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

Vers - if you get a chance, I would love to get your opinion on the 2 Alabama Rb's - Damien Harris and Bo Scarborough.

Yes, thanks for merging these threads. I appreciate it. Next on my list who was #4 on KWihip's article, Sony Michel.

He's listed at 5'11" and 212 lbs. Looks a little taller and more slender on tape, but we'll know for sure at the Combine.

I've watched quite a bit on this guy and read even more. I will just show one game tape due to not bog people down, but there are a lot of videos on this guy if you are interested.

I decided to show Michel against Alabama in the National Championship game. I figured that would be a good test...LOL

I'll add my overall comments afterwards.



Strengths:

--Very explosive w/great burst
--Excellent speed
--Has good vision behind LOS, can find skinny holes and dart through them
--Tougher than I thought. Runs w/a bit of physicality
--Good hands and has sharp cuts when running routes
--Willing blocker. You can see him helping in pass pro on Georgia's pass plays against 'Bama.


Concerns:

--Durability. Had some injuries in colleg
--I kinda see what PFF was talking about of him taking advantage of D's being spread out, but I think he ran in traffic well
--Not a power, short yardage kind of guy
--Ball security

Summary:

I like this guy a lot. I can see him working w/another back to share the load. I think he can be a bit like Kamara, Thompson in Washington, Coleman in Atlanta, etc. He does have some Shady McCoy in him, but I don't know if he will be as durable. He's moved way up my board and I have ranked right there w/Penny as the #2 back and just nudging out Kerryon Johnson. I have him ahead of guys like Guice and Ronald Jones. And quite a bit ahead of Freeman and Adams.

The next guy on my list is Nick Chubb. I watched several videos and read as much as I could on him. Like his teammate Michel, I will show the video against Alabama in the National Championship game. I will post my analysis of him after the video.



Strengths:
--Runs behind his pads
--Low center of gravity
--Squares shoulders early
--Shows some patience
--Good when using one-cut
--Decent feet in the mess at the LOS

Concerns:
--Isn't the same back after he tore his knee up
--Ineffective when trying to bounce it outside against good competition
--Not the best at picking up the blitz
--Didn't see him catch too many
--Will not run away from you

Summary:
It's too bad he tore his knee up. He is not the same back he was early on at Georgia. I see a very ordinary back that probably won't be drafted until rounds 4-6. I don't think he will do a ton in the NFL. He can be solid, but I have him well down my list of RBs in this year's very deep RB class.

J/c ..

BONE ... heres that question i had for u ...

We let crow go ... we sign no one in FA ... singular question ... no other variables involved ...

Out of this group or RB’s not named Quan ... witch one of them is the best and worst fit to pair with Duke and why please ...

Ty sir ...

The next guy on my list is Akrum Wadley from Iowa. Let me get this out of the way real fast.........the only way we take this dude is if we are not planning on paying Duke. He is almost certainly going to be a change of pace back like Duke. He is quick and can catch, but lacks size.

I will show two videos on this one. The Penn St game is a more comprehensive look, but I added the Ohio State one because it's short and of course, the Buckeyes have a very good D. The same D that stifled guys like Barkley. I'll add my analysis after the vids.





Strengths:
--Elusive
--Soft hands
--Good vision
--Good patience
--Nice spin move
--Explosive
--Gets eyes downfield early

Concerns:
--Slight frame
--Not a one-cut runner
--Too light to be an every down back
--I didn't see him blocking effectively. That's a tough one to overcome.

Summary:

I think he can help a team much like Duke helps the Browns. Change of pace back who can catch it and do some damage in the open field. I doubt he will be an option for us unless we don't want to pay Duke. Even then, he is probably a long shot.

Not sure why this thread isn't getting more attention. It seems to be educational and comprehensive. Is it because we aren't arguing? LOL....I'm seriously not sure why people aren't giving us their thoughts. Or maybe, everyone just wants Barkley and no one else matters? I'm not sure.....

I think Barkley takes some of the interest from the RB analysis because everyone knows we can have him if we want him.

You've put a lot of work into this thread Vers, thank you. It's opened my eyes to a few backs that were way under the radar.

I think we would be prudent to leave Barkley at the alter... QB of the future, Fitz and a solid RB makes a lot more sense. I can say though... if I'm the Browns brass and I think there is any possible way to have Saquan and my QB, it would be really hard to walk away.

I don't think Michel is a possibility unless the Browns move back into the 1st. Most of the time I watched him this year I questioned all the fuss about Saquan. Michel has the chance to be elite.

