The Running Back Class

[jdpanther5]

Stumbled across an article by Bob McGinn in which he documents a poll he took of 20 personnel men about this year's RB class. The top two are predictable, but it's kind of a crapshoot beyond that.

http://m.jsonline.com/sports/packers/todd-gurley-leads-ball-carriers-but-several-in-big-ten-among-top-10-b99486141z1-301335331.html

The whole article is worth a read, but here are the rankings:

1. Todd Gurley (93 points, 13 firsts)

2. Melvin Gordon (86 points, 7 firsts)

3. Ameer Abdullah (32)

4. T.J. Yeldon (31)

5. Tevin Coleman (21)

6. Duke Johnson (15)

7. Jay Ajayi (13)

8. Buck Allen (5)

9. David Johnson (2)

T10. David Cobb, Jeremy Langford (1)

Kinda surprised Abdullah is that high. I won't dispute him being maybe the third most talented back, but he's undersized and thus may not be an every-down guy. I don't see Yeldon over Coleman either, the latter of which is my third RB.

Ajayi would also be in the mix as the third back, but his injury seems to have scared teams off. Lots of other talented guys like Mike Davis, John Crockett, and Cameron Artis-Payne among others, didn't get a mention.

[MHS831]

Thanks for posting this.  Interesting. 

 

Big drop-off after #2. 

 

I really liked Davis at SC, so I would have no trouble going with him in the 4th round or so.  We have looked at a few of the later-round backs too. 

[Roebling]

It's really nice that this class is deep here. We just need a compliment to our back... I think Duke Johnson would be great as different element for our offense/compliment Stewart well.

[chknwing]

duke johnson in the 3rd.

[LinvilleGorge]

Won't surprise me one bit if either Tevin Coleman or Duke Johnson end up being the best RB out of the class.  Gurley is the most talented, but can he stay healthy.  Gordon is a near lock to be a bust IMO.  Abdullah has that fumblitis which sucks, because other than that I think he's very similar to Gio Bernard.

[davos]

This is probably my favorite class out of the positions this year.  Some damn good talent. 

[jtm]

Thanks for posting this. Interesting.

Big drop-off after #2.

I really liked Davis at SC, so I would have no trouble going with him in the 4th round or so. We have looked at a few of the later-round backs too.

I love Davis too but I could never figure him out in college. When he's healthy and trying, he's elite but some games he appeared to be taking it easy and not trying. If a team gets him late and he gives 100% effort in the pros, someone got a steal.

[davos]

Something to consider is that If they're set with Fozzy being a change of pace/scat type, Stewart as the big component, and Todman as depth/KR, getting another bigger but all-around back would be ideal.  

 

Langford, Buck Allen, David Johnson, Taz Crockett, and Yeldon all kind of fit the mold I'm thinking would be the best fit outside of Gurley, Gordon, Ajaye, and Coleman.  Big but fast enough to bust open long runs.  

[MHS831]

I love Davis too but I could never figure him out in college. When he's healthy and trying, he's elite but some games he appeared to be taking it easy and not trying. If a team gets him late and he gives 100% effort in the pros, someone got a steal.

 

Nobody had a closer seat to "Marcus Lattimer Story" than Davis.  He even referenced Lattimer when deciding to come out.  I wonder if possible injury was in his head.

 

I can't say it would not be in mine.  I have a chance for a deal of about $2m over 4 years at worst, and then lose it all vs. Central Florida?

[t96]

Ajayi is definitely the 3rd best in my opinion, but the injury is the concern.

[JawnyBlaze]

I've been high on Abdullah since I started researching this year's draft class. I'm in complete agreement he's the third best RB in this class.

[Byrdman4real]

Duke Johnson in the 3rd is about right. 

[iamhubby1]

Ok, let me get this out there. Langford in the 4th. We still get to use our top 3 picks on WR, OL, and CB. Yet we still get a big back with enough speed to get to the house. He can pick up the blitz, and catches the ball very well. He has great vision, and has surprising wiggle to make folks miss. He also has a great spin move, which he can use in space, or in a crowd.

He isn't a scat back, but we have Fozzy for that. Langford is just what the doctor ordered. He can do everything we want our back-up RB to be able to do.

[iamhubby1]

Oh, and GO GREEN!!!