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Here is 100% Proof Why You Take A RB In The 1st or 2nd Round If You Want An Impact Back!


jshipp23

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  • I have heard so many posters saying how it is a waste to take a RB in the 1st round, and you can get a good back in the later rounds...I like to base my opinions on facts so I decided to look into that....I looked at the 100 greatest backs based on stats and where they were drafted and then looked into the backs of the modern era which is what is relevant....                                                                                                          ROUND 1 or 2 RUNNING BACKS- Adrian Peterson, Willis McGahee, Deuce McAllister, Maurice Jones Drew, Larry Johnson, Robert Smith, Clinton Portis, Herschel Walker, Tiki Barber, Thomas Jones, Ricky Williams, Corey Dillon, Steven Jackson, Warrick Dunn, Shaun Alexander, Eddie George, Ricky Watters, Fred Taylor, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin James, Chris Johnson, Bo Jackson, Thurman Thomas, Jerome Bettis, La Danian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Emmitt Smith, and Barry Sanders...                                                                                                                  ROUND 3 OR LATER-Jamal Anderson, Michael Turner, FranK Gore, Priest Holmes, and Terrell Davis.                                                                                  NOW THIS IS AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE AS THESE ARE THE GREATEST RUNNING BACKS OF THE MODERN ERA STATISTICALLY AND THEIR IS NO WAY TO ARGUE AGAINST IT...THIS IS WHY IT'S NOT BAD IF WE TAKE LACY, AND ALL THE PEOPLE SAYING YOU CAN JUST FIND A GREAT RB IN LATER ROUNDS ARE MISINFORMED....NUMBER'S DON'T LIE....

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The NFL has changed, it is a passing league now. Pass protection and an RB being on the field for all 3 downs matter more for an RB being chosen in round 1, especially later in round 1. If he is a special talent like AD, Trent Richardson etc. at top of round 1, it makes sense, they will make it work regardless of O-line abilities or prowess.

 

Addai was chosen for his pass protection abilities justifying him playing all 3 downs. MJD stays on the field for all 3 downs. Ever since the pass favored rules have been implemented (around 2005), I would like to see the productivity of round 1 or 2 backs drafted since then. Giving all those round 1 or round 2 backs from the past does not mean much to me.

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  • I have heard so many posters saying how it is a waste to take a RB in the 1st round, and you can get a good back in the later rounds...I like to base my opinions on facts so I decided to look into that....I looked at the 100 greatest backs based on stats and where they were drafted and then looked into the backs of the modern era which is what is relevant....                                                                                                          ROUND 1 or 2 RUNNING BACKS- Adrian Peterson, Willis McGahee, Deuce McAllister, Maurice Jones Drew, Larry Johnson, Robert Smith, Clinton Portis, Herschel Walker, Tiki Barber, Thomas Jones, Ricky Williams, Corey Dillon, Steven Jackson, Warrick Dunn, Shaun Alexander, Eddie George, Ricky Watters, Fred Taylor, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin James, Chris Johnson, Bo Jackson, Thurman Thomas, Jerome Bettis, La Danian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Emmitt Smith, and Barry Sanders...                                                                                                                  ROUND 3 OR LATER-Jamal Anderson, Michael Turner, FranK Gore, Priest Holmes, and Terrell Davis.                                                                                  NOW THIS IS AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE AS THESE ARE THE GREATEST RUNNING BACKS OF THE MODERN ERA STATISTICALLY AND THEIR IS NO WAY TO ARGUE AGAINST IT...THIS IS WHY IT'S NOT BAD IF WE TAKE LACY, AND ALL THE PEOPLE SAYING YOU CAN JUST FIND A GREAT RB IN LATER ROUNDS ARE MISINFORMED....NUMBER'S DON'T LIE....

 

 

 

Of all the 1st or 2nd rders. you listed...only 4 are relevant to the game today.(A.P., MJD, Steven Jackson, and Chris Johnson) the rest  played in a different era and the game has changed bigtime now. I've heard more than a few GM's on ESPN or NFL network all say that drafting RB's early in the draft is a thing of the past unless the talent really jumps out to everybody. Sure their will always be GM's that disagree, but the majority think RB's are a very low value pick anymore and it's better to have a RB by committee instead of a feature back.

