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Garrett Wolfe (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter grind
- Start date
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Hey Grind,
I think you have to be careful to dismiss a player's entire body of work in lieu of how they perform at all-star games and the Combine/Pro Day workouts, but in Wolfe's case, he certainly failed to give his critics any reason to re-think his NFL prospects. Those who questioned his level of competition would've certainly liked to see some measure of either physical greatness (e.g., blistering 40-time, top end strength to weight measurables) or on-field performance against top competition; and yet he delivered neither.
I think you have to be careful to dismiss a player's entire body of work in lieu of how they perform at all-star games and the Combine/Pro Day workouts, but in Wolfe's case, he certainly failed to give his critics any reason to re-think his NFL prospects. Those who questioned his level of competition would've certainly liked to see some measure of either physical greatness (e.g., blistering 40-time, top end strength to weight measurables) or on-field performance against top competition; and yet he delivered neither.
I was just writing him up for the rookie 100 51-75. I have my doubts, but Chicago really likes the kid, and his pro day numbers seemed to indicate that he was actually extremely quick (which he has to be at his size), and many of us have our doubts about Benson. The sage Chaos Commish also raised a good point after the draft - based on where they chose him, Chicago probably has a plan as to exactly how they want to use Wolfe (as opposed to this being a "throw some picks against the wall and see what sticks" approach). He definitely adds a dimension that no other RB on their roster brings, and he did produce last year against big time competition (285 total yards against Ohio State) I could see him having poor man's MJD upside.
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sholditch
Footballguy
What do you guys think about taking him in a dynasty if you have Benson? Anyone think he will replace Peterson as the primary backup? I get the feeling that the main reason the Bears drafted him was to bolster their already stellar Special Teams. Pairing him with Hester on kick returns could be potent.
Just out of curiosity, what was his 4.0 time?
Just out of curiosity, what was his 4.0 time?
I see him as a deep sleeper possibility in Chicago. They are already saying he'll be used as more than just a returner; in fact, returning hasn't been one of his specialties anyway. I see him getting some touches early, but not enough to be significant. If Benson goes down though, he's the one I'd grab. He may split time with Peterson, but I think Wolfe will be MJD to Peterson's Fred T.
sholditch
Footballguy
Check out what he had to say about himself on his Huskie's player page:
Garrett Wolfe: "The way my offensive line and receivers block, I guess I'm kind of lucky. Look at the film, and you can see I was running to daylight. Sometimes the credit I get is undeserved."
some scouting notes:
He will more than likely be limited to a role as a 3rd down back and special teamer...Intelligence issues?...Doesn't have much upside.
Not in the same mold as guys like Darren Sproles or Maurice Jones-Drew because while those guys may have been short they weren't small at nearly 200 lbs....Prolific college runner who is not nearly the pro prospect that his press clippings would lead you to believe...Will never be a long-term starter in the pros but could carve out a niche for himself as a situational guy and a return man.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingr...rrettwolfe.html
rivals.com
The good: Has been the most productive back in the nation over the past three seasons, totaling more than 5,000 yards. As a senior, he led the nation in rushing. He carried 309 times for 1,928 yards and 18 TDs. He added 28 receptions for 249 yards and one TD. As a receiver, he has sure hands and the ability to make things happen on the perimeter. At the Combine, he did not run but did 22 reps in the lifting and had a 35.5-inch vertical.
The bad: Despite his incredible durability and production for his size, he will be limited to being a third-down back and change-of-pace runner. He will have to find a niche in those roles, and could possibly help out as a return specialist.
Outlook: Good role player with speed, quickness and toughness. Lacks the size to be a good NFL runner. Marginal top 200 prospect that will not get respect from scouts because of his smallish frame and limited upside.
none of this is sounding good
Garrett Wolfe: "The way my offensive line and receivers block, I guess I'm kind of lucky. Look at the film, and you can see I was running to daylight. Sometimes the credit I get is undeserved."
some scouting notes:
He will more than likely be limited to a role as a 3rd down back and special teamer...Intelligence issues?...Doesn't have much upside.
