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A Trio of Mid & Late Round RB’s for The Giants.

TC : 2/16/2017 3:10 pm
There are some exciting RB prospects in this draft. Fournette and Cook head the list for many, including me. As with TE’s there are many comments suggesting that the Giants need to take a RB in the 1st or 2nd round to get a viable RB that can contribute. I don’t find that to be true. I began by using Draft Scouts’ and NLF.Com’s lists of RB prospects to start shopping. I scanned some of the reviews and then headed to the video. I don’t necessarily accept the reviews I read. In some instances I see the same things in the prospect, but in many, I just don't believe it’s there. I know from past years that there’s often a lot of “group think” among draft sites with the worst reviewers appearing to simply regurgitate what other reviewers have already written.

I believe the Giants need help at RB. Perkins has talent, but behind him there are largely question marks, and despite Perkins’ talent I’m not confident with the ability of any RB on the roster to consistently pick up tough, short yardage. But at the same time we also have a need for RB’s that can do more than just that. I began by looking at the bigger guys as obvious candidates for short yardage skills. Unfortunately, I’ve seen things in their game that lead me to believe they may not be well equipped for that role. Fortunately, there are other less massive RB’s who have skill at picking up this yardage, and who can also contribute to the overall running game. I’m going to highlight 3 of these.

But first, to outrage their many fans, I will list a number of running backs that are highly thought of by many that I definitely DON’T want.

McCaffrey
Mixon
Perine
Foreman
Conner

I actually like Conner a lot and believe he has a shot at a fine NFL career. But since my priority is a knack for gaining short yardage, I can’t include him. I think he’ll have a lot more difficulty with this in the NFL than in school. He generates plenty of power in the open field, but less in small spaces, such as at the goal line, where he often has to resort to leaping. That may be a problem in the NFL.

Two of the three RB’s come from smaller schools. But that doesn’t mean that they’re any smaller, slower or less skilled, only that some of their opponents aren’t as tough as what they might find in the SEC for example, so they’ll have a steeper climb in the NFL than those who came from tougher conferences.

*** Jeremy McNichols *** Boise State, 5’9”, 212, Projects as 4th Round

2016 - 314 attempts, 1709 yards, 5.4 average, 23 TD’s, 37 receptions for 474 yards & 4 TD’s.

McNichols isn’t small, he’s short. Obviously highly productive in both the running and receiving game, but not a power back. However he has superb vision, reads blocking instantly, knows how to make himself small in the hole and use leverage, and usually falls forward for several yards. Exceptional balance too.

He’s a very smart runner who uses quickness, jump cuts and angles to elude defenders. While not truly fast, he can still eat up yardage. He also appears to be a willing and capable blocker and a much better than average receiver. Among other things, should fit well a 3rd down back.

He will likely get surgery on his labrum after the Combine. But that’s not usually that bad of a procedure, and he should be ready by training camp to start practicing.

*** Corey Clement *** Wisconsin, 5’10”, 221, Projects as 4th-5th Round.

2016 – 314 attempts, 1375 yards, 4.4 average, 14 TD’s, 12 receptions for 132 yards & no TD’s.

Reports are that Clement is an entitled bad a**. But that’s often a job description among NFL RB’s. He’s usually not a homerun hitter either. But he is a good sized, physically solid, tough-nosed RB who is both generally productive and VERY adept at moving the sticks.

Clement isn’t particularly fast, but he has some power, has good vision, uses his blockers well, has good pad level on contact with consequent leverage and generally falls forward. He can also field punts, and is often much more elusive than in his runs from scrimmage. Generally a willing blocker, but more of getting in the way than laying a hit.

While Draftscout projects him going in the 4th or 5th round, I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes later due to his lack of serious speed and reputation as a P.I.A.

*** Aaron Jones *** UTEP, 5’10”, 205, Projects as 7th Round – UDFA

2016 – 229 attempts, 1773 yards, 7.7 average, 17 TD’s, 28 receptions for 233 yards & 3 TD’s.

Highly productive at a lower level of competition, and just an all-around good RB. Only average size, and not a power back, but runs with good pad level and leverage at the P.O.A. Excellent vision, follows blocks well with fine balance. Patient as a runner, rather than quick, but has some burst when needed, though not a speedster.

I first noticed him when viewing video of his teammate TE Hayden Plinke. Jones was the guy making all the yards and scoring the TD’s that Plinke was blocking for. Couldn’t find video of him from 2016. Accompanying video is from 2015 against a tough Razorback team. It gives a good flavor for what Jones is all about.
McNichols  
TC : 2/16/2017 3:11 pm : link
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Video - ( New Window )
Clement  
TC : 2/16/2017 3:11 pm : link
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Video - ( New Window )
Jones  
TC : 2/16/2017 3:12 pm : link
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Video - ( New Window )
Thanks TC  
Vegas Steve : 2/16/2017 5:14 pm : link
.
Was discussing Mixon with friends this morning  
okayrene : 2/16/2017 6:27 pm : link
If not for the Josh Brown stuff from last year, Mixon would be a great selection for us. But I don't think the Giants will be able to get away with drafting Joe Mixon anymore, unfortunately.
Clement  
RAIN : 2/16/2017 6:29 pm : link
Fits what we do. I could see him in blue. Have no clue about him or any others off the field.

