Best Rookie RB out of these 4 (1 Viewer)

[switz]

Johnson has a gear that you don't often see. He also shows good balance and good power for his size. I doubt he'll be a bell cow type at the NFL, but if you give him 10-15 touches per game then he can hit some home runs for the offense.

He's definitely one of the more interesting skill position prospects in the draft. He crushed the combine in just about every drill. Ridiculous 40 time. Very good vertical leap. Elite broad jump. It was a performance reminiscent of Justin Fargas' workout a few years back. Like Fargas, Johnson accomplished enough on the field to make you think he's more than just a workout wonder. I think he has a chance to be a top 25-35 pick, possibly even the RB3 if teams are worried about Stewart. That could be one of the "surprises" of the draft.

Good highlights here:

Just watched this a few times, and my initial reaction was 'Wow!' I was surprised at the patience Johnson showed, and his aggressive running style. He seemed to be able knock people over, as well as have great speed.Then I watched it again, and saw how shoddy those defenses were. And I saw a few of his stutter steps that would get him killed in the NFL.

I guess we'll see - his speed is for real, not just a great combine 40. But I don't know how he'll do facing a legitimate defense.

 

[Rockchild]

Johnson has a gear that you don't often see. He also shows good balance and good power for his size. I doubt he'll be a bell cow type at the NFL, but if you give him 10-15 touches per game then he can hit some home runs for the offense.

He's definitely one of the more interesting skill position prospects in the draft. He crushed the combine in just about every drill. Ridiculous 40 time. Very good vertical leap. Elite broad jump. It was a performance reminiscent of Justin Fargas' workout a few years back. Like Fargas, Johnson accomplished enough on the field to make you think he's more than just a workout wonder. I think he has a chance to be a top 25-35 pick, possibly even the RB3 if teams are worried about Stewart. That could be one of the "surprises" of the draft.

Good highlights here:

I agree with both of these statements. With the success of Hester in Chicago, I can see some team drafting him late in the first to bolster their return game first and any contribution to the running game would be a bonus.

 

[gianmarco]

I will say this about Johnson. I'm not 100% sold on him, but I would probably keep these things in mind.

1. This kid is video-game silly fast. You can see that on the highlight videos and obviously in his 4.24 combine. We say and hear all the time that once these guys get into the NFL, they won't be able to outrun those defenders like they did in college. If there was ever a guy who I think might actually be able to make that statement not true, it's Johnson. He might actually be fast enough that even NFL defenders will have a hard time.

2. A lot of what I've seen from him is running in space. However, given his amazing speed and athletic ability, why wouldn't he in college? Most of the plays I saw seemed to be designed plays to get him in the open field where he could do maximal damage. I know we like to see these guys run inside, but a college coach isn't going to call those plays for a RB like him against that competition. So, while he may currently tend to run outside, I don't think that means he can't run inside. On some of those runs, he does indeed run with power and I think he could probably run inside, just not consistently as a workhouse back.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Well, I wouldn't say that I have a man crush. There are guys I like more. I just took issue with where you said there was a gap between the combine and his game film. I just don't see where you find fault with 6.0 per carry, and insane 14+ yards per reception (6 td's on 37 catches speaks of his ability in space), first in all purpose yards per game, and 3rd in the nation in scoring. Perhaps that has him on 7 on your list- but I think you are in the minority there. That's all I'm saying. Both Mayock and Kiper had him top 5 pre-combine. He is new to the position and not a ton of carries. Last year was his first 200 carry year. I think he has a lot room for growth, like Addai (who was an option QB in high school). These guys didn't always look like natural rb's because they hadn't been doing it for 10 years.

From your report, it sounds like he is somewhere between Justin Fargas (great speed, great collegiate career) and Michael Bennett (great speed, raw prospect)Honestly, every time I hear a player is "learning the position" when draft time roles around, it scares the heck out of me. The learning curve for experienced backs in the NFL is hard (it used to be easier), and then to throw an inexperienced player into that?

