DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2018 NFL Season 2018 NFL Draft Ranking and Evaluating the Running Backs

Nice list.

I love Michel. He has good size at 220. I think he can be a great workhorse back in the NFL. He has it all. He has good hands, good speed, power, and some wiggle but is mostly a 1 cut back who can bounce outside if nothing is there.

I'd take him at the top of the 2nd round. He and Duke would be a nice combination in the backfield. I might even trade up in to the back end of the 1st round to get him if it looked like he might not last.

Sorry I meant Kareem Hunt not Alvin Kamara

I was wondering about the Kamara comparison.

Yea got the two messed up.

One guy who I’m curious about cause I’m not really sure where or what position he’s gonna end up playing, that’s Jaylen Samuals from N.C. State. He’s listed as a TE, but is only about 5’11” and 230lbs or so. He catches the ball extremely well, but don’t think he’s even close to big enough to line up at TE in the NFL. Can he be a FB? How’s his blocking? Is he quick enough to be a RB? How fast is he? All questions I have on him. But he’s peeked my curiosity. Worst case he’s a third down back. Reminds me of Larry Centers.

Barkley seems to run lateral a little more than I like. I would like a north-south runner.

I don't think we necessarily need a Kamara-type because we have Duke. That's exactly who he is. I kinda like Guice to complement Duke, and then maybe even draft another in the later rounds for depth. I get it, but I think RB depth was an issue this season, I think we were lucky to make it thru the season unscathed.

Sorry, I didn’t mean Kamara, I was thinking of Hunt from KC and saying Kamara.


Guide is interesting to me, I just wish LSU used him more in the passing game, I don’t know how well he catches the ball. His running style reminds of watching Thurman Thomas. He doesn’t look like he’s doing a whole lot or going overly quick but then he sneaks through the hole. Kinda like it almost effortless for him. If you can understand that. Like a good swinger of the golf club, doesn’t look like he’s swinging hard but the ball goes a long way.

I thnk you pretty much nailed it.

If we don't get Barkley, I want Michel.

And, I echo what PDX said on Freeman. Another "local" kid that intrigues me is Oregon State's Ryan Nall - he's not the fastest kid in the world, but he's elusive for his size, can catch the ball, and can run through people. Add a few pounds and he can be FB instead of RB. If we are looking for a little thunder to add to a Barkely or Michel lightning, he would be a great addition.

I believe Mike Webber is staying at OSU.

I think Guice catches really well. He does need some work as a pass blocker though. Can't catch the ball on third down if they take you out of the game.

I was able to watch Barkley and Love a few times this year. Both RBs stood out but if the Browns are looking for a compliment to Duke Johnson, I don't think Love fits the bill. Other than that I do remember thinking that John Kelley was a tough run runner on a bad Tennessee team. I was impressed with Kerryon Johnsons toughness as well. I also like Ronald Jones in the very limited time I watched him.

Those are my top 3 as well

1. Barkley
2. Michel
3. Guice
4. Penny
5. Love

I honestly can't remember a deeper RB pool, deepest I can recall..I haven't even looked at the small school studs, so that throws even more into the pile...I know last year was incredibly deep at TE...hoping we can take advantage and find another stud in such a large pool of talent.

No ones mentioned Josh Adams yet either ...

He’s pretty good fella’s ...

My only concern is injury ... he seems nicked up all the time ...

Someone asked about the best ALL AROUND BACK ... running, recieving and blocking ...

Not sure about the others as I have only seen most of them once or twice .... but I know all about Adams ...

- very good runner ....
- GREAT reciever with VERY SOFT HANDS ...
- GREAT blocker ...

Don’t sleep on this kid ... if he can stay healthy ... he’ll be pretty damm good ...

I mentioned Josh Adams in my very first post. I had him just outside the top 10, but I was certainly thinking of putting him in that top 10. It's pretty early and the list will evolve.

Oooops ... sorry ... my oversight ...

Your only guilty of UNDERRATING him .... *L* ... it was a joke .. relax ...

This class is soooooo deep .....

I appreciate the kind words Vers...And it rings true of you as well, I gain a lot of insight from your posts and reasoning. I don't post much during the season...because as a norm our seasons are literally nothing to write about lol. But draft time is always my favorite, as its fun identifying with others whom to look out for in the pros.

One of the deep things I look at for a RB in college, is what kind of player are they when defenses are already penetrating the backfield. It seems it doesn't happen as often in college, But we all know for certain it happens a lot in the NFL. I like to try to see how a RB will interact when he's getting the ball and already has a defender or two too close to comfort...That's what seperates the special ones.

