Bronco Billy Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 This is something I've been watching very carefully for 3 years now, and have adjusted dynasty strategy accordingly, including amassing extra 1st round picks through trades, for next year's draft. The 2008 NFL draft is going to be loaded with very good RBs, with a couple having the earmarks to be great. This is GBN's top 12 at RB for next year's draft: 1) *Darren McFadden 6-1, 217 4.45 Arkansas 2) *Rashard Mendenhall 5-11, 225 4.48 Illinois 3) *Ray Rice 5-9, 200 4.45 Rutgers 4) *Jonathan Stewart 5-10, 235 4.40 Oregon 5) *Steve Slaton 5-9, 195 4.52 West Virginia 6) Mike Hart 5-9, 205 4.55 Michigan 7) Chris Johnson 5-11, 200 4.35 East Carolina 8) Tashard Choice 6-0, 205 4.42 Georgia Tech (X) 9) Matt Forte 6-0, 225 4.58 Tulane <> 10) Allen Patrick 5-11, 195 4.45 Oklahoma 11) Anthony Alridge 5-8, 175 4.35 Houston 12) Ryan Torain 6-0, 215 4.50 Arizona State (X) LINK And this doesn't include some very credible sleepers on the list. Looking at just the top 12 listed here, only 3 qualify as "smurfs", who might have a tough time in the NFL due to a poor height/weight ratio: Slaton, Patrick, & Alridge - though Slaton could be argued as not qualifying since he is only 5'-9" tall and thus he's not as "light" as his weight would tend to indicate. Hart & Rice both tend to the smallish side also, though both guys run well between the tackles and play bigger than their height would indicate. Choice is a little light for his 6'-0" frame, but based upon his body he can add 10-12 pounds without affecting his game. Even thowing those 6 guys aside (which I think is foolhardy with at least 3 of them, BTW), that's still 6 solid RBs who are 1st/2nd round pick-worthy, with McFadden being an almost lock to be a top 5 pick. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I think McFadden will go #1 in most drafts simply for his name. Im not sure he would be my #1 pick right now. I like Jonathan Stewart personally. It should be noted that the * by the name means they are Juniors, and have not declared for the draft yet. They were saying on ESPN this morning Slaton should return next year since he didnt have a hugh year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Kevin Smith may also be coming out. If he does, i put him at #2 on that list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Ray Rice and Jonathan Stewart are going to make a couple teams pretty happy in a year or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no one Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I have my eye on Slaton. He looked very good this year at times and at other times bad. I think he is going to be a great NFL back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tford Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Why is Felix Jones not on this list? DId he commit to returning for a senior year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Why is Felix Jones not on this list? DId he commit to returning for a senior year? He said he was probably staying last week, but that's what players always say before bowl games. I think Laurinaitis said the same thing. I'm actually surprised at the low # of players who've declared so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 2) *Rashard Mendenhall 5-11, 225 4.48 Illinois Thoughts? I don't think Mendenhall will come out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Ray Rice and Jonathan Stewart are going to make a couple teams pretty happy in a year or so. I think so too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 (edited) Kevin Smith's position will depend a lot on his 40 time. If declares and runs sub 4.5, he'll go early. If it's around 4.6, he'll drop back a few rounds. He's gotta work on that fumble problem too. I like Mendenhall a lot. Solid blocking and receiving skills compared to the other guys. Edited January 2, 2008 by budlitebrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Stewart should be the second back taken. His bowl game this week pretty much cemented that. Honestly, I would love it if he was the 4th back taken, as I know a certain team in the Northwest that would love to have a horse like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTSuper7 Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 What is the average size of an NFL RB? Over half of the guys on this list are under 6'0" and 205 lbs. Seems a little small upon first glance, no? Maybe this is typical for an RB coming out of college, but once in the NFL they put on more weight... Just speculating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 What is the average size of an NFL RB? Over half of the guys on this list are under 6'0" and 205 lbs. Seems a little small upon first glance, no? Maybe this is typical for an RB coming out of college, but once in the NFL they put on more weight... Just speculating... Some of the best RBs in NFL history come in at or near 5'-11" & 210 lbs. I like using a weight/height (lbs/inch) ratio of 3.02 +/- 0.03 as being fairly ideal. with the upper range being unlimited with more emphasis being put on agility & speed for big RBs and 2.82 +/- 0.03 as a lower bound as guys being not having sufficient mass to be impact RBs at the NFL level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 This is GBN's top 12 at RB for next year's draft: 1) *Darren McFadden 6-1, 217 4.45 Arkansas 2) *Rashard Mendenhall 5-11, 225 4.48 Illinois 3) *Ray Rice 5-9, 200 4.45 Rutgers 4) *Jonathan Stewart 5-10, 235 4.40 Oregon 5) *Steve Slaton 5-9, 195 4.52 West Virginia 6) Mike Hart 5-9, 205 4.55 Michigan 7) Chris Johnson 5-11, 200 4.35 East Carolina 8) Tashard Choice 6-0, 205 4.42 Georgia Tech (X) 9) Matt Forte 6-0, 225 4.58 Tulane <> 10) Allen Patrick 5-11, 195 4.45 Oklahoma 11) Anthony Alridge 5-8, 175 4.35 Houston 12) Ryan Torain 6-0, 215 4.50 Arizona State (X) Do you agree with this ranking at this point BB? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 What is the average size of an NFL RB? Over half of the guys on this list are under 6'0" and 205 lbs. Seems a little small upon first glance, no? Maybe this is typical for an RB coming out of college, but once in the NFL they put on more weight... Just speculating... Read this article about RB size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 Do you agree with this ranking at this point BB? It's not a bad start. I do think Slaton is the 2nd or 3rd best RB on that list, I think Hart is capable of playing like a 1st rounder, and I do like both Mendenhall & Stewart. I think anyone who mixes those 4 names in a hat and places them in any order after the #1 spot - which is McFadden by a significant margin - and you've got a very credible top 5. I worry that Rice is better served running in a RBBC with a bigger RB to do the heavy work for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTSuper7 Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Read this article about RB size Thanks for the link... I think I had read that a while back and had just forgotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 The slot selected for many of those above will probably be determined by which NFL team they end up with and how soon they will play. Could be to that a solid FF team could take a RB that he thinks will perform great in 2-3 years and pass on someone that may play sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Charles declared today which is a little surprising. Should still be a solid 1st-2nd rounder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYALWITCHEESE Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Kevin Smith is returning to school... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I worry that Rice is better served running in a RBBC with a bigger RB to do the heavy work for him. Fair enough, that's kind of how I see him, more in the MJD mold and that's not a bad thing for him or a franchise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 looks like Denver is going to get another back in this draft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted January 3, 2008 Author Share Posted January 3, 2008 looks like Denver is going to get another back in this draft Thank you, Captain Obvious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAYER Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 A little love for Forte. Will be in the top 3 of all backs drafted this year within 3 yrs. Best RB in yardage over the last two years. and that's playing for a bad football team. He singlehandily kept them in most games and won the few they did win. for those not famaliar with him get famaliar. you heard it hear first. Love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Add Jamaal Charles to that list, as he'll forgo his senior season at UT to enter the draft. This guy has come a long way. Once thought to just be a "speed" guy, he bulked up (6'1", 205 lbs.) and still has speed to burn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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