Building my Patriots Big Board: RB's and FB's

As promised, here is the 3rd installment of the Big Board Series. This is a big need for the Patriots, so there is a lot of information in this post. I hope you all find it informative and enjoyable.

Building The Big Board: Running backs and Full backs | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

A good list and I approve of J Will at #1.

One thought, on FBs. Have you given Chris Swain a look? I was impressed by how good a runner he looked for a near 250lb guy.

One general aside, Chris Swain is represented by the same agent as Joe Cardona.

manxman2601 said:

A good list and I approve of J Will at #1.

One thought, on FBs. Have you given Chris Swain a look? I was impressed by how good a runner he looked for a near 250lb guy.

One general aside, Chris Swain is represented by the same agent as Joe Cardona.

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Oh man! I had him on the list to write up. Of course he should be on that list. Navy guys get put to the top of the list. I gave him a 7th/PFA grade and will add him when I have my notes on him in front of me. Good catch.

Would be happy if Pats draft Williams, Dixon, Howard or Prosise..

What are the chances of the Navy not releasing Reynolds & Swain if they are not drafted until
the 6th/7th rounds?

JMC00 said:

Would be happy if Pats draft Williams, Dixon, Howard or Prosise..

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Dixon is a personal binky of mine, being multi dimensional with average pass-blocking and ball security that could be improved upon (which we know NE is a stickler for). But with what we currently have in the roster (namelyLewis) we only need a 2 down natural runner who can eventually develop into that 3-down monster. I would be more than happy with any of the guys listed.

May I suggest adding Devontae Booker out of Utah to you list? Could be available at 60 and compares to Arian Foster

J Beezy said:

Dixon is a personal binky of mine, being multi dimensional with average pass-blocking and ball security that could be improved upon (which we know NE is a stickler for). But with what we currently have in the roster (namelyLewis) we only need a 2 down natural runner who can eventually develop into that 3-down monster. I would be more than happy with any of the guys listed.

May I suggest adding Devontae Booker out of Utah to you list? Could be available at 60 and compares to Arian Foster

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I left Booker off on purpose. I like him, but there are a few things that give me concern for where he will be drafted.
1. He is an older prospect (24) that is maxed out physically. He does run with good vision and quickness, but I don't see a move the pile, physical runner.
2. He is coming off an injury that required surgery in November, so that scares me.

I see him more as a late 3rd/early 4th and would be more comfortable with him on Day 3.

devon 'rockhead' johnson

keith marshall

Dan Vitale...FTW!!

I find myself going back and forth as to what exactly the Pats are looking for in a RB this draft...

Half the time Time , I am thinking we need a hammer head.. So natrually a guy like Jordan Howard comes into mind.

The other half of the time , I am thinking the Patriots will want an all around back that can do everything... So a guy like Kenneth Dixon or Johnathan Williams come to mind.

Personally , I'd love any of the mentioned. I do have a 'thing' for Dixon, I love his all around game and He and C.J (Norte Dame) I feel can become huge contributors to this offense considering they can do a lot in every facet.

Same goes for Vitale as a FB. His route running and hands are exceptional

Fan of Dixon will check out other backs more thoroughly so I dont get thrown off by another who is James White moment

I want one of next year's college backs.
I am torn on who to pick this year. Maybe take a couple of late rounders with a high ceiling who has maybe had some injury history a la Keith Marshall and see how he does in camp. I expect the OL to open more holes in the running game and supplement the backs with a serviceable runner like LeGarrette Blount to fill in this year.
Go for a Georgia double with teammate Malcolm Mitchell at WR.

I was listening to the 4th & 2 podcast and they made the good point that the addition of Bennett at TE really helps with with the hurry up offense because if the defense goes pass heavy, Gronk and Bennett can be lined up inline and we can just run the ball and if the defense goes linebacker heavy then Gronk and/or Bennett can line up outside and be isolated on a linebacker.

That's fairly straightforward but it occured to me that someone else would be useful in a hurry up offense. A 220lb RB that runs sub 4.5 and used to play WR. Hello CJ Prosise. Now he needs to be better at running inside which I think is his biggest weakness but if he can fix that, it will be almost impossible for a defense to determine whether an offense with Gronk, Bennett or Prosise is going to run or pass, particularly if they can't substitute. Lewis, of course, offers a similar advantage but where Prosise helps is that he can develop the ability to run inside more consistently at his size.

I still prefer Williams as a RB, and he's got pretty good hands himself (and is a more powerful runner) but Prosise might just be a terrific scheme fit.

manxman2601 said:

I was listening to the 4th & 2 podcast and they made the good point that the addition of Bennett at TE really helps with with the hurry up offense because if the defense goes pass heavy, Gronk and Bennett can be lined up inline and we can just run the ball and if the defense goes linebacker heavy then Gronk and/or Bennett can line up outside and be isolated on a linebacker.

