Seeking Insights on RB and TE

[MHS831]

Hello pals and close impersonal friends,

As we progress towards the draft, it seems to me that this off-season and the draft will be dedicated to providing Bryce with all the weapons he needs to be successful.   We all jumped to OL and WR, and rightly so.  However, do we have that game-changing RB and a TE threat that are good enough to qualify as "weapons?"  If we are truly going to give Bryce the weaponry he needs, can we say that we have done that with our current roster in the area of TE and RB?

When I mock, I am focused on CB, WR, LB--and many mocks I do not have a RB or TE. 

TE:  Last year, Dalton Kincaid, Sam LaPorta, and Luke Musgrave were successful in year 1.  A few others, such as Mayer, Washington, and Schoonmaker disappointed as rookies, but for the most part, first year TEs were successful.   In my view, there is one sure thing at TE in this draft and there is another who should be on the level of Kincaid and LaPorta--TE Sanders from Texas.   If we want to upgrade at TE, we need him, in my view.  Or we should probably start Tremble and hope that his improvement continues.

• Q: Is there a TE in this draft that will make us better?  Should we continue to bring along Tremble? 

RB:  Chubba Hubbard had 900 yards last season, but he averaged a meager 3.8 yards.  Of course, with the new OL, that should improve. Sanders shows us what running behind an outstanding OL can do for your career.  He averaged 3.3 yards per carry and fumbled about once every 65 carries (2 fumbles, 129 carries).  However, before coming to Carolina, Sanders averaged 4.8 yards per carry.   His numbers should improve with the new OL. 

• Do we need a feature RB?  Do we need a bowling ball or a Swiss Army knife?  Can we assume that our RB production will improve with our $150m guards? 

OVERARCHING QUESTION:  Is it reasonable to assume that the best "bang for the buck" (players likely to see extensive, meaningful playing time as starters or key rotational players) is to focus on TE, RB, and one more WR?   

UNDERARCHING RHETORICAL QUESTION:  Has MHS lost his mind? 

Edited April 18, 2024 by MHS831

[pantherclaw]

I have much respect for Chubba.  He is a hard-nosed, down hill runner that isn't terrible in the passing game.  I don't feel he is a feature back. 

Most elite offenses don't have a bell cow feature back.  So we should draft another RB anyways. Not sure where the value will line up with the pick.  It will also be interesting to see what kind of RB that D&D target. 

I'm also always for adding a talented TE.  It would be nice to see Tremble blossom to be a consistent threat in the passing game.  He doesn't have to have 1000 yard seasons. Just be consistent, and get first downs and TDs. 

[PNW_PantherMan]

We don't need someone to carry the load at RB.  But, we could use one that is strong as a receiver to pair with Chuba.  If there is someone like that late in the draft, I would think about taking them.

[MHS831]

1 minute ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

We don't need someone to carry the load at RB.  But, we could use one that is strong as a receiver to pair with Chuba.  If there is someone like that late in the draft, I would think about taking them.

Take a look at the RB from KY ray Davis.  Small and bowling ball ish  and can catch.   could be there in 4th.  Great story--was homeless, etc.  https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ray-davis/32004441-5663-2804-a8ce-2174ee79562e

[WhoKnows]

I wouldn’t put Sanders close to Kincaid or La Porta. I don’t think he’s worth a 2nd. It would be a big kick in the nuts if we go TE this year instead of last year. TE should have been last year instead of Mingo. This is why we’ve sucked so bad lately. We overdraft at positions that aren’t deep instead of targeting guys who fall because it’s a deep class. Kincaid and La Porta had great seasons for rookies. TEs don’t typically have great production as rookies, even the great ones.

[Bear Hands]

With Canales, he gave Rachaad White almost 300 carries and nearly 60 targets receiving.  And factor in our new prized possession in Hunt- he led the top-running OL in Miami that was paving lanes for Achane/Mostert to amass almost 2,000 rushing yards in a wide zone scheme.  Note they had McDaniel and the speed at WR and RB to help stretch the field in multiple different ways.   

We just don't have the guy to fit the bill. Chuba and Miles aren't forcing any defense to adjust.  

Getting a feature back that can hit home runs is super critical to any success we'll have.  I would not be surprised if one of 5 (Brooks, Corum, Benson, Wright or Lloyd) ends up on this team as our new main guy whose name you'll hear quite a lot moving forward.  

 

 

[Bear Hands]

But if you want a good sleeper back - check out Blake Watson out of Memphis.  He could be a diamond in the rough.  Explosive receiving back and runner.  

[PNW_PantherMan]

3 minutes ago, Bear Hands said:

With Canales, he gave Rachaad White almost 300 carries and nearly 60 targets receiving.

Canales ran this man into the dirt.  Nearly 300 carries at 3.6 average lmao.

[Bear Hands]

5 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Canales ran this man into the dirt.  Nearly 300 carries at 3.6 average lmao.

Yeah.  They didn't have much else there--White isn't that good a runner and Edmunds was the backup who's pretty bad.  And had a bit lackluster OL in respect to a ground game.  Yet he was still strongly dedicated to the ground game.

[CRA]

The moment we drafted Bryce....slot WR, TE, and rec RB IMO were the 3 key positions for him to succeed.   And we have failed him in those 3 spots.   Bryce is suppose to be a PG dink and dunker IMO.  So you need YAC guys at those spots. 

[OneBadCat]

I’d rather take the chance that Sanders rebounds rather than take a RB in the draft (unless it’s like 5th round). 

[ColumbusCounty]

We need a reliable pass catching TE... Tremble "could" be that with further development. We also need a RB with power...for short distance and goaline situations. 

We could get by with that we have if we had to but we could also certainly upgrade. I'm guessing the FO feels the same. 

[CRA]

20 minutes ago, OneBadCat said:

I’d rather take the chance that Sanders rebounds rather than take a RB in the draft (unless it’s like 5th round). 

if Sanders rebounds.....he still is one of the worst receiving RBs in the NFL.  Because that what he was in 2 of the last 3 seasons in Philly and ultimately why they parted with him.   We aren't meshing talented with our QB.  Bryce needs diverse RBs that can catch and make plays.  

We need what Cohen was in Chicago pre injury.   

We need to draft RB talent.  Rounds 3 or 4 is where you build your backfield IMO.  We should always be adding talent.  We should quit with FA RBs. 

 

[Tr3ach]

I think Chubba has earned the right to receive most of the carries.  We need a receiving rb.  Especially with what it seems like Canales likes to do.  I would love to pick up Dylan Laube in the 5th or so.  Great receiver and blocker.