 

 

I'll add too, that RB's only have an average of a 2 yr. career average. Now that takes into account every RB that has ever played, but the point is...RB's are extremely injury prone and unreliable, therefore teams do not want to invest big money or early picks on them.

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Of all the 1st or 2nd rders. you listed...only 4 are relevant to the game today.(A.P., MJD, Steven Jackson, and Chris Johnson) the rest  played in a different era and the game has changed bigtime now. I've heard more than a few GM's on ESPN or NFL network all say that drafting RB's early in the draft is a thing of the past unless the talent really jumps out to everybody. Sure their will always be GM's that disagree, but the majority think RB's are a very low value pick anymore and it's better to have a RB by committee instead of a feature back.

 

 

I'll add too, that RB's only have an average of a 2 yr. career average. Now that takes into account every RB that has ever played, but the point is...RB's are extremely injury prone and unreliable, therefore teams do not want to invest big money or early picks on them.

You make good points and I understand what you are saying...A first round running back is still a 1st round RB IMO, and all those backs would have similar impacts today and most are relatively modern backs..I guess it boils down to if you think Lacy is that type of talent which I do or I wouldn't want to draft him in the 1st if Cooper is not there..I also think Doug Martin who was a 1st rounder last year will also prove to be elite and worthy of his pick..If you don't like Lacy I respect your opinion and just disagree on his talent...I've watched all the backs coming out a lot in recent weeks and Lacy is different IMO...Kevin Randle is the next best thing if you want an impact RB...Your point of backs getting injured makes it imperative to have 2, 3-tool backs on the roster and Ballard is all we got...Wouldn't you feel much better with a Lacy-Ballard combo than a Ballard-Brown combo??? People talk about we need to be able to run the ball and go O-line and we have already reasonably upgraded the line and a very good young back can help the running game just as much as a guard...There is a difference betwwen a back that can give you 70-100 yds and a back that has 200 yd potential any given Sunday and makes your offense so much harder to stop.

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you got guys like arian foster who went undrafted become stars. you dont go broke at a position that last 8-9 years unless you cant pass

:thmup: .... :lombardi:  goes to coltsrule91, for the best, and most accurate comment on this thread...everyone else who logs in, can just like this comment, without wasting time like i did posting a response. Adrian Foster's success destroys this entire thread for RB's, and Kurt Warner does it for QB's....

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:thmup: .... :lombardi:  goes to coltsrule91, for the best, and most accurate comment on this thread...everyone else who logs in, can just like this comment, without wasting time like i did posting a response. Adrian Foster's success destroys this entire thread for RB's, and Kurt Warner does it for QB's....

While it's possible to get a GREAT back in later rounds , odds are against you as I showed you the difference between the amount of late round backs and top 2 round backs..So how does 1 back selected in later rounds who has 3 pro Bowl O-linemen and Andre Johnson to take the top off the defense destroy the point...Alfred Morris too, had a great line and the advantage of the read option were defenses couldn't key on him because of the threat of Bob Griffin 111 keeping it and running it himself...Personally I like Ballard better than Morris all day he just ran behind a bad line, he has a lot of heart and I like him, but Lacy would start over him day 1...That would be a great combo though and they are completely different yet both are 3-tool backs. This would allow us to keep them both fresh and an injury to 1 wouldn't put our fate in the hands of Donald Brown who I hope we somehow can just trade...He is pathetic in every sense of the word.

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You make good points and I understand what you are saying...A first round running back is still a 1st round RB IMO, and all those backs would have similar impacts today and most are relatively modern backs..I guess it boils down to if you think Lacy is that type of talent which I do or I wouldn't want to draft him in the 1st if Cooper is not there..I also think Doug Martin who was a 1st rounder last year will also prove to be elite and worthy of his pick..If you don't like Lacy I respect your opinion and just disagree on his talent...I've watched all the backs coming out a lot in recent weeks and Lacy is different IMO...Kevin Randle is the next best thing if you want an impact RB...Your point of backs getting injured makes it imperative to have 2, 3-tool backs on the roster and Ballard is all we got...Wouldn't you feel much better with a Lacy-Ballard combo than a Ballard-Brown combo??? People talk about we need to be able to run the ball and go O-line and we have already reasonably upgraded the line and a very good young back can help the running game just as much as a guard...There is a difference betwwen a back that can give you 70-100 yds and a back that has 200 yd potential any given Sunday and makes your offense so much harder to stop.

