[Dynasty] 2014 Draft Prospects (5 Viewers)

[cloppbeast]

How do you guys watch film of college players?

http://draftbreakdown.com/

Thanks, man. This helps. Appreciate it.

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Top-50 Draft Board 1.0

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

January 24, 2014 11:01 am ET

The 2014 NFL Draft is still over three months away, but with most of the all-star circuit in the rearview, the draft process is picking up steam. After countless hours of tape and in-person scouting, I put together my initial top-50 draft board of the season. This will fluctuate somewhat throughout the process, especially after the interview process at the NFL combine, but not much.

It was tough to leave certain players off this first list (like Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RB Carlos Hyde and Furman OL Dakota Dozier), but below are 50 impressive prospects for the next level.

1. Teddy Bridgewater QB, Louisville (6-2, 205, 4.67, JR)
Yes, his slender frame isn't ideal and his deep ball accuracy needs work. But Bridgewater succeeds with his mobility, arm talent and efficient ability above the neck. He is a pro-style passer who is grounded, mature and has shown the ability to easily digest information.

2. Jadeveon Clowney DE, South Carolina (6-5, 274, 4.56, JR)
A freak athlete with a very high NFL ceiling, Clowney has an explosive first step and accelerates quickly up the field to effectively disrupt the offensive gameplan. The effort concerns are real, but the potential and natural talent make the risk worth it.

3. Gregory Robinson OT, Auburn (6-5, 320, 4.98, rSO)
A two-year starter at left tackle, Robinson is an impressive athlete for his large frame with the quickness, agility and overall body control to cover a large area. His pass protection is still developing, but he is a devastating run blocker with a mean punch.

4. Khalil Mack DE/OLB, Buffalo (6-3, 248, 4.64, rSR)
A versatile, relentless pass rusher, Mack was extremely productive in college and holds several career NCAA records, including forced fumbles (16) and tackles for loss (75). He is always around the ball with his combination of speed, power and awareness.

5. Jake Matthews OT, Texas A&M (6-5, 305, 5.06, SR)
Probably the “safest” prospect in this class, Matthews started three seasons at right tackle before moving to the left side in 2013. He is a technically-sound blocker with good quickness and balance to protect the pocket against speed and hold up in space.

6. Anthony Barr OLB, UCLA (6-4, 248, 4.48, 4SR)
A former running back, Barr moved to pass rusher last season and excelled at backer for the Bruins, totaling 41.5 tackles for loss the past two seasons. He needs to refine some technical aspects of his game, but his speed/strength off the edge is exciting.

7. Sammy Watkins WR, Clemson (6-1, 205, 4.47, JR)
Watkins set several Clemson and ACC records over the past three years and is an exciting player to watch when he has the ball. He needs some polish in a few areas, but he has above average vision and acceleration and projects as a borderline WR1/WR2 in the NFL.

8. Eric Ebron TE, North Carolina (6-4, 245, 4.67, JR)
A wide receiver in a tight end's body, Ebron is a freakish athlete with the ability to make highlight-reel catches look easy. He is a work-in-progress as a blocker and will drop some easy ones, but his fluid athleticism and playmaking ability at the position are near elite.

9. Blake Bortles QB, UCF (6-3, 230, 4.78, rJR)
From both a physical and mental standpoint, Bortles is the most intriguing quarterback in this draft class. He needs some time to refine his talent and continue to develop, but he has a full toolbox and flashes plays reminiscent of Andrew Luck as a prospect.

10. Mike Evans WR, Texas A&M (6-5, 225, 4.58, rSO)
A physical, imposing target, Evans was Johnny Football's No. 1 target and safety valve in College Station the past two seasons. He isn't the fastest or most fluid athlete, but he boxes out defenders and has a large catching radius to dominate at the catch point.

11. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix FS, Alabama (6-1, 208, 4.54, JR)
A rangy, fluid athlete, Clinton-Dix covers a lot of ground against both the pass and the run and projects to either free or strong safety. He has the aggressive nature to attack ballcarriers and shows the read/react quickness to diagnose and take accurate angles in coverage.

12. Taylor Lewan OT, Michigan (6-7, 315, 5.09, rSR)
A four-year starter, Lewan has a wide, athletic base and plays with the nasty demeanor you want at the position. He needs to keep his emotions under control on the football field and play with more consistency, but he has all the tools to start at left tackle in the NFL.

13. Louis Nix DT, Notre Dame (6-2, 345, 5.17, rJR)
An athletic nose tackle, Nix has monster ability, consistently making plays behind, up and down the line of scrimmage. A knee injury contributed to an up-and-down 2013 season, but he is very active for his size and a double-team magnet – impact doesn't always show in the box score.

14. Calvin Pryor FS, Louisville (6-2, 208, 4.57, JR)
A heat-seeking missile in the secondary, Pryor has physical take-on strength and wraps and drives through his target with violence. He will freelance too much at times, but he displays the athleticism and fluid change of motion to hold up in the deep half of the field.

15. CJ Mosley OLB/ILB, Alabama (6-2, 232, 4.65, SR)
Mosley is a smart, assignment sound player who was the leader of the Alabama defense. He doesn't play a sexy position, but has an accurate first step with a consistently disciplined approach to the game, playing at the same speed and temperament on each snap.

16. Marcus Roberson CB, Florida (6-0, 195, 4.52, JR)
A fearless, confident cover corner, Roberson battled through several injuries in 2013, most notably a left knee issue. But when healthy, he has the footwork, movement skills and competitive nature to blanket receivers along with the instincts to make plays on the ball.

17. Zack Martin OG, Notre Dame (6-4, 305, 5.22, rSR)
The top prospect in Mobile this year, Martin manned the left tackle spot the last four years at Notre Dame, but he projects best inside where he could be a future Pro Bowler. Martin keeps his frame square and low with the foot quickness to mirror and strong hands to punch.

18. Justin Gilbert CB, Oklahoma State (6-0, 200, 4.52, SR)
After a sensational sophomore season, Gilbert had a rocky junior year, but bounced back nicely this past season as a senior. He has a tall, long frame with the long-stride quickness to hang with receivers down the field, adding value as an impact kickoff return man.

19. Jace Amaro TE, Texas Tech (6-5, 260, 4.67, JR)
Amaro played more of a slot receiver position in college and projects as a joker tight end at the next level. He has room to get stronger and mature both physically and emotionally, but his speed and toughness project well to the next level.

