(10-02-2024, 08:17 AM)rfc17 Wrote: I had hoped Etienne would be this multi purpose open space back similar to Kamara. Which would have justified his first round status. But he just isn't that. It is a risk taking a RB first round as typically the value doesnt make sense. It appears that risk didn't pay off unfortunately.

Mehhhh. I'll agree on the lack of net return value wise in picking a RB in the first round. However, Etienne was on a good pace last year behind CMC and he didn't have NEAR the luxury of playing on a stacked offense with an above average offensive line while racking up his yardage. 

He has fallen a little short of my expectations overall though. I was hoping to see him also turn into a Kamara type. It just doesn't seem like that will happen. They've tried getting him involved this year in the passing game. He did have a slip in the back of the endzone that could have been a TD pass to him against Cleveland. 

If Lawrence hits him on that 3rd and 1 under pressure in Houston that's another decent gain and maybe we're not either using him enough to be fair in the passing game or Lawrence is just more concerned with chunk plays downfield Vs. taking the layups to him underneath. 

It is something to watch moving forward though. Been wanting to see more split backfield stuff with him and Bigsby for this very reason. To help give Lawrence an option in the passing game. He needs a safety valve with Engram still out. Maybe more screens could be called as well. We'll see.

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