2011 Comprehensive NFL Draft Database

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Next year's RB class is sick. I'd dump all of our 2004 fantasy RB dream team next offseason and just draft a young kid and let him run wild behind Silverback.

I heard in passing on the radio today that ESPN the Mag (or SI?) has a story about Chris Johnson or something and in the story they quote Mike Shanahan saying something to the effect of, "I've never felt that you need to spend a 1st round pick on a RB."

[theboomking]

I heard in passing on the radio today that ESPN the Mag (or SI?) has a story about Chris Johnson or something and in the story they quote Mike Shanahan saying something to the effect of, "I've never felt that you need to spend a 1st round pick on a RB."

I believe he said something like, "There are certain positions on the field at which you need elite players. I don't believe running back is one of those positions. I have always looked for overachievers at running back."

[stevemcqueen1]

I believe he said something like, "There are certain positions on the field at which you need elite players. I don't believe running back is one of those positions. I have always looked for overachievers at running back."

People make a big deal about Mike Shanahan being able to get elite production at RB cheap, but the cost of his method quickly adds up. The flipside to him saying he can bargain shop in the draft is that he had to draft a running back almost every single year. I actually don't think Mike Shanahan is an efficient evaluator of RB talent. His ideology is to throw a bunch of mediocre at the wall and see what sticks for a year or two. Denver's running game required constant upkeep because of it. When Shanahan was coach in Denver, he drafted 13 running backs, none in the first. So in his 15 years as a HC, Shanahan has basically had to draft a RB every year and a very high number of them were busts.

Since 1995, our franchise has drafted five running backs, and none in the first: Larry Jones (1995 4th), Stephen Davis (1996 4th), Skip Hicks (1998 3rd), Ladell Betts (2002, 2nd), and Rock Cartwright (2002, 2nd). We made a big time trade for Clinton Portis that worked out well, but Shanahan also acquired RBs through FA and trade. The gang of GMs and decision makers we've had running the show since '95 has actually been better at drafting RBs than Shanahan has been.

I'd much rather spend a second round pick on a good back one year and have him start for five good seasons for us, then spend our mid round picks on one every single draft.

[gorebd82]

I'd much rather spend a second round pick on a good back one year and have him start for five good seasons for us, then spend our mid round picks on one every single draft.

I agree with that completely. And I would challenge Shanny's philosophy to say that if he's seen such great results with mediocre at best talent, then what could possibly happen if he did get a chris johnson or deangelo williams type of talent (i'm kinda focusing on speed) in his backfield. That player might have Terrell Davis type of success.

I don't think its a coincidence that his second most successful RB was CP who was a 2nd rounder. I'd actually rather see him spend a pick in the 20s on a guy that can lock down the position for 7-8 years. He'll last 3-4 years on his rookie deal. Re-up him and keep him for another 3-4 years, then move on to the next one. It's actually the approach the Colts have about RB.

I thik we can make the playoffs this year and be in positon to grab Ryan Williams in the 20s. Pair him with CP for a couple of years, let him take over and replace him when he's in his late 20's. In the meantime, grab maybe 3 mid to late round RBs over the next 8 years or so. It makes sense to spend 4 picks on RBs over 8 years rather than 10.

Plus the main point, the level of production can be significantly better than squeezing everything you can out of Quentin Griffin or Reuben Droughns.

[Hitman21ST]

He's just saying if he can get long term quality at another position, he can find above average RBs later in the draft, which I agree with. If he's set at other positions, he'll take a RB high, which is why he took Portis.

He's shown he can get good production out of average backs. Steve Slaton is nothing special, but he's a good producer, and the Texans are set at WR and QB for the foreseeable future. I'd take what the Texans have in a heartbeat.

[theboomking]

I don't think there is anything wrong with Shannahan's draft history at RB. He spent two 2nd round picks on the spot, landing portis and Tatum Bell. Every team wastes misround picks every year. If you tend to draft a lot of mid to late round WR, OL, RB, DL, or any position, most of them aren't going to stick.

As of right now, based on history of those on our roster and on preseason play, I'd rate our team as being weakest on the interior O-line, OLB, and nose tackle. I'd look to fill those needs before drafting a RB too high.