20. Darqueze Dennard CB, Michigan State (5-11, 197, 4.52, SR)
The 2013 winner of the Thorpe Award, Dennard has average speed and size for the position, but he is smart, competitive and confident. If he can cut down on the downfield contact, Dennard has a chance to be a very good cover man in the NFL for a long time.

21. Carl Bradford OLB, Arizona State (6-1, 243, 4.73, rJR)
The top defender from an underrated Sun Devil defense, Bradford is an intense and energetic rusher who finds a way to get to the quarterback. He has some tweener traits and won't fit every defense, but he has the initial quickness and power to be effective as a stand-up rusher.

22. Kony Ealy DE, Missouri (6-5, 275, 4.77, rJR)
A good-sized athlete with plus length, Ealy displays smooth acceleration off the edge and bends the arc very well. He is still a tad raw with ball awareness, but he is a forceful striker with the NFL tools to line up inside or outside at the next level.

23. Aaron Donald DT, Pittsburgh (6-1, 288, 4.93, SR)
Although he lacks ideal measureables, Donald has an explosive first step with relentless energy from snap through the whistle. He uses his natural leverage and quick hands to fight through blocks and projects best as an impact three-technique in a four-man front.

24. Ryan Shazier OLB, Ohio State (6-2, 230, 4.58, JR)
One of the few bright spots on an inconsistent Ohio State defense, Shazier finished his 2013 season with 143 total tackles and 22.5 tackles for loss. He lacks ideal bulk and has some discipline issues, but his blend of explosive quickness and initial strength is awesome.

25. Derek Carr QB, Fresno State (6-2, 215, 4.78, rSR)
David Carr's little brother, Carr has top-shelf arm strength with the ability to make every NFL throw needed. His issues with pressure and footwork are easy to see, but he is ultracompetitive with enough size and mobility to start at the NFL level.

26. Allen Robinson WR, Penn State (6-3, 210, 4.54, JR)
A fluid, flexible athlete for his larger frame, Robinson was extremely productive the past two seasons and leaves Penn State with several school receiving records. He needs to eliminate the drops, but he is physical with deceiving acceleration to be a dangerous catch-and-go target.

27. Scott Crichton DE, Oregon State (6-3, 265, 4.73, rJR)
Crichton has a powerful first step with impressive initial momentum to attack blockers and bully them backwards like a battering ram. He lacks ideal fluidity, but has some lower body explosion with a nonstop relentless motor to finish plays with hustle and motivation.

28. Cyrus Kouandijio OT, Alabama (6-5, 310, 5.12, JR)
The Tide's left tackle the past two seasons, Kouandjio looks the part with plus athleticism, but needs to refine his discipline and pay attention to the fundamentals. He moves well and has the length and overall reach to be a reliable NFL starter if he learns some consistency.

29. Jason Verrett CB, TCU (5-10, 176, 4.49, SR)
Although undersized with only good, not great, speed, Verrett is a feisty and physical player with ballhawking read/react quickness. He is ideally suited to be an inside corner with his swivel hips and physical nature to cover slot receivers and be reliable vs. the run.

30. Brandin Cooks WR, Oregon State (5-10, 186, 4.49, JR)
A receiver with joystick athleticism, Cooks has lightning-fast feet and jitterbug quickness to create separation and do something after the catch. He'll have some drops with his smaller hands, but Cooks seems to be moving at a different speed than everyone else on the field.

31. Kyle Van Noy OLB, BYU (6-3, 244, 4.68, SR)
The type of player who scratches and crawls his way to the ballcarrier, Van Noy is twitchy off the snap with smooth hips and footwork in space. He needs to get stronger and continue to develop his pass rush moves, but he can do a lot of things, not just rush the pocket.

32. Troy Niklas TE, Notre Dame (6-6, 270, 4.84, JR)
The best blocking tight end in this class, Niklas is a former defensive lineman who is still developing on offense. He is a long, lumbering athlete in the Kyle Rudolph mold, but still has room to develop as a receiver with his route running and ballskills.

33. Dee Ford DE/OLB, Auburn (6-2, 243, 4.72, SR)
An athletic edge rusher, Ford has explosive quickness with natural bend, acceleration and flexibility to get around blockers with natural speed. He has some fit questions, but he does a nice job staying low and attacking the body of blockers or bursting around them.

34. Xavier Su'a-Filo OG, UCLA (6-3, 305, 5.18, JR)
Su'a-Filo lined up at left guard and left tackle this past season for the Bruins and played consistently well for the Bruins productive offense. He gets himself in trouble when he overextends himself, but he is an easy bender with a strong base to engage at the point of attack.

35. LaMarcus Joyner FS, Florida State (5-8, 190, 4.52, SR)
Despite his short stature, Joyner is the type of player who is impossible to ignore because of the way he jumps off the tape. His lack of size will show up in man coverage and run support, but he plays fast and decisive with violent attitude, projecting him to a nickel role.

36. Antonio Richardson OT, Tennessee (6-6, 327, 5.16, JR)
A heavy waist bender who gets lazy at times, Richardson has exciting potential because of his wide base, stout frame and vines for arms. His inconsistent technique makes it tough for him to sustain, but if he irons out the wrinkles, Richardson has a high NFL ceiling.

37. Dominique Easley DT, Florida (6-2, 285, 4.93, SR)
Easley has battled several injuries over his career, most recently an ACL that sidelined him for most of 2013. But when healthy, he has a sudden first step to attack gaps before blockers can set up with the natural athleticism to track and finish at the ballcarrier.

38. Johnny Manziel QB, Texas A&M (6-0, 210, 4.45, rSO)
A magician at the quarterback position, Manziel has the arm strength, competitive spirit and natural instincts that make him an exciting football player. But his decision-making and durability are strong questions marks, making his transition to the NFL difficult to predict.

39. Marqise Lee WR, USC (6-0, 195, 4.49, JR)
Lee set several program records for the Trojans over his career and is a fun player to watch with the ball. He does have some medical concerns with his knee and will have his share of drops, but Lee has cat-like quickness to get open and create as a ballcarrier.

