Salivating over the rookie RB crop this year! (1 Viewer)

[weasel3515]

Here is a list of rookie RBs for the NFL next year with some stats. I'd say this is probably the most impressive group ever.

Name, school Height, Weight Rushing Yds Avg./Carry TDs

Jamaal Charles, Texas 6-1, 205 1,619 6.3 18

James Davis, Clemson 5-11, 205 1,064 5.0 10

Mike Forte, Tulane 6-1, 224 2,127 5.9 23

Mike Hart, Michigan 5-9, 202 1,361 5.1 14

Felix Jones, Arkansas 6-0, 200 1,162 8.7 11

Darren McFadden, Arkansas 6-2, 205 1,830 5.6 16

Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois 5-11, 224 1,681 6.4 17

Ray Rice, Rutgers 5-9, 205 2,012 5.3 24

Kevin Smith, Central Florida 6-1, 211 2,567 5.7 29

Steve Slaton, West Virginia 5-10, 190 1,051 5.0 17

Jonathan Stewart, Oregon 5-11, 230 1,722 6.2 11

Of this list only Clemson's Davis doesn't have anything very remarkable. Even Hart is well known for rarely fumbling (except for twice on the goalline in their bowl game). Slaton, though undersized, could be a speedier version of Warrick Dunn. It should be a very exciting draft day to see the situations they land in. Discussion?

 

[Warpig]

Here is a list of rookie RBs for the NFL next year with some stats. I'd say this is probably the most impressive group ever.Name, school Height, Weight Rushing Yds Avg./Carry TDsJamaal Charles, Texas 6-1, 205 1,619 6.3 18James Davis, Clemson 5-11, 205 1,064 5.0 10Mike Forte, Tulane 6-1, 224 2,127 5.9 23Mike Hart, Michigan 5-9, 202 1,361 5.1 14Felix Jones, Arkansas 6-0, 200 1,162 8.7 11Darren McFadden, Arkansas 6-2, 205 1,830 5.6 16Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois 5-11, 224 1,681 6.4 17Ray Rice, Rutgers 5-9, 205 2,012 5.3 24Kevin Smith, Central Florida 6-1, 211 2,567 5.7 29Steve Slaton, West Virginia 5-10, 190 1,051 5.0 17Jonathan Stewart, Oregon 5-11, 230 1,722 6.2 11Of this list only Clemson's Davis doesn't have anything very remarkable. Even Hart is well known for rarely fumbling (except for twice on the goalline in their bowl game). Slaton, though undersized, could be a speedier version of Warrick Dunn. It should be a very exciting draft day to see the situations they land in. Discussion?

Certainly seems to be pretty deep. Not a whole lot of elite talent...but good talent. Same goes for the QB crop as well. Pretty deep class but not a lot of sure things. Gonna be hard to trade down in leagues this year.

 

[weasel3515]

Actually I can see a lot of these guys as elite. Many say McFadden will be better than ADP while others say that actually Jones is the better back from Arkansas. And look at the production from Forte, Rice and Smith-almost puts the rest to shame. Then there are guys with great ypc. from Stewart to Mendenhall to Charles to Jones' eye-popping amount of 8.7! And how about guys with a nose for the endzone like Forte, Rice and Smith again? Can't wait for draft day in April!!

 

[prymetyme25]

Here is a list of rookie RBs for the NFL next year with some stats. I'd say this is probably the most impressive group ever.Name, school Height, Weight Rushing Yds Avg./Carry TDsJamaal Charles, Texas 6-1, 205 1,619 6.3 18James Davis, Clemson 5-11, 205 1,064 5.0 10Mike Forte, Tulane 6-1, 224 2,127 5.9 23Mike Hart, Michigan 5-9, 202 1,361 5.1 14Felix Jones, Arkansas 6-0, 200 1,162 8.7 11Darren McFadden, Arkansas 6-2, 205 1,830 5.6 16Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois 5-11, 224 1,681 6.4 17Ray Rice, Rutgers 5-9, 205 2,012 5.3 24Kevin Smith, Central Florida 6-1, 211 2,567 5.7 29Steve Slaton, West Virginia 5-10, 190 1,051 5.0 17Jonathan Stewart, Oregon 5-11, 230 1,722 6.2 11Of this list only Clemson's Davis doesn't have anything very remarkable. Even Hart is well known for rarely fumbling (except for twice on the goalline in their bowl game). Slaton, though undersized, could be a speedier version of Warrick Dunn. It should be a very exciting draft day to see the situations they land in. Discussion?

