Pick THREE Rookie RBs -- NFL mid-4th to 6th round edition (2 Viewers)

[sushinsky4tsar]

Treat these RBs as free "gifts" in a 1/2 ppr dynasty startup.

Apologies to Kalel Mullings. I only have 10 poll options and you didn't make the cut. I can add a 7th round / UDFA edition if there's enough participation in this one.

GO!!

 

[JohnnyU]

A lot of people are going to vote based on their handcuff status mostly, that will skew the results.

 

[menobrown]

A lot of people are going to vote based on their handcuff status mostly, that will skew the results.

Was not remotely on my mind when I voted. Would be different if I was actually picking one which to draft on an actual team with a RB, not just ranking them.

I just know we won't have consenus remotely like the similar WR poll.

 

[TVT 0 N S T A]

Looks like I went with consensus on Blue & Jordan James - clear path to relevance for both, more so Jaydon Blue.

I went with Tahj Brooks - I was high on him pre-draft and, while I have listened to many opine that Chase Brown exited the NFL draft unscathed, this guy could be eating into Chase Brown at some point. Brooks has a lot of pop and explosion and I like the offense.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

A lot of people are going to vote based on their handcuff status mostly, that will skew the results.

All of these guys are behind at least one starter holding more value, with the possible exception of anyone who thinks Blue is going to run away with the top job. Which of these are more or less "cuffy" than the others to the extent of skewing the results?

 

[JohnnyU]

A lot of people are going to vote based on their handcuff status mostly, that will skew the results.

All of these guys are behind at least one starter holding more value, with the possible exception of anyone who thinks Blue is going to run away with the top job. Which of these are more or less "cuffy" than the others to the extent of skewing the results?

The handcuff vote will depend on who owns what. If they are voting purely how they rank them without handcuff consideration, then that will produce a different result than the handcuff vote. That is the skew.

 

[Birdie048]

Blue, Marks & Neal
Opportunity ceiling

Sounds like a 70s Rock Band.
(Crosby Stills Nash & Young)

 

[menobrown]

Blue is the Kyle Williams version of the WR poll. The guy who seems clear atop the poll, for most because of situation. But I was really big on him before the draft, really thought he had a shot to go day 2. He's someone I was drafting on redraft teams before the NFL draft starting before the NFL combine. The best of him reminds me of Gibbs.....a lot. I'm just bummed and surprised I barely got him in my rookie drafts.

Sampson was the guy I'd have had the highest of this group if I was answering before the NFL draft and honestly second would have been a big gap. With similar or better draft capital as most in this poll and with most of these guys IMO also slated to be in battles to be the handcuff I see no reason to not keep him #2. I even took him over Blue in a league I had already drafted Judkins(which in hindsight I find myself regretting)

James is next for me, I feel like he's going to grow on Kyle because he's going to be so consistently productive when given a shot.

Fair to say I had a gap after Blue and Sampson, a tier drop.

 

[socrates]

I don't know that any of these RBs have long-term value. Devin Neal strikes me as the most likely of this group to eventually become a fantasy starter.

Trevor Etienne could challenge for some playing time. He was a bit of a disappointment in college, but perhaps the light comes on for him in the pros.

Dylan Sampson was my highest rated of these RBs pre-draft, but finds himself in a disappointing situation. For long-term value, I would still take him over the likes of Blue and Marks who may find more immediate roles but appear to me to be short-term gap fillers.

 

[JohnnyU]

Blue is the Kyle Williams version of the WR poll. The guy who seems clear atop the poll, for most because of situation. But I was really big on him before the draft, really thought he had a shot to go day 2. He's someone I was drafting on redraft teams before the NFL draft starting before the NFL combine. The best of him reminds me of Gibbs.....a lot. I'm just bummed and surprised I barely got him in my rookie drafts.

Sampson was the guy I'd have had the highest of this group if I was answering before the NFL draft and honestly second would have been a big gap. With similar or better draft capital as most in this poll and with most of these guys IMO also slated to be in battles to be the handcuff I see no reason to not keep him #2. I even took him over Blue in a league I had already drafted Judkins(which in hindsight I find myself regretting)

James is next for me, I feel like he's going to grow on Kyle because he's going to be so consistently productive when given a shot.

Fair to say I had a gap after Blue and Sampson, a tier drop.

I personally think Blue is being overdrafted. While I think he will be a fine receiving back, his lack of vision demonstrates his issues as a rusher. I don't think he will ever have a strong hold on the starter reps even if he wins it.

 

[travdogg]

I'm a big fan of ranking RB more on talent than situation. I think situation is more fluid at RB than any other position, with that in mind:

I've got Dylan Sampson #1 by a wide margin. I think he's a better talent than Judkins, and I don't think draft capital is all that important. We've seen plenty of examples of guys drafted later the same draft be the better player from day 1. If there is a Bucky Irving in this class, its Sampson.

I've got DJ Giddens #2. I think he's a really good talent, and Jonathan Taylor has missed 3+ games each of the last 3 seasons, and I think is potentially a trade candidate in the future. Giddens has a Chuba Hubbard skill set, and I think could have a similar path of doing little as a rookie behind a star RB (CMC in Hubbard's case) and then breaking out in 2026.