40. Kyle Fuller CB, Virginia Tech (6-0, 194, 4.45, SR)
A versatile defensive back, Fuller is aggressive and smart and the game appears to come natural to him. He is an inconsistent tackler and needs to stay healthy, but he has the smooth hips, transition skills and ballskills to be a NFL starter at cornerback.

41. Jarvis Landry WR, LSU (5-11, 193, 4.49, JR)
A pair of the strongest hands in the draft, Landry has big mitts to secure grabs and make the tough catches look easy. He's not an elite size/speed athlete, but he is a disciplined route runner with above average body control, ballskills and competitiveness.

42. Odell Beckham WR, LSU (6-0, 195, 4.49, JR)
An impact return man on special teams, Beckham is a speedy, smooth athlete who has improved his hands and route running since he arrived in Baton Rouge. He shows very good shake-and-burst out of his cuts with a large catching radius to elevate and attack the ball.

43. David Yankey OG, Stanford (6-5, 314, 5.08, rJR)
A three-year starter at left guard, Yankey shows very good initial surge with natural explosion in his lower body to overwhelm defenders. He is a natural athlete and active puller with good coordination to square up his target on the move and open holes at the second level.

44. Ra'Shede Hageman DT, Minnesota (6-6, 318, 4.89, rSR)
A tall, well-built athlete, Hageman moves well for his size with range to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. He pops too high off the snap and lacks overpowering strength, but he's at his best when he controls his leverage and length, maybe best fitting at the five-technique.

45. Jimmie Ward SS, Northern Illinois (5-11, 191, 4.59, SR)
The top senior safety on the board, Ward is a versatile defensive back with cornerback movement skills and the physical mentality of a safety. He takes aggressive, confident angles in zone, but also shows the feet and athleticism to play tight in man coverage.

46. Billy Turner OG, North Dakota State (6-5, 316, 5.28, rSR)
The starting left tackle for three-time FCS Champions, Turner has quick feet and natural body control to hold his own in space and combo blocks. If he can learn to sink his hips and not bend so much at the waist, he has Pro Bowls in his future, probably best inside at guard.

47. Timmy Jernigan DT, Florida State (6-2, 298, 4.98, JR)
Jernigan is a flexible, bendy athlete for an interior lineman who is a tough guy to slow down when he wins off the snap. He needs to improve his hand use to shed and combat blockers, but when all the cylinders are firing, Jernigan can be tough to handle.

48. Kelvin Benjamin WR, Florida State (6-5, 235, 4.54, rSO)
A tall, long athlete, Benjamin is a large target with his huge catching radius to highpoint and use his long arms to pluck the ball from the sky. He is still unrefined as a route runner and needs to better finish plays, but his size/athleticism/length makes him an intriguing prospect.

49. Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE, Washington (6-6, 276, 4.75, JR)
Seferian-Jenkins looks the part and has the athleticism and blocking ability to match to potentially be the top all-around tight end in this class. He showed minimal improvement over his college career and needs to add more glass to his diet and put in the work to reach his full potential.

50. Bradley Roby CB, Ohio State (5-11, 192, 4.39, rJR)
Despite a forgettable 2013 season, Roby has the impressive speed and swivel hips that can't be taught. But his lack of height and length along with streaky technique and awareness makes him a work in progress and a player in need of hard-nosed defensive coaching.

 

[IHEARTFF]

Is Kelvin Benjamin more Alshon Jeffery/poor man's Calvin Johnson or is he more Jon Baldwin?

 

[MattFancy]

Not one RB on that Top 50 list? Seems odd...

 

[matttyl]

My sleeper pick of the 2014 drafts, Terrance West, RB from Towson.

2014 NFL Draft: Towson RB Terrance West to forgo senior season

Jason La Canfora

Towson University running back Terrance West, the runner-up for FCS player of the year who led his school to its first national title game, said he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

West, who ran for 2,468 yards this season, received a national draft grade of the third round, and some scouts have him rated higher than that. He has a pro body, runs with authority, is explosive and set several FCS records as a junior. In a weak running back draft, he could be primed to make waves.

West, a Baltimore native, was a big-school recruit, but ended up going to prep school, had difficulty qualifying due to his SAT score and ended up a Towson, a school a few miles outside of downtown, near his home, where he has flourished and drawn plenty of attention from the scouting community.

West could have stayed another season but his pro prospects are high after several standout performances on ESPN during the FCS playoffs and will leave the Baltimore area tomorrow to begin intense combine preparations. West, and Towson corner Jordan Love -- a transfer from Georgia expected to go in the fifth round -- are signing with agent Marc Lillibridge.

Heard this guy interviewed this morning on Sirius NFL. Seems to be an extremely dedicated hard worker, and seems to have his head on straight. Does he have the ability to produce at the next level?

 

[Faust]

Not one RB on that Top 50 list? Seems odd...

Keep in mind that it is a draft board for the actual NFL Draft and not for fantasy football purposes. RB as a position has lost value, and last years draft was indicative of this when no RB was drafted in the first round for the first time in decades.

Having said that, it is a touch surprising that no RB was listed at least somewhere in the 40s, but that could also be reflective that this year there is a pack of 6-7 RB prospects that are all ranked in similar territory, with no one particular RB being clearly above the others. The NFL combine may change this, and we may see later versions of Brugler's Top 50 with a RB or two sneaking into his list.

 

[MattFancy]

Not one RB on that Top 50 list? Seems odd...

Keep in mind that it is a draft board for the actual NFL Draft and not for fantasy football purposes. RB as a position has lost value, and last years draft was indicative of this when no RB was drafted in the first round for the first time in decades.

Having said that, it is a touch surprising that no RB was listed at least somewhere in the 40s, but that could also be reflective that this year there is a pack of 6-7 RB prospects that are all ranked in similar territory, with no one particular RB being clearly above the others. The NFL combine may change this, and we may see later versions of Brugler's Top 50 with a RB or two sneaking into his list.

Oh I understand that, but it still seems surprising to see no RBs in the Top 50. I wasn't expecting a bunch, but I thought maybe 2 or 3 would be on there.

 

[MattFancy]

My sleeper pick of the 2014 drafts, Terrance West, RB from Towson.

2014 NFL Draft: Towson RB Terrance West to forgo senior season

Jason La Canfora

Towson University running back Terrance West, the runner-up for FCS player of the year who led his school to its first national title game, said he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

West, who ran for 2,468 yards this season, received a national draft grade of the third round, and some scouts have him rated higher than that. He has a pro body, runs with authority, is explosive and set several FCS records as a junior. In a weak running back draft, he could be primed to make waves.

