Quote:
Originally Posted by popanot
I would not be upset at all if they took Elliott at #22. IMO, RB is the 2nd highest need on this team. I just think if the draft fell that way (and hypothetically the QBs were gone), I'd take the LT/RT/OL over the RB and gamble that I'd find the RB in the later rounds. And as for RB, I think Foster is gone next year, and despite how well Blue played at the end, I don't think he's the answer. I think we're all in agreement this team needs a serious infusion of talent at at least 3 of the 4 offensive skill positions. Elliott would be nice to have, for sure.
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I agree completely with this thinking. It honestly seems like there are 10 guys in the world who can play QB, about 25 who can really rush the passer, and about 200 who can play RB. The Steelers signed a few guys off the street and they were tough last week.
Since 200 guys can run the ball, at RB I can only see paying anything (in $$$ or draft picks) for 3 qualities
(1) Home Run ability. If a guy can break long ones it changes everything. You don't need to perfectly execute a dozen plays in a row to score. This is doubly valuable when you don't have a big time QB converting 3rd downs. The same is true for a WR. Value $$$
(2) A passing game weapon at RB. I don't just mean a guy who catches the ball well. I mean a guy who is a matchup problem and keeps the other team from rushing LBs/Safeties because they are afraid of what he can do out of the backfield. A guy who can split out or go to the slot and actually win 1 on 1s. A guy who picks up the blitz. A guy whose presence on the field gives the defense no indicator because he is equally valuable running and catching (Foster last year for us, healthy Leveon Bell). A complete TE compromises the defense in the same way because he is equally valuable in passing or running situations and gives the defense no pre snap indicator. I wouldn't go TE in the 1st unless he is going to block enough to punish a nickel/dime defense and be a true weapon catching it. Value $$$
(3) Short Yardage ability. Self-explanatory. Value $
If a guy has all 3 qualities and is a monster on regular running plays, I don't mind spending a low 1st. I think the low value of RBs makes guys like this a little undervalued by association. If he doesn't have all 3 I don't even consider spending a 3rd no matter how good a pure runner he is.