Rank the 2nd group of Rookie Dynasty RBs (1 Viewer)

[ILoveMyLions]

I thought a little discussion might be good on the second group of RBs for the upcoming rookie drafts.

Despite how you may have ranked the top 5, most rankings that I've seen, have some order of Bush, Maroney, D. Williams, White and Addai. I realize that some of you may have another player in your top 5 besides one of these top 5. However, for the sake of arguement, I don't want these 5 players ranked in this thread. I'm curious what the board thinks about the next 5 backs in dynasty as a whole.

Personally, I rank the next 5 as follows:

6. Jerious Norwood ATL- I see this guy as the starter in 2007. I know that's a bold statement, but he really could push Dunn after this year and take over the job. He's already being talked about as the # 2 for this year..,

7. Jerome Harrison CLE - I like this guy. I could see him adding a little weight and having a chance to be an everydown back in this league. With Droughns the likely starter this year, and other RBs likely in the doghouse in CLE, Harrison could be the # 2 back this year with a chance down the road.

8. Brian Calhoun DET - He would be ranked higher if he didn't land on the Lions. They are going to give Jones every opportunity to succeed. Having said that, Calhoun could prove a dangerous weapon for Martz if given the opportunity. He just needs touches...

9. Maurice Drew JAC - I know some are high on him, but I'm not one of them. i don't see him any more than a 3rd down back at the next level. Perhaps some of you can change my mind, but most smaller RBs like Drew don't have a great track record.

10. Leon Washington NYJ - I almost went with Cedric Humes here, but Washington is stepping into a great situation. Martin is at the end of his career, Blaylock hasn't been impressive, and Houston is unproven. Washington has a chance to contribute and have a shot to get more time next season IF he stays healthy.

 

[ILoveMyLions]

(In a monotone voice) Frye? Frye?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

That's a good list. I'd switch Calhoun and Drew because I feel that Drew can succeed despite his height and because I think Calhoun is a bit overrated. I really like Harrison as well, but I can't justify putting him ahead of Norwood.

 

[T Man]

I thought a little discussion might be good on the second group of RBs for the upcoming rookie drafts.

Despite how you may have ranked the top 5, most rankings that I've seen, have some order of Bush, Maroney, D. Williams, White and Addai. I realize that some of you may have another player in your top 5 besides one of these top 5. However, for the sake of arguement, I don't want these 5 players ranked in this thread. I'm curious what the board thinks about the next 5 backs in dynasty as a whole.

Personally, I rank the next 5 as follows:

6. Jerious Norwood ATL- I see this guy as the starter in 2007. I know that's a bold statement, but he really could push Dunn after this year and take over the job. He's already being talked about as the # 2 for this year..,

7. Jerome Harrison CLE - I like this guy. I could see him adding a little weight and having a chance to be an everydown back in this league. With Droughns the likely starter this year, and other RBs likely in the doghouse in CLE, Harrison could be the # 2 back this year with a chance down the road.

8. Brian Calhoun DET - He would be ranked higher if he didn't land on the Lions. They are going to give Jones every opportunity to succeed. Having said that, Calhoun could prove a dangerous weapon for Martz if given the opportunity. He just needs touches...

9. Maurice Drew JAC - I know some are high on him, but I'm not one of them. i don't see him any more than a 3rd down back at the next level. Perhaps some of you can change my mind, but most smaller RBs like Drew don't have a great track record.

10. Leon Washington NYJ - I almost went with Cedric Humes here, but Washington is stepping into a great situation. Martin is at the end of his career, Blaylock hasn't been impressive, and Houston is unproven. Washington has a chance to contribute and have a shot to get more time next season IF he stays healthy.

Of this group I rank them as follows:6. Norwood. I saw him in college and I think he's got the skills. Won't get much opportunity this year, but he may be an eventual replacement for Dunn.

7. Calhoun. Not as big on this guy as others, but he can run. I still think Jones will be the man, but if he's not - Calhoun can shine.

8. Washington. His situation and opportunity gives him a chance. Martin just won't have the ability to be the HOrse he has been in the past.

9. Drew. I also see him as a third down back.

10. Harrison. I see him as a third down back. Droughns signed the big extension and he is the man. Green, while nothing special, is an adequate #2. Suggs has ability, just not health. This leaves the late round choice a little low on the totem pole.

 

[ILoveMyLions]

That's a good list. I'd switch Calhoun and Drew because I feel that Drew can succeed despite his height and because I think Calhoun is a bit overrated. I really like Harrison as well, but I can't justify putting him ahead of Norwood.

How do you see Drew fitting into the offense? Will he ever be the team's primary back even if it's like Westbrook? Thoughts?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

That's a good list. I'd switch Calhoun and Drew because I feel that Drew can succeed despite his height and because I think Calhoun is a bit overrated. I really like Harrison as well, but I can't justify putting him ahead of Norwood.

How do you see Drew fitting into the offense? Will he ever be the team's primary back even if it's like Westbrook? Thoughts?

I think he can be, but I know I'm in a minority on that. I think that you could really design an offense around him with Greg jones as the FB getting some carries too and be quite successful.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

I think Drew and Calhoun are the only ones who have any potential to be difference makers in FF.

Judging from these posts i think Norwood might be the most overrated rookie RB of this class. I don't see him ever getting a shot at a feature role.

 

[Warpig]

I think Drew and Calhoun are the only ones who have any potential to be difference makers in FF.

Judging from these posts i think Norwood might be the most overrated rookie RB of this class.  I don't see him ever getting a shot at a feature role.

Why would they be pondering trading Duckett then?

 

[ILUVBEER99]

I think Drew and Calhoun are the only ones who have any potential to be difference makers in FF.

Judging from these posts i think Norwood might be the most overrated rookie RB of this class. I don't see him ever getting a shot at a feature role.