West, a Baltimore native, was a big-school recruit, but ended up going to prep school, had difficulty qualifying due to his SAT score and ended up a Towson, a school a few miles outside of downtown, near his home, where he has flourished and drawn plenty of attention from the scouting community.

West could have stayed another season but his pro prospects are high after several standout performances on ESPN during the FCS playoffs and will leave the Baltimore area tomorrow to begin intense combine preparations. West, and Towson corner Jordan Love -- a transfer from Georgia expected to go in the fifth round -- are signing with agent Marc Lillibridge.

Heard this guy interviewed this morning on Sirius NFL. Seems to be an extremely dedicated hard worker, and seems to have his head on straight. Does he have the ability to produce at the next level?

I think he can. Granted the FCS isn't quite like playing in the SEC, but he definitely has the body-type of a typical NFL RB. Seems to run with power and has shown he can carry the load. If he would've gone back for his Senior year, Brian Westrbook's career TD record in FCS would've been destroyed. If nothing else, he could be a nice CoP back for someone. Definitely worth a flier in the 3rd/4th of dynasty league drafts. I could see an NFL team taking him in the 4th/5th probably.

 

[matttyl]

My sleeper pick of the 2014 drafts, Terrance West, RB from Towson.

2014 NFL Draft: Towson RB Terrance West to forgo senior season

Jason La Canfora

Towson University running back Terrance West, the runner-up for FCS player of the year who led his school to its first national title game, said he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

West, who ran for 2,468 yards this season, received a national draft grade of the third round, and some scouts have him rated higher than that. He has a pro body, runs with authority, is explosive and set several FCS records as a junior. In a weak running back draft, he could be primed to make waves.

West, a Baltimore native, was a big-school recruit, but ended up going to prep school, had difficulty qualifying due to his SAT score and ended up a Towson, a school a few miles outside of downtown, near his home, where he has flourished and drawn plenty of attention from the scouting community.

West could have stayed another season but his pro prospects are high after several standout performances on ESPN during the FCS playoffs and will leave the Baltimore area tomorrow to begin intense combine preparations. West, and Towson corner Jordan Love -- a transfer from Georgia expected to go in the fifth round -- are signing with agent Marc Lillibridge.

Heard this guy interviewed this morning on Sirius NFL. Seems to be an extremely dedicated hard worker, and seems to have his head on straight. Does he have the ability to produce at the next level?

I think he can. Granted the FCS isn't quite like playing in the SEC, but he definitely has the body-type of a typical NFL RB. Seems to run with power and has shown he can carry the load. If he would've gone back for his Senior year, Brian Westrbook's career TD record in FCS would've been destroyed. If nothing else, he could be a nice CoP back for someone. Definitely worth a flier in the 3rd/4th of dynasty league drafts. I could see an NFL team taking him in the 4th/5th probably.

That's what I'm thinking. If I swing and miss on a guy in the 3rd or 4th, it won't hurt....but this is the kinda guy I want to take a swing on.

 

[clwn_posse]

Not one RB on that Top 50 list? Seems odd...

It's called groupthink. All of the these so-called draft experts try to follow what the NFL is doing so they can look smart. I promise you there are 5 RBs who are better than some of the turds in the top 50.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

 

[cloppbeast]

rescinded

 

[clwn_posse]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Interesting comment on Seastrunk. I only watched the bowl game but it seems like they don't play him like a workhorse back. Is that because he doesn't do many things well or just because he was coming off injury? I thought he ran between the tackles very well and had a great first step which i like in a RB.

I like Freeman way more than you. He looks like Marshawn Lynch to me.

Andre Williams is at the bottom of my list.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Interesting comment on Seastrunk. I only watched the bowl game but it seems like they don't play him like a workhorse back. Is that because he doesn't do many things well or just because he was coming off injury? I thought he ran between the tackles very well and had a great first step which i like in a RB.

I like Freeman way more than you. He looks like Marshawn Lynch to me.

Andre Williams is at the bottom of my list.

Seastrunk just doesn't look like a natural RB at all. He is an amazing athlete who could play a lot of positions in college and look good, but i just don't see RB instincts when i watch him.

Freeman is a guy i could see gain a lot of ground during the draft process, i just don't have a good handle on him but my mind could easily change on him.

Andre Williams does look kind of blah, but he produces and looks like he could have a role in the NFL. Again the combine/draft could make me do a complete 180 on him.

This RB class is baffling me more than any other in the past few years. A solid group but i don't have the normal convictions i usually do at this stage.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

The MMQB's Greg A. Bedard believes QB Logan Thomas is the "perfect guy for a team to develop down the road."
Bedard does admit Thomas is wildly inconsistent, but adds the quarterback can "really spin the ball." There continues to be buzz linking Thomas and picks in the second day of the draft. From a talent perspective, we think that is crazy, but the NFL's obsession with size is real.

Source: The MMQB

According to Draft Insider Tony Pauline, NFL opinions on Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas are "all over boards," ranging from a second- to fifth-round grade.
Pauline believes NFL teams are "really wanting to like Thomas" despite maddeningly inconsistent on-field performance throughout his college career. Some teams reportedly attribute Thomas' streakiness to a number of different offensive coordinators at Virginia Tech. Thomas goes 6-foot-6, 250 with plus athleticism. He posted a combined 53:39 TD-to-INT ratio as a Hokie.

Source: TFY Draft Insider

 

[coolnerd]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

I think you have a good read on the class..i.e. it is not awful, but one where nfl teams/fantasy owners really need to know what they are looking at. Still I think situation drafted into may weigh more than normal in this class since there are ton of similar bodies with good production. I have no magic beans as to which ones but this class will produce 3-4 long-term usable fantasy RBs (at least).

 

[Brewtown]

this class will produce 3-4 long-term usable fantasy RBs (at least).

I agree with this statement. I would even say that this number may be more like 6-7 usable long-term fantasy RBs. I know that the odds may be against that, and that we may have never seen a class like that before......

But I really like this class!!

 

[coolnerd]

this class will produce 3-4 long-term usable fantasy RBs (at least).