 

 

 

Honestly, what would make me feel much better about our running game is a mauler RG.  I've just seen so many late rd. RB's be successful with good o-line's blocking for them. Am I sold on Donald Brown? No, absolutely not, but I do give him the benefit of the doubt of having one of the worst run blocking line's in the NFL since he's been in the league. I think the guy has talent and could succeed with a good run blocking line in front of him. It's hard to judge the talent of a guy that can barely get the ball in his hands before he's getting hit from every direction from the defense. IMO, I would just wait and draft a guy later if the team feels they need to add a RB, but if it were up to me, I wouldn't add one at all this yr., but that's just me.

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While it's possible to get a GREAT back in later rounds , odds are against you as I showed you the difference between the amount of late round backs and top 2 round backs..So how does 1 back selected in later rounds who has 3 pro Bowl O-linemen and Andre Johnson to take the top off the defense destroy the point...Alfred Morris too, had a great line and the advantage of the read option were defenses couldn't key on him because of the threat of Bob Griffin 111 keeping it and running it himself...Personally I like Ballard better than Morris all day he just ran behind a bad line, he has a lot of heart and I like him, but Lacy would start over him day 1...That would be a great combo though and they are completely different yet both are 3-tool backs. This would allow us to keep them both fresh and an injury to 1 wouldn't put our fate in the hands of Donald Brown who I hope we somehow can just trade...He is pathetic in every sense of the word.

 

Are you listening to yourself, young padawan, young jedi. The title of your thread says - "Here's is %100 Proof Why You Take A RB In The 1st and 2nd Round If You Want An Impact Back!"......The Colts drafted Donald Brown in 2009, in the FIRST ROUND of the 2009 NFL draft, @ pick #27, but keeps racking up injuries. Arian Foster went undrafted in 2009, and has already been to 3 Pro Bowls, made the All-Pro teams twice, and lead the league in rushing 2010. You have to do your homework, before you make these kind of posts. AF was signed, not drafted, in the same year as Donald Brown...this thread is done, unless you just want to make friends, which is fine by me.... :highfive2::thmup:

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Honestly, what would make me feel much better about our running game is a mauler RG.  I've just seen so many late rd. RB's be successful with good o-line's blocking for them. Am I sold on Donald Brown? No, absolutely not, but I do give him the benefit of the doubt of having one of the worst run blocking line's in the NFL since he's been in the league. I think the guy has talent and could succeed with a good run blocking line in front of him. It's hard to judge the talent of a guy that can barely get the ball in his hands before he's getting hit from every direction from the defense. IMO, I would just wait and draft a guy later if the team feels they need to add a RB, but if it were up to me, I wouldn't add one at all this yr., but that's just me.

That way could work too, I'm not against getting a good guard if one is there...I still think we need another option other than Brown at this point, he can still be a weapon because of his speed if they can get him in space, but not reliable whatsoever and I just don't think he is made to go between the tackles...I really like Lacy, but I like Randle, Gillislee, Barner, Taylor , and Ball  too. I was just making a point of why I think Lacy would be worthy of the pick...Would not mind a G, Olb,De, or even WR at this pick either..

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Here are a few names.

Lawerence Maroney

Donald Brown

Jahvid Best

Knowshown Moreno

Mark Ingram

Dexter McCluster

Toby Gerhart

Montario Hardesty

The point is I looked into who were statistically the best of all time and where they were drafted....And overwhelmingly at RB, the greatest were 1st or 2nd Rd picks..Of course there are busts at every position and RB isn't excluded.

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Another day....    another steaming pile of....   well...   you know....

 

First,  beyond the incredibly bad use of logic by the OP there is this....

 

There are 32 teams in the NFL....   currently,  14 of the 32 teams do not use a 1st or 2nd round RB.   They use a 3rd or lower.