Not in the same mold as guys like Darren Sproles or Maurice Jones-Drew because while those guys may have been short they weren't small at nearly 200 lbs....Prolific college runner who is not nearly the pro prospect that his press clippings would lead you to believe...Will never be a long-term starter in the pros but could carve out a niche for himself as a situational guy and a return man.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingr...rrettwolfe.html
rivals.com
The good: Has been the most productive back in the nation over the past three seasons, totaling more than 5,000 yards. As a senior, he led the nation in rushing. He carried 309 times for 1,928 yards and 18 TDs. He added 28 receptions for 249 yards and one TD. As a receiver, he has sure hands and the ability to make things happen on the perimeter. At the Combine, he did not run but did 22 reps in the lifting and had a 35.5-inch vertical.
The bad: Despite his incredible durability and production for his size, he will be limited to being a third-down back and change-of-pace runner. He will have to find a niche in those roles, and could possibly help out as a return specialist.
Outlook: Good role player with speed, quickness and toughness. Lacks the size to be a good NFL runner. Marginal top 200 prospect that will not get respect from scouts because of his smallish frame and limited upside.
none of this is sounding good
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Neo
The Dude minds
I'm on the other side of the fence. I had a chance to get him to backup Benson in a dynasty I'm in and didn't bite. I don't see him every carrying a full load....and don't think he is any more then a situational type runner... a couple of carries here and there but nothing consistent. I think if Benson goes down Peterson is the guy I'd want.
cliffhuxtible
Footballguy
MJD = 208 pounds.Wolfe = 177 pounds. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people that writes off players like Brian Westbrook solely due to their diminuitive size, but 177 is EXTREMELY light for an NFL back. I'm thinking Byron Hanspard is the more appropriate comparison.
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
If you own Benson... u need to think about Wolfe
PsychoMan
Footballguy
this year we'll probably see him mostly on 3rd downs - great receiver out of the backfield ... could see him looking a bit like norwood did last year. high yards per touch, could break a couple long ones. no way he becomes the clear starter this year or next unless benson gets injured imo. that being said, i do believe he could take the #2 job from adrian peterson. they really like peterson on special teams and i think they want to keep him there along with his occasional touches on offense. i think they intended wolfe to eventually get the #2 RB job. i would think dynasty league benson owners would definitely want this kid on their roster.
cliffhuxtible
Footballguy
Yes, that's a good comparison as well.
Thats exactly what John Crist from the Bear Report mag and site told us on the Audible - it definitely piqued my interest.
sholditch
Footballguy
Rivals.com has Wolfe ranked 23rd of the 2007 backs. Here's the list. I found it pretty interesting given that guys like Jackson and Henry are going way before some of the backs they had ranked ahead of them:
http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=647907
http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=647907
Well Wolfe is light, but he has a compact MJD like frame - he doesnt have those tree trunk thighs, but his style is definitely "pinball", as opposed to the more classic "scatback" profile you expect from someone that weight. the MJD comparison I made, however, is more about fantasy role than NFL type.
How does his size/weight compare to Warrick Dunn?
PsychoMan
Footballguy
i thought i heard lately that wolfe was putting on some weight ... nfl.com has him at 186 and westbrook at 203. can anyone confirm what this kid's weight is?
Holy Schneikes
Footballguy
He weighed in at 186 at the combine. Dunn is 180. All of the other starting backs in the NFL are 200+.
At 5'07" and 186, he's fairly dense, but not MJD-like.
As for measurables, don't know what you were looking for, but his 4.08 shuttle and 6.69 3-cone drill were both fairly eye-popping and both best in class. His 4.39 or 4.46 (depedning on which source you believe) 40 at his pro-day obviously doesn't seem bad either. 18 reps at 225 is pretty darn good for a man his size.
Again, what are you looking for?