I agree with this statement. I would even say that this number may be more like 6-7 usable long-term fantasy RBs. I know that the odds may be against that, and that we may have never seen a class like that before......

But I really like this class!!

When say 3 or so, I am accounting for injury, bad situation, and some random dude outplaying one them (foster over Tate), not so much general suckitude.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Is it just me, or does Carey run a little too upright? Numbers look good but that running style looks odd. Still thinking top 5RB but not 1, IMO.

Hyde is a monster. He's at the top for me right now.

I like Hill alot as well. He looks like he took ques from both Eddie Lacy and Dmarco Murray.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Rotoworld:

According to Draft Insider Tony Pauline, NFL opinions on Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas are "all over boards," ranging from a second- to fifth-round grade.
Pauline believes NFL teams are "really wanting to like Thomas" despite maddeningly inconsistent on-field performance throughout his college career. Some teams reportedly attribute Thomas' streakiness to a number of different offensive coordinators at Virginia Tech. Thomas goes 6-foot-6, 250 with plus athleticism. He posted a combined 53:39 TD-to-INT ratio as a Hokie.

Source: TFY Draft Insider

Just like teams were wanting to like Kyle Boller, Jake Locker, etc. etc. If a QB sucks in college, he's gonna suck in the NFL; I really don't get how NFL franchises can continue making this kind of mistake. I feel sorry for the fans of whatever franchise ends up drafting Logan Thomas, especially if it's anywhere close to the 2nd round.

 

[Rodeojones]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Is it just me, or does Carey run a little too upright? Numbers look good but that running style looks odd. Still thinking top 5RB but not 1, IMO.

Hyde is a monster. He's at the top for me right now.

I like Hill alot as well. He looks like he took ques from both Eddie Lacy and Dmarco Murray.

I agree with the bolded. What he does below at the 1:38 is absolutely sick.

http://youtu.be/qrImF-MBEj4

 

[EBF]

Rotoworld:

According to Draft Insider Tony Pauline, NFL opinions on Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas are "all over boards," ranging from a second- to fifth-round grade.
Pauline believes NFL teams are "really wanting to like Thomas" despite maddeningly inconsistent on-field performance throughout his college career. Some teams reportedly attribute Thomas' streakiness to a number of different offensive coordinators at Virginia Tech. Thomas goes 6-foot-6, 250 with plus athleticism. He posted a combined 53:39 TD-to-INT ratio as a Hokie.

Source: TFY Draft Insider

Just like teams were wanting to like Kyle Boller, Jake Locker, etc. etc. If a QB sucks in college, he's gonna suck in the NFL; I really don't get how NFL franchises can continue making this kind of mistake. I feel sorry for the fans of whatever franchise ends up drafting Logan Thomas, especially if it's anywhere close to the 2nd round.

Yep. Whitehurst all over again.

 

[EBF]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Not set in stone just yet, but I'm leaning towards something like this:

RB Lache Seastrunk

RB Jeremy Hill

---------

RB Andre Williams

RB Tre Mason

RB Devonta Freeman

RB Carlos Hyde

RB Bishop Sankey

---------

RB KaDeem Carey

RB Terrance West

RB Charles Sims

Sleepers with a pulse: Isaiah Crowell, Tim Flanders, Branden Oliver

 

[Xue]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Is it just me, or does Carey run a little too upright? Numbers look good but that running style looks odd. Still thinking top 5RB but not 1, IMO.

Hyde is a monster. He's at the top for me right now.

I like Hill alot as well. He looks like he took ques from both Eddie Lacy and Dmarco Murray.

I'm one of the biggest detractors of Carey. James White is a very similar player, yet no hype. Runs lower and cuts harder.

 

[Xue]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Not set in stone just yet, but I'm leaning towards something like this:

RB Lache Seastrunk

RB Jeremy Hill

---------

RB Andre Williams

RB Tre Mason

RB Devonta Freeman

RB Carlos Hyde

RB Bishop Sankey

---------

RB KaDeem Carey

RB Terrance West

RB Charles Sims

Sleepers with a pulse: Isaiah Crowell, Tim Flanders, Branden Oliver

After taking a closer look at Crowell, he's going to be high in my rankings. He's the early version of Alex Collins.

 

[EBF]

Not one RB on that Top 50 list? Seems odd...

Keep in mind that it is a draft board for the actual NFL Draft and not for fantasy football purposes. RB as a position has lost value, and last years draft was indicative of this when no RB was drafted in the first round for the first time in decades.

I think there is some truth in this, but at the same time I think this angle is overplayed. We're only two years removed from a draft that saw three backs selected in the first round. I'd argue that the lack of a first round back in 2013 had less to do with a sudden league-wide realization that no RB is worth a first round pick and more to do with the lack of a first round talent in that RB pool.

There is kind of a conventional mold for a first round RB. Generally the backs who go that high combine excellent NCAA production with outstanding physical qualities. Richardson, Martin, and Wilson all had big NCAA stats and special physical traits. If you look at last year's draft class, nobody really had that to the same extent. The guys with freakish workout numbers (Christine Michael and Knile Davis) had injury-plagued college careers. The guys with great college production had marginal workout numbers (Montee Ball, LeVeon Bell, Eddie Lacy). The one guy who had the strongest combination of both was Gio Bernard. Probably not a coincidence that he was the first RB selected and was nearly a first round pick.

This year seems like it might be shaping up similarly, but we'll have to wait and see what the combine holds. I'm not sold that January mocks are going to prove that accurate when May rolls around.

 

[Brewtown]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Is it just me, or does Carey run a little too upright? Numbers look good but that running style looks odd. Still thinking top 5RB but not 1, IMO.Hyde is a monster. He's at the top for me right now.

I like Hill alot as well. He looks like he took ques from both Eddie Lacy and Dmarco Murray.

I'm one of the biggest detractors of Carey. James White is a very similar player, yet no hype. Runs lower and cuts harder.

Over-analysis paralysis... Sometimes they don't all look a like, and a little bit of plastic falls outside the mold. If he has a good combine I think that he will be one of the first Running Backs selected in the draft. Big time production in a big time conference and he looks good on film doing it.

There have been runners with the style you quote that are successful. I'm not sure he has this style when he hits the hole. He is a damn good goaline runner and he looked head over heels better than Andre Williams in their recent bowl game matchup. Very explosive with great second effort.