I think Rashaad Penny is the best back to compliment Duke. He would be a great fit for the Browns. I would draft him at the top of the 2nd.

Unless... Kerryon Johnson is available. He's become my favorite back in this draft. Dude is a freak. Incredible burst. Uses speed well, i.e.. understands when to shift gears. Runs like he just got a call and his mom is trapped in a house fire! Can catch passes, can block, squares his shoulders and delivers contact instead of waiting for it to arrive. He is the first RB in all these years to remind me of OJ Simpson.

I hope that we look at Sony Michel in the 2nd.

You gotta watch Mark Walton and John Kelly if you're looking at Akrum! They're the best small backs in the class.

I agree. Obviously if we don't take Barkley.

Alright, I think I am done w/the top RBs. I was going to do one on Freeman because I really respect Pred and Tru as posters, but the dude doesn't move me at all. I could be wrong, of course.

CHS is the other guy who seemingly has researched the RBs and I hope he adds some dude in the spirit of the thread.

For now, I am going to add a sleeper pick. His name is Ito Smith and he played for S. Miss. Not a ton of videos on him, but I will post a highlight video and a game against Fl. St and then provide my analysis.







Strengths:
--Awesome vision
--Great spin move
--Runs very low and hides behind his blockers and his own pads
--Great forward lean
--Great hands
--Very willing blocker in both the passing and run game
--Doesn't get knocked backwards
--Elusive as an eel

Concerns:
--Didn't face a ton of good competition
--Ball security............better put two hands on the ball in traffic
--Smaller dude

Summary:

I could see this dude lasting until very late, yet surprising people in the NFL. He has true RB skills. Great vision, balance, moves, small target, etc. The question is will he get a fair shot?

I want to add one thing for those of you who actually took the time to watch his videos. You see how low he gets when he runs? I was a RB and I am telling you that that skill is very hard to accomplish and it is also a huge asset if you can pull it off. Keep your eyes on how low he gets w/his shoulders above his thighs, which means he is low but is maintaining excellent balance.

Man, I wish I could get some conversation on this thread. I wonder if I include Hue and Sashi if people will respond?

He's small but powerful, can hide til he sees an opening then scoots past you before you can blink. Reminds me of Danny Whitehead when he first came up. He's exactly the sort of player who NE likes.

He could be deadly as a return guy under the old rules.

Good observation about how he gets small. I mean, he is short, but he really runs low while not losing speed. That's hard to do.

Woodhead

It's criminal that Ito Smith didn't get a combine invite. He is, IMO, a top 100 talent in this draft.

Yeah, didn't catch that, thanks.

I was searching for his Combine numbers and there weren't any. Like you, I think it's crazy that he wasn't invited.

Really like auto Smith, but don’t know how he fits with us, when we already have Duke. A late round or UDFA guy who is intriguing to me is Chris Warren III, didn’t really think much of him until seeing him at the combine, he didn’t wow me athletically but for a big back, 6-2 247, he looked really good in drills. Stayed low and had decent feet.

So I went back to the tape and I think there could be a little something there. He’s got a ways to go but could be used as a short yardage/goal line back while he gets better.

Watched every Akrum game (Iowa fan).
He's not at all a between the tackles runner. At all.
Pretty much only effective in open space.
But man, how dangerous he is when he has that open space.

I somehow missed this earlier. Sorry about that.

I like Harris better than Bo, but I heard that he is going back to Alabama next year. If that isn't correct, I'll do a report on him. For now, I will just do one on Bo.

I chose his 2017 performance against Clemson because it's good competition and there aren't a ton of single game videos of him out there. I don't really like the highlight videos. I'll add my comments afterwards.



Strengths:
--Really large guy. He is about 6'1" and over 230 lbs.
--Scary runner in the secondary once he gets his speed up
--Good in short yardage and at the goal line. Can leap high in those situations
--Falls forward after contact most of the time

Concerns:
--Runs upright and presents a huge target
--Can't make multiple quick cuts
--Can't avoid quick penetration
--Very long strides. That a "no-no" for RBs in the NFL
--Won't play on 3rd downs

Summary:
I'm not real high on this guy. I don't think he will be effective when the qb is in the shotgun. He needs to be in an I formation and needs a very good OL in front of him. He will be tackled behind the LOS in the NFL. He might be a good depth RB for a team w/a very good OL, such as Pittsburgh, Oakland, Dallas, etc. I expect him to be drafted late, probably in round 6.

