Will the Redskins draft a runningback this April? [Archive]

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Arkangiest

02-16-2010, 02:32 AM

Our offensive line is our first priority BUT our RB core deserves an infusion of "talented" youth (For all of you Rock Cartwright, Marcus Mason and Quinton Ganther supporters I understand you love these guys cause they are hard workers and made it, but lets be honest they probably wouldn't start or play on any other NFL squad).

There are many questions about Clinton Portis' future in Washington and even if he does get one more year, it doesn't mean the Redskins shouldn't draft a running back or two this April. Betts has always shown promise when healthy, but he is the master of fumbling the ball when it matters most, and... Well... He's never healthy! So barring a FA pickup of Chester Taylor our three new favorite people The Shanny's and Brucey will be scouting for a RB that suits our new system.

Here are some visuals for those who enjoy Youtube, the two backs who I think will make a splash in the NFL, just happen to be the top two rated by most every scout. Speed kills!

Jahvid Best http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqV4OqowNnQ The first juke of the video at :07 is unfair in every way, and the juke he puts on #22 for UCLA made me laugh my ass off.

CJ Spiller http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wf0kC-w9lU This video will probably make Akh a little nauseous.

Speed/Change of pace Backs

CJ Spiller, Jahvid Best, Joe McKnight, and Dexter McCluster.

The first thing that stands out to me with Spiller is his outstanding acceleration and great 4.35-4.4 speed, Akh compares him to Felix Jones. Although I think he has better juke moves than Jones.

Best is electric, is better in space and is probably just as fast as Spiller, however he is a tad smaller and is more injury prone (We all saw Kevin Barnes make him lose his lunch). For those who haven't here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCO0sRPJEZ8

I really like both of these guys, with Spiller its hard to describe exactly what the hell his problem is, its as if he is angry or upset when he runs the ball, like he always has something to prove. He literally spills the guts of the defenses all over the field, he reminds me of a poor mans Adrian Peterson. He's lighter, more careful with his body (maybe not his knees when cutting), and a better pass catcher. Spiller will be drafted before our 2nd pick, most mocks see him going to San Fran or Seattle.

Jahvid Best is simply electrifying, I can't really use any other word to describe him in the open field. Don't be fooled by his strength against #5 on Michigan State, their entire secondary is awful, and Jeremy Ware is a joke. Best is a poor mans Reggie Bush, but seems like less of a puss. I guess we will see if he changes his style like Bush did when he arrives in the NFL. Some mocks actually see him coming to us in round 2, although I am concerned about this. Unless we sign someone like Marcus McNeil in FA I say we draft a left tackle. If we have a left tackle who is solid for our scheme, Best would provide us with a home-run threat we haven't had since.... KiJana Carter! But really I don't think... Stephen Davis? Terry Allen? Shally will have to help me out on the Redskins having someone comparable to Best as my fandom is still young in nature.

McKnight doesn't impress me much, he doesn't have the elite extra gear... Maybe he's saving it for the league? Who knows. McCluster is a fast dude but he seems destined for slot receiver or kickoff returner unless he can add some weight.

Here are video's of my two favorite Lead Backs!

LeGarrette Blount http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il-18rW2muM The 1:44 mark is the best.

Charles Scott http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROrIY31e7yE The man runs like a wild boar, or a wildebeest.

Feature/Lead Backs

Johnathan Dwyer, Ryan Matthews, Toby Gerhart, Charles Scott, LeGarrette Blount, and Anthony Dixon

Dwyer has the physical body to be a feature back but I don't think he will be as impressive as a lot of scouts are making him out to be. Most of his runs are through HUGE holes from the triple option. He has a few good runs where he shows off his speed, but I don't buy him for some reason, perhaps he will prove me wrong. I am also not so Impressed with Matthews, is it just me or does he seem slow on film? Short strides? Of course speed isn't everything. He has decent vision, and decent cuts but he just doesn't seem aggressive enough, and his competition was below average.

I'm a big fan of Toby Gerhart, he grinds out tough runs, is a TD machine, has decent speed and pretty good vision, is a real competitor. Although I think some team is going to reach on him due to his great season, maybe it's us in the 2nd, I'm not sure, but I think someone will take him higher then he should go. I would take him in round 4 but not the 2nd.