 

[domvin]

Been wondering when crowell would start getting hype on this board.

 

[JohnnyU]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Interesting comment on Seastrunk. I only watched the bowl game but it seems like they don't play him like a workhorse back. Is that because he doesn't do many things well or just because he was coming off injury? I thought he ran between the tackles very well and had a great first step which i like in a RB.

I like Freeman way more than you. He looks like Marshawn Lynch to me.

Andre Williams is at the bottom of my list.

Seastrunk just doesn't look like a natural RB at all. He is an amazing athlete who could play a lot of positions in college and look good, but i just don't see RB instincts when i watch him.

Freeman is a guy i could see gain a lot of ground during the draft process, i just don't have a good handle on him but my mind could easily change on him.

Andre Williams does look kind of blah, but he produces and looks like he could have a role in the NFL. Again the combine/draft could make me do a complete 180 on him.

This RB class is baffling me more than any other in the past few years. A solid group but i don't have the normal convictions i usually do at this stage.

I love these comments about Seastrunk, please keep them up. Just maybe he will slip a little bit in the 1st rd of some of my dynasty drafts. You sleep on this guy, you're making a HUGE mistake. Carey looks very pedestrian in those highlights and didn't he also have off-the-field issues?

 

[Brewtown]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Interesting comment on Seastrunk. I only watched the bowl game but it seems like they don't play him like a workhorse back. Is that because he doesn't do many things well or just because he was coming off injury? I thought he ran between the tackles very well and had a great first step which i like in a RB.I like Freeman way more than you. He looks like Marshawn Lynch to me.

Andre Williams is at the bottom of my list.

Seastrunk just doesn't look like a natural RB at all. He is an amazing athlete who could play a lot of positions in college and look good, but i just don't see RB instincts when i watch him.

Freeman is a guy i could see gain a lot of ground during the draft process, i just don't have a good handle on him but my mind could easily change on him.

Andre Williams does look kind of blah, but he produces and looks like he could have a role in the NFL. Again the combine/draft could make me do a complete 180 on him.

This RB class is baffling me more than any other in the past few years. A solid group but i don't have the normal convictions i usually do at this stage.

I love these comments about Seastrunk, please keep them up. Just maybe he will slip a little bit in the 1st rd of some of my dynasty drafts. You sleep on this guy, you're making a HUGE mistake. Carey looks very pedestrian in those highlights and didn't he also have off-the-field issues?

Off the field issues. Yeah, like Brandon Marshall, Randy Moss, Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ahman Green, Dez Bryant, Josh Gordon, Michael Irvin, Chris Carter, Warren Sapp, Lawrence Taylor, and Brett Favre.... I could go on and on....I love it when I am in a league with HR Director types like yourself. Leaves more talent for guys like me....

 

[JFS171]

Been wondering when crowell would start getting hype on this board.

I've mentioned him a few times in other threads. I'm sold on the skills... But I can't check out the head. If an NFL team checks that box by making him a relatively solid pick (top 5 rounds), I'll be driving this bandwagon.

 

[JFS171]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Interesting comment on Seastrunk. I only watched the bowl game but it seems like they don't play him like a workhorse back. Is that because he doesn't do many things well or just because he was coming off injury? I thought he ran between the tackles very well and had a great first step which i like in a RB.I like Freeman way more than you. He looks like Marshawn Lynch to me.

Andre Williams is at the bottom of my list.

Seastrunk just doesn't look like a natural RB at all. He is an amazing athlete who could play a lot of positions in college and look good, but i just don't see RB instincts when i watch him.

Freeman is a guy i could see gain a lot of ground during the draft process, i just don't have a good handle on him but my mind could easily change on him.

Andre Williams does look kind of blah, but he produces and looks like he could have a role in the NFL. Again the combine/draft could make me do a complete 180 on him.

This RB class is baffling me more than any other in the past few years. A solid group but i don't have the normal convictions i usually do at this stage.

I love these comments about Seastrunk, please keep them up. Just maybe he will slip a little bit in the 1st rd of some of my dynasty drafts. You sleep on this guy, you're making a HUGE mistake. Carey looks very pedestrian in those highlights and didn't he also have off-the-field issues?

Off the field issues. Yeah, like Brandon Marshall, Randy Moss, Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ahman Green, Dez Bryant, Josh Gordon, Michael Irvin, Chris Carter, Warren Sapp, Lawrence Taylor, and Brett Favre.... I could go on and on....I love it when I am in a league with HR Director types like yourself. Leaves more talent for guys like me....

I can't put my finger on anything specifically, but Carey just seems rather ho hum to me.

That being said, I would expect you to vehemently disagree Brew, since you've been adamant all over this board that 6-8 guys are going to be big time producers. Maybe it's my incorrect interpretation of your usage of exclamation points, but while I like this RB class as a whole, I'm not nearly as bullish as you are.

 

[Brewtown]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Interesting comment on Seastrunk. I only watched the bowl game but it seems like they don't play him like a workhorse back. Is that because he doesn't do many things well or just because he was coming off injury? I thought he ran between the tackles very well and had a great first step which i like in a RB.I like Freeman way more than you. He looks like Marshawn Lynch to me.

Andre Williams is at the bottom of my list.

Seastrunk just doesn't look like a natural RB at all. He is an amazing athlete who could play a lot of positions in college and look good, but i just don't see RB instincts when i watch him.

Freeman is a guy i could see gain a lot of ground during the draft process, i just don't have a good handle on him but my mind could easily change on him.

Andre Williams does look kind of blah, but he produces and looks like he could have a role in the NFL. Again the combine/draft could make me do a complete 180 on him.

This RB class is baffling me more than any other in the past few years. A solid group but i don't have the normal convictions i usually do at this stage.

I love these comments about Seastrunk, please keep them up. Just maybe he will slip a little bit in the 1st rd of some of my dynasty drafts. You sleep on this guy, you're making a HUGE mistake. Carey looks very pedestrian in those highlights and didn't he also have off-the-field issues?

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

 

[coolnerd]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Is it just me, or does Carey run a little too upright? Numbers look good but that running style looks odd. Still thinking top 5RB but not 1, IMO.

Hyde is a monster. He's at the top for me right now.

I like Hill alot as well. He looks like he took ques from both Eddie Lacy and Dmarco Murray.

