This RB Class... (1 Viewer)

[Eminence]

This RB Class is going to have a rough time making a splash... there's really very few teams where a Rookie RB would have a fair chance:

AFC East:

Jets: Jones/Washington as the future.

Patriots: Whole committee of suitable backs, with BJGE as your future.

Dolphins: Williams/Brown

Bills: Lynch

AFC North:

Steelers: Parker/Mendenhall

Ravens: McGahee/Rice/McClain

Browns: Lewis/Harrison although they don't see him as a suitable back apparently.

Bengals: Benson, this may be the only team with a need for a RB. But I think they'll go for an OL in the first.

AFC South:

Titans: Johnson/White...

Colts: Addai/Rhodes

Jaguars: MJD

Texans: Slaton all the way.

AFC West:

Broncos: Broncos draft a high end RB, you've gotta be kidding me.

Chargers: They've still got LT craze, and will give him another season. Sproles is good. They might draft a complimentary Power Back.

Raiders: DMAC anyone?

Chiefs: Johnson may be done as a Chief soon, but he's still got tred on his wheels. Jamaal Charles is beastly as well. I doubt they'd draft a RB high.

NFC East:

Giants: They've got more RB then they need.

Cowboys: Barber/FJones

Eagles: Westbrook. They might draft a future HB.

Skins: Portis.

NFC North:

Bears: Forte

Vikings: Peterson

Packers: Grant

Lions: Smith

NFC South:

Buccaneers: Got a committee, and it works.

Panthers: DWilliams/JStewart

Falcons: Turner

Saints: Bush

NFC West:

Cardinals: Ok, they might draft a RB high... they might just end up with a steal too.

49ers: Gore.

Rams: SJackson

Seahawks: They'll probably draft a RB aswell.

So of all the teams listed:

Bengals: Benson, this may be the only team with a need for a RB. But I think they'll go for an OL in the first.

Eagles: Westbrook. They might draft a future HB.

Cardinals: Ok, they might draft a RB high... they might just end up with a steal too.

Seahawks: They'll probably draft a RB aswell.

Are in need of HB support. This just seems like a rough year for HBs to jump into the mix. Maybe it's like this every year, or maybe I'm insane.

 

[coolnerd]

RB situations change faster than anything in football. If this off season is normal

1) Some RB will retire or have some off the field reason for not being the clear starter in 2009.

2) some team will sign a RB to cover its need

3) Some team that does not "need" a RB will draft one in the first or second round

4) Some new coach will not like the style of RB that the team has

5) Before the 2009 season some RB will all of a sudden look old or become injued.

and we have not gotten into a couple of those guys just playing thier way into the line-up.

In short what looks like minimal opportunity Thanksgivng 2008 will probably have plenty by Labor Day 2009.

 

[-OZ-]

Maybe it's like this every year, or maybe I'm insane.

Last year's rookies mostly fell into good situations, but it's a rarity. Johnson in TN, Forte in Chicago, Slaton in Houston, and even McFadden fell into good situations (even if Oakland really should have gone elsewhere with the pick). Jones, Mendenhall and a couple others did not. Most years though, you'll find SJax going to backup Faulk, Perry behind Rudi, Deuce behind Ricky, LT to a bad team, etc. Teams I would like to see draft a RB:Jets: I don't see Leon as the workhorse of the futurePatriots: BJGE, sure but a complimentary back would not surpriseAFC North:Browns: I like Harrison enough, but he's not the heirBengals: too easyAFC South:Jaguars: MJD, but they'll take a powerful, big backTexans: Slaton, but they'll also take a quality backupAFC West:Broncos: strange things can happenNFC East:Eagles: Not heir apparentNFC Northackers: I like Grant, I really do, but can see a pick used hereNFC South:Buccaneers: Is Caddy healthy? If not, a speed back would be a welcome addition, Spiller?NFC West:Cardinals: I'm not sold on Hightower, are they?Seahawks: Jones is just not that goodLots of places (13 by my count) for RBs IMO.

 

[broncofan13000]

This RB Class is going to have a rough time making a splash... there's really very few teams where a Rookie RB would have a fair chance:

AFC East:

Jets: Jones/Washington as the future.

Patriots: Whole committee of suitable backs, with BJGE as your future.

AFC North:

Browns: Lewis/Harrison although they don't see him as a suitable back apparently.