I really like Charles Scott, this guy seems like a great fit for our scheme, he hits the hole hard and fast off one cut and plows ahead, very powerful runner. He reminds me of Ryan Grant. We could probably get him in the 4th. I Also really like LeGarrette Blount, if only for his infamous punch in the face. He is big, fast, has great vision, and very good instincts. He uses his weight very well, and is powerful when running through tackles and stiff arming defenders. Every politically correct crybaby on ESPN (Todd McShay) was crying about how Blount was probably going to be undrafted after his fiasco. After the Senior bowl it looks like he is back up in the 3rd to 2nd round range. He reminds me of a shorter Brandon Jacobs with better speed and instincts (been watching this guy since his C.C. days in Mississippi). Anthony Dixon seems pretty solid all around, nothing stands out but nothing turns me off, just seems like a solid RB you can't go wrong with.

So to sum it up the Redskins have a ton of ways to go with this crop, many scouts see it as a weak crew outside of Spiller and Best, I tend to disagree. Don't sleep on LaMarcus Coker from Hampton in the late rounds, a burner who was dismissed from Tennessee could be a good change of pace back.

(Hopefully we get 3 3rds from Campbell, Moss, and Rogers)

My Ideal Draft to retool the Offense

1st- Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
2nd- Jahvid Best RB California
3rd- Selvish Capers OT West Virginia
3rd- Kyle Calloway OT Iowa
3rd- Myron Rolle FS Florida State
4th- Charles Scott RB LSU
5th- Brandon Carter OG Texas Tech
7th- Walter Thurmond CB Oregon

If we somehow got Tony Pashos, Ben Hamilton and Marcus McNeil in FA our line would be brand spankin new. We get Kirk Morrison, Marlin Jackson, and Ryan Pickett to overhaul the defense and things are looking pretty bright for 2010 and beyond.

joethefan

02-16-2010, 02:53 AM

Woow, I thought I was the only one up late...(at work of course)
Good write up. I would be excited if we landed Best or Blount. They both seem to be what we need, IMO Best a quick change of pace back and Blount a bruiser w speed. I do agree, its time we get some youth in the RB position, to kinda push these old guys either to play much better or be pushed out the door.

Arkangiest

02-16-2010, 03:20 AM

Yeah I am still up too, completely exhausted and off to bed now. Dreaming of Blount slipping to the 4th.

Lavar703

02-16-2010, 07:28 AM

skins4life24

02-16-2010, 07:39 AM

I am really warming up to McCluster out of Ole Miss, obviously he is never going to be big enough to be a feature back however if we take him get him about 5-9 carries/swing passes out of the back feild a game and then put him in slot on a few packages 2-4 catches, then he can also fill the punt return void. I just think this guy would completely electrify our offense and could do for us what Deshaun Jackson did for Philly.

Skaggsrules

02-16-2010, 11:03 AM

Best would be a complete disaster in the NFC east, too small and couldnt stand the punishment. If we go RB in this draft I think it will either be Dwyer or Matthews as they both fit the scheme and have the build to withstand the beating that this division dishes out. Ill admit I have never been a fan of Spiller or Best but I just dont see either one of them making much of an impact at the next level and as much as I like Legarette Blount I just think he's too slow to do much damage in the pro game, he reminds me of a poor mans Brandon Jacobs.

However if your looking for someone to be sort of an X factor player or someone who will make plays on special teams which I think ultimately will be the role Spiller and Best take on at the next level then I suggest you check out Emmanuel Sanders from SMU this kid is flying under the radar big time but he has tremendous ability and although he's not a RB he could be a major factor on special teams and in the slot.

Being that I watch and follow a lot of FCS football, two guys from this level that could fill the ST/ X factor void would be:

Deji Karim (RB Southern Illnois) who I've been high on for a while, decent size (around 5'11 210) and better football speed than his timed speed. Finalist for the FCS Heisman, tremendous player, don't know how he didn't get invited to the combine

Armanti Edwards (QB App St, but will definitely change positions) most will remember him beating Michigan as a sophmore, but he also won the FCS Heisman twice, and he was that good. So dynamic, and actually has a good arm to be a slot WR with trick plays, but has the potential to be a Josh Cribbs wild-cat/returner. I watched this guy play against JMU, and he was just so difficult to stop, I don't know how they managed sometimes. Will be at the combine, getting a lot of looks to see how he develops.