[theboomking]

Here is the latest update on the UNC fiasco. Twelve players, including Quinn and Austin won't be playing. We've all been raving about Quinn, but what would you guys think of Austin at the 5 technique?

Six North Carolina starters -- defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn -- have been declared ineligible for Saturday's season-opening game against No. 21 LSU for "violating school and/or NCAA rules," the university announced Friday.

Six other players also will be withheld from the game while the NCAA's two-pronged investigation continues. Those six are: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da'Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.

ACC blog
ESPN.com's Heather Dinich writes about all things ACC in her conference blog.

• Blog network:
College Football Nation

The total number of games those 12 players are expected to miss has not yet been determined, as the NCAA investigates possible improper contact with agents, along with allegations of academic misconduct.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5527407

[gorebd82]

He's just saying if he can get long term quality at another position, he can find above average RBs later in the draft, which I agree with. If he's set at other positions, he'll take a RB high, which is why he took Portis.

He's shown he can get good production out of average backs. Steve Slaton is nothing special, but he's a good producer, and the Texans are set at WR and QB for the foreseeable future. I'd take what the Texans have in a heartbeat.

I agree with that also. If you have big holes at other positions, then RB is a much lower priority. Going into the 2011 draft, I don't think we have any big holes where we need a 1st. Or at least no position that is more unsettled than RB.

Maybe D-Line, but I feel like Big Al, Kemo, Carriker, Golston (maybe Jarmon too) can last us at least another season. I don't think we have to spend a 1st on DL, maybe NT. But I think we can get a NT in the mid to late rounds as a developmental prospect. Same thing with LB, we have a decent pipeline behind our starters. Alexander and Wilson at OLB. Riley, Henson, Blades on the inside. Our secondary is fine.

On offense, I think we'll wait on a high pick for QB. We may spend a 1st on a WR, but they tend to take a while to develop and with our vet team, we would probably want more impact out of our 1st rounder. After drafting Silverback and trading for Jammal Brown, spending a 1st on an interior lineman would be a luxury. It would be nice to get a young interior lineman, but its not a necessity.

So this all brings me back to say that with Portis turning 30 next season, 2011 might be the year to get a RB that can have an instant impact and possibly take our offense to anothe level. I wouldn't be mad if we spent our 1st on a NT like Powe, or a DE like Heyward, or a WR like Baldwin, or a C/G like Pouncey, but a RB like Williams could be a game changer and is a greater area of need than many of those other positions. Hopefully, Shanny sees enough in one of these RBs to feel they are worth a 1st.

EDIT: The outcome of our current RFAs also effects this line of thinking. If we lose Carlos and Rocky, then I look at the situation differently.

[Forehead]

We've all been raving about Quinn, but what would you guys think of Austin at the 5 technique?


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5527407

Most of what I've read about Austin is that he's lazy and doesn't have much of a work ethic. Getting by on natural talent and his reputation from high school.

I'd pass if there are other options available to us.

[stevemcqueen1]

Most of what I've read about Austin is that he's lazy and doesn't have much of a work ethic. Getting by on natural talent and his reputation from high school.

I'd pass if there are other options available to us.

I agree. He's not had a first round caliber career at UNC. From what I've read about the NCAA investigations, Austin also seems to be the ringleader behind a lot of the violations, sucking his teammates into his vortex of idiocy. He sounds pretty stupid and immature to me. I don't really want us to have anything to do with him.

But from a strictly scheme standpoint, I don't think Austin is a great fit to play 5 technique. He's got the length to play it, but he doesn't play with a very strong base. He likes to get upfield and is probably best fit for an attacking 4-3 front. He's 300 pounds but it's a sloppy 300 pounds. I don't think he's got a lot of room to add bulk to his frame without sacrificing his speed.

There should be a lot of better 5 technique candidates out there this year. I'd take Allen Bailey in a heartbeat over Austin. Or Heyward, Clayborn, and Dareus. I would even try theboomking's plan of having Romeus bulk up to around 290 before taking Austin.