Bengals: Benson, this may be the only team with a need for a RB. But I think they'll go for an OL in the first.

AFC West:

Broncos: Broncos draft a high end RB, you've gotta be kidding me.

Chargers: They've still got LT craze, and will give him another season. Sproles is good. They might draft a complimentary Power Back.

Chiefs: Johnson may be done as a Chief soon, but he's still got tred on his wheels. Jamaal Charles is beastly as well. I doubt they'd draft a RB high.

NFC East:

Eagles: Westbrook. They might draft a future HB.

NFC North:

Packers: Grant

NFC South:

Buccaneers: Got a committee, and it works.

NFC West:

Cardinals: Ok, they might draft a RB high... they might just end up with a steal too.

Seahawks: They'll probably draft a RB aswell.

I think all these teams will be in the mix for a rb this offseason.

 

[Kleck]

I'd add Miami to list of possibilities, although it probably won't be on the first day. Who knows how much longer Ricky will be around or be effective, and Ronnie Brown's rookie contract was for 5 years which would make him a FA after next season (Rotoworld has him down for 5 years, but lists a 6th voidable year).

 

[MAC_32]

Maybe it's like this every year, or maybe I'm insane.

Last year's rookies mostly fell into good situations, but it's a rarity. Johnson in TN, Forte in Chicago, Slaton in Houston, and even McFadden fell into good situations (even if Oakland really should have gone elsewhere with the pick). Jones, Mendenhall and a couple others did not. Most years though, you'll find SJax going to backup Faulk, Perry behind Rudi, Deuce behind Ricky, LT to a bad team, etc. Teams I would like to see draft a RB:

Jets: I don't see Leon as the workhorse of the future Don't forget about the perennial August phenom Marcus Mason

Patriots: BJGE, sure but a complimentary back would not surprise Most have given up on Maroney, but has New England?

AFC North:

Browns: I like Harrison enough, but he's not the heir If a power back in the Shonn Greene mold were to fall far enough I could see us make a move but outside of WR (or if we deal K2, a TE) this draft's focus will likely be defense, defense, and more defense

Bengals: too easy

AFC South:

Jaguars: MJD, but they'll take a powerful, big back

Texans: Slaton, but they'll also take a quality backup

AFC West:

Broncos: strange things can happen

NFC East:

Eagles: Not heir apparent

NFC North:

Packers: I like Grant, I really do, but can see a pick used here The Pack like Lumpkin and Jackson's still there and they apparently like him in passing downs

NFC South:

Buccaneers: Is Caddy healthy? If not, a speed back would be a welcome addition, Spiller?

NFC West:

Cardinals: I'm not sold on Hightower, are they?

Seahawks: Jones is just not that good

Lots of places (13 by my count) for RBs IMO.

Couple of bolded comments above.I'll add...

-San Francisco has no backup for Gore, but a lot of other holes that need filled

-Washington could use a better backup for Portis

-Indy, Rhodes is getting over the hill, Mike Hart has a torn ACL, and I don't think they believe in Addai as a feature back

-Chargers, Sproles has looked good but do they believe in Hester enough to be the complimentary option?

-Detroit and KC could use one, but it should be far down their priority lists

Basically, there will be enough job openings for the position with the highest turnover in the league.

 

[MAC_32]

I'd add Miami to list of possibilities, although it probably won't be on the first day. Who knows how much longer Ricky will be around or be effective, and Ronnie Brown's rookie contract was for 5 years which would make him a FA after next season (Rotoworld has him down for 5 years, but lists a 6th voidable year).

Parmele's still there, isn't he? I'm under the impression the Fins really liked his game. Between him and Cobbs I'm not sure they'll be in the market for another RB.

 

[Kleck]

I'd add Miami to list of possibilities, although it probably won't be on the first day. Who knows how much longer Ricky will be around or be effective, and Ronnie Brown's rookie contract was for 5 years which would make him a FA after next season (Rotoworld has him down for 5 years, but lists a 6th voidable year).

Parmele's still there, isn't he? I'm under the impression the Fins really liked his game. Between him and Cobbs I'm not sure they'll be in the market for another RB.

Parmele was cut and then signed to the practice squad. Cobbs is more of a receiving RB.I don't see them going after a top tier RB. I'm thinking more of a 4th-6th round RB, possibly 3rd if someone falls.