Edwards I think will get drafted around the 5th/6th round, maybe sooner if he has a great combine, but even being a JMU guy, I would love to see him playing for us. Karim will need a good pro day at his campus to get a shot, but someone should look for him on film, which would probably be better than his workout numbers.

oldskinfan

02-16-2010, 11:12 AM

I think McCluster from Ole Miss would be a good change of pace complementary back.

I don't think your trades for all those 3rd rounders will come through though. I think people are going to hang on to their picks and stock up on cheap talent with the upcoming lockout. That will leave a surprising number of vets out of work IMHO. There are only so many teams willing to try to "buy" themselves into the Super Bowl in one year, and the 8 playoff teams from this year will be restricted. Though I could see teams like Carolina and Baltimore make a push.

shally

02-16-2010, 11:56 AM

sproles, westbrook, johnson, jones-drew, d angelo williams, and others have proved the benefit of smaller quicker RB's

WinnpegSkinsFan

02-16-2010, 12:50 PM

(Hopefully we get 3 3rds from Campbell, Moss, and Rogers)

My Ideal Draft to retool the Offense

1st- Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
2nd- Jahvid Best RB California
3rd- Selvish Capers OT West Virginia
3rd- Kyle Calloway OT Iowa
3rd- Myron Rolle FS Florida State
4th- Charles Scott RB LSU
5th- Brandon Carter OG Texas Tech
7th- Walter Thurmond CB Oregon

If we somehow got Tony Pashos, Ben Hamilton and Marcus McNeil in FA our line would be brand spankin new. We get Kirk Morrison, Marlin Jackson, and Ryan Pickett to overhaul the defense and things are looking pretty bright for 2010 and beyond.

I generally like your draft except for Brandon Carter. He is a big lumbering OG that doesn't fit a ZBS, IMO. Plus he looks like a complete rioded-up psycho!! Mitch Petrus or Shawn Luavao would be much better fits, IMO.

Arkangiest

02-16-2010, 02:57 PM

Being that I watch and follow a lot of FCS football, two guys from this level that could fill the ST/ X factor void would be:

Deji Karim (RB Southern Illnois) who I've been high on for a while, decent size (around 5'11 210) and better football speed than his timed speed. Finalist for the FCS Heisman, tremendous player, don't know how he didn't get invited to the combine

Armanti Edwards (QB App St, but will definitely change positions) most will remember him beating Michigan as a sophmore, but he also won the FCS Heisman twice, and he was that good. So dynamic, and actually has a good arm to be a slot WR with trick plays, but has the potential to be a Josh Cribbs wild-cat/returner. I watched this guy play against JMU, and he was just so difficult to stop, I don't know how they managed sometimes. Will be at the combine, getting a lot of looks to see how he develops.

Edwards I think will get drafted around the 5th/6th round, maybe sooner if he has a great combine, but even being a JMU guy, I would love to see him playing for us. Karim will need a good pro day at his campus to get a shot, but someone should look for him on film, which would probably be better than his workout numbers.

Have never heard of Deji Karim but seems like somebody to definitely keep an eye out for. Armanti Edwards I remember being my favorite person during that Michigan upset. Perhaps he could be our replacement for Randle El, I like the idea of that.

It appears most every other team has been trying to get younger and cheaper, every other team besides the Skins!

Good call on Emmanuel Sanders Lavar703, I remember watching him go to work in the Hawaii bowl, tearing Nevada apart. As far as Best I just don't see him being a complete disaster, as a change of pace back he should do pretty well in a zone blocking scheme in my mind, but we are all entitled to our opinions I guess we will just have to wait and see. Ryan Matthews has prolific numbers in college, and is pretty shifty with deceptive speed, if the skins take him I can only hope for the best.

McCluster is extremely fast, if anyone watched that game he had against Tennessee you know what I'm talking about. He seems to have a fearlessness about him when he runs, but I am afraid if he stays at 165 pounds he will take one giant NFL hit and never be the same again.

Yeah I'm not so sure about Brandon Carter, I kind of like his psychotic appeal, I think you have to be a bit insane to play in the NFL. Although the more I think about it the more likely opposing teams will target him and play to their highest level just to embarrass him.

skins4life24

02-16-2010, 03:16 PM

I generally like your draft except for Brandon Carter. He is a big lumbering OG that doesn't fit a ZBS, IMO. Plus he looks like a complete rioded-up psycho!! Mitch Petrus or Shawn Luavao would be much better fits, IMO.