I'm gonna try and break down most of these guys by the end of the week and then again after the combine. I'll havce strengths/weaknesses and comparable styles. Only guy I dont hae any clips on is Mike Forte and although he is not highly touted as the rest i'm intrigue by his size and would love to see what he has to offer.Anyone have any clips on Forte?I'll post it here if anyone is interested.

 

[weasel3515]

Here is a list of rookie RBs for the NFL next year with some stats. I'd say this is probably the most impressive group ever.Name, school Height, Weight Rushing Yds Avg./Carry TDsJamaal Charles, Texas 6-1, 205 1,619 6.3 18James Davis, Clemson 5-11, 205 1,064 5.0 10Mike Forte, Tulane 6-1, 224 2,127 5.9 23Mike Hart, Michigan 5-9, 202 1,361 5.1 14Felix Jones, Arkansas 6-0, 200 1,162 8.7 11Darren McFadden, Arkansas 6-2, 205 1,830 5.6 16Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois 5-11, 224 1,681 6.4 17Ray Rice, Rutgers 5-9, 205 2,012 5.3 24Kevin Smith, Central Florida 6-1, 211 2,567 5.7 29Steve Slaton, West Virginia 5-10, 190 1,051 5.0 17Jonathan Stewart, Oregon 5-11, 230 1,722 6.2 11Of this list only Clemson's Davis doesn't have anything very remarkable. Even Hart is well known for rarely fumbling (except for twice on the goalline in their bowl game). Slaton, though undersized, could be a speedier version of Warrick Dunn. It should be a very exciting draft day to see the situations they land in. Discussion?

I'm gonna try and break down most of these guys by the end of the week and then again after the combine. I'll havce strengths/weaknesses and comparable styles. Only guy I dont hae any clips on is Mike Forte and although he is not highly touted as the rest i'm intrigue by his size and would love to see what he has to offer.Anyone have any clips on Forte?I'll post it here if anyone is interested.

That would be awesome-looking forward to it, thanks!!

 

[treat88]

While I agree there is no ADP like talent in this draft, at least 2 or 3 of those listed should make a splash very quickly.

The combine will clarify things greatly as I don't see more than 4 first/second round talents on this list once it's all said and done.

I personally think Johnathan Stewart will be the best back in this class with Jamal Lewis like production minus the injuries and arrests.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Some of these guys will absolutely slip into Day 2 (Round 4) this year.

There's only so many NFL RB jobs and not every team is in the market for a back.

 

[Fiddles]

Here is a list of rookie RBs for the NFL next year with some stats. I'd say this is probably the most impressive group ever.Name, school Height, Weight Rushing Yds Avg./Carry TDsJamaal Charles, Texas 6-1, 205 1,619 6.3 18James Davis, Clemson 5-11, 205 1,064 5.0 10Mike Forte, Tulane 6-1, 224 2,127 5.9 23Mike Hart, Michigan 5-9, 202 1,361 5.1 14Felix Jones, Arkansas 6-0, 200 1,162 8.7 11Darren McFadden, Arkansas 6-2, 205 1,830 5.6 16Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois 5-11, 224 1,681 6.4 17Ray Rice, Rutgers 5-9, 205 2,012 5.3 24Kevin Smith, Central Florida 6-1, 211 2,567 5.7 29Steve Slaton, West Virginia 5-10, 190 1,051 5.0 17Jonathan Stewart, Oregon 5-11, 230 1,722 6.2 11Of this list only Clemson's Davis doesn't have anything very remarkable. Even Hart is well known for rarely fumbling (except for twice on the goalline in their bowl game). Slaton, though undersized, could be a speedier version of Warrick Dunn. It should be a very exciting draft day to see the situations they land in. Discussion?

