Derrick Henry & Duke Johnson which is better DEVY Prospect to own? (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

Duke Johnson is an early contender for the Heisman Trophy this year. He's coming off a broken ankle, but has bulked up this spring. Johnson has transformed himself in the weight room, bulking up to 205 pounds -- 10 pounds more than a season ago and 25 pounds heavier than he was as a freshman in 2012. The broken ankle that sidelined him for the final five games of last season and spring ball perhaps has spurred a new level of commitment in the weight room. I"m reading that Henry could beat out Yeldon this fall for the starting job at Alabama and it's a REAL possibility. Yeldon has has two productive years at RB, but there's something special about Henry, who broke Ken Hall's 51-year-old national high school rushing record with 12,124 yards, after rushing for 4,261 yards as a senior at Yulee High in Florida in 2012. He somehow finds time to fit size, power, speed and elusiveness in his 6-foot-3, 238-pound frame. Henry is just too good to keep off of the field, and we saw that during the Tide's loss to Oklahoma in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. He might not have pushed Alabama to a victory inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but he was easily the best offensive player on the field for Alabama that night. He showed off his sick moves and had 161 total yards of offense and two touchdowns on just nine touches. (per column http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/82248/henry-will-be-the-best-option-for-alabama).

All that being said, they are not to be compared to each other as far as size or even the same draft class, but in terms of being a DEVY player, which one is the better prospect?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

So are you OTC in a devy draft right now?

 

[JohnnyU]

So are you OTC in a devy draft right now?

No, none of my drafts start until after the NFL draft.

 

[Grimace59]

I would put Oregon RB Thomas Tyner in this conversation. Kid just bulked up to 225 and kept his speed. Played welll in there Spring gane looks to be the work horse of the Offense next season.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Kind of a random comparison since Johnson is pretty much guaranteed to come out next year and Henry can't, but I'll support and encourage literally any devy discussion around here.

I own Duke Johnson in a devy league and I'm excited to see what he can do, could be a real asset in PPR.

I had a chance to take Henry in that same league this year and traded down, he went, and I then took Karlos Williams.

 

[Xue]

They're not even in same draft class and not even close in size.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

They're not even in same draft class and not even close in size.

Yeah, that was my point as well, just a random comparison all around.

Where do you stand on each?

 

[Xue]

They're not even in same draft class and not even close in size.

Yeah, that was my point as well, just a random comparison all around.Where do you stand on each?

Henry is Steven Jackson redux. Does not run stiff at all for his size.

Duke looks to be a faster Gio Bernard. But the 2015 class is so good at the top, hard for me to put him over some of the bigger sized RBs.

 

[werdnoynek]

Do we need to make a AC Devy Forum?

This is more of a devy philosophy question than anything... if you're in a complete rebuild and no way near competing for the next few years, I'd probably take a shot at Henry. If you're competative, Johnson. Pretty simple IMO.

 

[EBF]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

 

[werdnoynek]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

It will be interesting to see him play with the more bulk he's supposedly added. I think he could be an interesting prospect if he can add some more muscle.

 

[EBF]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

Sounds like you might be a Duke Johnson owner.

I'm not a fan of his running style and I don't think he has the right physical make up to survive the rigors of a workhorse role. The ankle injury isn't surprising since that's where he looks most vulnerable. He even wears ankle guards when he runs, suggesting that it was already an area of concern for him before the injury.

He also has some concussion stuff in his recent past. He was actually pulled out of three games last season due to head injuries, although it sounds like he probably could've played in at least two of those games if truly needed.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-31/sports/sfl-miami-gets-a-scare-but-duke-johnson-alright-after-hit-to-head-20130831_1_duke-johnson-miami-coach-al-golden-concussion-test

http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/news/15893/duke-johnson-leaves-thursday-night-game-with/

http://saturdayblitz.com/2013/09/28/miami-rb-duke-johnson-sidelined-possible-concussion/

Anyways, I didn't like him much even a year ago. The injury didn't change much for me. I just don't think he's that good of a prospect.

 

[JohnnyU]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

Sounds like you might be a Duke Johnson owner.

I'm not a fan of his running style and I don't think he has the right physical make up to survive the rigors of a workhorse role. The ankle injury isn't surprising since that's where he looks most vulnerable. He even wears ankle guards when he runs, suggesting that it was already an area of concern for him before the injury.

