RB Screen: Big Guys Who Can Catch

The Patriots seem to be looking at bigger, heavier RBs. Meanwhile the draftnik community still dreams of a running back who is a legitimate threat as both rusher and receiver. I thought I'd focus on the draft prospects who offer both.

The RBs below are all 215 lbs. and above, have some proven skills as a receiver out of the backfield (including pass protection), and have enough athleticism to cause some trouble after the catch. Any thoughts, quibbles, additions?

Todd Gurley, Georgia
Jay Ayaji, Boise State
David Johnson, Northern Iowa
Javorius Allen, USC
Mike Davis, South Carolina
John Crockett, North Dakota State

I agree with the basic premise. Gurley is likely gone before they draft. I don't like Ayaji enough to trade up for him in the second. Johnson with one of the picks at 96/97 looks to be a good value.

I would add the proviso that the Pats also seem to be examining the shorter 215+ lbs. RBs, according to manxman's post.

manxman2601 said:

Those are some big dudes at RB, only one under 210.

Running Backs
Josh Robinson, Mississippi State ,5’8,217(CI)
Mike Davis, S. Carolina ,5’9,217(CI) (OV)
Matt Jones, Florida 6'2, 231(CI)
Michael Dyer, Louisville ,5’8,217(CI)
Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn, 5'10, 212 (PW)
Corey Grant, Auburn, 5'9", 201 (PW)
Zach Laskey, Georgia State, 6'2", 225 (PW)
Jalston Fowler, Alabama, 5'11", 254 (PW)

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Only Matt Jones is a classic "RB" over 6 feet tall. Lack of height in a RB is often a good thing: harder to see, harder to defeat in pad level.

unoriginal said:

I would add the proviso that the Pats also seem to be examining the shorter 215+ lbs. RBs, according to manxman's post.

Only Matt Jones is a classic "RB" over 6 feet tall. Lack of height in a RB is often a good thing: harder to see, harder to defeat in pad level.

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Great point, and a little surprising given that the RBs currently on the roster are fairly tall. In fact, the 3 most recent additions (Gaffney, Blount, Cadet) are all at least 6 feet.

everlong said:

I agree with the basic premise. Gurley is likely gone before they draft. I don't like Ayaji enough to trade up for him in the second. Johnson with one of the picks at 96/97 looks to be a good value.

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If gurley is available at 32, does bb take him?

Ochmed Jones said:

If gurley is available at 32, does bb take him?

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IMO he absolutely does. You don't pass up that kind of opportunity.

Ochmed Jones said:

If gurley is available at 32, does bb take him?

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Provided it's not a Vince Wilfork or Stephen Jackson choice yes he does. Obviously that choice is a lot less likely at 32 vs 21 but given the character issues you have Gregory and Peters in the mix to fall to 32 potentially. I happen to think given both are also gone but who knows.

EDIT: BTW no way Gurley gets past both AZ and Dallas.

Josh Robinson is not up there with the rest of those guys in terms of weight, but he's bigger and can catch the football. He had a nifty one-handed catch last year on a seam route (can't remember the opponent though). I'm a big fan of the Human Bowling Ball and wouldn't mind the Pats taking him in the 5th.

KontradictioN said:

Josh Robinson is not up there with the rest of those guys in terms of weight, but he's bigger and can catch the football. He had a nifty one-handed catch last year on a seam route (can't remember the opponent though). I'm a big fan of the Human Bowling Ball and wouldn't mind the Pats taking him in the 5th.

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I like Robinson as well. I remember the play against Kentucky,where he bounced off of around 8 players. Another player that may fit in the "big and can catch"- category is Karlos Williams of FSU, 6'1, 225 lbs.

Do you guys like Josh Robinson or Mike Davis better? I struggled with these 2 for my big board. I ultamitely went with Mike Davis because I like his upside better, but his 2014 tape was a bit underwhelming compared to 2013.

Tevin COLEMAN and David Johnson would be good. I think. Coleman can catch.

KontradictioN said:

Josh Robinson is not up there with the rest of those guys in terms of weight, but he's bigger and can catch the football. He had a nifty one-handed catch last year on a seam route (can't remember the opponent though). I'm a big fan of the Human Bowling Ball and wouldn't mind the Pats taking him in the 5th.

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Robinson was a tough one for me to leave off. He actually makes the weight threshold and can catch the ball, but reportedly really struggles in pass protection. Given that his athleticism is also questionable, I couldn't see him fitting this particular screen.

kennyb said:

Tevin COLEMAN and David Johnson would be good. I think. Coleman can catch.

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Coleman can catch, and block, and run inside, and run outside. But at 206 lbs., he's not part of this list.

Tyler Varga and/or Zach Zenner are dudes that I want on the Pats.

everlong said:

EDIT: BTW no way Gurley gets past both AZ and Dallas.

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I feel like Dallas has invested so much into the OL, I am not sure that an elite RB is a huge need. Their secondary is still in big disarray and looks like a bigger need. Now, I doubt that they will go into the season relying on McFadden but a first round pick seems too steep.

Arizona might go for a pass rusher, which is also a huge need for them.

I would not expect Gurley to be there at 32, but it is definitely a possible scenario. I personally think that adding a true rush/pass threat to our offense creates a bigger margin of error through increased offensive production. And this might be exactly what we need given the construction site that is our secondary.

patchick said:

The Patriots seem to be looking at bigger, heavier RBs. Meanwhile the draftnik community still dreams of a running back who is a legitimate threat as both rusher and receiver. I thought I'd focus on the draft prospects who offer both.

The RBs below are all 215 lbs. and above, have some proven skills as a receiver out of the backfield (including pass protection), and have enough athleticism to cause some trouble after the catch. Any thoughts, quibbles, additions?

Todd Gurley, Georgia
Jay Ayaji, Boise State
David Johnson, Northern Iowa
Javorius Allen, USC
Mike Davis, South Carolina
John Crockett, North Dakota State

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I love 'em all, but David Johnson is my favorite. Best hands of the bunch IMO. Between one of these guys, Blount and Gray I think we'll be stacked at RB.

Mike Davis please. Bit of a favorite for me.

patchick said:

Coleman can catch, and block, and run inside, and run outside. But at 206 lbs., he's not part of this list.

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No-one actually thinks of him as a "3rd down back" though, do they ? I'm surprised he weighs that little but he's a legit runner who should be able to be a 3 down RB. So I think he should make your list even though he doesn't qualify.

I will add that Coleman is one of my sleepers for our #1 pick; not that it would be the perfect pick for many reasons but if the guys left at positions of more of a need are gone I doubt they'd have a problem fixing RB and looking to the other positions later.

BelichickFan said:

I'm surprised he weighs that little but he's a legit runner who should be able to be a 3 down RB. So I think he should make your list even though he doesn't qualify.

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I love Coleman as a prospect, and I completely agree that he's a 3-down back -- but that's a different list (one I'd be interested in seeing!). This is a list of 215+ lb. running backs, and Coleman just isn't that.

patchick said:

I love Coleman as a prospect, and I completely agree that he's a 3-down back -- but that's a different list (one I'd be interested in seeing!). This is a list of 215+ lb. running backs, and Coleman just isn't that.

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Understood, I was concentrating on your definition :

"the draftnik community still dreams of a running back who is a legitimate threat as both rusher and receiver. I thought I'd focus on the draft prospects who offer both." He didn't catch a ton of passes but enough to fit that definition, though not the size requirement.