I'm gonna try and break down most of these guys by the end of the week and then again after the combine. I'll havce strengths/weaknesses and comparable styles. Only guy I dont hae any clips on is Mike Forte and although he is not highly touted as the rest i'm intrigue by his size and would love to see what he has to offer.Anyone have any clips on Forte?I'll post it here if anyone is interested.

That would be awesome-looking forward to it, thanks!!

 

[sparkky]

Some of these guys will absolutely slip into Day 2 (Round 4) this year.There's only so many NFL RB jobs and not every team is in the market for a back.

Agreed but we could also see some upper echelon teams without a perceived need being unable to pass on the talent available. AKA Minn. last season (granted not of THAT talent quality tho). I think several of these guys that could be had round 3 and later could challenge for the backup position and maybe make some of the existing back ups expendable. FA rbs could also see the $ amounts of their offers drop due to the number of decent rookies that can be had for less. IMHO

 

[Kegs & Eggs]

Here's another guy that's not on this list that I absolutely love at the NFL level: Ryan Torrian Arizona State

He has good size and I think he will be a very good NFL RB who can be had late in most drafts.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Here is a list of rookie RBs for the NFL next year with some stats. I'd say this is probably the most impressive group ever.Name, school Height, Weight Rushing Yds Avg./Carry TDsJamaal Charles, Texas 6-1, 205 1,619 6.3 18James Davis, Clemson 5-11, 205 1,064 5.0 10Mike Forte, Tulane 6-1, 224 2,127 5.9 23Mike Hart, Michigan 5-9, 202 1,361 5.1 14Felix Jones, Arkansas 6-0, 200 1,162 8.7 11Darren McFadden, Arkansas 6-2, 205 1,830 5.6 16Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois 5-11, 224 1,681 6.4 17Ray Rice, Rutgers 5-9, 205 2,012 5.3 24Kevin Smith, Central Florida 6-1, 211 2,567 5.7 29Steve Slaton, West Virginia 5-10, 190 1,051 5.0 17Jonathan Stewart, Oregon 5-11, 230 1,722 6.2 11Of this list only Clemson's Davis doesn't have anything very remarkable. Even Hart is well known for rarely fumbling (except for twice on the goalline in their bowl game). Slaton, though undersized, could be a speedier version of Warrick Dunn. It should be a very exciting draft day to see the situations they land in. Discussion?

I'm gonna try and break down most of these guys by the end of the week and then again after the combine. I'll havce strengths/weaknesses and comparable styles. Only guy I dont hae any clips on is Mike Forte and although he is not highly touted as the rest i'm intrigue by his size and would love to see what he has to offer.Anyone have any clips on Forte?I'll post it here if anyone is interested.

Had the Tulsa game on my DVR but the DVR broke and he didn't have a Bowl game.

 

[posty]

Slaton won't be worth anything in the pros...

 

[weasel3515]

How about a list also of teams that may be in need of a draft-day RB?

AFC East

Miami? (pending Ronnie Brown's injury)

N.Y.Jets? (Thomas Jones is getting up there in years)

AFC South

Indianapolis (may need a quality backup for Addai)

Tennessee (IS Lendale White the answer?)

Houston (just look at who they have)

AFC North

Pittsburgh (depending on Parker's injury)

Cleveland (Jamal Lewis is getting long in the tooth as well and has lots of treadwear)

Cincinnati (does anyone think worn-down Rudi or Kenny Watson is the answer?)

