“I like big backs, and I cannot lie!” But I like big RB’s who PLAY like big RB’s.
Looking at the Giant’s RB roster as it now stands it needs augmentation. I like Gallman very well, but he’s a FA. However, due to his lack of exposure, it might be possible to resign him to a reasonable contract if the Giants want to. Morris and Lewis both proved useful in different ways. But both are on the wrong side of 30, and both are also FA. I’ve always liked Morris, but I doubt he has much left. Lewis may still be useful employing his specialized skill set if he can be had cheap.
Big boy Chunn, who set small school records, never was able to translate his power into an NFL starter’s role. I have no idea if that’s changed, but I find it interesting that power was arguably the defining characteristic of both his and Morris’ skill set, so it’s reasonable to suspect that Garrett having had both RB’s at Dallas would like to see more of it on the Giants’ roster. I sure would.
And that brings us to Saquon who is one of the most gifted RB’s to ever play in the NFL. His merits and deficits, if any, have been debated here endlessly. But suffice it to say that for a big RB, his running style is atypical, and irrespective of what his optimal role might be, a quality bigger RB who can bang would be a welcome, and possibly invaluable addition. I.e., a RB who when a play is designed to assure 2 or 3 yards, has a high probability of getting them.
I think I’ve found such a prospect. Most 6’, 247lb RB’s are FB’s, but Oklahoma Sooner’s Rhamondre Stevenson IS a legitimate RB, and a good one. Not just a big body, but a RB with a surprising and enviable skill set that I believe may translate very well to the NFL.
Unlike many thicker built RB’s, he’s quick out of his stance, and also has surprising long speed. He has excellent vision and can cut, and actually displays some elusiveness in the open field. He’s not chubby, but he’s built thick through the body and legs, less so in the upper body. I have little doubt that an NFL nutrition and S& C program will enhance both his quickness and explosiveness.
He doesn’t seek out contact, but is very effective when it’s inevitable. He maintains contact balance and either runs through the tackle, bounces off it or sends the tackler flying, rather than burrowing into the contact. His running style on contact is very reminiscent on film of the A-Train.
I don’t think he’ll blow the Combine away with his stats, and suspect his vertical and agility drills may be notably less than many RB’s. So the stat groupies will be off him, which hopefully drops him in the draft. Right now he’s pegged as a 4th or 5th round pick, and he’s one of the most promising prospects I’ve seen in years to offer this (IMO) sorely needed aspect to the RB game of the Giants.
Rhamondre Stevenson Hightlights - (
New Window )
Great OL!
For Stevenson, sometimes, yes, sometimes no -
Video of Goal line Work - ( New Window )
Would be a great backup to SB
Miss the jacobs days
I saw plays where he's been held in the backfield to block for the QB on passing plays, and he did a good job picking up blitzes. He had a broken foot in high school, don't know if he had any other injuries. He also can catch.
One red flag was that the he had a 6 game NCAA suspension last season for unspecified drugs. When he came back, he looked even fitter, had obviously been training hard, and lead the team in average per rush.
If every school kid who messes with pot, or other, weren't allowed into the NFL, it would be missing a lot of players. This kind of thing can be nothing, or a big thing, it all depends on kid and circumstances. The video below shows him training to leave JUCIO and go OU. He seems like a good kid, but not surprisingly, still growing up.
Video Stevenson Training. - ( New Window )
Link below.
Mizzou RB Roundtree, 5'10" 210. - ( New Window )
Reminds me of a Christian Okoye who can cut quickly. Brandon Jacobs momentum.
Might be too costly for us.
Might be too costly for us.
Thanks for directing me there. Obviously, different sources will have differing opinions, but I agree with their 1/2/21 note that Stevenson looked both leaner and a little quicker when he returned after his suspension.
I suspect he could play in the NFL at different weights depending upon the role his team wants him to fulfill, and their particular S&C program, but most likely may play somewhere in the 230's if it offers added quickness. I very much suspect he'll go to the Combine lighter as it will allow him to optimize his performance.
He may very well go in 3rd or 4th. But there's absolutely no way to predict this. Players get taken both much earlier and much later than expected every draft. If a team is really high on a guy, they're often willing to pull the trigger a round, or two, earlier.
THR currently has him slotted at 135 in the draft, which simply dividing by 32 puts him in the top of the 4th. I suggested the 4th or 5th because RB's often fall, and because he may not have gaudy measurable at the Combine. But all rating and the issues upon which they're dependent will change many times before the draft.
THR 2021 Prospect Slotting (Different than ranking.) - ( New Window )