2013 Comprehensive NFL Draft Database

[Laron Burgundy]

If you're really looking for a speedster I'd go with Gisillee, but his problem is that he has almost zero ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield as well. He's a tremendous blocker though. That aspect of his game makes me think of Portis, but Portis had all-time great vision in addition to his gamechanging speed. God, imagine if Portis had stayed in Denver. I think he would have been better than Davis was. Maybe Shanny could have had Portis develop his power game, maybe not to the extent that he did here, but just enouugh.

I think about how Portis would have been had he stayed in Denver too. He was a beast here though, really it was injuries that did in his career. When he was healthy he was a force.

All this talk about runningbacks, do you guys legitimately believe an rb is an immediate need for this team? Royster and Helu both proved themselves to be capable backs in this system, I think it is absolutely silly and a waste of resources to go after an rb in this year's draft. That being said, you guys are talking about late 1st to 2nd round prospects, one guy I'd look for is Kenjon Barner of Oregon. He'll go much later in the draft and he would have a lot of familiarity with our offense, since they run some of the same kind of plays.

[GWinSkins83]

I want Ansah baddddd!!! Dudes a beast.

[Taylor703]

I think about how Portis would have been had he stayed in Denver too. He was a beast here though, really it was injuries that did in his career. When he was healthy he was a force.

All this talk about runningbacks, do you guys legitimately believe an rb is an immediate need for this team? Royster and Helu both proved themselves to be capable backs in this system, I think it is absolutely silly and a waste of resources to go after an rb in this year's draft. That being said, you guys are talking about late 1st to 2nd round prospects, one guy I'd look for is Kenjon Barner of Oregon. He'll go much later in the draft and he would have a lot of familiarity with our offense, since they run some of the same kind of plays.

I don't think it's so much of a need as it's more of an guarantee Shanahan is going to pick one...

[NLC1054]

I love Morris. But Mike Shanahan backs never last long. He just thinks about the position differently than most. He can praise a player effusively but in two years they'll be gone when some better opportunity comes along. He cycles his talent at RB at an extremely rapid pace.

He traded up for Helu and now the guy looks like he's on his way out the door. He loved Tim but cut him the moment his health made him a liability. He's dealt away countless backs and let others hit FA no matter how good they looked. Terrell Davis was the best back he ever had, set a HoF pace, and TD had what, three years of big time carries?

I wouldn't pencil in Alfred Morris for anything long term and I wouldn't turn down trade value for him if it came along, nor would I pass on a back in the draft that I think would be an upgrade. As good as he's been, Alfred's lack of speed does limit him from being truly special.

I still feel like speed is one of the most overrated aspects a running back can have. Having said that, I can grant that there have been a couple plays that would be sure fire touchdowns with a fast back.

Terrell Davis was the best back he had, but the main thing that slowed TD was injuries. If TD had been healthy, TD would've been the back.

And my thing is...Shanahan doesn't hand up praise easily. Even when Roy was playing well last season, Mike never really seemed 100% behind the concept of Roy Helu being the full time back. He gave him credit, but if you compare Mike talking about Roy, and Mike talking about Alfred, it's night and day. It's like when Mike used to talk about Robert/

If Mike finds a guy he can ride with, he'll stick with him unless he gets good value or finds them expendable. Like Tatum Bell, he got traded. But Mike was never wild about Tatum because Bell turned the ball over.

I think Mike's ideal backfield looks like the one that we were supposed to have with Hightower and Helu; one guy (Hightower) to pound the rock with and wear the defense out, and a spell guy with speed and moves (Helu) that takes advantage of a tired defense as the end of a game.

The market for Morris wouldn't get us a helluva lot in terms of draft pick value, not with only one year of production and a scheme that's notorious for producing 1,000 yard backs. It'd take one hell of a deal, probably for one hell of a player and some draft compensation, to move Morris at this point, IF anyone were interested, which I don't think anyone is.

[Taylor703]

Matt Barkley is struggling big time against Arizona. He doesn't seem to have the accuracy or arm strength to succeed at the next level. Austin Hill for Arizona however has been amazing, catching everything coming his way.

