What's the feeling on Mikel Leshoure?

[furley]

I read this... And I'd to read about LeShoure. I understand that he has a power running style. From highlights, he has an upright running motion like Eddie George. I know that that isn't considered a positive for running back. That is, he could be more susceptible to strips that often lead to fumbles.

Apparently, he's comparable to Rashard Mendenhall. Or, if he can be a similar running back to Corey Dillon, I would take a flier on him in the third or fourth round if he's still available.

Who: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB

Contribution: Starter gained 1,008 yards with 13 touchdowns on 292 attempts

2010 salary: $470,000

Outlook: A solid No. 2 back for the future, the restricted free agent will no doubt return to Foxboro. The only question is when the two sides reach an agreement.

Potential fill-in: With two first-round picks, don’t be surprised if Illinois' Mikel Leshoure or Alabama's Mark Ingram arrive. Saints veteran Pierre Thomas is a possibility.

Patriots have decisions to make on 14 free agents - BostonHerald.com

 

[billdog3484]

3rd or 4th round?!!!!

he will likely be gone late first to mid 2nd

 

[CTHuskies]

He looks like late 1 or early 2 rounder, however, he reminds me of Lawrence M. I pass.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

In 2010, the three RB's with a bang were Arian Foster, BJGE, and Lagarrette Blount.

All three were UDFA's.

I would give anything to know why we didn't run more against the Jets. That would help focus the guys we would be looking at.

 

[Peachhead]

I'm not totally against Leshoure. But he strikes me as a guy who is a much better fit for a power running team like the Steelers. Give him just a few carries in random spots in a half (or worse, run draws from the shotgun) and he doesn't do much. He doesn't strike me as a fast starter.

But use him as a battering ram over and over again and by the second half the opposing defense says "no mas".

I fear our coaching staff wouldn't use him effectively. They'ld give him a few runs and unless he got lucky and broke a couple long ones they'ld get impatient and fall back on Brady's arm.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Very good running back, but will end up in the first round. I don't think we need to spend a first rounder on that position. Mid to late rounds is sufficient for a running back, especially in our committee rushing attack.

He reminds me of a cross between Rashard Mendenhall and Stephen Jackson. He's rumored to be a very hard worker, and someone who really take seriously his responsibilities as an athlete. I like him a lot, and will wish him well in his NFL career, but I don't think he's the best value in the first. I'd rather go after a stud defensive player.

 

[patchick]

Leshoure doesn't particularly impress me -- he seems both too upright and too indecisive, given his projected draft standing, and I'm not sold on his versatility.

A comparison to Mendenhall isn't a great positive either, IMO. He always looks overwhelmingly average to me...you have to think Pittsburgh would love a do-over on that #23 overall pick.

 

[sg14]

How about Stevan Ridley (5-foot-11, 235) from LSU??

From my casual fan viewpoint looked productive,,

 

[VJCPatriot]

A comparison to Mendenhall isn't a great positive either, IMO. He always looks overwhelmingly average to me...you have to think Pittsburgh would love a do-over on that #23 overall pick.

Really? Mendenhall helped run the Steelers right into the Superbowl this past weekend.

As for Leshoure himself. No he's not Shonn Greene. I don't really see him running over a lot of people, ping ponging off defenders, or breaking a lot of tackles. But he doesn't shy away from contact either.

YouTube - Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure 2009 Highlights 6.8 ypc

What I see with Leshoure is big RB with fast feet and surprising explosion. Maybe his top speed is only 4.5, but he seems to get there real QUICK. His better comparison might be Lendale White. Corey Dillon or Jerome Bettis if we're lucky.

Personally I wouldn't take a RB before round 2 in this draft but I'd definitely be looking once Day 2 came around. Knowing BB he could probably work a trade down from #33 and still get the guy he wanted.

 

[patchick]

Really? Mendenhall helped run the Steelers right into the Superbowl this past weekend.

It was an good game for him, but I keep watching him and coming away underwhelmed. He only averaged 3.9 ypc on the season, so Sunday's performance clearly wasn't typical. Not a bad player, but IMO nothing like the value you hope to get at #23 overall.

 

[VJCPatriot]

It was an good game for him, but I keep watching him and coming away underwhelmed. He only averaged 3.9 ypc on the season, so Sunday's performance clearly wasn't typical. Not a bad player, but IMO nothing like the value you hope to get at #23 overall.