Why would they be pondering trading Duckett then?

Norwood is cheap and can be a decent backup. I never said he doesn't have a place in the NFL, but IMO i just can't see any team going into the season with him as their feature RB. He is average in most areas, but doesnt' excel in any. Perfect cheap backup material.

 

[ILoveMyLions]

I've updated my list

6. Norwood

7. Calhoun

8. Drew

9. Harrison

10. Washington

Any new thoughts on these guys?

 

[ImTheScientist]

DREW, DREW, and DREW just draft DREW

 

[ILoveMyLions]

DREW, DREW, and DREW just draft DREW

Any reasoning behind that?

 

[King of the Jungle]

I think Drew has the most upside of the group. Although short, he has that great bubble ### with giant powerful thighs to power through. On top of that he is a great pure runner with good vision, burst, and great hands. IMO, he is closer to the top 5, than this group.

 

[fsufan]

looking at dynasty. Would you draft any of these RBs in the late 1st round over WRs like Jackson or Holmes. Or over any of the big 3 rookie QBs.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

per my rankings:

Norwood (just behind Addai in the 2a tier)

(drop to the 2b tier)

Drew

Calhoun

(drop to the 3rd tier)

Harrison

(drop to the long shots)

Daniels

Washington

Humes

Lundy

Bell

Robinson

 

[Warpig]

looking at dynasty. Would you draft any of these RBs in the late 1st round over WRs like Jackson or Holmes. Or over any of the big 3 rookie QBs.

I didn't like any of the WR's coming out this year so I would probably rather take my chances with any of the above mentioned RB's before any of the WR's. But I wouldn't take them before Leinart, Young or Cutler.

 

[Gandalf]

I think Drew has the most upside of the group. Although short, he has that great bubble ### with giant powerful thighs to power through. On top of that he is a great pure runner with good vision, burst, and great hands. IMO, he is closer to the top 5, than this group.

I echo King of the Jungle's thoughts. And in my experience, the King, knows his rookies. I'm happier to own him after reading his endorsement of Maurice Jones-Drew.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I was really high on Norwood's situation

until the day after I drafted him and learned that he fumbled 3 times in practice that day.

P.J. Daniels is one to watch out for. Lewis may or may not return to form. M.A. is very old. If Daniels beats out Musa, he may very well be a very solid performer. He runs very tough, with decent agility. He finishes his runs with anger and has the vision for the right cutback. What he lacks in speed, he more than makes up for with the intangibles. E.Smith I've heard, wasn't that fast either.

 

[SproutDaddy]

I think Drew and Calhoun are the only ones who have any potential to be difference makers in FF.

Judging from these posts i think Norwood might be the most overrated rookie RB of this class.  I don't see him ever getting a shot at a feature role.

Why would they be pondering trading Duckett then?

Norwood is cheap and can be a decent backup. I never said he doesn't have a place in the NFL, but IMO i just can't see any team going into the season with him as their feature RB. He is average in most areas, but doesnt' excel in any. Perfect cheap backup material.

You've obviously never watched this guy play!

 

[fsufan]

where would you rank Mike Bell now?

If you where drafting this weekend. How high would you draft him?

Does he jump up your rookie ranking since he has been named the starter for the 1st preseason game?

 

[EBF]

It's tough to rank these guys. There's really not much to distinguish them right now. It's a strange group in the sense that Norwood, Calhoun, Drew, and Harrison all lack ideal size and appear to be at risk for third-down back status.

Norwood looks good on film and tested well at the combine, but I think he's overrated right now. He has a lanky build and looks much more like a WR than a RB. I don't ever see him being a team's long-term workhorse, although he could be productive in a RBBC.

Calhoun is similar in many respects. He lacks the lower body bulk and the tackle breaking strength that you hope for. That said, he is a quality player and he could thrive if he lands in the perfect scheme. He's kind of like a poor man's Charlie Garner.

Drew is probably the most intriguing of the bunch to me. He's extremely short, but he's also the stockiest of the bunch. At 208 pounds, he's heavy enough for full-time duty. On the downside, he never carried the ball much at UCLA. If that pattern continues in the NFL, then his value could be limited.

I suspect one of these three will eventually emerge to become a Brian Westbrook type, but it's very difficult to tell which one it will be. Norwood appears to have the best combination of opportunity and skills, but I think his build is the worst of the bunch. If I had to choose on, I'd take Drew because he was chosen the highest, he seems the most likely to make some sort of FF impact (even if only in a RBBC), and he has the best height/weight ratio.

After those guys, I'd say Michael Robinson, Wali Lundy, and Jerome Harrison are worth tracking. Robinson has apparently played pretty well in 49ers camp. Lundy is a good sleeper in Houston. Harrison has skills, but seems destined for part-time duty.

And if you want a comatose sleeper, then Derrick Ross of Kansas City might be worth a flyer. He has reportedly looked pretty good in camp.

 

[EBF]

where would you rank Mike Bell now?If you where drafting this weekend. How high would you draft him?Does he jump up your rookie ranking since he has been named the starter for the 1st preseason game?

I think the hysteria will die down and Bell will come crashing back down to Earth. It's a nice story, but the guy was never more than an average starter in the Pac-10, and was barely even the best back on a mediocre Arizona team. I might move him up in my rankings because his trade value is high, but I think his long-term value is still very low. I wouldn't take him in the top 15 and probably not in the top 20.EDIT: I might take Bell in the top 15 right now, but only with the intention of trading him immediately.

 

[clwn_posse]

Calhoun

Harrison

Norwood

Drew

 

[MLBrandow]

Drew will be a reliable RB2 next year. The same cannot be said of the others in this group.

Drew

Harrison

Norwood

Calhoun

Washington