He also has some concussion stuff in his recent past. He was actually pulled out of three games last season due to head injuries, although it sounds like he probably could've played in at least two of those games if truly needed.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-31/sports/sfl-miami-gets-a-scare-but-duke-johnson-alright-after-hit-to-head-20130831_1_duke-johnson-miami-coach-al-golden-concussion-test

http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/news/15893/duke-johnson-leaves-thursday-night-game-with/

http://saturdayblitz.com/2013/09/28/miami-rb-duke-johnson-sidelined-possible-concussion/

Anyways, I didn't like him much even a year ago. The injury didn't change much for me. I just don't think he's that good of a prospect.

I wonder what percentage of NFL pundits agree with you? I have a feeling not many, but I could be wrong.

 

[EBF]

I wonder what percentage of NFL pundits agree with you? I have a feeling not many, but I could be wrong.

Well, I think one of the fun and challenging things about devy leagues is that you have to make more of those calls on your own since you don't have NFL draft position to use as a barometer for a player's talent level. The consensus opinion means less and less the farther out you go. Otherwise every 5 star high school prospect or freshman phenom would be a great NFL prospect. There's a correlation, but it's not that simple. Only a fraction of these guys will become high NFL draft picks, much less good NFL players.

Personally, I don't think Duke is going to be a great pro. If others see it differently, so be it. It's an opinion.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

Sounds like you might be a Duke Johnson owner.

I'm not a fan of his running style and I don't think he has the right physical make up to survive the rigors of a workhorse role. The ankle injury isn't surprising since that's where he looks most vulnerable. He even wears ankle guards when he runs, suggesting that it was already an area of concern for him before the injury.

He also has some concussion stuff in his recent past. He was actually pulled out of three games last season due to head injuries, although it sounds like he probably could've played in at least two of those games if truly needed.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-31/sports/sfl-miami-gets-a-scare-but-duke-johnson-alright-after-hit-to-head-20130831_1_duke-johnson-miami-coach-al-golden-concussion-test

http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/news/15893/duke-johnson-leaves-thursday-night-game-with/

http://saturdayblitz.com/2013/09/28/miami-rb-duke-johnson-sidelined-possible-concussion/

Anyways, I didn't like him much even a year ago. The injury didn't change much for me. I just don't think he's that good of a prospect.

Thanks for the links, his possible concussion red flags weren't on my radar, but it's good to know he could have played.

I don't really like the faster Gio comparison because like you said, Johnson is a straight line speed guy. Gio is much more of a jitterbug type runner, runs lower to the ground as well.

I am an owner, but not terribly invested. Got him just from moving from 1.01 to 1.02 in the devy draft this year.

 

[jonboltz]

Not a fan of either, but think you'd get more in a trade for Henry.

 

[JohnnyU]

I wonder what percentage of NFL pundits agree with you? I have a feeling not many, but I could be wrong.

Well, I think one of the fun and challenging things about devy leagues is that you have to make more of those calls on your own since you don't have NFL draft position to use as a barometer for a player's talent level. The consensus opinion means less and less the farther out you go. Otherwise every 5 star high school prospect or freshman phenom would be a great NFL prospect. There's a correlation, but it's not that simple. Only a fraction of these guys will become high NFL draft picks, much less good NFL players.

Personally, I don't think Duke is going to be a great pro. If others see it differently, so be it. It's an opinion.

I guess we will see how his newly built bulk looks on him and how he performs. He's a very dynamic runner, I do know that, so we will see if the added bulk helps him or hurts him. I like both these runners for different reasons, but that obviously can change over the course of another season.

 

[Xue]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

Sounds like you might be a Duke Johnson owner.

I'm not a fan of his running style and I don't think he has the right physical make up to survive the rigors of a workhorse role. The ankle injury isn't surprising since that's where he looks most vulnerable. He even wears ankle guards when he runs, suggesting that it was already an area of concern for him before the injury.

He also has some concussion stuff in his recent past. He was actually pulled out of three games last season due to head injuries, although it sounds like he probably could've played in at least two of those games if truly needed.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-31/sports/sfl-miami-gets-a-scare-but-duke-johnson-alright-after-hit-to-head-20130831_1_duke-johnson-miami-coach-al-golden-concussion-test

http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/news/15893/duke-johnson-leaves-thursday-night-game-with/

http://saturdayblitz.com/2013/09/28/miami-rb-duke-johnson-sidelined-possible-concussion/

Anyways, I didn't like him much even a year ago. The injury didn't change much for me. I just don't think he's that good of a prospect.

Thanks for the links, his possible concussion red flags weren't on my radar, but it's good to know he could have played.

I don't really like the faster Gio comparison because like you said, Johnson is a straight line speed guy. Gio is much more of a jitterbug type runner, runs lower to the ground as well.

