Ryan Mathews or Jahvid Best?... (1 Viewer)

[Warpig]

I was just wondering, now that we've had some time to process the draft and how things shook out, who should be the #1 RB off the board in rookie drafts?

Everything I've read shows/says Mathews is the #1 RB off the board. Why so? I know Mathews has more of the prototypical build for an RB, but Best is the more dynamic playmaker correct? We're starting to learn that RB's don't need to be 215+ lbs to be game changers.

Mathews landed in an ideal situation in San Diego. Here are his pros/cons as I see them:

PROS

- pro bowl talent surrounding him at qb, wr, te.

- plays in a weak division

- minimal competition for carries

- plays for a head coach with a proven track record for getting the most out of his RBs

- walks right into a starting gig

CONS

- o-line possibly starting to deteriorate(?)

- has a minor threat to chip into his carries/receptions due to Sproles excelling as a 3rd down/change of pace back

- how stable is the coaching staff in SD? Seems like there is always sstatic between the owner and his coach.

Best landed in a somewhat less desirable situation. Here are his pros/cons:

PROS

- Detroit appears to be possibly turning the corner.

- Surrounded by young talent, including arguably the best WR in the league and a promising QB (should Pettigrew be added to the list?)

- less than stellar competition for carries/catches

- EXPLOSIVE!

CONS

- subpar O-line (lead to their QB and Kevin Smith getting injured)

- inexperienced QB

- plays in TOUGH defensive division

- questions about his durability

- will he be asked to do too much too soon?

Hypothetical:

If you are sitting with the 1.01 pick in your rookie draft, and you are in dire need of a RB, can you justify taking Best with the 1.01? Who will be more worthy of that 1.01 pick 5 years down the road? Do you take Mathews and sleep easy at night? Or do you try to trade back a couple slots and take Best? Who will be the more consistent scorer for the longer period of time?

 

[TitansFan10]

there are so many posts about this...

 

[Warpig]

there are so many posts about this...

Maybe you'll be kind enough to post a link. I did a scan and saw nothing comparing the two. Or perhaps you are mistaken or confused.

 

[Zoomanji]

there are so many posts about this...

Maybe you'll be kind enough to post a link. I did a scan and saw nothing comparing the two. Or perhaps you are mistaken or confused.

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=517322

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=531276

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=529792

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=531342

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=532283

Could be more, I just did a quick scan.

 

[Warpig]

there are so many posts about this...

Maybe you'll be kind enough to post a link. I did a scan and saw nothing comparing the two. Or perhaps you are mistaken or confused.

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=517322

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=531276

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=529792

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=531342

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=532283

Could be more, I just did a quick scan.

AH! I ran my scan on the Sharkpool forum. Didn't think about the Assistant coach since I'm not asking "who to start" or "rate my trade".

 

[Avery]

I was just wondering, now that we've had some time to process the draft and how things shook out, who should be the #1 RB off the board in rookie drafts?

Everything I've read shows/says Mathews is the #1 RB off the board. Why so? I know Mathews has more of the prototypical build for an RB, but Best is the more dynamic playmaker correct? We're starting to learn that RB's don't need to be 215+ lbs to be game changers.If you are sitting with the 1.01 pick in your rookie draft, and you are in dire need of a RB, can you justify taking Best with the 1.01? Who will be more worthy of that 1.01 pick 5 years down the road? Do you take Mathews and sleep easy at night? Or do you try to trade back a couple slots and take Best? Who will be the more consistent scorer for the longer period of time?

You're asking two different questions here.On one hand your asking if you/one should consider Best instead of Mathews at 1.01. In other words Best > Mathews. As linked above, there are a number of threads dealing with that question.Than your asking do you/one try to trade back a couple of slots and take Best instead. In other words is Best + value for trading back > Mathews. To answer that question, one would need to know what that added value is.

 

[mikel2014]

All of the pros and cons you list are about their situation. I know it's been said over and over, but in dynasty leagues talent wins out over situation.

