Building the Patriots Big Board: Runningback

[midwestpatsfan]

Part 2 is now out. This time I focus on the RB position.

Building The Patriots Draft Board: Running Back | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

 

[captain stone]

Love the write-ups and mostly agree with the stacking. My only quibbles, really,
would be placing Jamaal Williams ahead of Foreman & Gallman, and McNichols ahead of Brian Hill & James Connor (for our needs at least). They're all in that 4th-5th range anyway.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I'm much higher on McGuire than most, and I'd take Foreman in the 2nd without hesitation, but otherwise great list. Thanks for the work!

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Love the write-ups and mostly agree with the stacking. My only quibbles, really,
would be placing Jamaal Williams ahead of Foreman & Gallman, and McNichols ahead of Brian Hill & James Connor (for our needs at least). They're all in that 4th-5th range anyway.

yeah, those 3 graded out so close for me that I would have no issue with one going over the other. I put Williams first because of ball security.
On the other group, I think I am higher on McNichols than most. The fumbles are an issue, but if I can get a guy that is as well rounded as he is later in the draft, I would be pretty happy. His size(height) will be a red flag for some, but he is so powerfully built, that it doesn't bother me. If you could tell me I would get the decisive runner that Hill flashes, you could move him way up the board for me. Unfortunately, he dances in that backfield a little too much for my liking and I have nightmares of a certain former first round pick for the Patriots.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I'm much higher on McGuire than most, and I'd take Foreman in the 2nd without hesitation, but otherwise great list. Thanks for the work!

Thanks for the kind words. I think I will be coming in lower on Foreman than most, and that is okay. He is very much like Legarrette Blount to me. Needs some runway to get going and then becomes a powerful runner, but if he doesn't get that runup, he becomes a pedestrian runner, IMO of course.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Love that you had leshun Daniels listed. He is rocked up, but gas impressive movement skills to go with his size.

For perspective, he put up almost identical pro day to Dion Lewis, but 30lbs heavier.

 

[sircole]

If you could tell me I would get the decisive runner that Hill flashes, you could move him way up the board for me. Unfortunately, he dances in that backfield a little too much for my liking and I have nightmares of a certain former first round pick for the Patriots.

I don't think Hill is like Laurence Maroney.

He sometimes was pressing because he's the focal point of Wyoming's offense facing stacked boxes which won't be a problem here.

He's a good blocker by the way he plants himself and put two hands on the defender. This was evident on his tapes, especially the Nebraska game.

This was a big contrast from Samaje who just throws shoulder blocks at defenders. He routinely does this on his tapes, especially the Sugar Bowl game versus Auburn.

I think he could be a functional outlet in our passing game from the reports of his performance in the catching drills on Wyoming's pro day.

I agree with maineman that he's a steady "four yards and a cloud of dust" back and would be a good pick if he's there in the 4th/5th rounds.

Here's another scouting report with .gifs that's similar to what I saw on Hill's tapes.

2017 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Wyoming RB Brian Hill - Steelers Depot

 

[maineman209]

In the course of speculating this morning about the possible return of Bolden ...

Door not closed for Brandon Bolden to return to Patriots

... Reiss notes that the Pats typically carry several RBs on their 90-man off-season roster, including 8 last year, but currently have only four.

Since neither Bolden or Blount would really need to be re-signed before the end of OTAs in June (or even later), it seems fairly likely that the Pats will add another 3-4 RBs through a draft pick(s) and UDFA signings (and/or a UFA signing after May 10th).

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Foreman

Thanks for the kind words. I think I will be coming in lower on Foreman than most, and that is okay. He is very much like Legarrette Blount to me. Needs some runway to get going and then becomes a powerful runner, but if he doesn't get that runup, he becomes a pedestrian runner, IMO of course.

Foreman is similar to LG in that regard. Big guy that doesn't run with a whole lot of power but gets the credit like he does.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Foreman


Foreman is similar to LG in that regard. Big guy that doesn't run with a whole lot of power but gets the credit like he does.

If all he is was a faster, quicker LG, he would still be worth the draft capital. I think he's more powerful than that, but understand the concern.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Foreman


Foreman is similar to LG in that regard. Big guy that doesn't run with a whole lot of power but gets the credit like he does.

