Bobby Rainey? -Currently a FA -28yrs old -pass catching ability -still has burst and breakaway ability -can KR if needed -not much wear -has NFL experience -cheap -healthy He had success with not that great of an O-line in Tampa.We could still draft a rookie but wouldn't have to trade anything away. Thoughts?
There are not many choices left at RB unless we trade for one which is the current rumor. But he is a good third down back and will break a long one on occasion. Personally I think it wouldnt take much to take Williams job as a third down back. However he was third RB on an underwhelming Tampa RB group.The highlights dont demonstrate if he is a good blocker or not and maybe that was the difference with the other RBs. I think we should see whats available in the draft and UDFA.
I think it's pretty safe to say that Miami is gearing up to draft someone and then lean on Ajayi. I don't see any way around it. Rainey looks like a real possibility as depth though.
Wouldn't be opposed, but as stated above, Rainey is a No. 3 back at best. We need an experienced runner capable of handling the load just as much as Jay Ajayi is, and I'm not sure Bobby Rainey is that. If it were up to me, I'd take a flyer on Arian Foster and split his carries right down the middle with Ajayi, decreasing the chance of injury to either back. Besides, the FO has indicated that they want a veteran to pair with Ajayi. Then, I'd target Keith Marshall in the fourth or fifth rounds and allow him to duke it out with Damien Williams for the final spot. The only piece missing from that equation is a short-yardage thumper, and I believe that man will be Chris Swain out of Navy. Miami has already held a private meeting with him and reportedly likes him a great deal as a 6th-7th round prospect. Guy had some insane numbers for a FB, and Adam Gase seems to value that position more than other coaches.
I dont think its "safe to say" they will draft a RB. I just saw an article a couple days ago on NFL.com that we are active in looking for a RB to trade for.
As I read it we were asking around to see what was out there - that sort of proactive thinking is how we got Maxwell and Alonso (whether anyone likes that trade or not)
I wouldnt mind a guy like maybe Tre Mason to split carries with Ajayi(at the right price and thats if they even talked to the rams about him, most of the names they used I think were examples).
Hey Sleek, Nice post. I like where your head is at. I think Rainey is a decent option that would probably come fairly cheap. He has experience and would certainly add depth behind Ajayi. What I like about your post is what I hate about the Phins' organization. You are looking for a cost effective guy who can get the job done. Tannenbaum is looking for the flashiest name he can get his hands on. His recipe is to overcompensate (draft picks + salary) for an underperformance whereas your solution seems to be a lot safer (probably a late round draft pick + a low salary for a decent return). If you have any more RBs who you think are under the radar, feel free to post them here. I am curious to pick your brain. Correct me if I'm being presumptuous, but when you suggested Rainey, I am assuming that you have him penciled in as a number 2 running back behind Ajayi who you expect to get a decent amount of carries. Perhaps a 100 touch season for 400-600 yards.
You either sign someone or draft someone is what I meant! The pre-draft options are dwindling though.
Tre Mason comes to mind if we are in fact looking to acquire another running back via trade. Maybe Bryce Brown gets a camp invite? I don't know, either way I personally am not all that concerned with the running back position. I'm glad that we didn't overpay for Chris Johnson, I don't think he'll be all that good next year for Arizona. Missing out on CJ Anderson could prove to be a blessing in disguise, it's not like he's Barry Sanders or anything like that. I'm sure we will find someone to pair with Jay Ajayi (misspell?). My only worry would be that Ajayi has the knee issues act up again, but if they are behind him and we can squeeze a few good years out of him, i'm all for it. I don't trust Damian Williams, but I don't think a Bobby Rainey is much of an upgrade either, although again....I'd be fine with him as the third back over Williams if that's what the team decides to do. It really doesn't matter if the offensive line can't block and as of right now the line looks mediocre/semi stable with the additions of Bushrod and Urbik. If I was in charge of drafting players for this team this spring, I would draft an offensive guard, I would shore up the linebacker position, I would add another young cornerback to the mix, and I would try to find a safety to play opposite Reshad Jones in the first four rounds. After that if a running back that we liked was still hanging around in round five I would draft them. I realize it's all about best player available most of the time, but I think the best players available will be players that we actually need. Round one OT Jack Conklin T/G Germain Ifedi could climb the board too LB Reggie Ragland LB Myles Jack Round two G Vadal Alexander CB Kendall Fuller CB Mackensie Alexander CB Xavien Howard S Vonn Bell Round Three G Willie Beavers T/G Spencer Drango CB Artie Burns CB Sean Davis S KJ Dillon LB Scooby Wright Round four G Reese Odhiambo CB James Bradberry C/G Graham Glasgow LB Josh Perry Round five RB D.J Foster RB Kenyon Drake RB CJ Procise RB Paul Perkins RB Keith Marshall RB Kelvin Taylor Point being we'll have plenty of options. Free agency really shouldn't be viewed as a way to improve your team. It should be used to shore up certain positions and depth issues you have. The draft is where you build a winner. We have crappy drafts on a yearly basis no matter who is doing the selecting. Once that changes the team will start to win.
Explosion, I think you have a realistic assessment of where these guys should be drafted; however, I think that some of those guys have jettisoned up the board for whatever reason. I like where your head is at and what you are thinking. #SmartPost
Not sure exactly why Rainey would be considered a 3rd down back only. He started a few games and had 200 plus yards in one of them. He was behind Martin who is a pretty solid back. I would be thrilled to have Rainey replace Williams.
