Why I Have Fallen Out of Love with Fournette at 8...

[TylerDurden]

I figured I would post my thoughts on this and gauge the temp of the board on it.  During the combine, in most discussions I saw here, most people were worried about whether Fournette would even make it to #8.  While I admit, the prospect of infusing our backfield with a bruising, battering ram of a back to carry the load and ease some of the burden off of Cam is an immensely exciting scenario, I am now starting to question if this is the best move we can make.

Thinking more and more about VALUE over the last few days, and whether value lines up with where a specific player is being picked, as well as all the buzztalk about our offense looking to "evolve" going forward - it hit me...  If we are looking to evolve, to diversify our offense and add new wrinkles and layers to it, is Fournette at 8 the right move?  I'm starting to think the answer is no.

I go back to value...  when you think about a guy like McCaffrey, who fills multiple needs, who can play RB, WR, and return kicks, who is being projected in the late first to early second - THAT is unbeatable value.  That value is especially magnified when compared to a guy like Fournette who is the most one-dimensional back out of all the guys being projected in the first to early second round.

Fournette does one thing, and he does it really well.  And despite our history under Shula of having a "vertical" dimension to our offense, for the most part, we are a power run team.  And yes, Fournette fits that scheme perfectly...  IF, that is what we are continuing on as, but if we truly plan on evolving this season, then I think the best plan is to trade back, pick up more value/assets, and pick a guy like Ross and/or McCaffrey.  If we do so, I believe that will be the true indicator of whether or not the offense evolves this year, or plans to continue to do the same things it has...  and knowing Rivera's history, I suspect there won't be much in the way of evolution in philosophy or scheme this season.  It just sounds good to say following a 6-10 season and entering what many believe is a make or break year for the entire staff.

Regardless, whatever route we go, we are going to get a talent that will certainly provide some spark to an offense that stagnated last season, but which route is the most optimal - for now, for the future, for our organization, and for Cam?

A big, bruising back to handle the heavy lifting and carry the bulk of the workload that in turn likely opens up things in play action and the passing game?

Or a multi-dimensional talent that can line up at multiple spots on the field and create matchup nightmares for defenses (and when it comes to McCaffrey, someone who can also carry some of that workload in the run game)?

 

[nctarheel0619]

I respect you as a poster, but if I have to hear about McCaffrey being a better value back over Leonard Fournette again, I'm gonna go nuts (Jeremy wrote a shitty article today saying the same stupid s h i t).  Leonard Fournette is the best RB prospect in years.  If he falls to 8, we need to take him, if not him Adams.  That's the only two at that point.   

[Mr. Scot]

Would you want McCaffrey at #8?

What about McCaffrey vs OJ Howard?

[nctarheel0619]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

Would you want McCaffrey at #8?

I think he was referring to trading back, or taking McCaffrey later in the 1st.  Same regurgitated s h i t Jeremy stated earlier this morning.  

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, nctarheel0619 said:

I think he was referring to trading back, or taking McCaffrey later in the 1st.  Same regurgitated s h i t Jeremy stated earlier this morning.  

I can accept that, but my question is what if we don't?

[brandon_87]

Or how about reason a) we wouldn't utilize him properly and 8 is too high to take a RB in a read option offensE?

 

if Shula was gone I'd love him at 8, but not with the poo we run

[L-TownCat]

I'm still on the LF train but if anyone is gaining it's OJ Howard.  I'm liking this kid a lot.

[TylerDurden]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Would you want McCaffrey at #8?

Not at all.  In fact, I haven't been all that big of a fan of his, as far as how well his game will translate to the pros.

But, apparently scouts love him and according to McShay, thought his combine showing was even bwtter than expected.

I'm saying I think there is far greater value in trading back, picking up assets, and taking a guy like McCaffrey (or Ross, then taking a RB in the 2nd) later in the first while giving us another extra pick in the 2nd or 3rd for doing so.

[nctarheel0619]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

I can accept that, but my question is what if we don't?

Fair question.  I think trading back is pretty stupid.  But, whatever.  

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, brandon_87 said:

Or how about reason a) we wouldn't utilize him properly and 8 is too high to take a RB in a read option offensE?

if Shula was gone I'd love him at 8, but not with the poo we run

If we're still running the read-option next year, I'm going to be really disappointed.

That part of the offense needs to "evolve" right on out the door.

[Doc Holiday]

First off the Panthers aren't planning on trading back, the Ealy move proves that we are planning to move up. (both 2's for a 1st)

as far as Fournette versus other Running Backs, there is no one I'd rather have end of discussion.

as far as Fournette versus the rest lf the top 15 players, there are about 4-5 I wouldnt be mad at us picking up even tho I want Fournette, heck I've stated a few times on here that I'm not a fan at getting Adams at 8 because I think you can get quality play out of mid-tier FA SS's, but like I said when we drafted Kalil and Luke, any time you draft the best player at a position in the draft, it's a good pick.

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, Proudiddy said:

Not at all.  In fact, I haven't been all that big of a fan of his, as far as how well his game will translate to the pros.

But, apparently scouts love him and according to McShay, thought his combine showing was even bwtter than expected.

I'm saying I think there is far greater value in trading back, picking up assets, and taking a guy like McCaffrey (or Ross, then taking a RB in the 2nd) later in the first while giving us another extra pick in the 2nd or 3rd for doing so.

One thing you have to factor in here: Gettleman doesn't like trading back. If he likes a player, he'll take him right where we are.

Thoughts on OJ Howard?

[brandon_87]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

If we're still running the read-option next year, I'm going to be really disappointed.

That part of the offense needs to "evolve" right on out the door.

Supposedly 2 years ago we were done with it... but use it now more then ever lol "evolve " probably means bringing another TE to help block for it

[TylerDurden]

5 minutes ago, nctarheel0619 said:

I respect you as a poster, but if I have to hear about McCaffrey being a better value back over Leonard Fournette again, I'm gonna go nuts (Jeremy wrote a shitty article today saying the same stupid s h i t).  Leonard Fournette is the best RB prospect in years.  If he falls to 8, we need to take him, if not him Adams.  That's the only two at that point.   

Lol, sorry brother...  I hadn't seen Jeremy's article yet.  It just occurred to me to post my thoughts on it as I had just saw McShay's latest mock and I had been thinking about whether we could justify taking a power back with the 8th pick in today's NFL.

Don't get me wrong, I would still be excited if we took Fournette, I just like the idea of trading back and getting more players to come in and raise our overall talent base and competition.  I just think taking Fournette would be a signal, that just like in the Superbowl, we view our offense as a hammer and every opponent is the same guage of nail - which I just don't think will win more than out-strategizing opponents going forward.