Putting together my Patriots Big Board: Running Backs

[midwestpatsfan]

I moved over to the offensive side of the ball and have put down my thoughts on who I like for runningbacks for the Patriots this year. Lots of names on this list. I hope you enjoy.
http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2015/04/putting-together-the-patriots-big-board-rbs.html

 

[manxman2601]

Ameer Abdullah fifth? I can't agree with that.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Ameer Abdullah fifth? I can't agree with that.

The grades are very close between 2 and 5, but that is indeed where he ends up for me. I am probably higher on Duke Johnson.
I tend to like the bigger backs and I find Duke to have more explosive traits than Abdullah, but like I said, those 2 through 5 guys could go in any different order and you wouldn't get any complaints out of me.
Where do you have him?

 

[jboston19]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but isn't Melvin Gordon one of the premier backs in the draft, too? Do you not think he fits with the Pats? Thanks.

 

[manxman2601]

The grades are very close between 2 and 5, but that is indeed where he ends up for me. I am probably higher on Duke Johnson.
I tend to like the bigger backs and I find Duke to have more explosive traits than Abdullah, but like I said, those 2 through 5 guys could go in any different order and you wouldn't get any complaints out of me.
Where do you have him?

He's the second best RB in the draft as far as I'm concerned, although I haven't paid much attention to Melvin Gordon. Abdullah's vision is second to none, and I don't think that's necessarily limited to this draft class, he always seems to be a step ahead of the defenders when recognising where the gaps in a defense are. Abdullah punches well above his weight, has great hands, outstanding intangibles, and this is where I disagree again, is very explosive - the combine doesn't lie on that score.

Each to their own, but if I'm in the market for a RB high in the draft, Gurley's the only one I take ahead of Abdullah.

Fear Ameer!

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but isn't Melvin Gordon one of the premier backs in the draft, too? Do you not think he fits with the Pats? Thanks.

Gordon is a top back in this class. For me though, where he will get picked in comparison to where I see his value for the Patriots is so far off that I didn't include him.
He has great talent, but there are things about his game I don't love (bounces alot outside, runs uprights, etc.) that I don't see him as a viable option unless he fell to the end of the 2nd round. (he won't)