AFC West

Oakland (will depend on how Michael Bush rehabilitates)

Kansas City (LJ's days could be numbered and somebody, not named Kolby Smith,will need to replace him)

Denver (always drafts a RB)

NFC East

Dallas (I can see Julius Jones being let go, necessitating a backup for MBIII)

Philadelphia (always looking for the next Westbrook)

N.Y.Giants (None of the RBs on the team can stay healthy)

NFC North

Detroit (Kevin Jones is made of glass, meaning a very good backup is definitely needed)

Chicago (Benson? You gotta be kidding. The other Peterson is only backup quality)

NFC South

Atlanta (not sure Norwood is more than a role-player and Dunn is Done soon)

Carolina (DeAngelo was supposed to be the answer but can't beat out injury prone Foster)

Tampa Bay (not sure they want to have to rely on Ernest Graham again and Caddy could be in the shop permanently)

New Orleans (McAllister could be finished, Bush can't take the pounding of being an every down back and Stecker was only a short-term fix)

NFC West

Seattle (Morris is a capable backup, but is he a full-time starter? Alexander is on the steep downside of his career)

Arizona (Edge needs somebody to push him)

San Francisco (Gore is always an injury away from leaving the team with Hicks/Robinson-ugh!!)

Comments?

 

[Koya]

Nice to see a deep class, especially since I have the #3 pick for the second year in a row in a dynasty league (of course, that means I sucked for the second year in a row, but that's another story). My RBs (um, Edge and Ahman Green ) are well, notta so good.

I am hoping to stockpile this year and it seems there should be someone very solid at #3, and could be some good crap shoots at the #15 overall pick as well.

Just one comment... who is saying that McFadden has better potential than ADP? ADP is the most talented RB I have seen since LT2 came out... and on running talent alone, you could argue he is better than LT2 (as a runner only, LT2 is the best over RB I have seen in my life, or very very close to it).

McFadden looked good in college, but never close to THAT good.

 

[Godsbrother]

The Steelers are reportedly interested in back to complement FWP. Their pressing needs are at O-line and D-line but it wouldn't completely shock me if they went RB in day 1.

 

[Jeff Haseley]

Some of these guys will absolutely slip into Day 2 (Round 4) this year.There's only so many NFL RB jobs and not every team is in the market for a back.

Good point and right on the money. There will be some great value found at the RB position in the 2nd or even 3rd round. You can bet several will have chips on their shoulders as a result of not being taken earlier. Do we have a list of who's going to be present at the draft that might break the record for time spent in the green room?

 

[Warpig]

Actually I can see a lot of these guys as elite. Many say McFadden will be better than ADP while others say that actually Jones is the better back from Arkansas. And look at the production from Forte, Rice and Smith-almost puts the rest to shame. Then there are guys with great ypc. from Stewart to Mendenhall to Charles to Jones' eye-popping amount of 8.7! And how about guys with a nose for the endzone like Forte, Rice and Smith again? Can't wait for draft day in April!!

Most of those guys are too small to be elite. Stewart and Mendenhall are NFL size right now. All those other guys are similar to Jerious Norwood...and so many of you on here declared that he was too small to be an every down NFL back. I think most of these guys will be 3rd down C.O.P type backs.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

I don't think Forte is in the same class as several of those other backs...

His speed is a major question mark (he's been times as slowly as 4.65, and his average is only in the mid 4.5s...

 

[switz]

With Jones and Charles coming out, I am much more impressed with this class. PReviously it seemed to me there were just a bunch of third rounders that would get picked too early.

Yes I know there is McFadden, but he has seriously high BUST potential.

Jonathon Stewart seems to be a bit of a plodder.

Medenhall didn't impress me in the only game I saw him in, maybe he's like Brandon Jackson.

I like Jones alot, and I like Charles.

Rice, Slayton, etc. - well they could be Curtis Martins, or they could be backup material like most 3rd round RBs.

 

[treat88]

The Steelers are reportedly interested in back to complement FWP. Their pressing needs are at O-line and D-line but it wouldn't completely shock me if they went RB in day 1.

I would be absolutely shocked.Unless Parker's injury is more serious than a simple fracture there is zero need for a day 1 RB. Makes no sense financially or personnel wise.The depth is very good with Davenport and Russel.

 

[switz]

How about a list also of teams that may be in need of a draft-day RB?Comments?