I don't think he is that raw. I just think he is in the learning process. This was his first year where what was asked of him matched his abilities. He had better coaching, and responded well. He averaged 6.0 per carry. His back-up Dominique Lindsay averaged less than 4. He was second in catches, and tied for first in TD catches. He averaged 14 yards per catch.Here are the differences I see. 1)Johnson is faster at every split-10yd, 20yd, 40 yd, SF scout Todd (?) Brunner said it was the fastest 20 split he had ever seen.2) Johnson is a much better pass catcher. They already split him out wide on wr screens, and put him into routes sometimes 10+ yards down the field. 3) Unfortunately Johnson is a bit smaller.4) Those guys went to better programs that had previous rb success. Dayne did well before Bennett and McCullough did well with Fargas.However, despite those differences, both the guys you listed as compares did gain 1000 yards in an NFL season.I like Jones just as much or more, but liking Jones doesn't mean I have to dislike Johnson.

 

[Rodeojones]

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[Cookiemonster]

I, myself rate Johnson above Jones. Probably Rice too. Jones plays with pretty solid field speed/acceleration (B, B+), very good patience and good vision (A-, B). Elusiveness is pretty good (B) but tackle breaking is almost non-existant (C-). Johnson: speed (A)/accel (A+), patience (C+)/vision (B-), elusiveness (B) and tackle breaking (B). Rice: speed (B-)/accel (B), patience (A-), vision (A-), Elusiveness (B), tackle breaking (A-). By the way I score (screw combine #s) I have Rice @ 21.5, Johnson @ 20.2 and Jones @ 19.8.

To anybody in my league, disregard!

 

[Maroney=Speed]

I, myself rate Johnson above Jones. Probably Rice too. Jones plays with pretty solid field speed/acceleration (B, B+), very good patience and good vision (A-, B). Elusiveness is pretty good (B) but tackle breaking is almost non-existant (C-). Johnson: speed (A)/accel (A+), patience (C+)/vision (B-), elusiveness (B) and tackle breaking (B). Rice: speed (B-)/accel (B), patience (A-), vision (A-), Elusiveness (B), tackle breaking (A-). By the way I score (screw combine #s) I have Rice @ 21.5, Johnson @ 20.2 and Jones @ 19.8. To anybody in my league, disregard!

Can I join your League, is the question? Just joking. Nice break down. So right now you have Rice 4? Johnson at 5? Jones 6? top 3 are? what's the scoring 25 must/best?

 

[Cookiemonster]

I, myself rate Johnson above Jones. Probably Rice too. Jones plays with pretty solid field speed/acceleration (B, B+), very good patience and good vision (A-, B). Elusiveness is pretty good (B) but tackle breaking is almost non-existant (C-). Johnson: speed (A)/accel (A+), patience (C+)/vision (B-), elusiveness (B) and tackle breaking (B). Rice: speed (B-)/accel (B), patience (A-), vision (A-), Elusiveness (B), tackle breaking (A-). By the way I score (screw combine #s) I have Rice @ 21.5, Johnson @ 20.2 and Jones @ 19.8. To anybody in my league, disregard!

Can I join your League, is the question? Just joking. Nice break down. So right now you have Rice 4? Johnson at 5? Jones 6? top 3 are? what's the scoring 25 must/best?

I just gave points like GPA - A=4, B=3... (+ = .8), (even grade =.5), (- = .3)I've got Mendenhall, Stewart, McFadden 1,2 & 3. I'm not a fan of McFadden, but I've got to give him props for what he's done vs. the SEC. I know you hate Stewart (or have been bluffing really hard) but he's the way I like my NFL backs (in the mold of Ronnie Brown, Steven Jackson...) and would probably rank him above Mendenhall if it weren't for the injury issues. I probably emphasize strength/tackle breaking too much and speed too little, but what can I say. I'm a MLB for life.

 

[Maroney=Speed]

I, myself rate Johnson above Jones. Probably Rice too. Jones plays with pretty solid field speed/acceleration (B, B+), very good patience and good vision (A-, B). Elusiveness is pretty good (B) but tackle breaking is almost non-existant (C-). Johnson: speed (A)/accel (A+), patience (C+)/vision (B-), elusiveness (B) and tackle breaking (B). Rice: speed (B-)/accel (B), patience (A-), vision (A-), Elusiveness (B), tackle breaking (A-). By the way I score (screw combine #s) I have Rice @ 21.5, Johnson @ 20.2 and Jones @ 19.8. To anybody in my league, disregard!