I'm one of the biggest detractors of Carey. James White is a very similar player, yet no hype. Runs lower and cuts harder.

White should at least be in the discussion with gazillion other 5'9" -5'10 200-210 backs in this draft. Lots of production from all those guys, got figure with are the true frauds.

 

[Brewtown]

I'm having a lot of trouble ranking the RB's this year. A very nice group but none of the top guys really stand out at this stage. The combine can't come soon enough to separate things for us.

Right now i have them ranked as follows. Love the group as a whole but currently am not confident in my rankings.

1)Ka'Deem Carey

2)Carlos Hyde

3)Jeremy Hill

4)Tre Mason

5)Andre Williams

6)Charles Sims

7)Bishop Sankey

8)Lache Seastrunk (he's an athlete, not a RB, don't understand the love for him at all)

9)Devonta Freeman

Interesting comment on Seastrunk. I only watched the bowl game but it seems like they don't play him like a workhorse back. Is that because he doesn't do many things well or just because he was coming off injury? I thought he ran between the tackles very well and had a great first step which i like in a RB.I like Freeman way more than you. He looks like Marshawn Lynch to me.

Andre Williams is at the bottom of my list.

Seastrunk just doesn't look like a natural RB at all. He is an amazing athlete who could play a lot of positions in college and look good, but i just don't see RB instincts when i watch him.

Freeman is a guy i could see gain a lot of ground during the draft process, i just don't have a good handle on him but my mind could easily change on him.

Andre Williams does look kind of blah, but he produces and looks like he could have a role in the NFL. Again the combine/draft could make me do a complete 180 on him.

This RB class is baffling me more than any other in the past few years. A solid group but i don't have the normal convictions i usually do at this stage.

I love these comments about Seastrunk, please keep them up. Just maybe he will slip a little bit in the 1st rd of some of my dynasty drafts. You sleep on this guy, you're making a HUGE mistake. Carey looks very pedestrian in those highlights and didn't he also have off-the-field issues?

Off the field issues. Yeah, like Brandon Marshall, Randy Moss, Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ahman Green, Dez Bryant, Josh Gordon, Michael Irvin, Chris Carter, Warren Sapp, Lawrence Taylor, and Brett Favre.... I could go on and on....I love it when I am in a league with HR Director types like yourself. Leaves more talent for guys like me....

I can't put my finger on anything specifically, but Carey just seems rather ho hum to me. That being said, I would expect you to vehemently disagree Brew, since you've been adamant all over this board that 6-8 guys are going to be big time producers. Maybe it's my incorrect interpretation of your usage of exclamation points, but while I like this RB class as a whole, I'm not nearly as bullish as you are.

I am very bullish on the RBs in this class. Very impressed with the talent here... It seems as if most are not enthralled with what is available. Maybe it is because of a lack of a clear cut #1 guy. The reason it is so hard to pick a clear cut #1 is because these 6-7 guys are all damn good. If someone put a gun to my head and asked me to pick the #1 guy from this class right now I'd probably go with Jeremy Hill with Carey/Sankey being a close second. The combine and draft position will play an important role in where they are selected in dynasty drafts because they are all very talented. I'm really looking forward to watching both the combine and draft this year. Going to be a good one from a fantasy perspective.

 

[Brewtown]

Running Back Opportunity also has me excited - there seems to be quite a few spots open and available this year.

TEAMS THAT WILL NEED A RUNNING BACK

Clevelend Browns

New York Jets

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tennessee Titans

Oakland Raidrs

New York Giants

TEAMS THAT MAYBE NEED A RUNNING BACK

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

San Diego Chagers

Dallas Cowboys

New Orleans Saints

Arizona Cardinals

St. Louis Rams

TEAMS THAT WILL NEED A RUNNING BACK IN THE NEAR FUTURE (you may have to wait a little)

Houston Texans

Chicago Bears

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Of course there are also several free agents that are available this offseason as well:

Darren McFadden

MJD

Ben Tate

James Starks

Knowshon Moreno

Chris Johnson

Rashad Jennings

Donald Brown

Rashard Mendenhall

 

[Kleck]

I'm not as impressed with Hyde as others (Kiper has him #32 overall). Big back, decent speed once he gets moving, but I think he's slow at the line. Andre Williams runs with the more power and toughness, IMO. And has better top end speed and seems to get up to speed quicker than Hyde too.

 

[BuckeyeChaos]

I'm not as impressed with Hyde as others (Kiper has him #32 overall). Big back, decent speed once he gets moving, but I think he's slow at the line. Andre Williams runs with the more power and toughness, IMO. And has better top end speed and seems to get up to speed quicker than Hyde too.

don't confuse patience for being slow at the line. the boy has plenty of quicks for a back his size

 

[loose circuits]

Rotoworld:

According to Draft Insider Tony Pauline, NFL opinions on Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas are "all over boards," ranging from a second- to fifth-round grade.

Pauline believes NFL teams are "really wanting to like Thomas" despite maddeningly inconsistent on-field performance throughout his college career. Some teams reportedly attribute Thomas' streakiness to a number of different offensive coordinators at Virginia Tech. Thomas goes 6-foot-6, 250 with plus athleticism. He posted a combined 53:39 TD-to-INT ratio as a Hokie.

Source: TFY Draft Insider

Just like teams were wanting to like Kyle Boller, Jake Locker, etc. etc. If a QB sucks in college, he's gonna suck in the NFL; I really don't get how NFL franchises can continue making this kind of mistake. I feel sorry for the fans of whatever franchise ends up drafting Logan Thomas, especially if it's anywhere close to the 2nd round.

how good was nick Foles in college?

 

[JFS171]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.

And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Rotoworld:

According to Draft Insider Tony Pauline, NFL opinions on Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas are "all over boards," ranging from a second- to fifth-round grade.

Pauline believes NFL teams are "really wanting to like Thomas" despite maddeningly inconsistent on-field performance throughout his college career. Some teams reportedly attribute Thomas' streakiness to a number of different offensive coordinators at Virginia Tech. Thomas goes 6-foot-6, 250 with plus athleticism. He posted a combined 53:39 TD-to-INT ratio as a Hokie.