I think people tend to overrate YPC a bit. Mendenhall did average 4.6 his 2nd year and 3.9 his 3rd year. What's the difference? The Steelers practically ran him into the ground this year. He had over 320 carries this year vs a more reasonable workload of around 240 in year 2.
Rashard Mendenhall NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Even if Mendenally still remains a high 3.x ypc back. There are some pretty good RBs that still had success at that rate. Take Eddie George for instance.
Eddie George NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

I think it's reasonable to project that if the Steelers reduce Mendenhall's workload to more like 250ish he will return to being a 4.x ypc back.

 

[patchick]

I think people tend to overrate YPC a bit.

Fair enough, but as I said I was judging mostly with my eyes. Or to put it another way -- as an opposing defense, how much does Mendenhall scare you?

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

It was an good game for him, but I keep watching him and coming away underwhelmed. He only averaged 3.9 ypc on the season, so Sunday's performance clearly wasn't typical. Not a bad player, but IMO nothing like the value you hope to get at #23 overall.

I agree with you. A player similar to Mendenhall isn't exactly the type of RB that I would be excited about. He's nothing special at all. I would be excited if we could get a Peyton Hillis or Thomas Jones type RB. I think a guy with good power and vision would complement BJGE and Woodhead.

 

[WesWelker83]

Leshoure doesn't particularly impress me -- he seems both too upright and too indecisive, given his projected draft standing, and I'm not sold on his versatility.

A comparison to Mendenhall isn't a great positive either, IMO. He always looks overwhelmingly average to me...you have to think Pittsburgh would love a do-over on that #23 overall pick.

Completely agree about Leshoure. He runs too upright for me and I don't think hes very quick at all. He also doesnt run over people and usually goes down on first contact. I also don't like the way he catches the ball out of the backfield.

This is the worst RB class I have ever seen. Besides Mark Ingram I don't really like anybody else in this draft. I think Delone Carter from Syracuse will be the best mid Rd RB sleeper and I wouldnt mind him at all in Rd 3 or 4.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

i kinda like john clay. pretty beastly.

 

[Marqui]

I like Ryan Williams.

 

[MaineMan]

In 2010, the three RB's with a bang were Arian Foster, BJGE, and Lagarrette Blount.

All three were UDFA's.

I would give anything to know why we didn't run more against the Jets. That would help focus the guys we would be looking at.

Chris Ivory might be added to that list.

 

[MaineMan]

It was an good game for him, but I keep watching him and coming away underwhelmed. He only averaged 3.9 ypc on the season, so Sunday's performance clearly wasn't typical. Not a bad player, but IMO nothing like the value you hope to get at #23 overall.

Best I've seen him run all season. And he seemed to be getting considerable help from his TEs for a change (not a slam on the TEs, just speculating that the Steelers changed up their TE blocking schemes a bit for the game).

 

[MaineMan]

I think people tend to overrate YPC a bit. Mendenhall did average 4.6 his 2nd year and 3.9 his 3rd year. What's the difference? The Steelers practically ran him into the ground this year. He had over 320 carries this year vs a more reasonable workload of around 240 in year 2.
Rashard Mendenhall NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Even if Mendenally still remains a high 3.x ypc back. There are some pretty good RBs that still had success at that rate. Take Eddie George for instance.
Eddie George NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

I think it's reasonable to project that if the Steelers reduce Mendenhall's workload to more like 250ish he will return to being a 4.x ypc back.

O-line health issues may have factored in some this year as well. I mean, I understand that their O-line hasn't been great in the past, either, but the guys they were missing this season were probably their better run-blockers.

The point for me, though, is that Mendenhall doesn't appear to be the type of back that can be stunning without very good blocking and maybe even without some "extra" help. Few are, of course, but that's my expectation from a 1st round back - a guy who's always a threat to break one up the middle even out of a 4-WR/1-RB set. Defenses may be reluctant to "cheat" very often against such a back, thus giving the passing game a bit more leeway.

Which brings me back to Leshoure - and Ingram, for that matter. I haven't personally seen enough of either of them to be able to form a solid opinion. However, if they're not that type of back, I wouldn't advocate spending a first on either - or even a 2nd. As many have attested, it's entirely possible to get a guy much later in the draft who can consistently gain positive yards behind superior blocking that includes a TE or FB.

 

[BradyToAmendola]

Eh, Mendenhall seems like a lazy comparison IMO. If Leshoure went to any school other than Illinois would people be comparing him to Rashard Mendenhall? I doubt it.

I haven't seen much of this guy, and RB really isn't a huge need IMO. If he's there with our 2nd 2nd round pick, I might grab him up because the value is way too good, but definitely not in round 1.