At 5'07" and 186, he's fairly dense, but not MJD-like.
As for measurables, don't know what you were looking for, but his 4.08 shuttle and 6.69 3-cone drill were both fairly eye-popping and both best in class. His 4.39 or 4.46 (depedning on which source you believe) 40 at his pro-day obviously doesn't seem bad either. 18 reps at 225 is pretty darn good for a man his size.
Again, what are you looking for?
Neo
The Dude minds
I see. I just have no faith in Wolfe having a major impact and see no way he can carry a full load by himself. I personally think the Bears would have no choice but to move AP into the RB role, if Benson is injured but what the heck do I know.
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sholditch
Footballguy
A lot of the backs that rivals was pimping hard prior to the draft didn't even get drafted, like Darius Walker out of Notre (ranked 7th among backs) Anyone know a better site, or maybe one that analyzes players individually post-draft? Preferably a free site?
ETA, this from the GM:
How did Garrett Wolfe look in offseason workouts and where do you see him fitting in on offense?
Jeff
Geneva, Illinois
JA: He complements both Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson very well. While they’re more inside pounders, Garrett has cat-like quickness, elusiveness and some home-run ability as he showed in college. The thing that impressed me personally in watching him throughout the offseason was how good his hands are. Our coaches used our running backs quite a bit as receivers, and Garrett ran very good routes and he also caught the ball exceptionally well.
ETA, this from the GM:
How did Garrett Wolfe look in offseason workouts and where do you see him fitting in on offense?
Jeff
Geneva, Illinois
JA: He complements both Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson very well. While they’re more inside pounders, Garrett has cat-like quickness, elusiveness and some home-run ability as he showed in college. The thing that impressed me personally in watching him throughout the offseason was how good his hands are. Our coaches used our running backs quite a bit as receivers, and Garrett ran very good routes and he also caught the ball exceptionally well.
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Chaos Commish
Footballguy
As far as competition, he roasted Michigan and Ohio State. Bloom, maybe I recall wrong, but I thought when the hammy finally got strong Wolfe posted a sub 4.4 and the best quicks of any back in the draft. Man, I hate arguing with you on points where we just seem to agree to disagree, but the few times you've posted that Wolfe isn't quick have made me shake my head. This kid as top quicks and vision. He is very small. Sproles is a great comparison. Sproles is a bust to many but he's been injured for a whole season and locked down behind the best one two RB combo in the league. I was expecting to see Sproles cut into Turner's PT last season before he broke his leg; it had been reported credibly. I'd like to own Wolfe in a dynasty, just in case.Jason Wood said:
I agree that the measureables Wolfe posted at his pro day seemed to rehabilitate any dent in his stock from his decline as the season went on and getting hurt in the Senior Bowl in the first practice - you are actually responding to Wood based on the quote above.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Why must Warrick Dunn come up every time a tiny RB is discussed? Dunn is the exception to the rule. The guy was an absolute BEAST at FSU, he was a household name and only now, through hindsight, has he become a guy that everyone throws out in defense of other mighty mites.
Cecil Lammey
Footballguy
Momentum is the key here. When Wolfe is knocked off balance he doesn't have the burst to get back to full speed quickly. This will catch up to him in the NFL.
I love Northern Illinois backs:
LeShon Johnson
Michael Turner
A.J. Harris
Garrett Wolfe
I was a big fan of Wolfe throughout his entire college career. That being said it is very clear that he could not be a starter in the NFL. I also was VERY disappointed to see him at the Senior Bowl practices. He didn't stand out AT ALL.
I love Northern Illinois backs:
LeShon Johnson
Michael Turner
A.J. Harris
Garrett Wolfe
I was a big fan of Wolfe throughout his entire college career. That being said it is very clear that he could not be a starter in the NFL. I also was VERY disappointed to see him at the Senior Bowl practices. He didn't stand out AT ALL.