Mathews Pros:

Exceptional balance

Solid power/speed combination

Rarely fumbles

Size to be a goal line back

Runs well between the tackles

Quick feet

Cons:

Not a burner, probably limited big plays

Receiving skills unknown (which doesn't mean he can't, but he hasn't proven he can)

Jahvid Best's Pros:

Great speed

Best lateral agility in the class

Runs well between the tackles

Exceptional route runner / receiver out of the backfield

Great vision

Cons:

Durability concerns (concussions)

May not be an every down back, although I believe he will be able to carry the load

Summary: In non-PPR leagues, I would say Mathews by a decent margin. Best's receiving ability helps close the gap in PPR leagues. I think the choice between the two will come down to philosophies. If you have a chance for a championship this year then Mathews will help more. In 2-3 years, I prefer Best. If you want a guy with a lower floor then Mathews is your guy. If you want more stud potential I'd say Best. Personally I would pick Best but like I said it comes down to philosophy.

 

[Zoomanji]

there are so many posts about this...

Maybe you'll be kind enough to post a link. I did a scan and saw nothing comparing the two. Or perhaps you are mistaken or confused.

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=517322

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=531276

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=529792

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=531342

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=532283

Could be more, I just did a quick scan.

AH! I ran my scan on the Sharkpool forum. Didn't think about the Assistant coach since I'm not asking "who to start" or "rate my trade".

None of those are in the AC forum but I bet there are a lot there

And since you are asking who should I draft...

 

[rzrback77]

Reviewed the results of the four Hyper Active dynasty leagues and Mathews went 1st in three of the four and second in the other. Best went 4th in all four.

 

[EBF]

I think Best's value hinges on the format. In PPR, I think he's a near lock to make an instant impact and help FF teams win right away. In non-PPR he could be a bit of a disappointment because I'm not sure if he'll ever be a high TD guy and his huge role in the passing game will be of diminished value.

Three or four years from now, I don't expect us to look back on this class and view Ryan Mathews as the top player in the group. On the other hand, if you look at all of this year's rookies, I think he's easily the safest bet to become an instant FF starter in every format. He's a 220+ bound workhorse type with 4.4 speed and a top 15 draft pedigree with a clear opportunity for 250-300 carries right off the bat. At worst he'll probably be a fringe RB1 in most leagues when healthy. I think he's a safe bet to help your team and maintain a high trade value.

 

[jude]

Mathews. Startup, redraft, dynasty, ppr, non ppr, td heavy, keeper. all mathews. best isnt chris johnson.

And i like Best.

 

[Rovers]

Mathews, then SPILLER, then Best as far as RB's go. So, I don't get the premise of the thread at all... Spiller behind Best? Not for me.

 

[Sinrman]

Two very different runners. I think Matthews has the upper hand in that he's in a more balanced offense and defenses won't always be able to stack the lines. Granted Detroit is improving and Calvin warrants attention, but I have a feeling that teams will blitz, blitz, and bltiz to test that O-line, tire them out, show different looks and confuse, and kill poor Stafford. Though Detroit's O-line is improved from years past, it still is a work-in-progress. I like Best a lot, but I see him more of a Reggie Bush-type, not an every down back. Whenever Kevin Smith comes back, he will take carries away. Matthews is a beast, and if he can stay healthy and take the pounding, I see him doing well this year and in the future. Best will too, but in a different way...

 

[Fighting Noles]

And THAT (Blocking) is something that has been TOTALLY left out of the "annointing" of Best by many on the boards here. Detroits' line is poor (maybe somewhat improved from AWFUL, but still bad) & Best was very poor in pass protection in COLLEGE. It was reported by numerous draft scout sites that he was routinely pulled on passing downs at Cal because of this. If he catches the 60 - 75 passes that some are predicting here, they better come on first or second (& short) downs because otherwise I can't see the Lions letting their Franchise QB take any more risks then he already has to. There have been "better" backs than Best who have had to improve their blocking before getting more playing time, so it really surprises me that this hasn't been discussed at all really.

Also, the fact that the RB who replaced Best after that GOD AWFUL concussion, put up big #'s too says a LOT about the PAC 10 D's (or lack of it IMO). I LIKE BEST (I thought he was undervalued at first because of landing in Detroit) - but the fact that he is now being projected as a 1500+ yds, 60+ Recs, (somewhere between MJD & RBush in NO's OFFENSE, was the quote I believe) back makes him a perfect sell HIGH IMO....

I'd move him in the PRESEASON after a couple of big runs before the REAL hitting starts....

