Stevan Ridley (1 Viewer)

[Miro Z]

I've taken Ridley in nearly all my dynasty drafts, and usually pretty late - late 3rd, 4th, sometimes in the 5th round.

I think he's being somewhat under-rated, and here's why.

It's often said that the Patriots run a RBBC, and that therefore the value of any Patriots back is going to be quite limited.

IMHO it's a bit more complicated than that.

It is my unscientific observation that the Patriots under Belichick like to have two kinds of back - a speedy pass-catching back, and a real grind-it-out RB.

The speedy pass-catchers would include Kevin Faulk and Danny Woodhead, and the grinders would include Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon and BJGE.

When the sun is shining in September and early October and Brady is airing it out the speedy pass-catching back often gets most of the snaps and gets good reception numbers, while the "grinder" doesn't get a ton of carries.

But then when the wind and snow of a New England winter draws in they start really feeding the grinder, and it's then that the back playing that role starts to put up big numbers.

Look at the late-season numbers of Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon or BJGE - they've all put up excellent numbers that have won many folks championships (including yours truly). Heck, even Maroney put up good numbers one season.

It is my contention, gentlemen, that Vereen and Ridley were drafted to fill the 'speedy' and grinder roles resepctively.

Now Ridley does have BJGE ahead of him, but BJGE may not be there that long.

If Ridley does turn out to have inherited the grinder role in years to come he'll be putting up good numbers in the snow and I'll have got a steal.

 

[eakfootball]

I don't see him doing any better than 400 yards and 4 TDs ever. But that being said, that is fine for a 4th round rookie pick.

 

[Miro Z]

I don't see him doing any better than 400 yards and 4 TDs ever. But that being said, that is fine for a 4th round rookie pick.

There were similar arguments made about BJGE. He wasn't that good... was stuck in a RBBC... and he got 13 TDs last year. 13.

 

[Concept Coop]

The Patriots drafted him as high as they did because they intend to use him. They have more resources than anybody on this board, more at stake, and a good track record. Not only that, but the typically conservative draft committee gave him a 2-3rd round grade - higher than board favorite Michael Floyd. He didn't come out of nowhere.

Ridley doesn't catch your eye when you look at the tangibles that stick out. But he is a tough runner with a nasty streak and a nack for getting the extra yard. If he would have returned for another season, the pre-season hype would have caught the attention of the board sooner, and he would be going higher in drafts, this time next year.

You are getting a steal, and Ridley will be worth more than you paid for him as soon as next season, no later than the following.

 

[Go deep]

Sounds good in theory, but do you think the Patriots spent a 2nd round pick on a guy to just split the 3rd down role with Woodhead?

I drafted Ridley late in my rookie drafts too, but im just expecting a goalline vulture who punches in 6-8 TD's a year. Also makes a nice handcuff for Vereen.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

I'm not a huge fan of Ridley's but if he's there in the 4th and 5th rounds I'd definitely be taking him.

 

[beto]

Ridley is a pounder. I think we will see a lot of him in short yardage situations.

 

[Miro Z]

I called it! Yes sir, I called it!