We've all discussed Wrs and DE's to death. Dissected OL and CB. Even TE got attention. But after free agency, the handcuffs are off and we COULD consider taking a RB in round two or three. (And what does it say about how the game is played, and the talent in this year's draft, that maybe only one RB, if that, will go in the first round?) So let's talk Runningbacks, people. Outside of Eddie Lacy, the back I like, and could see us targeting, is TAMU's Christine Michael with our 2b pick. Quick for his size, decisive. COmes with some question marks. I can see Sherman vouching for him and us taking him at 2b, definitely at 3a if he is there. He would be a perfect complement to Lamar Miller. Others like Giovani Bernard, but I haven't watched him enough to weigh in. Questions: 1) Would you want a RB drafted in rounds two or three? 2) Which one and why?
I'm probably in the minority but i'd like to see Ahmad Bradshaw at least looked at; he runs hard, isn't that old at 27 and would provide a bit of veteran savvy and a safe pair of hands into a young backfield if he can hold up over a season while sharing carries. If we do go down the draft route i don't think the talent is there at running back to pick one early; lacy is good, rather than great in my opinion and some of the other top backs have horrible injury histories. One guy i wouldn't mind seeing drafted is Christine Michael as you mentioned, probably wouldn't spend a second on him though.
I am very interested to see where Jonas Gray is. This kid, if he comes back to pre-injury form might be better than anybody in the draft. He fits the ZBS very well, can run with power and is a decent blocker in Pass-pro as well. Somebody, I think it was Chris....maybe Simon, eluded to character concerns with Michael, and I had heard some rumors of that here in Aggue land. EDIT: We are in sync with Bradshaw bmico He would be a great guy to bring in if the cost isn't too high.
I'm hoping Gray can make a real impact this year, not sure i rate him quite as highly as saying he'd be the top running back in the draft, but i'm hoping he's healed up especially as Thomas hasn't looked solid in the big back role. On Bradshaw i can't think he's imagining he's going to get paid, he got cut, has been injured and the Steelers didn't sign him after an extended visit; i think he'd be a great pick up on a 'prove you can still do it' deal. Nice to agree after the Te'o discussion
I think they're going to take Lacy late first round. Austin will be the 12th overall. A north south runner running on a dime formation is frightening.
There's too much money at CB for a high pick. They've got four guys and could draft another solid one. They wanted Keller long term. They wanted Winston but he wants too much cash. They have interest in Ricky Wagner and I suspect he's the third rounder if not Winston after SD trades up for a tackle. They wanted a pass rusher in FA and they like Vernon. They didnt touch RB and let Bush go without question. The draft signs suggest a RB a powerful one that can catch somewhat well but destroys dime formations. Eddie Lacy against a dime in a ZBS is a six yard per carry monster.
I don't see the need in taking a RB that high. We got Miller in the 4th, and should find some who are good value from that point on. I think Stepfan Taylor will be available in the 4th. I'd take him there. Later on, maybe Cierre Wood or Dennis Johnson in the late 5th. In the 7th maybe get Ronnie Wingo, Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, or Robbie Rouse, etc.
Gio Bernard & Andre Ellington are likely the top 2 guys. Both fit the scheme, are great natural runners, and are already pretty sound in pass protection so they could impact as rookies if needed. I'd like to think DJ Harper is on the list for a mid-late round option.
I like Eddie Lacy, but... I think the Phins have more pressing needs. I really like Boomer's guy... Le'Veon Bell. He's got a 4th round grade. Giovanni Bernard is on the Phins radar. He has a 2nd round grade. Jones-Drew/Ray Rice type. I like him. Other than those guys, I'm not thrilled with any of the other backs. Other than camp fodder, I don't think the Phins need another one. There might be a reason why no one has been talking about RBs.
I would not want a RB in round 2 at all. Round 3, the 2nd pick, possibly. But, really, maybe round 4. Not high on the RBs in this draft as a high pick and think we'd be better suited with other needs.
Ricky Williams has been the only back we could really count on in a traditional sense since Zonk, and some years we couldn't count on that, so of course I'm looking for a true running back skillset, always..would of loved to of drafted Lamike James last year but whatever, Tavon Austin can give me some of that skillset. I love your point Jaj about dime formation relative to what Lacy's skillset brings to the table..it speaks to me in a very clear way. Our ultimate offense needs to be four dimensions if that makes any sense.. Deep threat..check. Explosive X factor to take advantage of deep threat..uncheck Seam vertical threat..semi check Power back taking advantage of the space created by the last three, or as Jaj says, easy 6 yards against a dime formation..semi check with miller.. Lacy has the top skillset for this offense if those other dimensions can be had..that boy would live off his spin move in the open field..his balance for his size is special and his jump cut ability for that size is special. Bernard is overrated at this point for me, my concern on him is his speed..I think he's a poor man version of Rice, Martin, and Sproiles..I'll pass if he's there at either spot in round two. I like step Taylor, I think i understand what his limitations are, but just a real nice looking overall running back skillset, look at him in the fourth if he's there, or Franklin too...both good insurance policies in that round for Miller..