He did stand toe to toe with Suh and by some peoples accounts got the better of him. He just looks like a mean guy, but like you said I don't think he fits the zone blocking scheme.

esmith1790

02-16-2010, 04:04 PM

I was thinking that with the new modified draft schedule. Teams will be able to regroup and rethink over night. The top of the 4th round at the begininng of the second day was major action. Now i believe the top of the 2nd and top of the 4th will be major action rounds also.

jus food for thought. If a great player slides out of round 1, i am sure lots of teams would be trying to trade up to a high 2nd to get him.

If i remember right, Friday =1st, SAT 2nd & 3rd, SUN 4th-7th.

dj_stouty

02-16-2010, 04:10 PM

jus food for thought. If a great player slides out of round 1, i am sure lots of teams would be trying to trade up to a high 2nd to get him.

If i remember right, Friday =1st, SAT 2nd & 3rd, SUN 4th-7th.

Good call. I agree that the top of the 2nd round could see a lot of movement.

I personally hate the idea of having round 1 on Friday night primetime...but if it means the Skins have more time to mull over their top 2nd rounder then I'm all for it.

Nomad

02-16-2010, 04:33 PM

The simple answer is you don't reach for need players forsaking long term contributors. Shanny is smart enough to realize this. In rounds 4 onward, are there reach OL but potential starter RBs? Then, taking long term perspective, you take the RB. I don't know enough about college football players to know.
If you take Bradford, then you better take every good OL available, protect him, and make Portis earn his F-ing money. You can draft a RB and plug him in immediately, OLs take time to learn scheme, etc., so long term it makes more sense to draft OL this year, RB next. Assuming you don't reach.

smoak

02-16-2010, 07:16 PM

I don't know college football, but I know damned well the Redskins need a RB.

shally

02-16-2010, 09:33 PM

I don't know college football, but I know damned well the Redskins need a RB.

true, but if we had a superior O line the need wouldnt look quite so acute

joethefan

02-16-2010, 10:51 PM

true, but if we had a superior O line the need wouldnt look quite so acute

well if we had a starting back that actually practiced with the team, came in camp in shape and stop berrating everyone in the lockerroom, it would be even better.

Nomad

02-16-2010, 11:34 PM

I don't know college football, but I know damned well the Redskins need a RB.

Yes, but not more than an OL.
Portis will flourish under Shannahan, and is serviceable for a year.
Draft a franchise QB and then 2nd round RB? Uh, no. Draft a franchise QB, then an OT. Late round RB, maybe. But not if quality OL available. Rebuilding is a multi-year process. Get your franchise QB, then protect him. Period. Ideally we would draft 3 OTs this draft, RB next year.

LATrueRedskin

02-17-2010, 08:06 AM

Moe

02-17-2010, 09:04 AM

Despite it being tempting, I think we should focus on QB and OLine this draft. I think we can get by with Portis and another running back in FA. I think we shouldn't pass up the possibility of drafting Bradford (and sitting him for a year to get comfortable), and then OLine from there-on-out, depending on what's available in FA.

I think RB is a need that is flying under the radar for this team in light of the QB and o-line issues. Portis is still not 100% back and could take one hard hit and be done due to the concussions. Betts is rehabbing and might get cut. Ganther is just a body. Mason is intriguing but little more than a backup at this point. There's zippy else on this squad.

There'll be free agents out there but none of which we want carrying the load. Chester Taylor being likely the best of the bunch, but IMO I'd prefer to spend the cash he'll require on a free agent o-lineman. I don't follow college football in great detail, but if one of Spiller or Best are there in the 2nd, the Skins would be foolish not to at least think it over. This offense, for all its holes, desperately needs an injection of speed and explosive potential. I think Spiller will be gone by the time the SKins pick in round 2, but I think Best could be there and he could be a real problem for opponents in a 1 cut, zone blocking scheme. He has a unique blend of quickness and speed that make him a threat anytime he touches the ball.

whiskeytown

02-17-2010, 09:37 AM

true, but if we had a superior O line the need wouldnt look quite so acute

soon this will be another Campbell thread!

LATrueRedskin

02-17-2010, 10:11 AM

I think RB is a need that is flying under the radar for this team in light of the QB and o-line issues. Portis is still not 100% back and could take one hard hit and be done due to the concussions. Betts is rehabbing and might get cut. Ganther is just a body. Mason is intriguing but little more than a backup at this point. There's zippy else on this squad.