 

So,  more than 40 percent of the NFL disagrees with our OP.    (I'm shocked, SHOCKED to learn that!)

 

And that's based on today....   this will change over a period of time....   but the NFL has spoken loud and clear and they respectfully disagree with the idea that there is 100% proof that you have to use a 1st or 2nd round back.

 

What can I tell you.......

 

:facepalm:           :slaphead:          :bored: 

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Are you listening to yourself, young padawan, young jedi. The title of your thread says - "Here's is %100 Proof Why You Take A RB In The 1st and 2nd Round If You Want An Impact Back!"......The Colts drafted Donald Brown in 2009, in the FIRST ROUND of the 2009 NFL draft, @ pick #27, but keeps racking up injuries. Arian Foster went undrafted in 2009, and has already been to 3 Pro Bowls, made the All-Pro teams twice, and lead the league in rushing 2010. You have to do your homework, before you make these kind of posts. AF was signed, not drafted, in the same year as Donald Brown...this thread is done, unless you just want to make friends, which is fine by me.... :highfive2::thmup:

Thats 1 player with 3 pro bowl o-linemen and Andre Johnson taking the top off the defense...1 player...My point is the likelihood isn't great unless they r 1st or 2nd rounders and I did my homework..Most of the greatest ever were 1st or 2nd rd picks...

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Another day....    another steaming pile of....   well...   you know....

 

First,  beyond the incredibly bad use of logic by the OP there is this....

 

There are 32 teams in the NFL....   currently,  14 of the 32 teams do not use a 1st or 2nd round RB.   They use a 3rd or lower.

 

So,  more than 40 percent of the NFL disagrees with our OP.    (I'm shocked, SHOCKED to learn that!)

 

And that's based on today....   this will change over a period of time....   but the NFL has spoken loud and clear and they respectfully disagree with the idea that there is 100% proof that you have to use a 1st or 2nd round back.

 

What can I tell you.......

 

:facepalm:           :slaphead:          :bored:

How many of those guys on the other teams are Pro-Bowlers or gamechangers which is my point??? They don't come around very often, but when they do it's usually in the 1st or 2nd as my list shows overwhelmingly...That is taken from the 100 greatest RB's statistically of all-time and  I only displayed the ones from the modern era..

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That is taken from the 100 greatest RB's statistically of all-time and  I only displayed the ones from the modern era..

 

And that, my friend, is the point.    We're not doing an historical study....   we're looking at TODAY,  right now!!

 

Doesn't matter what was done outside of the current modern era...   the game has changed.    That's why you have more 5,000 yard per season passers and more 4,000 yard per season passers.

 

It's a pass first, run second NFL.    There are exceptions to every rule....

 

Doesn't matter what was done in the 90's or the 80's or the 70's.... or earlier...  it matters what has happened in the last 10 or so years, give or take...    that's what matters....

 

You're still trying way too hard.....

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While it's possible to get a GREAT back in later rounds , odds are against you as I showed you the difference between the amount of late round backs and top 2 round backs..So how does 1 back selected in later rounds who has 3 pro Bowl O-linemen and Andre Johnson to take the top off the defense destroy the point...Alfred Morris too, had a great line and the advantage of the read option were defenses couldn't key on him because of the threat of Bob Griffin 111 keeping it and running it himself...Personally I like Ballard better than Morris all day he just ran behind a bad line, he has a lot of heart and I like him, but Lacy would start over him day 1...That would be a great combo though and they are completely different yet both are 3-tool backs. This would allow us to keep them both fresh and an injury to 1 wouldn't put our fate in the hands of Donald Brown who I hope we somehow can just trade...He is pathetic in every sense of the word.

Brown if far from pathetic. He has never been properly used in my opinion. In hindsight, he shouldn't have been a first round pick. If he was picked in the 3rd, no one would be complaining all the time.

 

Donald Brown is not a between the tackles runner........especially when the OL is terrible. If you get him the ball in space he is very good. Get the ball to him in the flats, on screens, and on short wheels.....he makes things happen. I actually would like to see him re-signed as our 3rd back.......just at a reasonable contract.