Holy Schneikes
Footballguy
I'll answer your question if you answer mine
He is always brought up when discussing very small RBs because he is the only successful very small RB out there. Simple as that. He is the precedent in the modern game. Yes he is an exception. The next question is always, "Can there be others?", and the obvious answer to that question is yes. Whether Wolfe is another exception of a similar kind is a much more difficult question.My original question:What are you looking for in measurables (aside from size of course) from the guy that he didn't provide?Class best 3-cone AND short shuttle. On the order of 4.4 speed. 18 reps at the bench (Peterson didn't do bench, Lynch had 20, Kenny Irons had 17, Pittman had 16, Brandon Jackson had 21). Not bad for a guy 20 or 30 pounds lighter than those guys.You were expecting maybe 4.3 speed, 30 reps, and a 6.5 3-cone? 
Chris Smith
The Head Goon!
Wolfe is a player I like a great deal when it comes to his ability to help the Bears offense improve. However that doesn't mean he is going to push Benson to the sidelines and become a 20-carry per game player as well.
I believe we are going to see Wolfe enjoy a long career similar to what Kevin Faulk has done with the Patriots. He'll be a great third-down back, add a different dimension to the backfield and catch some passes. I wouldn't be surprised to ultimately see him with 100+ touches per season along the lines of 50 carries and 50 receptions.
He is small but he isn't slight. He has enough pop in his game to break tackles and he has good quickness.
If you are looking at him as the Bears next 'Walter Payton' obviously you are ultimately going to be crushed. However if you look at him as a guy who will have a positive influence on the Bears offense in the years ahead, I believe you are heading down the right path.
I think Wolfe will become a popuar player in Chicago but his fantasy opportunities may prove limited unless he showcases outstanding ability once gameday arrives.
I'm looking forward to watching him play. I think he'll be entertaining once the ball is in his hands.
I believe we are going to see Wolfe enjoy a long career similar to what Kevin Faulk has done with the Patriots. He'll be a great third-down back, add a different dimension to the backfield and catch some passes. I wouldn't be surprised to ultimately see him with 100+ touches per season along the lines of 50 carries and 50 receptions.
He is small but he isn't slight. He has enough pop in his game to break tackles and he has good quickness.
If you are looking at him as the Bears next 'Walter Payton' obviously you are ultimately going to be crushed. However if you look at him as a guy who will have a positive influence on the Bears offense in the years ahead, I believe you are heading down the right path.
I think Wolfe will become a popuar player in Chicago but his fantasy opportunities may prove limited unless he showcases outstanding ability once gameday arrives.
I'm looking forward to watching him play. I think he'll be entertaining once the ball is in his hands.
Mustang Man
Footballguy
Just a question could this guy become a 50-70 catch type that lines up in the slot and does a bit of everything? If so he could have some value in large roster/team ppr and distance scoring leagues.
duaneok66
Footballguy
That's not really a good comparison; Faulk is a very good blocker in the backfield; I doubt that Wolfe (because of his height and overall stature) can be even an average blocker in the NFL . . .
PsychoMan
Footballguy
i think this is the right idea, but i wouldn't expect the catches to exceed 35-55 until we really see a bit more of this guy playing at the pro level
duaneok66
Footballguy
IMO its Peterson . . .stay tuned . . .