That's fairly straightforward but it occured to me that someone else would be useful in a hurry up offense. A 220lb RB that runs sub 4.5 and used to play WR. Hello CJ Prosise. Now he needs to be better at running inside which I think is his biggest weakness but if he can fix that, it will be almost impossible for a defense to determine whether an offense with Gronk, Bennett or Prosise is going to run or pass, particularly if they can't substitute. Lewis, of course, offers a similar advantage but where Prosise helps is that he can develop the ability to run inside more consistently at his size.

I still prefer Williams as a RB, and he's got pretty good hands himself (and is a more powerful runner) but Prosise might just be a terrific scheme fit.

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This is a great post. We obviously know their view on tight ends - they kept churning through them constantly until they found Gronk and Hernandez, and have been churning the 2nd spot since Hernandez was cut. Bennett's the most promising of all since, fingers crossed here. Recently we've seen Belichick's obsession with safeties, and I believe it's because he views them as the defensive tight ends. McCourty is the "move-TE" safety, but they're still looking for their Gronk. Too bad Brandon Meriwether had a 2 cent head, because physically he could have been that guy.

I haven't been able to find it, but you had a thread last year where you listed all the running backs the Pats checked out, and noticed they all fit the same mold - big backs who seemed quick. We were hoping Todd Gurley could slip last year to fill that role, but Malcom Brown is a good consolation (thanks Indy!). Anyway, after all that looking they didn't select any running backs. Either the guys they liked were gone (maybe Gurley?) or upon further inspection they just weren't impressed (more likely to me).

A running back of that mold is the queen of the chessboard, like tight end, safety, and certain linebackers. Sounds like they spent a lot of time on Procise. Seems like they're still looking for this type of guy; maybe they found him this time?

Hammer of Thor said:

This is a great post. We obviously know their view on tight ends - they kept churning through them constantly until they found Gronk and Hernandez, and have been churning the 2nd spot since Hernandez was cut. Bennett's the most promising of all since, fingers crossed here. Recently we've seen Belichick's obsession with safeties, and I believe it's because he views them as the defensive tight ends. McCourty is the "move-TE" safety, but they're still looking for their Gronk. Too bad Brandon Meriwether had a 2 cent head, because physically he could have been that guy.

I haven't been able to find it, but you had a thread last year where you listed all the running backs the Pats checked out, and noticed they all fit the same mold - big backs who seemed quick. We were hoping Todd Gurley could slip last year to fill that role, but Malcom Brown is a good consolation (thanks Indy!). Anyway, after all that looking they didn't select any running backs. Either the guys they liked were gone (maybe Gurley?) or upon further inspection they just weren't impressed (more likely to me).

A running back of that mold is the queen of the chessboard, like tight end, safety, and certain linebackers. Sounds like they spent a lot of time on Procise. Seems like they're still looking for this type of guy; maybe they found him this time?

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Equally great post. We shall find out in three weeks whether Prosise is the guy. I'm starting to think more and more that he might be. Only thing is that he had a bad 3-cone of 7.32(that post you mentined noted that the Pats tended to draft guys with a sub 7.00 3-cone). But if we're building a mismatch offense that takes advantage of whether the defense aligns against run or defence, a 220lb former WR makes a bunch of sense.

Nobody is interested in Derrick Henry of the Tide? He reminds me of a throwback to the powerback days of Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon. More recently, LeGarette Blount did a good job for us in the power back rushing role.

NFL draft profile: Alabama RB Derrick Henry, massive power runner

VJCPatriot said:

Nobody is interested in Derrick Henry of the Tide? He reminds me of a throwback to the powerback days of Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon. More recently, LeGarette Blount did a good job for us in the power back rushing role.

NFL draft profile: Alabama RB Derrick Henry, massive power runner

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He'll be long gone.

AzPatsFan said:

He'll be long gone.

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Could be a Eddie Lazy 2.0 really - I wouldn't completely rule it out

VJCPatriot said:

Nobody is interested in Derrick Henry of the Tide? He reminds me of a throwback to the powerback days of Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon. More recently, LeGarette Blount did a good job for us in the power back rushing role.

NFL draft profile: Alabama RB Derrick Henry, massive power runner

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I love Henry, and I would love to see him here. I just don't see him falling down to us + I don't see us trading up to get him.

I would love it though.

VJCPatriot said:

Nobody is interested in Derrick Henry of the Tide? He reminds me of a throwback to the powerback days of Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon. More recently, LeGarette Blount did a good job for us in the power back rushing role.

NFL draft profile: Alabama RB Derrick Henry, massive power runner

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I have seen Derrick Henry in this offense and it is not good. Henry is more powerful, but both need space to get up to speed and be effective and in the NFL you do not get that space on a consistent basis. If Henry goes to a team with a good offensive line (Dallas) he could have success. I don't see that here.