I am an owner, but not terribly invested. Got him just from moving from 1.01 to 1.02 in the devy draft this year.

I wast just using a RB from the most recent draft to compare him to. He's probably closer to Ronnie Hillman, though.

 

[tdmills]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

Sounds like you might be a Duke Johnson owner.

I'm not a fan of his running style and I don't think he has the right physical make up to survive the rigors of a workhorse role. The ankle injury isn't surprising since that's where he looks most vulnerable. He even wears ankle guards when he runs, suggesting that it was already an area of concern for him before the injury.

He also has some concussion stuff in his recent past. He was actually pulled out of three games last season due to head injuries, although it sounds like he probably could've played in at least two of those games if truly needed.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-31/sports/sfl-miami-gets-a-scare-but-duke-johnson-alright-after-hit-to-head-20130831_1_duke-johnson-miami-coach-al-golden-concussion-test

http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/news/15893/duke-johnson-leaves-thursday-night-game-with/

http://saturdayblitz.com/2013/09/28/miami-rb-duke-johnson-sidelined-possible-concussion/

Anyways, I didn't like him much even a year ago. The injury didn't change much for me. I just don't think he's that good of a prospect.

I wonder what percentage of NFL pundits agree with you? I have a feeling not many, but I could be wrong.

Roberts Woods was going to be Julio Jones like...so you said...

 

[tdmills]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

Sounds like you might be a Duke Johnson owner.

I'm not a fan of his running style and I don't think he has the right physical make up to survive the rigors of a workhorse role. The ankle injury isn't surprising since that's where he looks most vulnerable. He even wears ankle guards when he runs, suggesting that it was already an area of concern for him before the injury.

He also has some concussion stuff in his recent past. He was actually pulled out of three games last season due to head injuries, although it sounds like he probably could've played in at least two of those games if truly needed.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-31/sports/sfl-miami-gets-a-scare-but-duke-johnson-alright-after-hit-to-head-20130831_1_duke-johnson-miami-coach-al-golden-concussion-test

http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/news/15893/duke-johnson-leaves-thursday-night-game-with/

http://saturdayblitz.com/2013/09/28/miami-rb-duke-johnson-sidelined-possible-concussion/

Anyways, I didn't like him much even a year ago. The injury didn't change much for me. I just don't think he's that good of a prospect.

Thanks for the links, his possible concussion red flags weren't on my radar, but it's good to know he could have played.

I don't really like the faster Gio comparison because like you said, Johnson is a straight line speed guy. Gio is much more of a jitterbug type runner, runs lower to the ground as well.

I am an owner, but not terribly invested. Got him just from moving from 1.01 to 1.02 in the devy draft this year.

I wast just using a RB from the most recent draft to compare him to. He's probably closer to Ronnie Hillman, though.

I agree that he's more like Ronnie Hillman. I think he's a little tougher than Hillman with better gas. But I think he doesn't have the agility to be elite.

 

[JohnnyU]

Don't like Duke. Brittle and too straight-line. Don't see him making it in the NFL as a featured back.

Not totally sold on Henry just yet, but I'd prefer him. Could end up as a speedier, slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

I don't think one ankle injury makes him brittle. I do agree that he's a bit of a straight-line athlete, but with his ability to catch passes he could have real value. RB is a wasteland right now.

Sounds like you might be a Duke Johnson owner.

I'm not a fan of his running style and I don't think he has the right physical make up to survive the rigors of a workhorse role. The ankle injury isn't surprising since that's where he looks most vulnerable. He even wears ankle guards when he runs, suggesting that it was already an area of concern for him before the injury.

He also has some concussion stuff in his recent past. He was actually pulled out of three games last season due to head injuries, although it sounds like he probably could've played in at least two of those games if truly needed.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-31/sports/sfl-miami-gets-a-scare-but-duke-johnson-alright-after-hit-to-head-20130831_1_duke-johnson-miami-coach-al-golden-concussion-test

http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/news/15893/duke-johnson-leaves-thursday-night-game-with/

http://saturdayblitz.com/2013/09/28/miami-rb-duke-johnson-sidelined-possible-concussion/

Anyways, I didn't like him much even a year ago. The injury didn't change much for me. I just don't think he's that good of a prospect.

I wonder what percentage of NFL pundits agree with you? I have a feeling not many, but I could be wrong.

Roberts Woods was going to be Julio Jones like...so you said...

That is an exaggeration but I did over value Woods. I. Could say the same for you about a couple players in our league Lol.