hephner
Footballguy
Wolfe will likely become a 3rd down/change of pace back and I doubt anything more. He's not a feature back. I know some have drawn comparisons to Warrick Dunn, mainly based on size, but I don't see it, and I'm a Chicago homer. So far, it sounds like they've liked what he's shown in camp so far, but he is going to be a role player. He may turn out to be a very good role player if he pans out like they hope, but I don't see him being the RB1 (if Benson gets hurt), or the primary backup.Peterson has performed well for them, boasting an impressive 4.7 ypc carry over his career, has more size (5'10", 210), and can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Plus, probably the biggest factor would be pass blocking. Remember, they're doing anything they can to allow Grossman a chance to develop and succeed, and they don't want to rely on an undersized rookie trying to offer pass protection. Peterson would get the large majority of playing time at RB and the carries if Benson were to get hurt.sholditch said:
kensat30
Footballguy
I would have liked Wolfe a lot more if he went to a team like the NYG. Although we haven't seen much of Benson thus far in his career, they are going to give him every opportunity to be the featured RB. He's getting paid a lot of money to do that job. I think they view Benson as a 3 down RB, so that really limits not only how much Wolfe can produce in the short term as a 3rd down, change of pace, but it also limits how much he will be able to showcase his abilities at all seeing as he won't get on the field much. I think Adrian Peterson has earned the right to at least 50 carries this year and first crack at the starting role if Benson were to go down.
Two, three years down the line this may change, but often times guys like Wolfe are forgotten after they don't produce in year 1. Hell, even Darren Sproles is an afterthought now in his 3rd season, even though he lit it up with every opportunity given to him during season 1.
Two, three years down the line this may change, but often times guys like Wolfe are forgotten after they don't produce in year 1. Hell, even Darren Sproles is an afterthought now in his 3rd season, even though he lit it up with every opportunity given to him during season 1.
duaneok66
Footballguy
excellent post . . .
PsychoMan
Footballguy
mini dit-ka must be blocking for him
satch
Footballguy
I think Wolfe is definitely worth a look. The guy is very small for an NFL RB, but with his small size comes awesome speed, quickness and big play potential. Along with those attributes, he possesses great pass catching ability making him an excellent 3rd down/passing down/change of pace option. If they bring this kid in late in the game when everyone else is tired and throw him a few screens, there's a pretty good chance he'll make something happen.
It's possible we could see a scenario where Wolfe gets a few touches early in the year and makes some big plays, quickly becoming an exciting fan favorite while Benson underachieves. The highlight reel Wolfe eventually gets a shot at starting as the underwhelming Benson is relegated to short yardage work to the delight of Chicago fans. Peterson's role never changes. If Peterson was capable of starting for Chicago, he would be.
If you have someone on your roster who you can't really see ever making your starting lineup, drop 'em and take a shot with Wolfe. The upside on that move is extremely high with virtually no downside.
It's possible we could see a scenario where Wolfe gets a few touches early in the year and makes some big plays, quickly becoming an exciting fan favorite while Benson underachieves. The highlight reel Wolfe eventually gets a shot at starting as the underwhelming Benson is relegated to short yardage work to the delight of Chicago fans. Peterson's role never changes. If Peterson was capable of starting for Chicago, he would be.
If you have someone on your roster who you can't really see ever making your starting lineup, drop 'em and take a shot with Wolfe. The upside on that move is extremely high with virtually no downside.
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Englishteacher
Footballguy
Scottish Revenge
Bob Lee Swagger alias
I see the first couple years of his career mimicing Darren Sproles' career so far.
satch
Footballguy
I agree that right now, Peterson would take over if Benson underperforms/gets hurt simply because he's prepared to do so. That doesn't mean he'll be productive. He's Benson's backup for a reason. After seeing plenty of both players, the Bears clearly think Benson is more productive than Peterson. Wolfe, on the other hand, is only beginning to show what he can do. If he makes the most of his opportunities, he could leapfrog Peterson in no time and ultimately challenge Benson.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
I'm dropping Wolfe in 2 dynasty leagues that I own Benson and Peterson. That's what I think of Wolfe.Edited to add that he's still on the WW in those two leagues. Nothing but sharks from FBGs in these leagues also.I agree that right now, Peterson would take over if Benson underperforms/gets hurt simply because he's prepared to do so. That doesn't mean he'll be productive. He's Benson's backup for a reason. After seeing plenty of both players, the Bears clearly think Benson is more productive than Peterson. Wolfe, on the other hand, is only beginning to show what he can do. If he makes the most of his opportunities, he could leapfrog Peterson in no time and ultimately challenge Benson.
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