Can I join your League, is the question? Just joking. Nice break down. So right now you have Rice 4? Johnson at 5? Jones 6? top 3 are? what's the scoring 25 must/best?

I just gave points like GPA - A=4, B=3... (+ = .8), (even grade =.5), (- = .3)I've got Mendenhall, Stewart, McFadden 1,2 & 3. I'm not a fan of McFadden, but I've got to give him props for what he's done vs. the SEC. I know you hate Stewart (or have been bluffing really hard) but he's the way I like my NFL backs (in the mold of Ronnie Brown, Steven Jackson...) and would probably rank him above Mendenhall if it weren't for the injury issues. I probably emphasize strength/tackle breaking too much and speed too little, but what can I say. I'm a MLB for life.

Ok, on Stewart no bluffing. No one here is in my League for starters. I just call them the way I see them. Big fan of F.Jones and I had Rice higher than almost everyone a month or two ago. My rankings have stayed the same as well. After the NFL Draft, they will still be the same. I'm on record that I have McFadden higher than anyone minus All Day over the last 5 years. I'm also on record I like Jones and Rice. Higher on K.Smith than almost everyone as well. So no, nothing I write is a bluff. Nice scoring system by the way.

 

[switz]

Ok, on Stewart no bluffing. No one here is in my League for starters. I just call them the way I see them. Big fan of F.Jones and I had Rice higher than almost everyone a month or two ago. My rankings have stayed the same as well. After the NFL Draft, they will still be the same. I'm on record that I have McFadden higher than anyone minus All Day over the last 5 years. I'm also on record I like Jones and Rice. Higher on K.Smith than almost everyone as well. So no, nothing I write is a bluff. Nice scoring system by the way.

M=S, this is probably one of the best posts I've ever seen you write. It's nice to see you give another guy credit even if you disagree. Keep working in this direction, and you will be a great poster to read! :(

 

[switz]

I like your breakdown as well, but I do have a few comments...

Jones plays with pretty solid field speed/acceleration (B, B+), very good patience and good vision (A-, B). Elusiveness is pretty good (B) but tackle breaking is almost non-existant (C-).

How does Jones get B/B+ for speed/accel? He is one of the fastest guys on the field (despite his 40 not showing it) if you watch the tape. Patience and vision? He sets up blocks with the best of them, and runs cutbacks a ton when a hole opens on the backside, tremendous vision. Hmmm... I just about disagree on all these, even the tackle breaking... but that's probably why I like him more than you

Johnson: speed (A)/accel (A+), patience (C+)/vision (B-), elusiveness (B) and tackle breaking (B).

I didn't really see Johnson break any more tackles than Jones, and Jones played much much much tougher competition. I agree with the rest pretty much.

Rice: speed (B-)/accel (B), patience (A-), vision (A-), Elusiveness (B), tackle breaking (A-). By the way I score (screw combine #s) I have Rice @ 21.5, Johnson @ 20.2 and Jones @ 19.8.

I agree with Rice's scores, I just wonder if you should also consider his size somehow in your rating system....

 

[Donnybrook]

Having the size initially....is a bonus b/c who knows if these guys can put the weight on.

I don't know the answer to this - it's not meant to be sarcastic at all. Is there any "light" RB that hasn't put on weight when he hit the NFL?I mean Portis is listed at 223 now, Suggs is like 213 last time I checked, Norwood has put on like 10 pounds.I think Westbrook is listed at 203 only, so maybe that's a good example, as that's only a 3 pound increase.But it seems from what I have seen, that nearly every RB puts on about 10 pounds between college and the NFL.

What about a player like Maurice Morris? Morris is very comparable to Jones at least height and weight wise coming out of college. Morris may have put on 10 pounds since entering the league but has never been considered as a primary ball carrier due to his size and propensity for injury. I can’t say I have enough knowledge of either to compare them talent wise.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I like your breakdown as well, but I do have a few comments...

Jones plays with pretty solid field speed/acceleration (B, B+), very good patience and good vision (A-, B). Elusiveness is pretty good (B) but tackle breaking is almost non-existant (C-).

How does Jones get B/B+ for speed/accel?In terms of NFL speed, Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders are A+ guys. Olympic type speed. I didn't see a lot of Felix, but what I did see was good playing speed, not breakaway speed. I think all 3 of Mendenhall, Stewart and McFadden look faster straight-line. It's also a very overrated trait. You are correct in that I'm not that high on him (probably my 6th or 7th rated RB.