 

[LionsFan78]

Patriots: Whole committee of suitable backs, with BJGE as your future.

 

[gianmarco]

Patriots: Whole committee of suitable backs, with BJGE as your future.

He said BJGE, not Reche

 

[EBF]

Your outlook is a little short-sighted. There are several teams with old starters and no obvious heir apparent on the roster (Chargers, Jets, Browns, Eagles). Then there are a handful of teams that need a starting caliber back (Cardinals, Broncos, Seahawks).

I see plenty of opportunities for rookies to step in and contribute.

 

[PahtyTom]

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[FantasyTrader]

So long as there are teams that finish bottom 7 in NFL rushing, there will always be opportunities for a rookie to contribute.

 

[awesomeness]

This RB Class is going to have a rough time making a splash... there's really very few teams where a Rookie RB would have a fair chance:

AFC East:

Jets: Jones/Washington as the future.

Patriots: Whole committee of suitable backs, with BJGE as your future.

I got this far, and then determined i saw all i needed to see.

 

[Eminence]

This RB Class is going to have a rough time making a splash... there's really very few teams where a Rookie RB would have a fair chance:

AFC East:

Jets: Jones/Washington as the future.

Patriots: Whole committee of suitable backs, with BJGE as your future.

I got this far, and then determined i saw all i needed to see.

Ok I definitely take that back, looked back at BJGE's stats. But still though with Maroney/Morris/Ect, I can't see a RB being NE's Priority. Especially with an aging defense.

 

[videoguy505]

This class will be overloaded at all positions. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement about to expire, a LOT of kids are going to declare for the draft this year before the new CBA changes the rules on signing bonuses. If the kids ever want to cash in, the '09 draft is their best chance.

So teams will have plenty of chances to fill up on RBs and other position players throughout the draft, some great college players could go in the later rounds just due to the number of rookies available, and with their lower salaries and long contracts, a lot of veterans will be forced out a season or two early. We may see a lot of RBBC with rookies in the #2 slot and a lot of depth next season overall at the RB position.

 

[FantasyTrader]

This class will be overloaded at all positions. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement about to expire, a LOT of kids are going to declare for the draft this year before the new CBA changes the rules on signing bonuses. If the kids ever want to cash in, the '09 draft is their best chance.So teams will have plenty of chances to fill up on RBs and other position players throughout the draft, some great college players could go in the later rounds just due to the number of rookies available, and with their lower salaries and long contracts, a lot of veterans will be forced out a season or two early. We may see a lot of RBBC with rookies in the #2 slot and a lot of depth next season overall at the RB position.

Very, very good point. Something I never considered.

 

[coolnerd]

This class will be overloaded at all positions. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement about to expire, a LOT of kids are going to declare for the draft this year before the new CBA changes the rules on signing bonuses. If the kids ever want to cash in, the '09 draft is their best chance.

So teams will have plenty of chances to fill up on RBs and other position players throughout the draft, some great college players could go in the later rounds just due to the number of rookies available, and with their lower salaries and long contracts, a lot of veterans will be forced out a season or two early. We may see a lot of RBBC with rookies in the #2 slot and a lot of depth next season overall at the RB position.

I have seen this idea a few times, but the only real "problem" with the draft is in the top half of the first round. Outside of that, the system provides inexpensive workers for up to 4 work years. I agree that agents may try to spin it to kids that way, but I doubt whatever new system is in place will be radically different except in the first round and those guys should be coming out anywayjust ran across this in my sunday morning reading

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/1...ney-matters-12/

There is already some discussion and speculation about an increasing number of underclassmen entering the 2009 NFL Draft. The speculation is that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, to be in place at the earliest following the draft, would put more restrictions on rookie wages, perhaps mimicking a true wage scale as used by the NBA. Thus, agents and advisors are said to be encouraging underclassmen to get out while the current system is in place instead of being drafted under what may be a new and more restrictive system next year.

Not so fast. Underclassmen should not make their decision based on these speculative thoughts for several reasons. First, there will not even be a leader of the NFLPA until late March at the earliest, with the vetting now down to 14 candidates, a handful of which will be brought in front of the players at their annual meeting in Hawaii in March. Thus, bargaining may not be in earnest until this time next year.

Second, the ‘rookie salary problem’ is in reality, not a problem for the NFL at all, save for 20 or so players. In fact, except for those 20 or so at the top, rookies represent a vital and inexpensive labor source for management that represents less than 4% of the teams’ Caps.