As I mentioned in another thread, he might not be a sledgehammer, but he still breaks arm tackles and can push a pile. I never see him knocked backward, and he had some pretty impressive runs through contact this year. He's certainly not James White when it comes to running through the tackles.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Figured I should show what I'm talking about:

Pushing a pile:



Balance through contact:




Couple of runs in a row where he shakes off tackles to pick up extra yards:




Doesn't go down on first contact:




Nasty stiff arm:





(Which format do you guys prefer, gfycat or streamables? I can make either one easily enough.)

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

As I mentioned in another thread, he might not be a sledgehammer, but he still breaks arm tackles and can push a pile. I never see him knocked backward, and he had some pretty impressive runs through contact this year. He's certainly not James White when it comes to running through the tackles.

He is 240 lol? I'd take a shot in the mid rounds but I really don't see anything special. Not to mention he ran through some huge holes. Not the best vision or most agile guy.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

If all he is was a faster, quicker LG, he would still be worth the draft capital. I think he's more powerful than that, but understand the concern.

Where tho?

Would you spend a 2nd on a guy that is 240 but doesn't lower his shoulder on the regular. Isn't creating for himself.

I couldn't take him b4 3-4 with all the talent in this draft.

I think people are sleeping on Hood. I think he fits our style.

 

[maineman209]

Figured I should show what I'm talking about:

Pushing a pile:



Balance through contact:




Couple of runs in a row where he shakes off tackles to pick up extra yards:




Doesn't go down on first contact:




Nasty stiff arm:





(Which format do you guys prefer, gfycat or streamables? I can make either one easily enough.)

Sorry to keep harping on this, but Foreman carries the ball like Ridley did - low and away from his body. I think that's a reason why both showed such good balance through contact and on spin moves. And when Ridley did carry the ball high-and-tight (securely), he lost a lot of that ability and became a far less dynamic runner.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Sorry to keep harping on this, but Foreman carries the ball like Ridley did - low and away from his body. I think that's a reason why both showed such good balance through contact and on spin moves. And when Ridley did carry the ball high-and-tight (securely), he lost a lot of that ability and became a far less dynamic runner.

I always thought it was the injuries that did him in, but interesting concept. I'm willing to admit that there are red flags with Foreman. I just like him a lot better than most people, I guess.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Where tho?

Would you spend a 2nd on a guy that is 240 but doesn't lower his shoulder on the regular. Isn't creating for himself.

I couldn't take him b4 3-4 with all the talent in this draft.

I think people are sleeping on Hood. I think he fits our style.

With Burkhead signed, and LG likely to return, it would be hard to find the positional value for him with a high pick.

With that said, I would gladly take him at 72 and work on his shortcomings. He would get a red shirt year, like all our recent RBs have had.

I would disagree strongly with the idea that he has poor vision and doesn't create for himself. While I understand the desire to see a big guy just run over guys, his ability to elude tacklers and hit open space is truly elite. Over half his yards came after contact, so I don't understand that criticism much.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

@I.M. Fletcher summed up my feelings about Foreman pretty well. That said, when it comes to a power back, my vote is Chris Carson in the 6th / 7th, or even as an UDFA if he doesn't get scooped up (highly possible).

EDIT: Some video for those unfamiliar with Carson:

College Highlights: Chris Carson, RB, Oklahoma State

 

[maineman209]

@I.M. Fletcher summed up my feelings about Foreman pretty well. That said, when it comes to a power back, my vote is Chris Carson in the 6th / 7th, or even as an UDFA if he doesn't get scooped up (highly possible).

EDIT: Some video for those unfamiliar with Carson:

College Highlights: Chris Carson, RB, Oklahoma State

While maybe none of the UDFA RBs this year turn out to be Priest Holmes, Arian Foster or Fred Jackson, it seems pretty likely that a couple of them turn out to be solid performers. Carson could easily be one of those.

 

[mrscruff]

Carson has really poor agility though (7.53) but for late round / UDFA, he is a nice body to bring into camp. His explosion numbers (37" VJ and 10"10" BJ) show that he is not merely just a plodder but more of a battering ram. DraftBreakdown feature 3 of his games.

Chris Carson | Draft Breakdown