I LOVE watching Bernard play but he's simply too much of a luxury pick. Tremendous RB but we 1) don't have dire need at RB 2) can simply fill the role by committee with a guy like Gillislee or take a gamble on Lattimore
Andre Ellington. This game vs NcState does a good job showcasing why we likely have him high on our running back radar. What separates Ellington from most backs is his ability in pass protection, which I'm sure Ireland has taken note of. If he were 15-20 pounds thicker he'd be a 1st rounder. [video=youtube;BE6ty3MPN3E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE6ty3MPN3E[/video] DJ Harper. He reminds me of 210 pound version of Doug Martin. Another great scheme fit. Not quite the back Ellington is in pass pro. Has a history of 2 ACL injuries but has been healthy the past 2 years and is gradually looking back to form but doesn't quite have his prior NFL caliber breakaway speed; however he did notch a 4.46 forty with a 1.56 10 yard time at the combine, and at his pro day his cone & shuttle times improved to a respectable 6.86 & 4.19. As a junior in '09, prior to his first ACL injury, he was starting over sophomore Doug Martin and looked special. Early in 2010 Harper suffered his second ACL tear. 2011 was spent working back to form, and by 2012 he was close to full stride with 1137 yards, 5.0 ypc, and 15 TD. The first clip is Harper at full speed; second clip is his senior year. I think he has some nice sleeper potential. [video=youtube;_Z6FYIwP9Z0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z6FYIwP9Z0[/video] [video=youtube;tcYbMg6v3fQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcYbMg6v3fQ[/video]
I think that depends how comfortable the decision makers feel about Daniel Thomas's ability to play injury free (including concussions). I think it's possible Bernard is there in the 3rd round, which would make selecting him more feasible IMO, and if he's gone then Ellington probably becomes option 2.
I think it is very likely they end up with a runningback in the first five picks this year. They like Miller, but as high of an upside as they seem to think he has he's still a bit of a risk and Ireland has shown a pretty strong tendency both in deed and in word that it's not a single-player position. Something I think is a bit important the Dolphins come up with is someone who can pass protect. That might be a bit unlikely for Miller to pick up, and if you're going to run an offense that is spread-oriented and with a tight end who is going to be treated like an oversized wide receiver, it becomes more important.
Not really a draft guy as much as others are. I pretty much watch a couple of videos of guys I think that the Dolphins might be interested in the first round and then a couple other guys I think are interesting and that's about it. Can't say I'm well educated on the running-backs in this draft. I'd like a power back, though. I'm still holding out hope for Ahmad Bradshaw, personally.
I freakin love Gio and would take him at either second-round pick. He would impact this offense more than anyone else in the 2nd round, and we need a RB.
1) I hope they are ready to jettison Daniel Thomas 2) I like Christine Michael and the two Arkansas backs in terms of talent-to-value ratio where we could select them. Hope we don't "plump" (as Boom says) for Lacy early. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Oh wow, Ive been operating under the assumption he's a late 1st. 3rd round for him and I'm doing cartwheels.
Johnathan Franklin-UCLA warrick dunn clone just a little bigger. good hands/good speed(not top speed)/change of pace back
I like Eddie Lacey, Giovanni Bernard, Johnathan Franklin, Christine Michael, Mike Gilislee, Dennis Johnson, Zac Stacy, Kerwynn Williams, Ray Graham, Cierre Wood, Knile Davis and Cameron Marshall. I also like Marcus Lattimore a ton but can't speak to his injury or the chances of his coming back from it.
Care to put rounds to where you see their value? I'd say.. Late 1st Eddie Lacey 2nd Giovanni Bernard Late 3rd Christine Michael 4th Christine Michael, if he slips 5th Marcus Lattimore Knile Davis Zac Stacy Late-Late Dennis Johnson
I'll take Montee Ball with the later 2nd or earlier 3rd pick...it all depends on how the RBs are coming off of the board. I think he is worth a 2nd, so I'd think about taking him then if I was in charge, which, I'm sure many of you are glad that I am not! Ball ran a meh mid-4.6 40 at the combine and took off like .2 at his pro day....but if you figure that the real number is somewhere around 4.5, that's decent. Not the fastest, but adequate to play rb at the pro level. He's also a superb blocker, and just about every facet of his game is average or better. The reason I think he'd make such a good pick is not only for his blocking, but also, Ball is a guy I'd feel comfortable giving every down duties to if something ever happened to Miller.
I imagine that Eddie Lacey carries NFL value in the late 1st, early 2nd. I imagine Giovanni Bernard and Johnathan Franklin carry NFL value just below that. I can't say on Christine Michael because the NFL will be privy to more information than I about his character. If he didn't have character problems I'm not sure I'd put him above the 3rd round anyway so let's say 3rd to 5th round for him. He did actually oversleep team interviews at the Combine, and he fell into the coaching staff at TAMU's doghouse very clearly for a reason. The problems are significant. Marcus Lattimore is another whose NFL value is going to be tied to things I'm not privy to, his medical test results. I felt like DJ brought up some interesting points about how his knee is looking from an atrophy, structural standpoint. Mike Gilislee's NFL value and grade could stretch all the way into the 3rd round but it could also be the 4th round. Dennis Johnson could go in the 4th round. Kerwynn Williams will likely go in the 5th round. Zach Stacey and Cierre Wood are looking at 6th or 7th round status. Knile Davis, Ray Graham and Cameron Marshall will be lucky if they're drafted. Knile might, in the 7th round. Where I would look at them is a function of where their NFL grade is but also who else I have on my board. I do have SOME vertical tiering on my 100-man draft board (basic: elite, best of the rest, second tier, middle tier, the swarm). So whether I look at a guy in the 4th round or 3rd round could well depend on who is stil there in the different tiers.
From a pure talent standpoint, Christine Michael (Who would name their son Christine?) may be the most athletically gifted running back in this draft. Too bad he's a knucklehead. I'd be interested in what insight Mike Sherman has about Christine's character.
You could make a case that Knile Davis is just as if not more physically gifted and that guy will be lucky to get drafted at all.
