RealGM

As of 10-7.
There's a lot more hype than substantiave ability with many RBs in this upcoming draft class. Several guys here would make better dual-back system runners, and the league seems to be evolving that way. As a general rule, if you're under 5'10" you had better run no slower than 4.45 if you want to go 1st day and there's a lot of prominent short guys (Rice, Savage, McRae) who haven't shown that yet. The RB board is often the most impacted by post-season workouts and games.


1. Darren McFadden-Arkansas (Jr.): Outstanding acceleration and vision with outstanding top-end speed; patient enough to wait for the hole to develop, then shows rare burst and agility in hitting the hole; great hands and shows good awareness of routes; can return kicks and also play QB in a pinch; has good power running ability but doesn

I like it, I'm not as sold on Mcfadden as some are, I don't think he will even grade out as high as Peterson a year ago.

Was surprised to see Mike Hart higher than Slaton, because I think someone is going to fall in love with his speed.

Can't really argue with Darren McFadden being a top-5 pick-caliber running back. On paper, this seems like a weak running back class, but it's exacerbated somewhat by a cornucopia of DL, OL, and a couple of stud QBs.

The homer in me says that Jonathan Stewart will go in the second round at least. Consider this: for not running behind any blockers and absorbing at least two blows on every run, he still averages over 7 yards per carry. Imagine what he can do as a pro, with the assistance of a fullback. He'd be able to shove it down the throats of a bunch of NFL teams and open up play-action so easily. He can't really block that well, but he's damn hard to pull down and he's cut like a diamond. He has a knack for gaining yards on plays that look like they're dead at the line of scrimmage.

Were I to rank the guys on this list, I'd probably go:

1. McFadden
2. Slaton
3. Stewart
4. Smith
5. Hart
6. Patrick
7. Choice
8. Torain
9. Rice (calling the shot now, Kiper's first "Day 2 steal")

Also, if I could trouble you for some more detailed analysis on Ian Johnson and Jeremiah Johnson, that would be appreciated.

Torian really picked a bad time to get hurt; just when the spotlight finally shines on ASU he's out for the year. Poor guy.

I talked to a guy today who believes Stewart will be the #2 RB off the board, and this guy knows what he's talking about 90% of the time. I'm going to have to watch him a little more closely I guess...

Not that my opinion should sway you, but against Washington's terrible defense he was tackled by no fewer than three guys on every rushing play. His combine numbers should be pretty awesome; Stewart should post the best weightlifting numbers for a RB this year.

Also, I've been meaning to ask this, so I'll ask it here: now that the first day of the draft is a round shorter, does that seriously impact the draft positions of some of these players (especially a high-caliber position such as RB)?

I like Jonathon Stewart as the second best back from what I can tell also, not that my opinion weighs that heavily

It's a shame Thomas Brown has had some serious injuries in his career. I think he'd be considered a first day pick otherwise.

Matt Forte?? The guy is tearing it up and looking like a beast doing it. To bad he plays for Tulane.

NO-KG-AI wrote:I like Jonathon Stewart as the second best back from what I can tell also, not that my opinion weighs that heavily

I'm not sure i wouldnt take him over McFadden.

jumanji wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I'm not sure i wouldnt take him over McFadden.

That's high praise, I was discussing McFadden with some guys on NFLdraftcountdown, and they were comparing him to Bo Jackson as an athlete

I think at this point he is overrated, he's an elite prospect, but not a number 1 lock or revolutionary talent IMO.

The gap between the two probably isn't as big as some think, but I would still go McFadden.

Good shoutout to Matt Forte btw, if Mewelde Moore can make it, Forte definitely can.

Matt Forte = Brian Leonard, but a little slower and a hair less sure handed. I know teams like his ability to play as a RB, FB, or even HBack. He's also a real smart guy, and it might just be my limited impression but I get the feeling that intelligence is going to play a bigger role in drafting and evaluation this season.

My biggest concern with McFadden is that he's basically been less than 100% for almost the entire last two seasons. It's great that he can be that good despite it, but is he ever going to be 100%, and is he going to be able to stay on the field, both short and long term?

What about Jacob Hester? Does he have a future in the NFL?

SportsWorld wrote:What about Jacob Hester? Does he have a future in the NFL?

I hope so. He'll get a shot for sure. His draft status will largely depend on his 40 times and how he handles Senior Bowl drills. I don't think he's anything more than a backup, but Nick Goings has carved out a nice career being pretty much the same guy, only a little stronger.

I promise I'm not a homer, but Rashard Mendenhall needs to be in your top 10, and maybe your top 5.

He's deceptively shifty, he's extremely powerful, and he's pretty fast. IIRC, only 2 fumbles on the year too...

And Illinois' QB can't pass, so everybody knows it's comin'.

Felix Jones has to enter the draft. He'd be the second off the board, third at the very latest.

If you can be a first round pick you have to do it. Next year's class is pretty good as well, with backs like Spiller, Wells and Williams possibly coming out.

DrugBust wrote:Felix Jones has to enter the draft. He'd be the second off the board, third at the very latest.

If you can be a first round pick you have to do it. Next year's class is pretty good as well, with backs like Spiller, Wells and Williams possibly coming out.

He'd do much better to serve a year out of McFadden's shadow. Guys like Stewart, Slaton, Hart, Kevin Smith, maybe even Ray Rice would all go ahead of him.

keep an eye on my boy anthony alridge. the guy has blazing speed.

PhilipNelsonFan wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



He'd do much better to serve a year out of McFadden's shadow. Guys like Stewart, Slaton, Hart, Kevin Smith, maybe even Ray Rice would all go ahead of him.

That's crazy. He's been one of the SEC's best two years running. You think that NFL personnel don't know about Jones? If you think Hart (third rounder, maybe) Slaton (borderline first), Rice (maybe a first day pick) would all go in front of Jones you're crazy.

Felix Jones if he declares has a pretty good chance at being the number 2 RB selected.

Next Coming wrote:Felix Jones if he declares has a pretty good chance at being the number 2 RB selected.

He's certainly no worse than 4th, behind McFadden, Stewart, and perhaps Slaton. I can feel a buzz growing for Stewart and I think he'll continue to climb. I have no idea if Jones is coming out though.