[NewEraofSkins08]

Marquise Lee might be better than any WR's on the 'Skins...he's a Soph in college. On fire right now.

[stevemcqueen1]

Wisconsin Michigan St is one of the least creative offensive games I've ever seen. Montee Ball just set the long run of the game with a seven yard carry. Neither of these teams can throw, they are literally running it between the tackles three times in a row against nine man fronts and then punt.

Wisconsin's OL has also been horrible today. Given up 9 TFLs. This year's group is much worse than last year's.

[MartinC]

Matt Barkley is struggling big time against Arizona. He doesn't seem to have the accuracy or arm strength to succeed at the next level. Austin Hill for Arizona however has been amazing, catching everything coming his way.

I'm watching that game and I totally agree. I would add he has misread a couple of coverages as well which lead to at least one of his picks. As I type he misses a receiver wide open with no one within 10 yards for what would have been a 90 yard TD.

[stevemcqueen1]

Michigan State throws it over the middle twice from a shotgun spread this drive and lo and behold they're on track for their best drive of the game.

I know Dantonio has more creativity in him than he's shown today. I loved the offense he ran two years ago with Kirk Cousins.

Finally, Bell scores. Good Lord, we're headed for OT...

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

I love Morris. But Mike Shanahan backs never last long. He just thinks about the position differently than most. He can praise a player effusively but in two years they'll be gone when some better opportunity comes along. He cycles his talent at RB at an extremely rapid pace.

He does, but I think that's more due to circumstances. Keep in mind, Davis, Gary and Mike Anderson suffered devastating injuries. Guys like Droughns and Bell weren't ideal system fits, largely placeholders. And the Broncos probably would have kept Anderson if not for cap issues. Portis for Bailey was literally a once in a life time opportunity. Looking back, I'm surprised Mike gave Terrell as many chances to come back as he did. That doesn't seem like someone who just discards backs willy-nilly.

He traded up for Helu and now the guy looks like he's on his way out the door. He loved Tim but cut him the moment his health made him a liability. He's dealt away countless backs and let others hit FA no matter how good they looked. Terrell Davis was the best back he ever had, set a HoF pace, and TD had what, three years of big time carries?

Helu's hurt, I'm not sure that's really an indictment of how he sees him. Tim was a do-it-all back but the lack of vision meant he'd never be elite. Torain was hurt all the time and lacked vision too - he was very reliant on whether the OL gave him the running lane. I think Royster will be on the roster as the 3rd back.

I wouldn't pencil in Alfred Morris for anything long term and I wouldn't turn down trade value for him if it came along, nor would I pass on a back in the draft that I think would be an upgrade. As good as he's been, Alfred's lack of speed does limit him from being truly special.

If we got a 2nd, I'd consider it. A first, then definitely. But Morris simply is not going to fetch any trade value that trumps the value of keeping him on the roster. A physically limited but productive back in the Mike Shanahan offense? The list of guys who produce at a Pro Bowl level after leaving his ZBS is pretty much Clinton Portis, and he was the best RB Shanny ever coached (yes I think Portis > Davis, and would have put up at least 1 2k season, and maybe more than 1). Yes, Shanny cycles through his backs, but he's also been rather unlucky with them too.

[hunterx]

Rambo may be a 1st round pick after this season's over. He played awesome today!

[Win4us]

Rambo may be a 1st round pick after this season's over. He played awesome today!

Is he one of the top secondary guys to keep an eye on? I wouldn't mind going safety in the 2nd at this point in time.

[hunterx]

Is he one of the top secondary guys to keep an eye on? I wouldn't mind going safety in the 2nd at this point in time.

He is one of a few. Tony Jefferson is another, who is playing strong tonight against ND. I think there's more than a few who would like a safety targeted with the second pick. But you never know.

[GWinSkins83]

So many good safeties in this class there should be no reason not to get one. I would wait in the second if Ansah or Richardson or another dlineman that can rush the passer.

[Taylor703]

If I had the first pick in the draft I would take Manti Te'o....