I was put off by negative comments concerning him running soft at the Shrine Game practices and failed to watch any video. Just did, and I'm glad the Giants scouts spent some time with him, because I believe he's a VERY talented RB.
First as to running soft, while he doesn't look to have much power, he seems more than willing to stick his nose into the action and can run inside with the ability to slip tackles. And then it get better, very quick, great vision and balance, creates on the fly - a runner who makes very smart choices with the ball in his hands.
I have no idea if he can pick up blitzes, or catch passes and if he's finally committed to staying in the game of football, but as a pure runner he's one of the more talented I've watched.
How talented? I think he looks better than Christian McCaffrey with the ball in his hands.
If they Giants are convinced he wants to play, and thinks he can deal with blitzes he would be a nice pick up at some point.
CBS Draft Scout sees him as 7th round or UDFA. IMO, as an UDFA, he'd be a no-brainer.
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I'd rather one of the bigger backs. Conner or Perine. Even Donnel Pumphrey offers something a little different. He would be a great tool on 3rd down.
Do you think Williams offers something unique vis-a-vis Perkins?
I'd rather one of the bigger backs. Conner or Perine. Even Donnel Pumphrey offers something a little different. He would be a great tool on 3rd down.
Do you think Williams offers something unique vis-a-vis Perkins?
Yes, I do. Perkins has some power, more than Williams anyway, and is probably a better receiver, but Joe Williams may possibly be a better pure runner. There's as much different about them as there is similar. Williams is a slasher and a home run hitter.
I like Conner a whole lot, I LOVE big backs! If they're good, and he looks to be. It might make more sense for the Giants to move in that direction, but you always need to bring more RB's into camp than you end up with. I think Rainey's gone, and Darkwa and maybe even Vereen if cap issues work against him.
There's no rule you can't wind up with TWO new RB's if the money and other issues work out. The Giants need playmakers, and you have to take them were you find them.
Take a look at his video, and see what you think. Some RB's just have IT, and it looks like he's one.
I don't think Foreman is a 1st round back. 3rd or 4th is more likely. And while I like big backs, there are others I would prefer, such as Conner.
The Giants need playmakers all around and two new good RB's with different skill sets is a good problem to have. If a RB like Joe Williams hangs around to become an UDFA, you grab him! You get a shot at something special that doesn't cost a pick, and if he doesn't work out, you cut him.
Personally, I'd like to see the Giants spend a 1st round pick on a 2-way TE if there are any who grade out that high, and who looks as if they could contribute in their first season. That's the one position which could do more to make this offense go than any other. Other than that, a really good taller WR is also a big need at a premium position. I'd place RB rd after that. And If a great OL is the better choice at a particular draft spot, heaven knows that's needed unless things change a lot in free agency.
I don't see the Giants spending a 1st round pick on a RB, and I don't see any RB that I would want them to spend it on.
He's generally getting great blocking in the game against UCLA, so it looks like Utah has a pretty good OL. But he's also optimizing what he's given.
The announcer said he runs a 4.35 40. And if he runs anything close to that at the Combine we can probably forget about him being an UDFA. :-(