I've got Devin Neal #3. He's a difference maker in the passing game, and NO feels likely to have a rebuild soon. I could see Kamara not being on the team in 2026, and them not investing heavily. I don't see Kendre Miller or CEH as roadblocks to Neal as the #2 this season.

Jayden Blue is in the best situation, I just don't think he's very good. I think he's not as fast as his 4.38 40, and I think he goes down easily, and is fumble prone. I will say he's dangerous in the open field, but getting him there is the issue, and he's also drop prone in the pass game. I'd say he's got a future as a returner, but Dallas has Turpin there. I think people see the speed and think he's better than he is. This feels like another Ty Chandler to me.

The Hunter love surprises me a little. He's small, not particularly elusive, and a middling pass catcher. Good power for his size, but he feels like a COP guy at best to me, and I don't see any reason to think he'll pass Corum. Could be the KR.

 

[menobrown]

Blue is the Kyle Williams version of the WR poll. The guy who seems clear atop the poll, for most because of situation. But I was really big on him before the draft, really thought he had a shot to go day 2. He's someone I was drafting on redraft teams before the NFL draft starting before the NFL combine. The best of him reminds me of Gibbs.....a lot. I'm just bummed and surprised I barely got him in my rookie drafts.

Sampson was the guy I'd have had the highest of this group if I was answering before the NFL draft and honestly second would have been a big gap. With similar or better draft capital as most in this poll and with most of these guys IMO also slated to be in battles to be the handcuff I see no reason to not keep him #2. I even took him over Blue in a league I had already drafted Judkins(which in hindsight I find myself regretting)

James is next for me, I feel like he's going to grow on Kyle because he's going to be so consistently productive when given a shot.

Fair to say I had a gap after Blue and Sampson, a tier drop.

I personally think Blue is being overdrafted. While I think he will be a fine receiving back, his lack of vision demonstrates his issues as a rusher. I don't think he will ever have a strong hold on the starter reps even if he wins it.

Thanks for sharing but I've seen your previous comments on Blue and don't view his scouting report the same as you or some others who were down on him.

He looks electric to me. Dynamite. His main comp is a guy who played behind an awesome run blocking unit in Denver, led his team in carries and I believe was the 7th most targeted RB in the entire NFL and could not even turn that into 10 PPR PPG.

Anything else I could say is this tweet handles a lot more concisely:


4.28 40 at pro day#1 in class

73% of rush yards were after contact#1 in class

4.0 yds after contact/rush#4 in class

3.4 YPC when hit at/behind LOS#1 in class

25% target %#2 in class

lined up in slot on 16% of routes#1 in class

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/1916206720394879033

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

A lot of people are going to vote based on their handcuff status mostly, that will skew the results.

All of these guys are behind at least one starter holding more value, with the possible exception of anyone who thinks Blue is going to run away with the top job. Which of these are more or less "cuffy" than the others to the extent of skewing the results?

The handcuff vote will depend on who owns what. If they are voting purely how they rank them without handcuff consideration, then that will produce a different result than the handcuff vote. That is the skew.

I give most footballguys enough credit to believe this is exactly how they will vote, understanding that casting a vote in this poll won't actually sew up their fantasy backfield. For the few that are blindly casting their votes based on who their fantasy team could use for cuff, we don't know if they have Mixon, Kyren, Chase, CMC, JT, Achane, etc.

 

[JohnnyU]

A lot of people are going to vote based on their handcuff status mostly, that will skew the results.

All of these guys are behind at least one starter holding more value, with the possible exception of anyone who thinks Blue is going to run away with the top job. Which of these are more or less "cuffy" than the others to the extent of skewing the results?

The handcuff vote will depend on who owns what. If they are voting purely how they rank them without handcuff consideration, then that will produce a different result than the handcuff vote. That is the skew.

I give most footballguys enough credit to believe this is exactly how they will vote, understanding that casting a vote in this poll won't actually sew up their fantasy backfield. For the few that are blindly casting their votes based on who their fantasy team could use for cuff, we don't know if they have Mixon, Kyren, Chase, CMC, JT, Achane, etc.

I would also hope people would vote by ranking, but I would bet a lot will not. I hope I am wrong. More so with RBs than WRs. That is why I think the WR poll will be more accurate.

 

[JohnnyU]

Blue is the Kyle Williams version of the WR poll. The guy who seems clear atop the poll, for most because of situation. But I was really big on him before the draft, really thought he had a shot to go day 2. He's someone I was drafting on redraft teams before the NFL draft starting before the NFL combine. The best of him reminds me of Gibbs.....a lot. I'm just bummed and surprised I barely got him in my rookie drafts.

Sampson was the guy I'd have had the highest of this group if I was answering before the NFL draft and honestly second would have been a big gap. With similar or better draft capital as most in this poll and with most of these guys IMO also slated to be in battles to be the handcuff I see no reason to not keep him #2. I even took him over Blue in a league I had already drafted Judkins(which in hindsight I find myself regretting)

James is next for me, I feel like he's going to grow on Kyle because he's going to be so consistently productive when given a shot.