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Brown if far from pathetic. He has never been properly used in my opinion. In hindsight, he shouldn't have been a first round pick. If he was picked in the 3rd, no one would be complaining all the time.

 

Donald Brown is not a between the tackles runner........especially when the OL is terrible. If you get him the ball in space he is very good. Get the ball to him in the flats, on screens, and on short wheels.....he makes things happen. I actually would like to see him re-signed as our 3rd back.......just at a reasonable contract.

Agreed. People are too hard on Brown. He had the same YPC as Ballard did last year. He's fantastic in open space or when he hits the hole cleanly. He's not really the definition of an every-down back, but he's got weapons that if utilized properly help the team.

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The most injury prone position in the NFL also witnesses the shortest careers of any position in the NFL. 

 

Not worth it unless it's a lead pipe lock type of guy.

 

I don't see Lacy as that guy. 

 

I'll take a pass on this. I really like our RB core, it's solid and has depth. 

 

We're taking a DB @ 24. 

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Are you listening to yourself, young padawan, young jedi. The title of your thread says - "Here's is %100 Proof Why You Take A RB In The 1st and 2nd Round If You Want An Impact Back!"......The Colts drafted Donald Brown in 2009, in the FIRST ROUND of the 2009 NFL draft, @ pick #27, but keeps racking up injuries. Arian Foster went undrafted in 2009, and has already been to 3 Pro Bowls, made the All-Pro teams twice, and lead the league in rushing 2010. You have to do your homework, before you make these kind of posts. AF was signed, not drafted, in the same year as Donald Brown...this thread is done, unless you just want to make friends, which is fine by me.... :highfive2::thmup:

The point of the title is to get your attention my friend...See the forest through the trees and don't take things so seriously.

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Pushing this hard for Lacey is amusing to say the least especially when you consider there will be absolutely no chance he will be the BPA at 24

It's all for fun, their are others I would take ahead for sure...The point of the thread was to make an argument for Lacy...That doesn't mean I would take him.

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The point is I looked into who were statistically the best of all time and where they were drafted....And overwhelmingly at RB, the greatest were 1st or 2nd Rd picks..Of course there are busts at every position and RB isn't excluded.

You do show that overwhelming the better RBs have come from the first or second round, but when you look at your list a majority of them our from a totally different era.  When guys like Emmitt or Bettis played the run was a much bigger part of the game and a lot of teams focused heavily on the run.  In today's game the running game has really diminished and the life expectancy of a RB in the NFL now is very very short.

 

How many RBs in the first round in the past five to ten years that were drafted in the first round really were worth the first round pick given the direction the league has taken.  Unless you are going to get someone like AD, Ray Rice or Shady McCoy you are better off using that pick on someone else.

 

To succeed in today's game you do not necessarily need a top tier RB.  If we can get our OL going a bit more this season our combo should be good enough.