AFC East Miami? - not until later rounds, but yes they will address it.... N.Y.Jets? - possible early pickAFC South Indianapolis - doubt they draft an RB Tennessee - probably Houston - they could grab a high RBAFC North Pittsburgh - definitely Cleveland - yes Cincinnati - they should, but I doubt they doAFC West Oakland - no Kansas City - yes Denver - yes, maybe very high for once, as I can see Shanny liking one RB in this draft very muchNFC East Dallas - not until late Philadelphia - they always draft later RBs N.Y.Giants - noNFC North Detroit - if it makes sense they won't do it... Chicago - they need to address this positionNFC South Atlanta - yes but not until late Carolina - Slayton/Rice type Tampa Bay - late New Orleans - I see Turner ending up here for some reasonNFC West Seattle - Mendenhall is their target Arizona - not likely San Francisco - a later pick if any

 

[EBF]

Here is Jonathan Stewart the "plodder":

There are no good current Jonathan Stewart highlight videos on YouTube right now, but you can see some of his runs in the Sun Bowl here:

 

[Jeff Haseley]

Do any of these backs remind you of anyone else past or present in the NFL?

Ray Rice reminds me a little of Maurice Jones-Drew

 

[EBF]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. When the dust settles, expect this class to yield only 3-6 long-term NFL starters. It's true that the depth this year is very promising, but most of those second and third tier guys have warts that will decrease their odds of success at the NFL level. Right now there are only maybe 2-3 backs who look like stone cold locks to be 300+ carry guys at the NFL level.

 

[beto]

Some of these guys will absolutely slip into Day 2 (Round 4) this year.There's only so many NFL RB jobs and not every team is in the market for a back.

Agree with Jeff here. Some of these guys will end up in Rnds 3+.

Here's another guy that's not on this list that I absolutely love at the NFL level: Ryan Torrian Arizona StateHe has good size and I think he will be a very good NFL RB who can be had late in most drafts.

hadn't heard that name yet.Some on this board have talked about Chris Johnson from ECU. He should be added to the mix. I guarantee he will have good numbers a the combine.So we are talking about a RB class that is, at this point, over 10 deep. WOW

 

[switz]

Here is Jonathan Stewart the "plodder":

There are no good current Jonathan Stewart highlight videos on YouTube right now, but you can see some of his runs in the Sun Bowl here:

Yep, saw those. He's not very fast. Look at how many defenders are keeping pace with him. He gets caught form behind on the first one, on the third/fourth (same run two angles) he's got 4 defenders around him at the end.He's not fast enough to make big runs in the NFL. He may turn out decent, but he's not going to be an explosive runner at all.

 

[beto]

Do any of these backs remind you of anyone else past or present in the NFL? Ray Rice reminds me a little of Maurice Jones-Drew

Without the return skills? Ray Rice is more like CuMar.

 

[EBF]

Here is Jonathan Stewart the "plodder":

There are no good current Jonathan Stewart highlight videos on YouTube right now, but you can see some of his runs in the Sun Bowl here:

You watching the same clips?

Look how quickly he gets to top speed at 2:13.

I watched the entire game and his speed/acceleration were apparent. I had thought going into the game he might be a 4.5 guy, but it became clear to me that he will probably run a 4.4.

If Stewart busts it will have nothing to do with speed.

 

[switz]

Here is Jonathan Stewart the "plodder":

There are no good current Jonathan Stewart highlight videos on YouTube right now, but you can see some of his runs in the Sun Bowl here:

Same clips... just see things differently. We'll see what the combine results say, but I would be surprised if he's under 4.55. Guess we'll agree to disagree on him until the combine, then we'll see.

 

[phrozen]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. When the dust settles, expect this class to yield only 3-6 long-term NFL starters. It's true that the depth this year is very promising, but most of those second and third tier guys have warts that will decrease their odds of success at the NFL level. Right now there are only maybe 2-3 backs who look like stone cold locks to be 300+ carry guys at the NFL level.

who are the 2-3 in your opinion?

 

[Jason Wood]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

 

[switz]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

Thank you! I've been saying this for a while!!

 

[EBF]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. When the dust settles, expect this class to yield only 3-6 long-term NFL starters. It's true that the depth this year is very promising, but most of those second and third tier guys have warts that will decrease their odds of success at the NFL level. Right now there are only maybe 2-3 backs who look like stone cold locks to be 300+ carry guys at the NFL level.

who are the 2-3 in your opinion?