I try to see what their abilities are on the 1st level, and can they do the same in the second and third levels. You get yourself a back that can constantly get to the 2nd level, you have yourself a stud. You have those fast elusive backs whom are dangerous when they get out of the 2nd level, because they simply out angle or run the last level...Problem is they sometimes are negated by the 1st level way too often...Finding someone whom has a blend of all above, is I believe what defines a star RB...

And of course you have to look at vision, speed, patience, power, cutting ability, hands, and health.

Heck I didnt even care for RB Kamara coming out last year (I was obvious wrong lol) I felt he had a high bust/boom rate as he was unproven as a college back, he seemed to run high at times...though he had that wow factor of just being completely gone in an instant, while losing almost no speed on his jump cut.

But I think that is what makes it fun, trying to find those gems and trying to distinguish whom is overrated.

Man, these last couple of posts from you and bonefish are what real football talk is all about!!!

The kid just never takes a solid hit from the defender, always a glancing blow or wrap up type of talks. In this regards he reminds me of Barry Sanders. Know they’re not the some type of player but IMO they’re closer then most would think.

When I read the question, Most overlooked? I thought of this guy immediately.

I'm just taking your list, Vers, I like your assessments. I'm reordering it and cutting it off at Bryce Love. These would be my choices and I secretly hope we take one at least by the time Sony Michel is ready to come off the board.

1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
I'm not going to say much because we all know him. I think he is very good, but not the 3-tool guy Zeke was. I won't be too unhappy if we draft him at 4, but I think that is too high for him.

2. Derrius Guice, LSU
Decent speed, tough guy, and is really quick.

3. Ronald Jones, USC
Versatile RB who is under appreciated. I like that he put some weight on and can also catch the ball.

4. Sony Michel, Georgia
I like him better than Chubb. I think he will be available in rounds 2-3 and I hope we take him there. I love his speed, explosiveness, and pass catching abilities.

5. Nick Chubb, Georgia
Better speed than I thought. He's okay. I am not a huge fan.

6. Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
Very tough dude. Workhorse. Has taken a lot of big shots, though.

7. Bryce Love, Stanford
Very fast. Great kid. Good vision. Kinda slight of frame. Injuries could be an issue.

If we don't land Barkley, Guice is my guy at 35.

After Round 1 is over, I look at my BPA Board and if there is a CB in my Top 35, he's my pick at 33 and Guice at 35.

Can you imagine a haul of

Rosen Darnold
Minkah-Fitzpatrick
Top CB
Guice

A Jarvis Landry and a Top FA CB.

If you can't WIN with THAT, you deserve to be FIRED.

lol Better Than Zeke ,,, Right

Not sure why you think that is so funny. Barkley is most definitely a 3-tool back. Since he also returns kicks, maybe a 4-tool back.

So you’re saying Barkley is a real tool?

j/c: The 3-tool thing I was referring in regards to Zeke was:

1. Running
2. Receiver
3. Blocker, especially in blitz pick-ups.

I think Barkley does some things better then Zeke, think he catches better, he looks to be more explosive and faster then Zeke. I’d give the edge to Zeke in vision, but also think Barkley has better ability to cut. Although I think Barkley might measure a bit bigger I’d say Zeke runs with a shade more power. Barkley is a model player both on the field and off if people care about that. Both are good but think if I had the choice I’d take Barkley’s potential over what Zeke is. Think he’s better overall in the pass game and barring injury you’ll have for all season. Don’t beleive you have to worry about a suspension.

I like Barkley better than Zeke also. Zeke is a freak athlete but has some major personal flaws to over come.

Jc...

I kept seeing this RB being mentioned often (Penny from SDSU) now I have never watched this kid play nor know of him.

Just watched a couple YouTube clips and I would have sworn I was watching Shaun Alexander highlights lol guy went untouched on a majority of plays...I have a hard time evaluating smaller school guys due to the competition...of course it's highlights but I still don't know much of this kid.

I'd be very happy to see Bryce Love in a Browns uniform.

tab, I made this thread more as an informational thread instead of a "my guy is better than your guy" thread. I only brought up the 3-tool thing because I think pass blocking is very important for a RB in today's NFL.

However, to get the thread back on track.........I'll just go with............Barclay is better than Zeke. Fair enough? Now, can we get back to trying to educate people? Thanks.