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WR Michael Tutsie ERFA – 840k?   Of the above really like to see the Colts resign Ronnie Harrison, Dayo Odeyingbo, Kylen Granson, Dallis Flowers, and Segun Olubi.  In order to free up cap space it wouldn't shock me to see Braden Smith traded.  Not ideal but only way at this point in time to see freeing up available cap space.  Would love to add OC Connor Williams who is still a free agent but suffered an ACL injury late in 2023.  Before his injury Williams ranked as the 3rd best OL in 2023 in zone-heavy scheme.  Recoding a league best 92.4 run-blocking grade on zone concepts and equally impressive in pass protection allowing just six pressures on 280 pass sets.    No doubt the Colts love speed on their offense.  Jonathan Taylor was recently listed as one of the fastest players in the NFL last season.  Then the Colts drafted Anthony Gould who in 2023 Week 3 hit a top speed of 21.6 mph.  As UDFAs the Colts then brought in NC State Trent Pennix who in Week 6 clocked the fastest time by a TE at 20.6 MPH but also is a capable RB.  Colts also added QB Jason Bean (Kansas) who in Week 9 clocked an impressive 22.4 mph T5 fastest player in 2023.   Mock Draft   Round 1 WLB Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU) - As a true freshman led all LBs in Power 5 with a 91.0 pass-rush grade and second among all LBs in the country with 18 QB knockdowns (sacks/hits) and tied for second in the country with 4 *.  In 2023 as a true off-ball LB he struggled as a run defender but flashed in coverage, 81.1 coverage grade.  At the end of 2023 now recorded 27 TFLs and 13 sacks with 7 forced fumbles.  Made 2022 college football all-America Freshman Team.  In 2022 his 87.6 pass-rush grade by true freshman is 3rd best since the 2014 era, behind (Rueben Bain Jr-2023 and Myles Garrett-2014).  2022 PFF TOW 11 honors.  Like JOK, Perkins has a chance to win the Butkus Award.  Both JOK and Perkins have similar builds and ran a 4.42s-forty.  Do expect Perkins’ stats to dip if he does move to MLB and probably drop him to Round 2 grades much like Edgerrin Cooper in 2024 Draft Class.  Quick to drop into zone and covers enough ground to be Tampa-2 MIKE but some feel better suited as a WLB maximize range/speed.  Expecting Shaquille ‘Darius’ Leonard 2018-2021 vibes along with JOKs 2021-2023 production traits.  Both were drafted in Round 2 but should been first rounders.  Perkins replaces EJ Speed.   Round 2 Edge/RDE Elijah Alston (Miami) –Alston was an All-Sun Belt selection in 2023.  In 2023 he had a 91.0 overall grade and 90.5 pass-rushing grade based on 235 pass rush snaped while at Marshal Alston also racked up 36 QB pressures, 5 sacks plus 24 defensive stops during this period.  By mid-November Alston was ranked 4th best (Marshawn Kneeland was #3) Edge behind #1 Latu whom the Colts selected in Round 1.   2023 College Football All-Sun Belt Team.  Looking forward to the Cal game and how he does against RB Jaydn Ott, RT Victor Stoffel, and LG Rush Reimer.  Duke’s new RT Micah Sahakian matchup is another one would like to see.  RB Quinton Cooley (Wake Forest) who transferred from Liberty and earned 2023 College Football All-CUSA Team is another key matchup.  Finally, TE/WR Oronde Gadsden II of Syracuse could test his coverage skills.  The Colts done well and am looking forward to seeing Paye/Latu tandem then creating another one with Odeyingbo and Alston.  Ebukam will be a FA after 2025 but could be cut/traded save cap space.  Close build to Ebukam and Leo with 2” taller than Avery with Avery an upcoming FA and no guarantee we can resign Odeyingbo with the minimal cap space currently projected.   Round 3 LT J.C. Davis (Illinois) - The New Mexico Lobos ran a zone-scheme concept 318 times in 2023 and Davis was on the field for 316 of those snaps where he helped the team earn a 91.5 rushing grade with 58 explosive runs.  Davis is well-rounded earning a 78.6 inside-zone run grade and a 78.4 outside-zone run grade.  See how well Davis does after transferring the Big 10 this season.  Overall, 82.4 run-blocking grade in 2023.  Comparison Illinois Isaiah Adams was drafted #71 by Arizona and was ranked 8th best zone OL in 2023 and Davis was 5th best.  In 2022 Davis earned a 66.8 overall PFF grade and in 2023 had an 87.1 pass-blocking grade.  