There'll be free agents out there but none of which we want carrying the load. Chester Taylor being likely the best of the bunch, but IMO I'd prefer to spend the cash he'll require on a free agent o-lineman. I don't follow college football in great detail, but if one of Spiller or Best are there in the 2nd, the Skins would be foolish not to at least think it over. This offense, for all its holes, desperately needs an injection of speed and explosive potential. I think Spiller will be gone by the time the SKins pick in round 2, but I think Best could be there and he could be a real problem for opponents in a 1 cut, zone blocking scheme. He has a unique blend of quickness and speed that make him a threat anytime he touches the ball.

I'd love to have Taylor if the price is right, and I have confidence Portis can return and be our #1 back next season.

The problem with drafting a RB in the 2nd (assuming we draft Bradford in the 1st) for me is that we'll be pushing an OLine draft pick back until the 4th round. I like the Bradford pick at #1, but after that I'd like to spend the rest of the picks gathering OLine talent across the board (tackle, guard, and center), or maybe drafting a RB in the later rounds. I think Best has serious injury issues and is a gamble to draft so high, although, when healthy, he is a spectacular talent.

Of course, it all depends on what we do in FA and who is available. If we sign solid OLine free agents, then I'm all for drafting a RB in the 2nd.

redcayman

02-17-2010, 12:53 PM

I think we should draft a Rb in the 7th or UDFA. Problem is we have soo many holes. I don't think we will get much help on the Offensive side of the ball from FA. I can't see many quality O linemen being let go. This means that if we pick Bradford at 4 we have to use most of our other picks on linemen.

Farmer Ted

02-17-2010, 03:08 PM

I'm hoping Peyton Hillis is cut by the Broncos and quickly signed by Shanahan-he would fit in nicely with the Skins. Shanny likes to find his running backs cheap, and with all of the other team needs, I just don't see an early pick going to a rb.

Death_Venom

02-17-2010, 03:25 PM

While I agree with most that we need a decent back-up RB, I am still convinced we should focus on drafting O-line this draft and see who (in terms of RB) falls to the later rounds. I think we Shanny's eye for RB talent we may find us a something to work with in the later rounds.

Arkangiest

02-17-2010, 03:53 PM

oldskinfan

02-17-2010, 04:00 PM

A more realistic draft would probably look more like this.

1st- Sam Bradford
2nd- Charles Brown (hopefully) or Jason Fox
4th- Joe Mcknight/LeGarrette Blount/Charles Scott
5th- Shawn Luavao OG
7th- Leigh Tiffin K

Please, no more drafting of kickers!!!!

Arkangiest

02-17-2010, 04:31 PM

Please, no more drafting of kickers!!!!

But we haven't drafted one since Jeff Hall in 99! I suppose Durant Brooks counts... I guess we have had more success in the 7th round recently with Horton and Mitchell(hopefully) but 7th rounders are usually worthless training camp cuts. Tiffin has to be better than Gano and Medlock, I can't stand to lose any more close games because we sign a guy who did well in the CFL.

Nomad

02-17-2010, 10:42 PM

No way draft a kicker. No way. RB before K.

shally

02-17-2010, 11:13 PM

Moe

02-18-2010, 09:38 AM

I'd love to have Taylor if the price is right, and I have confidence Portis can return and be our #1 back next season.

I'm not as high on Taylor as many. He's a solid player but I think his stock is elevated in much the same way that is Campbell's this year; they're both the best (or close to it) of a mediocre group and I think his dollars will be too high as a result. I'm hopeful that CP will be fine but the fact that he said he's still feeling some effects as recently as 3 weeks ago doesn't make me confident.

The problem with drafting a RB in the 2nd (assuming we draft Bradford in the 1st) for me is that we'll be pushing an OLine draft pick back until the 4th round. I like the Bradford pick at #1, but after that I'd like to spend the rest of the picks gathering OLine talent across the board (tackle, guard, and center), or maybe drafting a RB in the later rounds. I think Best has serious injury issues and is a gamble to draft so high, although, when healthy, he is a spectacular talent.

Of course, it all depends on what we do in FA and who is available. If we sign solid OLine free agents, then I'm all for drafting a RB in the 2nd.

My mistake, I left out the condition that the team will use free agency to some degree to add to the o-line. If that's not the case, then a 2nd on a RB is a luxury pick that they likely shouldn't make.