[theboomking]

Just thought I'd add some extra framework as we look at the draft this year. I know a lot of us, myself included, liked Tate and Hardesty last year. Both have been injured again this preseason, and Hardesty's injury is his ACL. Per PFT:

Initial diagnosis for Browns back Montario Hardesty isn't good
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 3, 2010 11:27 AM ET
The Browns draft Montario Hardesty because they loved his smarts and his skills. But they also knew he was only available late in the second round because of his injury history.

On Thursday night, that history caught up to him in heartbreaking fashion.

The initial diagnosis following Hardesty's injury is that the impressive rookie suffered a torn ACL, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Further tests will be taken today to confirm the news.

Hardesty was expected to lead the Browns backfield, but this is one position the team has sufficient depth. Jerome Harrison is a quality option, and Peyton Hillis will probably play more tailback now. James Davis also looked impressive on Thursday night.

As if Malcolm Kelly wasn't enough of a reminder, this reinforces my hope that we can steer clear of guys with significant history of knee or lower extremity injuries this year, at least in the first 2 rounds.

[theboomking]

Hey guys/gals. Any recommendations on which games/prospects you think would be best to watch today?

[COOLeyCatchTds]

Did anyone watch the Arizona/Toledo game last night? They have a receiver, Juron Criner, that looked really good. He's a junior, 6'4", 210 with amazing hands. He's never really stood out before last night but he looked great. I think he had 11 grabs for 180ish yards and a score.

Anyone else know anything about him?

[theboomking]

Did anyone watch the Arizona/Toledo game last night? They have a receiver, Juron Criner, that looked really good. He's a junior, 6'4", 210 with amazing hands. He's never really stood out before last night but he looked great. I think he had 11 grabs for 180ish yards and a score.

Anyone else know anything about him?

http://cdsdraft.com/profile.php?id=5586
Looks like a he's a Junior and should be draft eligible this year. CBS has him listed as a likely entrant for the 2012 draft. They have an unofficial 40 time for him of 4.55. He had 7 receptions for 88 yards and 1 TD as a freshman, 45 receptions for 582 yards and 12.9 TD's as a sophomore. CBC seems to think he won't be drafted.

Here are some quotes about Criner from rotoworld...
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pla...4916&id=123628

The Arizona Daily Star answers five questions as the Wildcats head into camp, and one deals with wide receiver Juron Criner carrying the offense. Quarterback Nick Foles calls the big wideout "a playmaker" and one who's "even better this year."
Any time you see a talented target in such a wide open offense then he's one to certainly consider. Factor in the growth of Foles and the expectations for Criner and we have one of the Pac-10's best fantasy prospects out wide.
Source: Arizona Daily Star

The Arizona Daily Star reports that Arizona wide receiver Juron Criner has been very impressive during spring ball, and coach Mike Stoops said, "Juron's starting to emerge as the player we felt he could be. He's the No. 1 go-to guy."
Criner is coming off a very nice sophomore campaign that saw him score nine times. His development, along with that of quarterback Nick Foles, means that we could be looking at the Pac-10's top receiver and one of the best in the nation in 2010.
Source: Arizona Daily Star

Draft insider.net has this to say about Criner:

Juron Criner is a developing receiver with a solid game. He displays good timing and anticipation, gets vertical over defenders and fights to make the reception. Criner shows a lot of quickness in his overall game and is a consistent hand catcher that easily makes the reception downfield running full speed.

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=3104

I know stevemcqueen really likes Nick Foles, and I was going to try to watch some Arizona games to get a look. I'll take a look at Criner as well.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

I'd much rather spend a second round pick on a good back one year and have him start for five good seasons for us, then spend our mid round picks on one every single draft.

Whoa, I disagree with this absolutely, especially in an NFL where, quite frankly, running back just doesn't matter that much anymore.

Chris Johnson went 8-8.
So did Maurice Jones-Drew.
So did Frank Gore.
Peterson never broke 10 games before Favre came to town.

Meanwhile, the Saints, Ravens, and Colts win with guys you've never heard of at RB.

The fact is, RB is the most easy to replace offensive position in football, and arguably the one with the least individual impact, because we now know you can have an efficient run game with a platoon of RBs. So if you can get an efficient running game by not using high draft picks, then that is a net positive.