 

[Sinrman]

And THAT (Blocking) is something that has been TOTALLY left out of the "annointing" of Best by many on the boards here. Detroits' line is poor (maybe somewhat improved from AWFUL, but still bad) & Best was very poor in pass protection in COLLEGE. It was reported by numerous draft scout sites that he was routinely pulled on passing downs at Cal because of this. If he catches the 60 - 75 passes that some are predicting here, they better come on first or second (& short) downs because otherwise I can't see the Lions letting their Franchise QB take any more risks then he already has to. There have been "better" backs than Best who have had to improve their blocking before getting more playing time, so it really surprises me that this hasn't been discussed at all really.Also, the fact that the RB who replaced Best after that GOD AWFUL concussion, put up big #'s too says a LOT about the PAC 10 D's (or lack of it IMO). I LIKE BEST (I thought he was undervalued at first because of landing in Detroit) - but the fact that he is now being projected as a 1500+ yds, 60+ Recs, (somewhere between MJD & RBush in NO's OFFENSE, was the quote I believe) back makes him a perfect sell HIGH IMO.... I'd move him in the PRESEASON after a couple of big runs before the REAL hitting starts....

Yep, the true test of a good back is... "Can he block?" I don't see Best being a great blocker and will get run over often when asked to...

 

[Warpig]

And THAT (Blocking) is something that has been TOTALLY left out of the "annointing" of Best by many on the boards here. Detroits' line is poor (maybe somewhat improved from AWFUL, but still bad) & Best was very poor in pass protection in COLLEGE. It was reported by numerous draft scout sites that he was routinely pulled on passing downs at Cal because of this. If he catches the 60 - 75 passes that some are predicting here, they better come on first or second (& short) downs because otherwise I can't see the Lions letting their Franchise QB take any more risks then he already has to. There have been "better" backs than Best who have had to improve their blocking before getting more playing time, so it really surprises me that this hasn't been discussed at all really.Also, the fact that the RB who replaced Best after that GOD AWFUL concussion, put up big #'s too says a LOT about the PAC 10 D's (or lack of it IMO). I LIKE BEST (I thought he was undervalued at first because of landing in Detroit) - but the fact that he is now being projected as a 1500+ yds, 60+ Recs, (somewhere between MJD & RBush in NO's OFFENSE, was the quote I believe) back makes him a perfect sell HIGH IMO.... I'd move him in the PRESEASON after a couple of big runs before the REAL hitting starts....

This is the kind of stuff I was looking for. I knew the obvious like what I posted in my original post. But since I don't get to watch much college football I was looking for a keen eyes perspective of what each player brings to the table and their total body of work over their college careers and potential for output in the pros (given their current situation).I'm hearing everyone talk about Best's potential for receptions, but as has been mentioned, if he can't block, to me, that is a huge knock on him. Then again I haven't heard of Mathews being a stellar blocker either.

 

[jude]

And THAT (Blocking) is something that has been TOTALLY left out of the "annointing" of Best by many on the boards here. Detroits' line is poor (maybe somewhat improved from AWFUL, but still bad) & Best was very poor in pass protection in COLLEGE. It was reported by numerous draft scout sites that he was routinely pulled on passing downs at Cal because of this. If he catches the 60 - 75 passes that some are predicting here, they better come on first or second (& short) downs because otherwise I can't see the Lions letting their Franchise QB take any more risks then he already has to. There have been "better" backs than Best who have had to improve their blocking before getting more playing time, so it really surprises me that this hasn't been discussed at all really.Also, the fact that the RB who replaced Best after that GOD AWFUL concussion, put up big #'s too says a LOT about the PAC 10 D's (or lack of it IMO). I LIKE BEST (I thought he was undervalued at first because of landing in Detroit) - but the fact that he is now being projected as a 1500+ yds, 60+ Recs, (somewhere between MJD & RBush in NO's OFFENSE, was the quote I believe) back makes him a perfect sell HIGH IMO.... I'd move him in the PRESEASON after a couple of big runs before the REAL hitting starts....

poor at blocking? i don't think he even knows how. seriously.

 

[treat88]

 

[FUBAR]

If you want highlights, Best will provide.

If you want to win games, Mathews is the pick.

I drafted Best in one league and got Mathews in none, but I have no doubts Mathews is worth more. As for how much, I don't know.