Perine would add an element we don't have.
I too  
Giantfootball025 : 2/16/2017 6:51 pm : link
am very high on Clement in the 3rd or 4th round. I like what he brings to the table. He need work on ball security and mvoing the chains on short yardage, but he read blocks very well and will make quick decisive cuts which is a must for me in a RB. His faults are all correctable.
Sorry  
Giantfootball025 : 2/16/2017 6:52 pm : link
for the typos. Typed that on my phone.
Donnel Pumphrey  
SHO'NUFF : 2/16/2017 10:20 pm : link
will surprise some people...
RE: Was discussing Mixon with friends this morning  
TC : 2/16/2017 11:26 pm : link
In comment 13363586 okayrene said:
Quote:
If not for the Josh Brown stuff from last year, Mixon would be a great selection for us. But I don't think the Giants will be able to get away with drafting Joe Mixon anymore, unfortunately.

I think Mixon is extremely gifted at the game. It's a tragedy really. But irrespective of what I think of his personal choices, he'd never stand a chance in the NY sports media marketplace. They'd follow him 24/7 waiting for him to spit on the sidewalk, and if he didn't, they'd say he did anyway.
RE: Clement  
TC : 2/16/2017 11:32 pm : link
In comment 13363592 RAIN said:
Quote:
Fits what we do. I could see him in blue. Have no clue about him or any others off the field.

Perine would add an element we don't have.

Supposedly Clement had an altercation with someone, I don't think there were any charges. But the school was unhappy with that and his general attitude.

My main concern with Perine is that his first two or three steps look very slow, even for the college game. My fear is that in the NFL he won't be able to hit his assignment quickly enough, and if there's any penetration he's going to take a loss.

Maybe I need to watch more of him.
I like Perkins a lot and absolutely agree  
Jimmy Googs : 2/16/2017 11:38 pm : link
we need to draft another RB for the stable.

I don't subscribe to the idea we need a different type of back though for the sake of it. Just draft the overall best guy on the board somewhere in middle rounds when ready.

Quick with a little bounce and good hands....
RE: I like Perkins a lot and absolutely agree  
TC : 2/16/2017 11:42 pm : link
In comment 13363809 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
we need to draft another RB for the stable.

I don't subscribe to the idea we need a different type of back though for the sake of it. Just draft the overall best guy on the board somewhere in middle rounds when ready.

Quick with a little bounce and good hands....

Sounds like McNichols. Do you object if they can ALSO pick up short yardage? ;-)

Who is McNichols?  
Jimmy Googs : 2/16/2017 11:46 pm : link
And no. Just don't get in the habit of thinking that only the more powerful bigger backs win in short yardage.

Cuz it ain't true with a Oline like ours...
I was sorely tempted to . . . .  
TC : 2/16/2017 11:53 pm : link
include Joe “Cheap Thrills” Williams in this list. He’s like the little girl with the curl: On the video I watched, when he was "on" he was electrifying, but when he was bad, he was horrid.

I can understand why he chose to retire. I would have too. No idea what’s going on with this player, and I’m not sure he knows either.
RE: Who is McNichols?  
TC : 2/16/2017 11:56 pm : link
In comment 13363814 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
And no. Just don't get in the habit of thinking that only the more powerful bigger backs win in short yardage.

Cuz it ain't true with a Oline like ours...

This is McNichols - Watch video below -

McNichols Video - ( New Window )
Thanks TC  
Rolyrock : 2/17/2017 2:32 am : link
Good read.
That video  
adamg : 2/17/2017 3:39 am : link
is not flattering of Aaron Jones.
RE: That video  
TC : 2/17/2017 11:09 am : link
In comment 13363839 adamg said:
Quote:
is not flattering of Aaron Jones.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't agree. This isn't a highlight film with him reeling off TD's one after the other, this is his play throughout the course of an entire game. Every play isn't perfect, and sometimes he gets stuffed, or makes a wrong move. But in general he shows good vision, some burst, toughness, good angles, good hands, etc. In short, pretty d*mn good for the 7th round pick or UDFA. I never confused him with Dalvin Cook.

I see good things in this video, but it's video from 2015, and 2016 was his breakout year. I suspect his play in 2016 may have looked even been better. And his 2016 stats say he can play football. I think he could make himself useful in the NFL. We'll see.

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