The Jake Long and Matt Ryan contracts made the headlines with their exorbitant overall sums and guarantees and were described as “ridiculous”, thereby giving the media and veteran players a forum to vent. However, as anyone who has worked in the NFL knows, rookie contracts represent a cheap and fixed labor cost for the first four or five years of a player’s career, representing the best values on teams by far. Unless we are talking about a handful of top picks – who have a powerful lobby of agents who want to use those contracts as recruiting tools – NFL teams would be hard-pressed to find a better use of 4% of their Salary Cap. Thus, I would think underclassmen need not worry; the NFL would probably have to give up more than it wants to get a better system than they have now……

 

[Andy Dufresne]

There are a lot of teams that could either use a new feature RB (Seattle & Cincinnati for example) or a complimentary back (Houston and New Orleans, for example).

The bigger problem for RBs is the depth at other positions in this year's draft. The o-line prospects are terrific this year at all positions. For the first time in a while, there are really good safeties available. And depending on who declares, there could be three or four first round QBs - Stafford, Bradford, Harrell, McCoy.

 

[Yitbos69]

 

[gianmarco]

 

[DropKick]

I think you put way too much stock in the incumbents. Just because a guys is the "named starter", by no means does that equate to his team being satisified. The NFL guys draft like we do.... look for value, try to improve your team at every opportunity.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Jets: If Washington was the future they'd have not bothered with Jones.

Patriots: They need a back.

Browns: I'd think the Browns would be in the market. Lewis old and Harrison's strictly complementary.

Texans: Will be interesting to see how this goes. Could see the Texans bringing a bruiser in.

Chargers: Now is the time they should be drafting a replacement.

Eagles: Now is the time they should be drafting a replacement.

Lions: Not sold on him yet, but they'll probably give him another year.

Buccaneers: I'd put them at the top of the list for a new RB - the committee is old, and not scaring anyone.

Saints: Bush Still believe he's a (very good) gimmick player, and the Saints need a real RB.

Seahawks: Along with the Bengals and Bucs, most likely IMO.

 

[Duke1948]

-Chargers, Sproles has looked good but do they believe in Hester enough to be the complimentary option?

didn't they trade up to draft Hester?

 

[FavreCo]

There is a screaming job opening in Cleveland. Pitter Patter Lewis is back to his old self. Total suckage. Harrison possibly could be a 1-2 punch. He probably could do the job but the coaching staff sucks and whoever comes in will probably want a new RB.

 

[sparkky]

rbbc seems to be the current NFL trend and will give value to lots of #2 backs basically creating more opportunities for value even if not "the starter".

IMO

 

[videoguy505]

This class will be overloaded at all positions. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement about to expire, a LOT of kids are going to declare for the draft this year before the new CBA changes the rules on signing bonuses. If the kids ever want to cash in, the '09 draft is their best chance.So teams will have plenty of chances to fill up on RBs and other position players throughout the draft, some great college players could go in the later rounds just due to the number of rookies available, and with their lower salaries and long contracts, a lot of veterans will be forced out a season or two early. We may see a lot of RBBC with rookies in the #2 slot and a lot of depth next season overall at the RB position.

I have seen this idea a few times, but the only real "problem" with the draft is in the top half of the first round. Outside of that, the system provides inexpensive workers for up to 4 work years. I agree that agents may try to spin it to kids that way, but I doubt whatever new system is in place will be radically different except in the first round and those guys should be coming out anyway

I just think that enough agents and handlers and other nefarious folk will be putting it in these kids' ears that they will be top half of the first round that an above-average number of underclassmen will declare this year. Every year Mel Kiper lists 40 kids as "first round talent" even though there aren't 40 first round draft slots--and then those kids are stunned to find their names dropping. Every year kids declare that shouldn't because they believe their own hype, and this year, I think that's going to happen with more kids than usual because they're going to be pressured into taking a shot at making that big money. At least, that's how I feel, obviously it's just opinion. I think '09 is going to be a flooded market for talent. Sure, the new CBA may not make much of a difference for 90% of the kids drafted, but I don't expect any underclassmen who hears he's the best kid at his college and has been dominating everyone he's ever played to ignore his own hype and stay in college one more year because he might not go in the top 20.