Back when I posted that I thought Harris was coming out but have since heard that he is going back to bama next season

Alright, here is my updated rankings:

1. Barkley--Penn State

2. Kerryon Johnson--Auburn

3. Rashaad Penny--SD State---I sometimes have Penny barely above Kerryon. Different backs, but both are awesome.

4. Sony Michel--Georgia

5. Derrius Guice--LSU

6. Ronald Jones--USC

7. Nick Chubb--Georgia

8. Royce Freeman--Oregon

9. Josh Adams--Notre Dame

10. Kalen Ballage--Arizona State. I haven't reviewed him on here, but he is very talented. His production has been underwhelming, though. I can do a review if anyone is interested. I already did the research.

Yeah, it's rather surprising he decided to return to school. Although, this is a very, very good RB class.

See, your number 2 here. What are you seeing on Kerryon Johnson that makes him better than Guice and Jones? I don't see any special quickness or athleticism or power. Nothing like that. He's a good receiver, a tough runner, and a good blocker: but i just don't see anything in the way he runs the ball that makes me think he's a starting RB in the NFL.

I see Guice and Ronald Jones and I see them as the two and three easy. Guice is a strong, powerful, one cut type of runner. He reminds me of Jamal Lewis. And Ronald Jones is a fantastic exciting player (the question is can his body hold up in the NFL cause he's kinda lean). He's like a little bit faster than Duke Johnson.

Honestly, the guy I have my eye on is Guice. Just because we already have the Duke (and I hope to re-sign him). I watch film of Guice and think that he's a beast.

I haven't really checked out Penny or Michel yet. So I don't really feel comfortable having an opinion on either of them.

I like Nick Chubb too though. He was supposed to be a monster before that injury came around. But the folks at Georgia supposedly rave about him (and say not to forget him at all). That's what one of my podcasts said at least

If you are interested, I did evaluations and included a video of all of the guys on the list. You would just have to scroll through the thread to find them.

I actually think your points about Kerryon more closely address Guice than anyone. I truly think he is being overhyped and overrated.

I'm assuming you mean your post on page three of the thread?

I just saw a highlight reel. But I dunno. From what i've seen of Kerryon, I just don't think he's anything special. And he was one of hte first other guys I really looked into. I like his name. "Touchdown Kerryon Johnson!" Just sounds like something the announcers would say.

Guice on the other hand looks like a beast. I can show you video to show what i'm saying too I guess.

We'll just disagree. Same thing about your point that Jones isn't a good receiver. Jones made a bunch of big receiving plays for Darnold this year


We'll see how it turns out. My prediction, Guice looks something like Jamal Lewis. They're even the same height, although Jamal was about 20 pounds heavier at the combine..... (and Guice was substantially faster). But they just remind me of eachother

Kerryon does everything well, but he does nothing great. He's a jack of all trade running back. I think he might be a good change of pace back in the NFL, but I cannot see him as a 3 down back. That's why he's #8 on my list. I'm with you on Guice, he reminds me of a violent runner and I think he'll do very well in the NFL.

http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/run-angry/

Good article on Guice the person from last year.

Great read. Thanks.

I like Guice. He is going to be a great back in the NFL.

Wow. Powerful stuff right there.

good read, thanks!

Thanks for sharing .... holy crap .... ya’all need to go read that ...

I’ll be rooting for this man regardless of where he goes ...

Thanks again for sharing ...

Wow. No joke.

I have Penny, KJ and Guice really close. Actually think Penny is the best compliment to Duke.

Until five minutes ago I was unclear on who I truly wanted to see in brown and orange. Now we know why Guice "runs angry". Cleveland Brown or not - it will be fun to root for this guy on Sundays.

I really like Guice but I think we can get a good back later on, value wise. Saying that, I'd love us to pick him up. Guice isn't making us anything but better.

(RB)
1a), SONY MICHEL
1b), NICK CHUBB
3), SAQUON BARKLEY
4), DERRIUS GUICE
5), KERRYON JOHNSON

1. S. Barkley
2. S. Michel
3. K. Johnson
4. D. Guice
5. R. Perry

I am surprised Bo Scarborough is seen as a day 3 pick, I figured the upside would put him in the day 2 conversation at least.

He might. I think he runs a little high and stiff, but he's a good player.

I think the depth of this class pushes a lot of guys further down than normal. That's why I wouldn't mess with Barkley at the top of the first.

Why not draft a player nearly as good in the 2nd or 3rd round? That makes way more sense to me.