If the Colts do trade/cap release Braden Smith than Davis is a high target to hopefully take early to replace him.   Round 4 TE Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech) - In 2022 Conyers forced 21 missed tackles which led all TEs in the country.  Plus, ranked 4th in receiving yards after contact (170).  As a redshirt freshman in 2021 had a 73.5 pass-blocking grade while playing at Arizona State.  Conyers can be elusive with the ball in his hands.  In his first season was used heavily as a run-blocker (2021) and excelled as a blocker ranking him 4th in the Pac-12.  Back in August 2023 Rick Spielman said he may be the best run-blocking TE in the class behind Cade Stover.  Considered a true Y TE efficient at run-blocking and can catch with run-after ability.  Spielman said last year would have had a Late Day 2 grade, while Ryan Wilson says Rounds 3-4.  Potential to be a red zone monster in the NFL if he continues to grow his game.  Last year Round 4 was where tight ends were drafted and expect the same again in 2025.  Replaces Mo Alie-Cox.   Round 5 Edge/RDE Anton Juncaj (Arkansas) – 2023 College Football FCS All-America Team while at Albany.  2022 PFF grade of 75.1.  2023 final defense grade of 91.3, run defense 87.4, pass rush 90.6 and 68.5 coverage grade and racked up 55 tackles (34 solo), 21.5 TFL, 15 sacks, 3 PD and forced 5 fumbles.  Key matchups against RB Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma St) the Reigning Doak Walker Award Winner from 2023 and projected first rounder LT Kelvin Banks Jr (Texas).   Round 6 Rover/SLB-SAF Justin Barron (Syracuse) - 2023 College Football All-ACC Team.  Defensive Captain. 6’4” 231 pounds had 0.5 sacks, 3 *, 1 FR, 1 INT, and 8 PDs in 2023 (81.4 PFF grade).  In 2022 had 64 tackles and 5 TFLs.  Reminds me of Jaylon Carlies whom the Colts just drafted in Round 5P151.  Key matchup versus Cal and RB Jayden Ott.  WR Eric Singleton Jr (Georgia Tech), WR Kevin Concepcion (NC State), WR-X Ricky White (UNLV), RB Desmond Reid, TE Justin Joly (UConn).  Solid in zone coverage.   Round 7 SS Mishael Powell Miami (FL) – Powell transferred from Washington.  In Week 8 he clocked 21.0 mph.  In 876 snaps in 2023 Powell played 477 in the slot, 165 in the box, and 122 at FS finishing with a strong 73.9 coverage and 69 defensive grades.   Potential UDFAs ·         QB KJ Jefferson (Arkansas) - 2023 PFF TOW 2 honors ·         R3-UDFA RT Jalen Travis (Iowa State) 6’7” 310 pounds - While at Princeton finished with an overall 80.7 PFF Grade and 9th best OT in D1 (89% pass blocking and 75% run blocking grades). – Much like OT Tyler McLellan (Campbell) signed with Chargers, project to UDFA in 2025.  See how he does at Iowa State against better competition as he graded slightly behind Kiran Amegadjie (Yale) who was drafted in Round 3 P11 by the Bears in 2024 NFL draft.  Listed as backup behind Tyler Miller. ·         LT Adam Karas (Air Force) - After 9 weeks Karas has an 83.9 run-blocking grade and an overall PFF grade of 87.4.  Overall, 86.3 PFF grade with just one penalty and 1 QB hurry on 296 total snaps.  Decent height 6’4” ·         RT Josh Fryar (OSU) - 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Honorable Mention.  Fryar finished 2023 with a 70.8 overall PFF grade.  Great height 6’6”.  Finished with a 70.8 PFF grade.  Gave up a team high 5 sacks but did earn a 77.2 run blocking grade and a 71.2 pass blocking grade. ·         LG Rush Reimer (Cal) – In 2023 Reimer earned first-team All-Big Sky Conference at LG with an overall 75.8 PFF Grade (D1-T8) at Montana State.  See how he does against better CFB competition.  Project goes UDFA much like Jake Kubas (7) (NY Giants), Ross Palmer (3), and (2) Donny Ventrelli (Bears).  Could be the next Mason McCormick (6) drafted by the Steelers P119 in the 2024 NFL draft.  Montana State used a lot of Inside Zone runs.  Cal has Reimer listed as backup LT for 2024. ·         RT/OG Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) 6’6” 296 pounds.  Zabel finished 2023 with an overall 79.3 PFF Grade as an OG.  Finished 10th among other listed tackles last season.  As a guard would have been 4th best D1.  