Well when you just look at things on paper, Mendenhall and Stewart appear to have the best chances of becoming tru every down starters. They have the strong build to handle the workload, were productive in BCS conferences, and will be first round picks on draft day. The only question you have to ask is whether or not they have the running instincts to match their physical ability. But they certainly have the physical tools to make the transition. McFadden also has to be considered a probable starter in the NFL since he's going to be a very early pick and is the most highly-regarded of the available RBs. My concern with him is that his abnormal body type might prevent him from ever becoming the every down back people envision. In the worst scenario I can see him falling into a change-of-pace RBBC role at the next level. He has great big play skills. The question is can he grind out the tough yards and hold up to 300+ carries in the NFL? I don't know. After those three everyone has at least one pretty serious question mark. Felix Jones has never been a starter and looks undersized. Ray Rice lacks ideal speed and is a little bit smaller than the usual NFL starter. Slaton, Johnson, and Charles all have size/strength issues among other concerns. Kevin Smith is a little bit lanky and doesn't really jump out at you in games like you would expect a future NFL starter to jump out at you. James Davis isn't exceptional in any one area. Now don't get me wrong. 1-2 of the second tier guys will become good NFL players. Just don't buy the idea that all of these guys are great RB prospects. That's not the case. It's better to err on the side of pessimism in rookie drafts. If you expect all of these guys to become studs at the NFL level, you're not being realistic and you're in for some disappointment.

 

[EBF]

Here is Jonathan Stewart the "plodder":

There are no good current Jonathan Stewart highlight videos on YouTube right now, but you can see some of his runs in the Sun Bowl here:

He's a sprinter on the Oregon track team. He runs about a 6.9 60m dash. Asafa Powell, the fastest man alive, runs a 6.56 in the same event. Speed really isn't an issue with Stewart.

 

[switz]

He's a sprinter on the Oregon track team. He runs about a 6.9 60m dash. Asafa Powell, the fastest man alive, runs a 6.56 in the same event. Speed really isn't an issue with Stewart.

If you say so. But his own website says he's not a blazer, but has good speed for his size.

 

[yellowdog]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

Maybe so, but this class has more "above average" grades than any in recent memory.

 

[weasel3515]

I know McFadden absolutely tore up the National Champion LSU Tigers (including passing) but did anyone see Mizzou shut him down in the bowl game? He looked so horrible the announcers even said he needs to stay another year in college. Every Arkansas game I saw had the announcers say that Felix Jones may be the better pure runner of the two. As for being undesized, that's what they said about Tiki Barber every year and he seemed to do okay. Same has been said of Westbrook every year and his stats aren't bad either.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Do any of these backs remind you of anyone else past or present in the NFL? Ray Rice reminds me a little of Maurice Jones-Drew

Without the return skills? Ray Rice is more like CuMar.

The two backs most commonly associated with Ray Rice are Frank Gore and Emmitt Smith.I go with Smith as he is about the same stature and is less of a receiver than Gore. Gore can also create a little more - Smith had one of the best O-lines ever.If Rice gets behind a very good O-line, he could be a formidable runner. I don't see him like MJD at all - no wiggle / break ankle moves and never used as a return guy.He could be used more like Fred Taylor or Deuce McAllister (not comparisons of type of runner - usage in offense / RBBC) as a guy who pounds between the tackles. He also has a nice stiff-arm. He needs to develop his hands.

 

[FUBAR]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

Maybe so, but this class has more "above average" grades than any in recent memory.

we hear the same thing every year. Not so much last year, but IIRC, in 2006 we were allegedly supposed to get 10-12 starting caliber backs from the draft. 2005 was supposed to be strong as well. This class is no different, some will go to good situations and perform well, some will bust, many of these may be Ladell Betts / Michael Turner types. Strong backups, but not a whole lot of FF value their first few years.

 

[yellowdog]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

Maybe so, but this class has more "above average" grades than any in recent memory.

we hear the same thing every year. Not so much last year, but IIRC, in 2006 we were allegedly supposed to get 10-12 starting caliber backs from the draft. 2005 was supposed to be strong as well. This class is no different, some will go to good situations and perform well, some will bust, many of these may be Ladell Betts / Michael Turner types. Strong backups, but not a whole lot of FF value their first few years.

