Quote:Very first thing needs to be clarified...are you combining two guys? David Johnson is the RB from Northern Iowa, and I have never heard of him as "Duke". Duke Johnson is the RB from Miami, and his first name is Randy.
Yes I was...good catch. I kept thinking it's like Alvin "Bud" Dupree looking around because I haven't seen both of their names used together in any write-up or list. I never did notice what school David was from, so I never caught on that they were two different guys. Thanks for correcting me here or I would have kept on thinking this. Now I have to figure out which one I really like and which one is just the other Johnson.
As it relates, I first noticed the name "Duke" in our RB poll as he had a few votes. David wasn't in the poll. That said, I'm looking at the two things I did notice that caught my eye... 1. His combine results were the 2nd best after Ameer Abdullah. Going back to the site I looked at, they were talking about David. 2. His video flashed a dominant break-out threat RB. The video was of Duke.
So color me still confused. Do I want the guy with the combine stats (David) or the guy who flashes in his highlight videos (Duke)?
I now see Duke's combine stats which I missed because he didn't do many of the drills. He ran an average 4.54, had a paultry 33 1/2" vert, and a decent 121" broad.
Of course it's the tape that matters more, so let me actually look at David's tape since I've been watching only Duke so far...
David's speed flashed big time on film as he's consistently the fastest guy on the field. He strikes me as a guy like Arian Foster from a couple years ago where he likes to make one cut and then he's gone.
Duke strikes me as more of a traditional thoroughbred ready for the pounding of the NFL, but David in intriguing as well with this athleticism. It appears the Northern Iowa RB caught the eyes of scouts with his performance in the senior bowl. Interestingly, David has great hands as he's a former WR.
David is a rather big RB at 6' 1/2", 224 lbs where Duke is a more prototypical 5'9", 207.
As for draft round, I'm seeing Duke mostly as a late second round prospect and David as a mid 3rd round prospect. David clear has potential with his agility, speed and hands, but might his taller, lean frame be an issue? I see David as needing a little more developing. I'm tempted to reserve the 3rd round spot for either wherein we hope that Duke falls, but if he's not there take David.
Still, my ultimate RB pick is getting Abdullah at the top of round two with hopes that Gurley and Gordon will push Ameer out of round one.
Quote:Gurley is the only RB I want in the later rounds. I'd like trae Wayne's, Vic Beasley, or Randy Gregory in the 1st round
In other words, you don't want a RB at all.
One more observation...
David Johnson strikes me as being very similar to Jay Ajayi except that David is faster and can cut.
Quick question: Do any of you envision a scenario where the Jaguars "double up" at the RB position in the draft, i.e. select two RBs?
Would you support such a move?
I think I might, for a couple of reasons.
1. It would give us better depth at the position.
2. It would help protect against the bust factor.
3. It would give us a two back attack and keep runners fresher in the 4th quarter.
Quote:Quick question: Do any of you envision a scenario where the Jaguars "double up" at the RB position in the draft, i.e. select two RBs?
Would you support such a move?
I think I might, for a couple of reasons.
1. It would give us better depth at the position.
2. It would help protect against the bust factor.
3. It would give us a two back attack and keep runners fresher in the 4th quarter.
If they draft two RBs, who do you cut between Gerhart, Denard and Storm? I hope not Storm.
Quote:
So color me still confused. Do I want the guy with the combine stats (David) or the guy who flashes in his highlight videos (Duke)?
David is the one I want. I think he could be really good. I like him straight up better than Melvin Gordon, as I have said a few times on here lately. He doesn't have the top end speed Gordon has, but to me he shows equal acceleration and agility, and better vision, blocking, and receiving ability.
Duke is ok and definitely has his fans, but I am kind of indifferent. Especially if his price tag is as high as some project. I doubt there will ever be a time where I feel he is the best RB on the board, as I imagine worst case scenario he still probably goes off the board ahead of guys I really like, like Cobb and Langston.
