Time to draft a running back?

[Navy_football]

If a running back is actually BPA after the 3rd round, then yes it's time to draft running back.

[MHS831]

The salary cap causes GMs to make tough decisions and the RB position is at the bottom of the Supply and Demand list.

However, if you are choosing in the fifth round and the player you are picking has a 3% chance of becoming a contributing player, and there is a RB sitting there who can come in for 10 snaps a game and get you 40 yards--you take the RB.  You might argue, "We have nothing at Center!!!"  but a fifth round center is not solving that problem. 

And you have to consider your needs on special teams.

So there are a lot of variables that go into the decision.

 

 

[CamWhoaaCam]

3 hours ago, NAS said:

I gave up after two replies, he’s just repeating nonsense 

It's not nonsense just a disagreement on what we need in the draft.

 

You guys get so worked up over opinions it's sad. Disagree and move on it's simple. Throw me a poo emoji I will understand.

 

 

[LinvilleGorge]

30 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

The salary cap causes GMs to make tough decisions and the RB position is at the bottom of the Supply and Demand list.

However, if you are choosing in the fifth round and the player you are picking has a 3% chance of becoming a contributing player, and there is a RB sitting there who can come in for 10 snaps a game and get you 40 yards--you take the RB.  You might argue, "We have nothing at Center!!!"  but a fifth round center is not solving that problem. 

And you have to consider your needs on special teams.

So there are a lot of variables that go into the decision.

 

 

I don't think many fans realize just what a crap shoot late round picks are. Completely throw need out the window. You're trying to find guys who are roster quality, period. You're pretty much forced to go pure BPA.

[t96]

I'd sign a legit 1b or top backup in FA before drafting one. Late day 3 I'm fine with, but not sure there's much of a difference between those guys and UDFAs at that point. We need defense help so badly I'm in favor of not even scouting offense this draft. Go offense in FA.

[mrcompletely11]

2 minutes ago, t96 said:

I'd sign a legit 1b or top backup in FA before drafting one. Late day 3 I'm fine with, but not sure there's much of a difference between those guys and UDFAs at that point. We need defense help so badly I'm in favor of not even scouting offense this draft. Go offense in FA.

our cap situation, especially with the incoming horn deal, doesnt allow us a ton of luxury in signing a vet

[mav1234]

1 minute ago, t96 said:

I'd sign a legit 1b or top backup in FA before drafting one. Late day 3 I'm fine with, but not sure there's much of a difference between those guys and UDFAs at that point. We need defense help so badly I'm in favor of not even scouting offense this draft. Go offense in FA.

Given we know FA is more costly than the draft, why do you suggest going offense in FA vs defense?  We need starters and later round picks (imo after the 2nd/3rd) are unlikely to be starters, but are good depth - which is our need for RBs.

I'm not suggesting our first or second or something go to a RB, but I'd rather we invest in D on decent, known players (aka FA, tho avoiding some of the expensive edge players) than use 4th round picks hoping for a starter. 

[Htarnation4.0]

On 1/2/2025 at 10:45 AM, WhoKnows said:

If we use anything more than a day 3 pick, I’d be upset. I want OL/DL with all the extra day 3 picks we have because we need depth desperately and solid NT/DT/C/Gs are found on day 3. Even with some misses, we should get some hits. Day 1 and 2 are for shoring up the D with BPA as we have needs everywhere.

Trenches first. Totally agree

[NAS]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I don't think many fans realize just what a crap shoot late round picks are. Completely throw need out the window. You're trying to find guys who are roster quality, period. You're pretty much forced to go pure BPA.

I feel like running backs are the easiest position to evaluate in terms of how a player will translate into the NFL. You at least have a better chance drafting a running back in those late rounds.

[TD alt]

17 hours ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

Javonte Williams from Denver. 

Whoever goes undrafted look at the film and sign the best available. 

Williams sucks. Why do you think they're trying to find his replacement? RBs are not equal, dude. UDFAs are undrafted for a reason. 

I have tried to explain it several times: The RB position is devalued in a contractural sense when it comes time to renew---basically from a business perspective, but from an on-the-field perspective they are as important as ever. You want the best talent that you can get, and exceptional ones get paid. Others who are perceived near the back side of their career don't, unless maybe they're perceived as a missing piece to a chip, and even then it's not to long term contracts. UDFAs and JAGs are let go religiously because they're just guys, someone to hold space and keep it moving. Teams don't generally let good backs go, unless they think they can get a better one, can't or don't want to pay what the market demands, or the back is injured. 

Edited January 3, 2025 by TD alt

[DJ feed me moore]

yes, his name is Cam Skattebo. He's a culture setter

[Mike2.0]

I wouldn’t be against drafting a running back to pair with Chuba. Look at the production the Lions have had with their duo, Gibbs and Montgomery. We’ve had success with running back duos. It would certainly help our young quarterback by taking some of the pressure off him. Now that’s not to say we should use a day one pick or spend big on someone via free agency, but I’d be happy enough with us selecting someone on day two or three if they are the best player available .

[t96]

1 hour ago, mrcompletely11 said:

our cap situation, especially with the incoming horn deal, doesnt allow us a ton of luxury in signing a vet

2025 NFL Free Agents

 

Not really. plenty of options for cheap.

[t96]

1 hour ago, mav1234 said:

Given we know FA is more costly than the draft, why do you suggest going offense in FA vs defense?  We need starters and later round picks (imo after the 2nd/3rd) are unlikely to be starters, but are good depth - which is our need for RBs.

I'm not suggesting our first or second or something go to a RB, but I'd rather we invest in D on decent, known players (aka FA, tho avoiding some of the expensive edge players) than use 4th round picks hoping for a starter. 

I don't think we really need to do all that much on offense other than backup QB and backup RB and maybe some depth WR. All of which can be found for relatively cheap. We will come nowhere near competing next year and we do have some potentially good younger pieces on offense, but pretty much none on D other than Horn (great year but still questionable durability) and Brown (assuming his great year wasn't a one-off and he can get back to that level of play post-injury).

 

Getting young pieces on D should be this organization's largest priority for the roster. Well, after QB. But seems like we are sticking with Bryce which is a mistake, and this year's QB crop isn't really that good. Ward could be interesting if we are in a position to draft him but I view him more as mid-late 1st and would prefer D in the top 5-10 this draft. QB can wait a year.