RB's: A Few who I think will really fit our team well

[Rich_C]

So I am starting to look towards the draft and the players who have declared etc. I think this is the year we draft a RB. I do not think it is in our best interest to spend a 1st on one though. So here are some options and where i think they'll end up going:

1. Christian Powell: Colorado
- Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smA4bYkAl5E
- Projected Rounds: 6-UDFA
- I see Powell being a good option for us at FB/H-Back I'd certainly take him in the late rounds or as an UDFA

2. Tre Madden: USC- 6ft1 225 lbs - 40 time: 4.42 low 4.5 high
- Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Y_UPG3fPw
- The more I watch of this guy the more I want him in our uniform
- He is large and has speed in some respects I see a bit of David Johnson in him
- Some have him as high as the 3rd and other have him going UDFA
- I'd certainly take him in the 3rd or even 2nd if it meant us securing him in our backfield

3. Kenneth Dixon- LA Tech- 5ft10 215 lbs - 40 time 4.42 low 4.5 high.
- Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU29Y0Rc70I
- Great all round player
- Similar style to Madden above
- SHows great balance
- Projected round: 2-3
- I am not sure I'd take him quite as high as that but if I can see some good to great production when he plays in some of the games coming up I could get there.
- There is part of me who see's a smaller RB with a smaller frame and with a larger framed guy with nearly identical speed in Madden I question if Dixon is a true value player this early



So for me I'd like us to go for 1 & 2- #1 I'd like to see us grab him in round 7 or UDFA and #2 I'd like to see us grab him in round 3 or later.

Thoughts?

[Kyousukeneko]

So I am starting to look towards the draft and the players who have declared etc. I think this is the year we draft a RB. I do not think it is in our best interest to spend a 1st on one though. So here are some options and where i think they'll end up going:

1. Christian Powell: Colorado State
- Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smA4bYkAl5E
- Projected Rounds: 6-UDFA
- I see Powell being a good option for us at FB/H-Back I'd certainly take him in the late rounds or as an UDFA

2. Tre Madden: USC- 6ft1 225 lbs - 40 time: 4.42 low 4.5 high
- Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Y_UPG3fPw
- The more I watch of this guy the more I want him in our uniform
- He is large and has speed in some respects I see a bit of David Johnson in him
- Some have him as high as the 3rd and other have him going UDFA
- I'd certainly take him in the 3rd or even 2nd if it meant us securing him in our backfield

3. Kenneth Dixon- LA Tech- 5ft10 215 lbs - 40 time 4.42 low 4.5 high.
- Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU29Y0Rc70I
- Great all round player
- Similar style to Madden above
- SHows great balance
- Projected round: 2-3
- I am not sure I'd take him quite as high as that but if I can see some good to great production when he plays in some of the games coming up I could get there.
- There is part of me who see's a smaller RB with a smaller frame and with a larger framed guy with nearly identical speed in Madden I question if Dixon is a true value player this early



So for me I'd like us to go for 1 & 2- #1 I'd like to see us grab him in round 7 or UDFA and #2 I'd like to see us grab him in round 3 or later.

Thoughts?

colorado not colorado state

[Rich_C]

apologies miss-typed.

[Joshecalpoly]

Just judging on the guys Elways brought in I don't think hes interested in tall RB's. If you like Dixon Ild look at Perkins UCLA hes like a slightly cheaper version (admittedly not as good, Dixon is #1 on my list of RB's, followed by Perkins, and then Hunt).

Our O-lines inability to block consistently is the main reason our RB's have been so inconsistent.

Honestly CJ hasn't done bad this year (4.7 YPC), we seem pretty committed to RB by committee and the league is going in that direction. RB is usually the easiest position to find hidden gems at and high round busts are extremely common. A lot of a RB's success is based on the O-line they have and the D-lines they face, and most have to change there running styles to succeed at the next level.

The only time when RB should take priority over O-line is you have one that can consistently avoid tackles in the backfield or run threw them (which is so rare and impossible to predict and less likely for us to find in our draft position)

Also, fix the O-line and the running game usually follows. I wouldn't be opposed to even trying a WR Hunter Sharp Utah St at RB, or Kenneth Farrow an actual RB Kenneth Farrow. Neither will be drafted

[Rich_C]

Just judging on the guys Elways brought in I don't think hes interested in tall RB's. If you like Dixon Ild look at Perkins UCLA hes like a slightly cheaper version (admittedly not as good, Dixon is #1 on my list of RB's, followed by Perkins, and then Hunt).

Our O-lines inability to block consistently is the main reason our RB's have been so inconsistent.

Honestly CJ hasn't done bad this year (4.7 YPC), we seem pretty committed to RB by committee and the league is going in that direction. RB is usually the easiest position to find hidden gems at and high round busts are extremely common. A lot of a RB's success is based on the O-line they have and the D-lines they face, and most have to change there running styles to succeed at the next level.

The only time when RB should take priority over O-line is you have one that can consistently avoid tackles in the backfield or run threw them (which is so rare and impossible to predict and less likely for us to find in our draft position)

Also, fix the O-line and the running game usually follows. I wouldn't be opposed to even trying a WR Hunter Sharp Utah St at RB, or Kenneth Farrow an actual RB Kenneth Farrow. Neither will be drafted

I agree in general with this but I disagree that Elway has shown he is not willing to take taller RB's. Hillman is 5ft10 or 5ft11 and so is Thompson. Obviously CJ who has been our most successful RB in a while is shorter as is Bibbs but fro ma skil-set perspective I can see us looking to a more well rounded nice mix of a player. I am also trying to take into account our HC. Arian Foster to me has a similar look to Dixon and Madden. Also standing at 6ft1 he has some room to bulk up a bit and likely not lose speed. I am thinking of Le'Veon Bell - 6ft1 244 lbs.