Source: TFY Draft Insider

Just like teams were wanting to like Kyle Boller, Jake Locker, etc. etc. If a QB sucks in college, he's gonna suck in the NFL; I really don't get how NFL franchises can continue making this kind of mistake. I feel sorry for the fans of whatever franchise ends up drafting Logan Thomas, especially if it's anywhere close to the 2nd round.

how good was nick Foles in college?

Pretty damn good actually. His TD/INT ratio was pretty mediocre, but his CMP% was phenomenal and his YPA was OK. I was actually pretty bullish on Foles, probably the most bullish on him of anyone on these boards. Here's a post I made about him back before he was drafted: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=580252&page=19#entry14285303, and there's more than that if you want to use the search function.

 

[JohnnyU]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.

And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

 

[Brewtown]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

You seem to be the one judging folks by their off the field issues. If you live in a glass house - don't throw stones.....Seastrunk is no Mother Theresa...

Off the field issues are overblown anyway... Leave that to he dorky, talentless HR people....

 

[JohnnyU]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

You seem to be the one judging folks by their off the field issues. Unless you live in a glass house - don't throw stones.....

Seastrunk is no Mother Theresa...

Off the field issues are overblown anyway... Leave that to he dorky, talentless HR people....

It's "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". HR people? LOL.

 

[Brewtown]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

You seem to be the one judging folks by their off the field issues. Unless you live in a glass house - don't throw stones.....Seastrunk is no Mother Theresa...

Off the field issues are overblown anyway... Leave that to he dorky, talentless HR people....

It's "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". HR people? LOL.

Oh yeah : )Well you get the point.....

General managers can't let every jay walking ticket get in the way of getting good talent. People make mistakes (especially young people) - who cares....

You know - spineless, HR people who don't want to hire a talented and successful salesperson or other position just because they have a DUI... They are more concerned about "not making the wrong hire" than they are bringing talent into their organization..... Typical HR think.....

 

[JohnnyU]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

You seem to be the one judging folks by their off the field issues. Unless you live in a glass house - don't throw stones.....

Seastrunk is no Mother Theresa...

Off the field issues are overblown anyway... Leave that to he dorky, talentless HR people....

It's "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". HR people? LOL.

Oh yeah : )

Well you get the point.....

General managers can't let every jay walking ticket get in the way of getting good talent. People make mistakes (especially young people) - who cares....

It's not the off-the field issues I care about with Carey, he just didn't look that great in those highlights a few posts back.

 

[Brewtown]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

You seem to be the one judging folks by their off the field issues. Unless you live in a glass house - don't throw stones.....

Seastrunk is no Mother Theresa...

Off the field issues are overblown anyway... Leave that to he dorky, talentless HR people....

It's "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". HR people? LOL.

Oh yeah : )

Well you get the point.....

General managers can't let every jay walking ticket get in the way of getting good talent. People make mistakes (especially young people) - who cares....

It's not the off-the field issues I care about with Carey, he just didn't look that great in those highlights a few posts back.

Then why bring it up - it's not relevant... Check out just after about 40 seconds in below.....

 

[cloppbeast]

Mostly everybody consider Sammy Watkins a better prospect than Marqise Lee. Am I crazy for disagreeing?

I see Lee getting open a lot better than Watkins, who racks up yards off bubble screens at Clemson.

Granted, Watkins is faster, so he'll make a better deep threat; though Lee will make the better all around reciever, in my humble opinion.

 

[JohnnyU]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

You seem to be the one judging folks by their off the field issues. Unless you live in a glass house - don't throw stones.....

Seastrunk is no Mother Theresa...

Off the field issues are overblown anyway... Leave that to he dorky, talentless HR people....

It's "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". HR people? LOL.

Oh yeah : )

Well you get the point.....

General managers can't let every jay walking ticket get in the way of getting good talent. People make mistakes (especially young people) - who cares....

It's not the off-the field issues I care about with Carey, he just didn't look that great in those highlights a few posts back.

Then why bring it up - it's not relevant... Check out just after about 40 seconds in below.....

Doesn't he look a little sluggish to you?

 

[Brewtown]

Your man crush is no angel:

The NCAA is investigating a $25,000 payment Oregon made to Willie Lyles, a controversial talent evaluator, who is close to Seastrunk and who Seastrunk has described as a mentor. Lache's aunt, Jen Seastrunk, had no comment Saturday on Lache's decision to transfer and neither did Deanna Carter, a counselor from Temple High School who is close with him. Lyles could not be reached for comment.

Oregon has no formal fall camp depth chart, but it appeared to observers at practice that Seastrunk, who redshirted last season, had fallen behind true freshmen De'Athony Thomas and Tra Carson in the battle for backup positions behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. In his time at Oregon, Seastrunk never stood out on the scout team.

Kelly did not elaborate on what might have crossed Seastrunk's mind regarding the depth chart, but running backs coach Gary Campbell said he would not be surprised if playing time was a factor.

"I'm sure that most guys who aren't up in the top of the depth chart think about maybe going somewhere else and taking their talents elsewhere," said Campbell, who was informed of Seastrunk's decision Saturday morning. "I was relatively surprised. ... I didn't think he was unhappy."

Campbell said he had been pleased with Seastrunk's progress in the last week, pointing out that "he got better in the last couple of days here at getting the ball up the field. That had been one of the things we'd been really stressing to him, to really have the courage to just hit up in there rather than bounce around the outside."

Honestly how old was this article? Can't believe the transfer situation is still being discussed as a negative for Lache.And am I the only one that remembers it being pretty widely reported that Lache's grandmother who practically raised him was having some serious health issues? That's why he transferred to Baylor... Maybe that was only picked up around central Texas, but I could have sworn ESPN did a special on it on a game day episode one time.

That's why it didn't deserve a response.

You seem to be the one judging folks by their off the field issues. Unless you live in a glass house - don't throw stones.....Seastrunk is no Mother Theresa...

Off the field issues are overblown anyway... Leave that to he dorky, talentless HR people....

It's "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". HR people? LOL.

Oh yeah : )Well you get the point.....

General managers can't let every jay walking ticket get in the way of getting good talent. People make mistakes (especially young people) - who cares....

It's not the off-the field issues I care about with Carey, he just didn't look that great in those highlights a few posts back.

Then why bring it up - it's not relevant... Check out just after about 40 seconds in below.....

No- very fluid both running and catching and very fast!!!! Watch the entire video that I just posted. Notice the competition too....