Barkley is a world class NFL RB. But he’s one who is averse to contact and isn’t particularly adept at gaining tough short yardage. Penny hasn’t impressed me in that role, though Hilliman showed some promise. There may already be someone on the roster who can fill that role, but if so, I’m not convinced.
In reviewing NFL prospects for that role there are several characteristics I initially look for; some size, some power, good contact balance, aggressive determination and general RB competence. When seeking these traits, there are some backs who appear to both possess them, and also offer a little bit more. And I think I may have found one. And surprisingly, he’s from a Div. II school.
It’s innately difficult to evaluate the NFL potential of a player who’s outstanding at a lower level of competition. Generally, you want to see the traits you’re looking for with dominance and outstanding production. That fairly well describes RB Nate Gunn of Minnesota State Mankato. Listed at 6’2”, 220, in 2019 he ran for 1,667 yards in 260 attempts for a 6.4 average per carry. Nice! But what I really want is a RB with a nose for the end zone, and Gunn delivered 31 TD’s. I.e., a big, productive, workhorse RB who scores.
Stats are useful, but can be misleading. Often RB’s who put up dazzling numbers at lower levels of competition are smaller scat backs, or plodding monsters, who become long shots to ever see an NFL roster. I need to see the RB with the ball in his hand, and this is where Gunn began to excite me.
I’ve not been able to find as much video of him as I would like, but at the top of his game, he is impressive. With decent size, you’d expect him to have some power, and he does. But that’s almost a minor characteristic. He has outstanding vision and some of the best contact-balance this side of Alstott that I’ve seen. And he’s agile for a man his size. This results in him being one of the toughest RB’s to bring down that I’ve seen. He doesn’t just try to run tacklers over, though he can, he’s really slippery and hard to hold onto. Added to that, he has decent burst, and reasonable long speed.
While Gunn is a larger, well-conditioned small school RB, my judgment based on what I’m seeing is that in an NFL S& C and nutritional program he’s likely to get even a bit larger and stronger. And with NFL coaching, his innate ability as a RB will get refined and embellished.
Considering that he’s not YET even appearing on most lists of 2020 NFL RB prospects, and probably won’t get a Combine invite, he will either be a very late round pick, or an UDFA. Considering that the Giants have three 7th round picks, he might offer an intriguing opportunity to augment the Giants RB corp.
I’ve not been able to find much decent video of Nate. Unfortunately, the clip that best showcases his talent is from 2017. But given his 2019 stats, as shown above, his ability hasn’t diminished.
2017 Video Highlights Nate Gunn RB - (
New Window )
That brings comfort and an air of expertise. Afterall, you snuffed out that Barkley is averse to contact.
Well done, Holmes.
Open your eyes
That brings comfort and an air of expertise. Afterall, you snuffed out that Barkley is averse to contact.
Well done, Holmes.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Your contributions always add so much to the discussion.
Probably from his bunny hop backwards when he curls up in a fetal position and takes a four yard loss
I think the OP has a valid point. I think our running attack could benefit for more downhill running. My hope was Barkley would change his style of running, but after year 2, it doesn't seem like that will happen. It'd be nice to bring someone else in do the dirty work.
Also, sure every team in the nfl would want Barkley on their team, but he would be in a committee on most of them. I'd also say Zeke, Henry, Jacobs, McCaffrey and maybe Chubb would be starters over him.
He consistently made the short and goal line yards for Watson, and was the major college leader in yards after contact.
Anyone know the reason for his fall from grace? He would seem to be an important asset in the Giants RB room.
Maybe what ever the problem, Burton Burns can revive his career. Hopefully he will at least get a clean slate in the spring.
Listen to this person... They watch college football clearly!
Confusing Hillman and Allen?
Slayton and Connelly appear to be good picks by DG and his group. Love was about the only developing player and the coaches kept him hidden for too long. Smith was a good pickup by DG. Jones was about the only pick Shurmur should get any credit for. The other first round picks didn’t show more or less than expected.
Link - ( New Window )
That brings comfort and an air of expertise. Afterall, you snuffed out that Barkley is averse to contact.
Well done, Holmes.
LMFAO!!!! You're such a dick! I love it!
I think he will, if you watched him at LSU, he was truly a load to bring down, even between the tackles, he pushed the pocket for a RB his size and he was truly a load to bring down. I agree on the draft spot as well.
If you have to take the guy off the field on 3rd and 1, then he's no longer a first round draft pick. You lose the option of throwing to him on third down. You lose the fact that every ten or so carries between the tackles, with the defense stacked up at the line, he's going to break through the line and run to daylight.
I think that a lot of the time he looked bad getting tackled for a loss he was trying to spin away from the defensive players and bounce the play outside. That doesn't work too well in the NFL.
My first thought exactly. I scratched my head with a confused "whaaaat?". This is simply not true. If he avoids contact, it's because he is trying to gain yards and not get tackled - which by the way, is fucking smart - exactly what all great RBs do. A RB who determines to run straight into tacklers as a statement that he's all about contact rather than one who avoids it, has a life long NFL career of about 1-2 years. Maybe less!
It's been pointed out on here on other threades and it bears repeating. Barkley should be used the way the Panthers use McCaffrey in order to extend his career. Now go out and get a smash mouth RB to compliment Barkley for those tough short-and-thirds. Might have to get a new one every couple of years, but at least Barkley's career could be extended an extra few years.
Would love him on the Giants, hopefully a day 3 pick.
Because he runs away from it. He'd rather lose 5 yards in spectacular fashion than gain two yards by just running into the pile. He runs soft.