Your post about the Oline is 100% imo. Which is why I was thinking of these guys who we'd likely take 2nd ish round which would likely allow us to grab a LT/RT in the 1st and have the option of the 5th year which is a big deal for that position.

[wmp]

Zeek Elliott. I really like him. Even in the 1st round. But, he probably wont be there.

[Gsam]

I would take a flier on Bilal Powell. he is a FA and is an under rated pass catcher that will come cheap. We are really missing a 3rd down back on our roster. Hillman is not that guy.

I would prefer to save our draft picks for Linemen, Linemen, Linemen and a few linemen.

[Kyousukeneko]

I agree in general with this but I disagree that Elway has shown he is not willing to take taller RB's. Hillman is 5ft10 or 5ft11 and so is Thompson. Obviously CJ who has been our most successful RB in a while is shorter as is Bibbs but fro ma skil-set perspective I can see us looking to a more well rounded nice mix of a player. I am also trying to take into account our HC. Arian Foster to me has a similar look to Dixon and Madden. Also standing at 6ft1 he has some room to bulk up a bit and likely not lose speed. I am thinking of Le'Veon Bell - 6ft1 244 lbs.

Your post about the Oline is 100% imo. Which is why I was thinking of these guys who we'd likely take 2nd ish round which would likely allow us to grab a LT/RT in the 1st and have the option of the 5th year which is a big deal for that position.

levon bell droped to like 220 or so

[MileHighCrusher]

I love Dixon. Reminds me of a poor mans Marshall Faulk. I expect us to let Hillman walk in FA and I think Dixon would be the perfect replacement. An upgrade even IMO. So for me it's Dixon in 2016 and then if CJ leaves in 2017 I'd do everything in my power to get either one of Fournette or Chubb in the 2017 draft. I'd also like us to grab McCaffery in 2017 as well somehow. I don't think he will be anything more than a white Darren Sproles/Danny Woodhead at RB in the league but I think he has Julien Edelman/Wes Welker potential as a slot WR. Especially if we can get Welker himself to work with him a couple times in the off-season.

[Joshecalpoly]

The average height of RB's in the draft for several years has been 5'10 1/2. Hillman isn't considered tall hes considered average and Thompson is only slightly above. Not a lot of teams are going after 6'0+ tall guys (hence why the NFL average is still 5'9 despite there being tall RB's in the draft) because they have a perception of being hurt easier. IMO any RB has potential to get hurt but what matters most is how they run and how well their muscles are distributed and I would not mind a 6'0+ RB (in fact I would love it) but I don't think Elway is of that mind set.

I would love to give Tre Madden a shot, maybe even get Quayvon Hicks as a FB

[Rich_C]

levon bell droped to like 220 or so

Le'Veon Bell was picked #48....2nd round of his draft class. A few picks ahead of Montee Ball. No where near 220 or so...LOL

So yes for taller RB's who clearly show talent there is hope they can become superstars. I also think that being around 6ft - 6ft1 provides a bit of an advantage in the passing game. I am not opposed to a guy like Dixon either but he is my #2 choice of the ones I listed.

I also feel that in a Kubiak offense which is wanting to become run heavy could benefit from two back formations and not just a FB but two backs. So having guys who are decent in size and who can run would be well suited for that type of play.

[FR Tim]

I am going to continue to hope that Kiper is a draft genius and Elliot drops to the Broncos in the first!

If not him the Madden and Hicks combo seems solid. Madden is a very good back. Not great but dependable. He should be a solid professional. At FB I am leaning towards signing a vet FA. Get some experience in the backfield.

I keep looking at Prosise out of ND. Possibly a 3rd rounder. Curious about opinions on him. Seems bit inexperienced at RB but a bit more explosive then many mentioned. Runs hard and seems to make plays.

[Rich_C]

C.J. Prosise- ND- 6ft 220 lbs -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q1FpD6Fi9o

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-MyeF1m7x4

He is a good/ great runner but I am not seeing the same size and style that I am seeing in Madden.


Pictures of both:

1. tre Madden:



2, C.J. Prosise




I see the two as having tow different builds. I'd be concerned that Prosise might end up similar to Hillman.

What is odd to me is that they are listed within 5 lbs of each other but Madden looks quite a bit bigger. Also Madden's 40- times look to be faster - while that is not a 100% true of speed with pads on it is a starting point.

[Joshecalpoly]

Le'Veon Bell was picked #48....2nd round of his draft class. A few picks ahead of Montee Ball. No where near 220 or so...LOL

So yes for taller RB's who clearly show talent there is hope they can become superstars. I also think that being around 6ft - 6ft1 provides a bit of an advantage in the passing game. I am not opposed to a guy like Dixon either but he is my #2 choice of the ones I listed.

I also feel that in a Kubiak offense which is wanting to become run heavy could benefit from two back formations and not just a FB but two backs. So having guys who are decent in size and who can run would be well suited for that type of play.

Dion Lewis is 5'8 and Theo Riddick is 5'9. Most RB's are used off screens and they either have good hands or don't and its rare no matter the height that they will actually match up in 1 on 1 coverage.

[Rich_C]

Dion Lewis is 5'8 and Theo Riddick is 5'9. Most RB's are used off screens and they either have good hands or don't and its rare no matter the height that they will actually match up in 1 on 1 coverage.

We have and are seeing plays where the RB's are being used a lot more in the passing game as well so 1 on 1 coverage is more common. Having a taller or tallish and faster RB is a huge advantage. Particularly because they are often being covered by a slower LB and ieven if they end up being covered by a faster lb that will mean that one of our other WR's is likely then covered by a lesser than CB, S or LB themselves. Either way I cannot see a negative if we had a guy like Le'Veon Bell on our team.