year's crop of RBs?
I really liked Mason and am looking to gauge this year's backs in comparison to him.
BTW- Speaking of dying positions, have you taken a look at Michael Burton, the Rutgers FB? Kid blocks like a Mack truck and is a good receiver out of the backfield. I think some team is going to be pleasantly surprised, particularly if they get him as an UDFA.
I haven't looked at him yet, only in passing as I've been scouting G Kaleb Johnson. He'll be on the list of guys I take a deeper look at in April after all the more important prospects are done if I have time.
There is no question we need a speed back, but the bigger problem is the OL. People were far too critical of Williams. He is a downhill one cut runner. Sure his vision could be better, but he was a rookie running behind a putrid OL.
I agree that Abdullah doesn't seem like a Coughlin guy.
This team needs help on the lines. I wish people would stop saying that guards and DTs are not "playmakers."
My question - Sy, where did Tre Mason sit in your rankings last year? Over/Under 80? How might he compare to this year's crop of RBs?
I really liked Mason and am looking to gauge this year's backs in comparison to him.
Mason finished with a score of 81, my top RB from the 2014 class. By the look of it so far, I think Mason would sit 4th or 5th in this draft class. However very closely behind Gordon, Johnson, Gurley, Ajayi.
That is a better way of putting it, yes. I still think their value can reside in round 1 however. When I see what Demarco Murray, Marshawn Lynch, Lesean McCoy are doing for their teams...hard for me to say that NYG shouldn't look at RBs until day 3.
Whenever certain positions or kinds of players become "not as important as they used to be"....I immediately think thats an opportunity for value.
There are enough on the open market
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I think what has become a dying breed(for now, as everything is cyclical) is the One back workhorse..Otherwise Rb is as vital as ever imo, especially if you can get one who can or will ultimately block
That is a better way of putting it, yes. I still think their value can reside in round 1 however. When I see what Demarco Murray, Marshawn Lynch, Lesean McCoy are doing for their teams...hard for me to say that NYG shouldn't look at RBs until day 3.
Whenever certain positions or kinds of players become "not as important as they used to be"....I immediately think thats an opportunity for value.
I hear you of course..But now when I think of first rd RBs, Trent "can't miss" Richardson comes to mind..Naturally i'm generalizing, perhaps overly so, but that's what springs to mind when I think of RB early in Rd. 1
There are enough on the open market
Who exactly? And what is the cost?
Mason was picked in Round 3. So, if this year's draft follows the pattern of last year's draft, then a very good running back ought to be available in Round 3.
I look around the league a lot....at depth charts...and I still notice that a lot of teams have RBs that make a big impact that were drafted in the first 2-3 rounds.
Unofficially....well over half the teams in the league use a RB that was drafted in first three rounds...maybe even close to two thirds.
It's an important position and NYG doesn't have anyone there that should factor in to the decision process draft weekend. Not saying they need to go after one early...but man there are some really good backs here to pick from.
Does this make any sense to you?
Everybody's talking about drafting players at other positions, but the Giants need a dominant RB...and bad OL or not, their current RBs are average at best.
A dominant RB opens things up for Eli and OBJ and gives the defense some more time off the field.
OT or G in FA...Shelton or Shaq in RD 1 and Gurley in RD2.
Duke Johnson - RD 2
Jay Ajayi - RD 3
David Johnson - RD 4
Honestly, out of those three, I think Johnson brings the most value to the table. He can return kicks, work on third down, catch passes out of the backfield, is a good blocker, and can play FB and HB if needed.
RBs by Round - ( New Window )
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I don't want an HB.
There are enough on the open market
Who exactly? And what is the cost?
The link is a list the same size as last year. Many didn't even get a job. HB's are everywhere and I'd rather not waste a top 4 pick on one. Afterwards, I'd roll the dice
With Jacobs and Bradshaw acquired later, I don't see any reason to roll the dice early. Especially with this many holes.
Here is a list the size of last years - ( New Window )
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In comment 12114819 Giants2012 said:
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I don't want an HB.
There are enough on the open market
Who exactly? And what is the cost?
The link is a list the same size as last year. Many didn't even get a job. HB's are everywhere and I'd rather not waste a top 4 pick on one. Afterwards, I'd roll the dice
With Jacobs and Bradshaw acquired later, I don't see any reason to roll the dice early. Especially with this many holes. Here is a list the size of last years - ( New Window )
That list is going to shrivel up significantly over the next few months as teams resign their own.
But I wonder if some of these RB's may go a little earlier or later. RB often seems to get drafted later than the talent would suggest. I wonder if Johnson might slip a bit, and I think someone might actually take a flier on Abdullah in the 2nd.
The more I've watched the more impressed I've become with T J Yeldon. 6'2", decent size but wiry, and seems very strong. GREAT running skills, almost always falls forward for a couple extra yards, and there's even one play where he's dragging 3 tacklers after receiving a pass. Pretty good hands, and can also return kicks.
It could be argued he has a good supporting case at Alabama, and it's true, but the other side of that is that he's playing against SEC quality competition.
I have concerns about Andre Williams. As powerful as he can be, he gets too often gets dropped wherever he's touched.
Video - ( New Window )
The archetype of a big back that can pass protect with a vengeance, catch reliably, has a good sense of timing and decent route runner.
If not a burner, then these players can be had for sure.
And here is a thought, what about the #1 Fullback prospect, what is his name and round expectation?
(Sy is the gift that keeps on giving- in a good way)
(cbs)
My thought is you add specific types of role players at WR, RB and TE some way some how, sort of build up the low and middle of the route tree, and save the star treatment for DL and OL this year. Mid rounds for safety.
rb-"tough and reliable pass protector, when he does get the ball, he inflicts pain on would be tacklers, hard to bring down one on one, reliable route runner with decent hands, qbs best friend, not a burner"
Te- "reliable technician in pass protection blocking, 'gets it' as a run blocker, able to wall off and get some push, reliable route runner, tough to tackle, gets his head down and drags people, shows up big in big games, gets it regarding angles in pass receiving, will sacrifice his body to make the catch above all else"
so, for lone setbacks, you want an able and willing pass blocker, this really helps those deep routes develop
There are enough on the open market
Wut