Oh really? Per Scout.com: Number of 3, 4, 5 star prospects by year.2003:Five Star - 1Four Star - 3Three Star - 82004:Five Star - 2Four Star - 3Three Star - 42005:Five Star - 0Four Star - 3Three Star - 102006:Five Star - 1Four Star - 6Three Star - 62007:Five Star - 2Four Star - 7 (surprising)Three Star - 42008:Five Star - 4Four Star - 7Three Star - 4Edit to add: Felix Jones is not yet listed.

 

[FUBAR]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

Maybe so, but this class has more "above average" grades than any in recent memory.

we hear the same thing every year. Not so much last year, but IIRC, in 2006 we were allegedly supposed to get 10-12 starting caliber backs from the draft. 2005 was supposed to be strong as well. This class is no different, some will go to good situations and perform well, some will bust, many of these may be Ladell Betts / Michael Turner types. Strong backups, but not a whole lot of FF value their first few years.

Oh really? Per Scout.com: Number of 3, 4, 5 star prospects by year.2003:Five Star - 1Four Star - 3Three Star - 82004:Five Star - 2Four Star - 3Three Star - 42005:Five Star - 0Four Star - 3Three Star - 102006:Five Star - 1Four Star - 6Three Star - 62007:Five Star - 2Four Star - 7 (surprising)Three Star - 42008:Five Star - 4Four Star - 7Three Star - 4Edit to add: Felix Jones is not yet listed.

So there's more 5 stars, great. 2004 was low, but aside from that there were about 13 each year. 2 or 3 more this year. Swell, I'm salivating. BTW, when Maroney, Addai, and DeAngelo Williams aren't 5 stars, but taken in the 1st round, I question scout.com's ratings. Zero in 2005?

 

[yellowdog]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

Maybe so, but this class has more "above average" grades than any in recent memory.

we hear the same thing every year. Not so much last year, but IIRC, in 2006 we were allegedly supposed to get 10-12 starting caliber backs from the draft. 2005 was supposed to be strong as well. This class is no different, some will go to good situations and perform well, some will bust, many of these may be Ladell Betts / Michael Turner types. Strong backups, but not a whole lot of FF value their first few years.

Oh really? Per Scout.com: Number of 3, 4, 5 star prospects by year.2003:Five Star - 1Four Star - 32004:Five Star - 2Four Star - 32005:Five Star - 0Four Star - 32006:Five Star - 1Four Star - 62007:Five Star - 2Four Star - 7 (surprising)2008:Five Star - 4Four Star -7, plus Felix

So there's more 5 stars, great. 2004 was low, but aside from that there were about 13 each year. 2 or 3 more this year. Swell, I'm salivating. BTW, when Maroney, Addai, and DeAngelo Williams aren't 5 stars, but taken in the 1st round, I question scout.com's ratings. Zero in 2005?

Remove the three star ratings, add Felix as a 4 star. Things look a bit different.

 

[Koya]

BTW, when Maroney, Addai, and DeAngelo Williams aren't 5 stars, but taken in the 1st round, I question scout.com's ratings. Zero in 2005?

5 start does not mean first round per se, does it? If the best possible guys out there are say high 4 star players, and teams feel they have a need at RB and may scout these players a bit better than others do, that could explain first round picks - especially if these players strengths fit the systems of the teams drafting them (i.e. Addai is a great fit for indy). None of those three listed should have garnered 5 stars fwiw - they were not ADP type talents coming out of college, not even close.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. When the dust settles, expect this class to yield only 3-6 long-term NFL starters. It's true that the depth this year is very promising, but most of those second and third tier guys have warts that will decrease their odds of success at the NFL level. Right now there are only maybe 2-3 backs who look like stone cold locks to be 300+ carry guys at the NFL level.

"Only" 3-6 starters? Wouldn't that make this at least an average draft class, if not above average?

