Have you thought about what to do here next year? We need a stud back there that is a 3 down back. I am hoping we can target one in round 2, maybe Chubb/Michel. The big fish is Leveon Bell, but after a year in the franchise tag, he will want a long term deal. He is the perfect back for us. Some second contract guys (coming off rookie deal) seems enticing, including Carlos Hyde, Jeremy Hill, and Isaiah Crowell. Hyde may be replaced with Breida, seems maybe the better of all 3. Can catch out the backfield. Hill opted for surgery and should ok by FA. Seems there was some dissension with Cincy, as the staff thought he could have delayed surgery
one guy I have liked is duke Johnson since Miami, if he can stay healthy im sure hes looking to get out of Cleveland.
Next year is Drake and Williams, plus whoever we draft in the mid-rounds to challenge as a rookie. Not sure how this is even a question after Drake busted out 4-5 long runs in two games when Ajayi was averaging just over two yards per touch.
Go for Bell. Why do we always have to find a freaking deal. Swing for the fences for freaking once. Do that and trade up to get Baker as QB then spend the entire draft of whats left on the OL. I promise, we'll all swiftly forget what we gave up for those two as we are reeling off W's.
exactly wins will erase everyones thoughts about draft picks and blah blah blah, the pats give their top 2nd and 3rd rounders away all the time and they succeed, you have to get who you want and then fill in th epeices. One thing that needs to happen is the front office needs to know what is a good and bad contract because we eat so much money off stupid contracts lol
Swing for the fences for once? This team has consistently spent a lot of money in FA, I'm pretty sure we swung for the fences on Suh and overpaid countless other big free agents in the past several years.
As much as I'd love a great running back I'd rather have a great offensive line. Most backs can look good if you get them to the second level. We need to fix our interior line and then worry about finding a back IMO.
Drake will be a very good feature back for us next season. I'm fine with taking a back early if Gase believes that's what this offense needs.
Anyone saying Bell ... **** no. Dude is good, but won't be worth that contract. And if you are the type who has *****ed about the OL and now want to shell out for Bell? Double **** no. Spend the money on the line first with established, good vets please. The running game will follow. I'd like to see Drake over the rest of the season before we start to mark it is a high priority. If he bombs, then I'd target a mid-round back and see if we can't pick up a Hunt/Jones/kamara/etc to pair with a mid-tier free agent.
Let's not forget that when we let Miller go to Houston, there was a ton of uproar but at the time it was very obvious that Ajayi was just as good, if not better, and very capable of being the starter. Fast forward to today and it's fairly obvious that Drake is just as good, if not better, and very capable of being the starter. Regardless of all the doom and gloom, we have been very successful at finding mid-late round RB talent through the draft in the last few years. Let's all keep in mind that's exactly how to build a winning football team. You draft well, keep capable backups and let the starter go when he becomes too costly or trade him when the opportunity arises. You don't go out and shell big bucks for high priced RB.