If we can grab Duke Johnson in the 3rd round, that's a complete steal. A homerun type back that can also run between the tackles and be effective in the passing game, sign me up.
Quote:Quick question: Do any of you envision a scenario where the Jaguars "double up" at the RB position in the draft, i.e. select two RBs?
Only if the second RB taken is a real late pick or UDFA like Isaiah Crowell was last year.
Quote:Quick question: Do any of you envision a scenario where the Jaguars "double up" at the RB position in the draft, i.e. select two RBs?
Would you support such a move?
I think I might, for a couple of reasons.
1. It would give us better depth at the position.
2. It would help protect against the bust factor.
3. It would give us a two back attack and keep runners fresher in the 4th quarter.
I wouldn't. We still need to build depth in many areas. Toby, Robinson, Storm, and a rookie (round 3 or 4) would be adequate. That would give us depth and a variety of types of back.
Quote:Quick question: Do any of you envision a scenario where the Jaguars "double up" at the RB position in the draft, i.e. select two RBs?
Would you support such a move?
I think I might, for a couple of reasons.
1. It would give us better depth at the position.
2. It would help protect against the bust factor.
3. It would give us a two back attack and keep runners fresher in the 4th quarter.
The only reason for this to happen is if they want to get a fb as well. For example Tyler Varga, he is a RB, but can also play FB.
Watching more and more of the running backs (I was targeting the 2nd round TEs before, but with the signing of Julius, I'm thinking RB could be a target there now). Right now...I have:
1. Gurley - key attribute to me that impresses? His ability to break arm tackles while barely breaking his stride. If he's 100% after the ACL, he's my definite #1. Injury concerns makes me hesitate a bit to pull the trigger on him, especially how deep this class is.
2. Melvin Gordon - I like his acceleration and how he can run in tight spaces. A bit like Charles. We'll need a strong OL IMO if you plan on having him as your #1 RB
3. Ameer Abdullah - Pretty close to Gordon, IMO. I kind of go back and forth between them.
4. David Johnson - good size/speed/agility combo. I'm hoping he'll be there in the 3rd, but his play at the Senior Bowl might prevent that.
Quote:Watching more and more of the running backs (I was targeting the 2nd round TEs before, but with the signing of Julius, I'm thinking RB could be a target there now). Right now...I have:
1. Gurley - key attribute to me that impresses? His ability to break arm tackles while barely breaking his stride. If he's 100% after the ACL, he's my definite #1. Injury concerns makes me hesitate a bit to pull the trigger on him, especially how deep this class is.
2. Melvin Gordon - I like his acceleration and how he can run in tight spaces. A bit like Charles. We'll need a strong OL IMO if you plan on having him as your #1 RB
3. Ameer Abdullah - Pretty close to Gordon, IMO. I kind of go back and forth between them.
4. David Johnson - good size/speed/agility combo. I'm hoping he'll be there in the 3rd, but his play at the Senior Bowl might prevent that.
I think this list is spot on.
Agree completely.
Quote:I think this list is spot on.
Agree completely.
Thanks. And the crazy thing, and it just shows how deep this class is, is that Coleman and Duke are just right behind David Johnson. Then Ajayi. That's 7 running backs that IMO, all have at least a 3rd round grade that could likely be available in the 4th and 5th rounds.
RB extremely deep in this class, probably as deep as WR. "Devaluing" of RB should also ensure someone very good available in second and third rounds.
I started out on the Duke Johnson train, then I moved on to Tevin Coleman. After the Senior Bowl I jumped on the David Johnson train, but lately, after a suggestion from Wolverjag, I looked into Jay Ajayi and now I am firmly behind his selection in Rd 2 because to me he is the closest RB to Marshawn Lynch in terms of running ability as any RB in this draft class.
Would I take Gurley over Ajayi, you betcha, but assuming that Gurley is off the board at Pick 36, I think the Jags will be very happy to land Jay Ajayi of Boise State with their 2nd Rd selection.
The 2nd Rd seems to be where most of the star RB are being drafted. (See Bengals and Steelers.)