 

[yellowdog]

BTW, when Maroney, Addai, and DeAngelo Williams aren't 5 stars, but taken in the 1st round, I question scout.com's ratings. Zero in 2005?

5 start does not mean first round per se, does it? If the best possible guys out there are say high 4 star players, and teams feel they have a need at RB and may scout these players a bit better than others do, that could explain first round picks - especially if these players strengths fit the systems of the teams drafting them (i.e. Addai is a great fit for indy). None of those three listed should have garnered 5 stars fwiw - they were not ADP type talents coming out of college, not even close.

Exactly. It's supply and demand. Not all 4 and 5 star guys in this class will go in the first 2 rounds either. That doesn't make them any less talented.

 

[floridamike]

Chris Johnson will move up quickly after the combine and is already getting looks from scouts of all 32 teams at the pre-combine training sessions down at Disney. He could possibly put up sub-4.3 numbers and, with his strength, return abilities and ONE fumble on the year getting the ball as much as he did, he could move past many of those guys. He said he has been told early second/late first by the scouts. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[weasel3515]

Color me non-plussed. There are some good prospects, as usual. But other than McFadden, no one I expect will carry an elite grade.

Maybe so, but this class has more "above average" grades than any in recent memory.

we hear the same thing every year. Not so much last year, but IIRC, in 2006 we were allegedly supposed to get 10-12 starting caliber backs from the draft. 2005 was supposed to be strong as well. This class is no different, some will go to good situations and perform well, some will bust, many of these may be Ladell Betts / Michael Turner types. Strong backups, but not a whole lot of FF value their first few years.

Oh really? Per Scout.com: Number of 3, 4, 5 star prospects by year.2003:Five Star - 1Four Star - 32004:Five Star - 2Four Star - 32005:Five Star - 0Four Star - 32006:Five Star - 1Four Star - 62007:Five Star - 2Four Star - 7 (surprising)2008:Five Star - 4Four Star -7, plus Felix

So there's more 5 stars, great. 2004 was low, but aside from that there were about 13 each year. 2 or 3 more this year. Swell, I'm salivating. BTW, when Maroney, Addai, and DeAngelo Williams aren't 5 stars, but taken in the 1st round, I question scout.com's ratings. Zero in 2005?

Remove the three star ratings, add Felix as a 4 star. Things look a bit different.

I agree that if you remove the three stars you see why this class is so exciting. The average for 2003-2006 was just under 5 guys who were either four or five stars. This year's class has more than twice that many and twice as many five star potential guys.

 

[yellowdog]

Chris Johnson will move up quickly after the combine and is already getting looks from scouts of all 32 teams at the pre-combine training sessions down at Disney. He could possibly put up sub-4.3 numbers and, with his strength, return abilities and ONE fumble on the year getting the ball as much as he did, could move him past many of those guys. He said he has been told early second/late first by the scouts. Take it for what it's worth.

# 7 on scout.com with a 4 star rating. They have him listed with a 4.29 40 yd. time.

 

[floridamike]

"They have him listed with a 4.29 40 yd. time."

That was off season last year by pro scouts who went to Greenville to do it (hand-clocked). The guy has a burst and after-burner that is just sick. His size is good and strength is excellent and he is tought than people think. Had he not broken his leg his senior year in high school he'd have been at Fla. or Miami and everyone would know who he was. The pros know him and that is all he cares about right now. Check this vid.....watch when he hits his own 45 and look how far he is behind the secondary when he hits the other 35.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGztl7-PlLA

 

[EBF]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. When the dust settles, expect this class to yield only 3-6 long-term NFL starters. It's true that the depth this year is very promising, but most of those second and third tier guys have warts that will decrease their odds of success at the NFL level. Right now there are only maybe 2-3 backs who look like stone cold locks to be 300+ carry guys at the NFL level.

"Only" 3-6 starters? Wouldn't that make this at least an average draft class, if not above average?

Exactly my point. When all is said and done, this will look like an an average to above average group in the long run. But it won't set the league on fire. The depth seems stronger than it is due to the high number of underclassmen declaring, but people forget that the senior class is horrible and there might not be a single senior RB taken on the first day.