Zabel started all 15 games in 2023 with 3 at guard and 12 at RT. ·         RB Harrison Waylee (Wyoming) – In 2023 clocked 21.8 mph in Week 4 T18 fastest player. ·         RB/KR Lan Larison (UC Davis) finished 2023 tied 7th overall FCS RB with an overall 89.2 PFF Grade (R5) in D1.  On 178 carries rushed for 1101 yards scoring 13 TDS while adding two more through the air on 21 REC for 198 yards.  Larison was the 2023 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year.  In 2021 averaged 29.91 yards as a kick returner and 21.9 yards in 2022. ·         SWR/RB/KR/PR Chris Tyree (ND) 4.29s-forty speed excellent 3.95s shuttle (HS) and 38” vertical (HS).  In 2023 Week 9 clocked 21.0 mph. ·         WRX/Z Bo Belquist (North Dakota) 2023 overall 88.6 PFF Grade.  For D1 graded out as one of the top 10 WRs behind Hayden Hatten 86.1 whom the Seahawks added as an UDFA. ·         SWR Jacob De Jesus (UNLV) – best PR/KR #3 in PR and #13 in KR.  De Jesus was a top nomination to win the Jet Award in 2023 who was given to Zachariah Branch (USC). ·         WR-X Dymere Miller (Rutgers) – 2023 College Football FCS All-America Team with Monmouth.  Miller finished as the best receiver (D1) in 2023 with a 92.3 PFF grade (only behind Nabers).  Monmouth ran an inside zone with three different concepts in its base A gap zone.  Also pinched in as a kickoff returner with success (13.67 and 12.5 avgs). ·         WR Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas) – Great Midwest American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and received Honorable Mention All-American.  Strengths are ball tracking, hands, athleticism, 50/50 extraordinaire. ·         LEdge Aaron Lewis (Rutgers) - 2022 PFF Weeks 6 and 12 honors.  A disappointing 2023 season compared to 2022 grading 10 points lower.  (75.9 in 2023 compared to 85.5 in 2022).  Poor run-defense grade of 59.8 but was still an elite pass rusher.  His 91.5 pass-rushing grade since 2022 ranks 10th among all FBS edge defenders and his 18.7% pass-rush win rate places 11th in Power Five.  Needs to improve his run game. ·         Jack OLB/RDE Steve Linton (Baylor) – Linton transferred to Baylor from Texas Tech.  Injury prone, in 2023 suffered a broken thumb in August, sprained ankle in Big 12 opener vs West Virginia, aggravated it the following week then missed the last four games of regular season with back problems.  72% tackling, 88% pass rush, 61% run defense, 72% coverage.  Decent 4.62s-forty speed and 6’5” 235 pounds. ·         NCB Yam Banks (Ole’ Miss) - Made 2022 PFF College All-America Second Team while playing at South Alabama.  For 2024 listed as backup.  In 2022 Banks was a first-team All-Sun Belt pick and third team in 2023.  In 45 games, Banks racked up 147 TOT, 7 INT (6 in 2022 T3 in nation). ·         LCB Tommi Hill (Nebraska) – 4.55s forty speed.  In 2023 had an outstanding QB rating when targeted of 38.6.  With another solid year Hill could move up.  ·         FS Saiku White (Lafayette) - In 2023 White moved from SS to FS and had a career year with a final 2023 defense grade 91.4 best for 2nd, pass rush grade 74.4, a 90.7 coverage grade 4th best, and an 80.7 run defense grade 98th.   Team Captain. Achieved a 3.75 GPA in 2023. ·         LS Byron Floyd (PITT) – Floyds 81.7 grade this season leads all FBS LS.  Of his 41 LS on both punts/kicks only one has been charted as off-target.  Does have ties to Colts new DL coach.  Luke Rhodes, age 32, signed a 4-year contract extension on 09/23.  ·         LS Nick Barcelos (Nevada) - 2023 college football midseason all-America Second Team as a long snapper – Luke Rhodes signed a 4-year extension with the Colts September 8th, 2023.
    • FWIW:   Richardson, who was drafted weighing 244, admitted today on the Pat McAfee show that he played last year at 250 and now weighs 255 which is what he expects to weigh this season. 
    • Larry Allen, Hall of Fame OG/OT, passed today. He is arguably the greatest Offensive Linemen of all-time. He could play right or left Guard or Tackle. He won a SB with the Cowboys in 1995. He is also known for having the NFL bench press record, when he benched 700 pounds down to chest and up once. I am shocked this hasn't been bigger news around the league.    RIP big fella.
    • He didn't  have all his weapons  versus ravens. He has more than enough  weapons  now
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