Fair to say I had a gap after Blue and Sampson, a tier drop.

I personally think Blue is being overdrafted. While I think he will be a fine receiving back, his lack of vision demonstrates his issues as a rusher. I don't think he will ever have a strong hold on the starter reps even if he wins it.

Thanks for sharing but I've seen your previous comments on Blue and don't view his scouting report the same as you or some others who were down on him.

He looks electric to me. Dynamite. His main comp is a guy who played behind an awesome run blocking unit in Denver, led his team in carries and I believe was the 7th most targeted RB in the entire NFL and could not even turn that into 10 PPR PPG.

Anything else I could say is this tweet handles a lot more concisely:


4.28 40 at pro day#1 in class

73% of rush yards were after contact#1 in class

4.0 yds after contact/rush#4 in class

3.4 YPC when hit at/behind LOS#1 in class

25% target %#2 in class

lined up in slot on 16% of routes#1 in class

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/1916206720394879033

Differing opinions are cool.

 

[pinkstapler]

I only voted for 2 in honor of my boy Brashard Smith being left out of the options. I know, I know, he wasn't from rounds 4-6, but I like him better than most of the other options here tbh. Best pass catcher RB in the draft IMO, lands in an offense that needs explosive playmakers, with a great HC and QB, and that has a history of giving late round draft picks an opportunity (Pacheco - 7th). The fact he only converted to RB a year ago and was already as good as he was at SMU, makes me think he's got plenty of room left to grow too. I think he's got a real good chance of getting passing work this year, and looking at that depth chart he's one twisted ankle away from a nice sized workload.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

I only voted for 2 in honor of my boy Brashard Smith being left out of the options. I know, I know, he wasn't from rounds 4-6, but I like him better than most of the other options here tbh. Best pass catcher RB in the draft IMO, lands in an offense that needs explosive playmakers, with a great HC and QB, and that has a history of giving late round draft picks an opportunity (Pacheco - 7th). The fact he only converted to RB a year ago and was already as good as he was at SMU, makes me think he's got plenty of room left to grow too. I think he's got a real good chance of getting passing work this year, and looking at that depth chart he's one twisted ankle away from a nice sized workload.

I like Smith as well as many of the other 7th round guys. Yes, they all belong in this poll / discussion since there's nothing too sacred about 5th and 6th round capital. I was planning to take a different approach with the poll until I realized it's now capped at ten.

 

[JohnnyU]

I only voted for 2 in honor of my boy Brashard Smith being left out of the options. I know, I know, he wasn't from rounds 4-6, but I like him better than most of the other options here tbh. Best pass catcher RB in the draft IMO, lands in an offense that needs explosive playmakers, with a great HC and QB, and that has a history of giving late round draft picks an opportunity (Pacheco - 7th). The fact he only converted to RB a year ago and was already as good as he was at SMU, makes me think he's got plenty of room left to grow too. I think he's got a real good chance of getting passing work this year, and looking at that depth chart he's one twisted ankle away from a nice sized workload.

He's a good receiviing back, but he sure looks skinny. He gives me Kenny Gainwell vibes.

 

[Gatorade]

My three were Neal, Brooks and Gordon.
I think Neal has the best opportunity long term.
I like the situation Brooks is in to have a legit roll.
Gordon's stock has dropped like a fly, but I still think he has the talent to start off with a goal line and short yardage roll.

As a Cowboys fan, I hope Blue shocks me and wins the job.
Pre-draft, Sampson would have topped the list but we shall see.
I like Giddens situation.

I would draft a lot more of these guys than the ones in the WR poll.

 

[pinkstapler]

I only voted for 2 in honor of my boy Brashard Smith being left out of the options. I know, I know, he wasn't from rounds 4-6, but I like him better than most of the other options here tbh. Best pass catcher RB in the draft IMO, lands in an offense that needs explosive playmakers, with a great HC and QB, and that has a history of giving late round draft picks an opportunity (Pacheco - 7th). The fact he only converted to RB a year ago and was already as good as he was at SMU, makes me think he's got plenty of room left to grow too. I think he's got a real good chance of getting passing work this year, and looking at that depth chart he's one twisted ankle away from a nice sized workload.

He's a good receiviing back, but he sure looks skinny. He gives me Kenny Gainwell vibes.

You aren't wrong in that, I saw a couple places comp him to Gainwell. His current weight would be pretty prohibitive towards ever being a 70% touch share guy, let alone a full time 3 down back. The converting his last season of college from WR to RB muddies the water, and I'm pretty much full on trying to only presume positives from it (like the room for a greater ceiling ability wise above). Another would be that he was playing light at WR and can pack on another 15 lbs or so; he's 5'10 and does have a frame capable of doing it I think. It'll just be finding that balance where he can still be fast and dynamic. It's 100% a projection, and a long shot one at that. If he never amounts to much more than a special teams player and RB3 in line in the Cheifs room it wouldn't surprise me either. But I think he has enough in his bag, including hopefully that kick/punt returner role, to keep him on the active roster. That's half the battle for these late round guys.