He is one of the fastest guys on the field (despite his 40 not showing it) if you watch the tape. Patience and vision? He sets up blocks with the best of them, and runs cutbacks a ton when a hole opens on the backside, tremendous vision. By my standards, those are pretty good marks for a rook. I have Rice = in patience and a bit better in vision 'cause Rice has good vision in between the tackles, not just open field. If you're looking for A+ in that category, you're talking about Faulk playing chess w/ the defenders. Seeing 3 and 4 moves ahead of where he is. I don't forsee any rook ever getting that kind of grade from me here. Hmmm... I just about disagree on all these, even the tackle breaking... but that's probably why I like him more than you You do. And to each their own. None of us are right all the time.

Johnson: speed (A)/accel (A+), patience (C+)/vision (B-), elusiveness (B) and tackle breaking (B).

I didn't really see Johnson break any more tackles than Jones I almost never saw Jones get through an arm tackle. That is one of my biggest pet peeves w/ college speed guys. I was more impressed w/ Johnson's balance following contact and he seemed to fall forward more often than Jones., and Jones played much much much tougher competition. I agree with the rest pretty much.

Rice: speed (B-)/accel (B), patience (A-), vision (A-), Elusiveness (B), tackle breaking (A-). By the way I score (screw combine #s) I have Rice @ 21.5, Johnson @ 20.2 and Jones @ 19.8.

I agree with Rice's scores, I just wonder if you should also consider his size somehow in your rating system....I really try not to because of everything the NFL can improve in a guy over college, size is one of the most easily manipulated. If you look big on the field, and play big on the field, you're big enough. Rice plays like the strongest between the tackles runner in this class. Not pound for pound, but just THE best.

 

[switz]

I like your breakdown as well, but I do have a few comments...

Jones plays with pretty solid field speed/acceleration (B, B+), very good patience and good vision (A-, B). Elusiveness is pretty good (B) but tackle breaking is almost non-existant (C-).

How does Jones get B/B+ for speed/accel?In terms of NFL speed, Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders are A+ guys. Olympic type speed. I didn't see a lot of Felix, but what I did see was good playing speed, not breakaway speed. I think all 3 of Mendenhall, Stewart and McFadden look faster straight-line. It's also a very overrated trait. You are correct in that I'm not that high on him (probably my 6th or 7th rated RB.

He is one of the fastest guys on the field (despite his 40 not showing it) if you watch the tape. Patience and vision? He sets up blocks with the best of them, and runs cutbacks a ton when a hole opens on the backside, tremendous vision. By my standards, those are pretty good marks for a rook. I have Rice = in patience and a bit better in vision 'cause Rice has good vision in between the tackles, not just open field. If you're looking for A+ in that category, you're talking about Faulk playing chess w/ the defenders. Seeing 3 and 4 moves ahead of where he is. I don't forsee any rook ever getting that kind of grade from me here. Hmmm... I just about disagree on all these, even the tackle breaking... but that's probably why I like him more than you :( You do. And to each their own. None of us are right all the time.

Johnson: speed (A)/accel (A+), patience (C+)/vision (B-), elusiveness (B) and tackle breaking (B).

I didn't really see Johnson break any more tackles than Jones I almost never saw Jones get through an arm tackle. That is one of my biggest pet peeves w/ college speed guys. I was more impressed w/ Johnson's balance following contact and he seemed to fall forward more often than Jones., and Jones played much much much tougher competition. I agree with the rest pretty much.

Rice: speed (B-)/accel (B), patience (A-), vision (A-), Elusiveness (B), tackle breaking (A-). By the way I score (screw combine #s) I have Rice @ 21.5, Johnson @ 20.2 and Jones @ 19.8.

I agree with Rice's scores, I just wonder if you should also consider his size somehow in your rating system....I really try not to because of everything the NFL can improve in a guy over college, size is one of the most easily manipulated. If you look big on the field, and play big on the field, you're big enough. Rice plays like the strongest between the tackles runner in this class. Not pound for pound, but just THE best.

Thanks for taking the time to explain your thinking, and respond to my post

 

[greyone]