So, To The Point That Supposedly The 8th Overall Should Be An Immediate All-Pro, Here's A List Of The Last Ten 8th Overall Picks

[Jeremy Igo]

I think the thinking is top 10 RB's should be contributing to the running game immediately like Elliott and Gurley.

Historically out of all the positions on the field, it has been RBs that rookies have contributed to immediately the most often. 

[Carolina Cajun]

Fwiw, when the rams part ways with tavon Austin, I really want him here.  He is the perfect Ted ginn style reclimation project for us and I think he would add a true deep threat that we've never seen.

[Jaxel]

I think Austin would fit in the bust category... has he even had a 400 yard season in his career?

EDIT: looked it up. In 10 games cmc already has half as many TDs as Austin has in his career.

[L-TownCat]

53 minutes ago, Ivan The Awesome said:

Why would anyone in their right mind think CMC is a bust?

Rhymes with white.

[csx]

12 minutes ago, Carolina Cajun said:

Fwiw, when the rams part ways with tavon Austin, I really want him here.  He is the perfect Ted ginn style reclimation project for us and I think he would add a true deep threat that we've never seen.

Truer than Ginn?

[Eazy-E]

No one is saying he is a bust but as of now he is being out performed by guys like Hunt and Kamara who were third round picks. This is why you don’t draft running backs high in the first round anymore unless a rare prospect like Zeke comes along. 

Imagine if we got Lattimore or Hooker, Samuel, and Kamara or Hunt from this past draft. 

[uncfan888]

Just now, Eazy-E said:

No one is saying he is a bust but as of now he is being out performed by guys like Hunt and Kamara who were third round picks. This is why you don’t draft running backs high in the first round anymore unless a rare prospect like Zeke comes along. 

Imagine if we got Lattimore or Hooker, Samuel, and Kamara or Hunt from this past draft. 

I've seen a couple people in here saying he's a bust

[Achilles]

CMC is doing fine.  He's not gaining a combined 200 yds a game receiving and rushing and people want to say he's a bust.  The kid is a big part of this offense and he's catching the ball, becoming more effective as a runner, and has 5 TDs in 10 games.  That's not bad for a rookie.

 

Plus,  I think it's kind of a fools errand to go comparing #8 picks.  Those were different positions.  None of those players has CMCs skill set.  He was a transcendent player at Stanford.

He needs more experience at the professional level.  Maybe it's been a little bit of a slow start, but I can see growth.  

Tavon Austin has all the speed and quickness in the world, but he's not that savvy of a football player.  He's a pro, no doubt, and belongs at this level, but there's a reason he doesn't lead his team in receiving, even though he should.

CMC is a smart football player.  He is still developing his vision at this level, but he is improving.  Look at his blocking of late.  He gets it.

Give him time.  Our running game is solidifying.

[tondi]

I think what this indicates more than anything, is the total crap shoot nature of the draft.  You can look at pretty much any top 10 slot over the last 10 years and be pretty underwhelmed at the performance of those who were picked.  And, of course, the same applies even more so to those picked anywhere outside the top 10. 

[Vagrant]

positional value really screws up the ranking list. it would be more fair to compare CMC to the 2nd RB taken in every draft the past ten years or so than to make a list like this. 

2016 - Derrick Henry

2015 - Melvin Gordon

2014 - Jeremy Hill

2013 - Le'Veon Bell

2012 - Doug Martin

2011 - Ryan Williams

2010 - Ryan Matthews

2009 - Donald Brown

2008 - Jonathan Stewart 

2007 - Marshawn Lynch

[Chardee MacDennis]

Yeah, there are over 210 players drafted each year, and only 1500 total roster spots available in the NFL, with undrafted guys making squads all the time. It's a numbers game and eventually the lifestyles of these young kids will get in the way of their success.

The other thing to consider when looking back at any 10 year time frame is the benefit of time itself. In 7 more years, we might be calling Tannehill, Beasley, etc all busts too because maybe they run into injury/drug/concussion problems and are out of the league too. Then when we look back at them we say, dang those guys were busts weren't they? What a waste of a pick at number 8. Out of the league in less than 10 years? Couldn't even be a franchise changing player for 10 years? 

 

The better question would be how many total players picked in the top 10 over the past 10 years are considered franchise guys who change the game and have been stable pieces to their team for 10 straight years? I would bet that percentage is pretty low.

[Snake]

8 hours ago, rippadonn said:

McCaffrey and Cam in a year or two will be dangerous. I liked seeing the smoke route the other day. It fits them. 

There ability is limited by Shula and the WRs around them. If Hurney wants to redeem himself get us a really good WR in FA. Then this duo will be exciting. 

[ForJimmy]

It's all about what staff/scheme he is in. Andy Reid and Sean Payton would have made him look better early. The good news is we are 7-3 and Shula might be actually figuring out how to use him. That combined with Cam Newton's late November/December playing in the past should make for a great finish!!

[Joe the Show]

I would argue that CMC, while not a future HOFer, was probably the safest pick at #8.  You know he's athletic, hardworking, and has great hands.  I don't think anyone with a brain expected him to produce like he did in college.  He is a solid player who will force defenses to consider him in game planning.  He causes matchup problems, which is a big part of NFL offenses these days.  The most important thing to remember is that hindsight is 50/50 and no one lets the cat out of the hat before the Titanic sails.