2024 RB Watch

Where's the camel?

And here I was thinking
Darren McFaddenTodd Gurley
Leonard Fournette
Saquon BarkleyBijan Robinson
were all "the next AP". Always a fun annual chuckle when some pundit makes this statement. Been about 20 years, has yet to come remotely close to being true.

@"pattersaur" said:

And here I was thinking Darren McFaddenTodd Gurley Leonard Fournette Saquon BarkleyBijan Robinson were all "the next AP". Always a fun annual chuckle when some pundit makes this statement. Been about 20 years, has yet to come remotely close to being true.

There will never be another AP (or AD, depending on your preference). And I don't think I've heard anyone make that comparison. I'm just saying the galloping nature of Benson's open field run style is similar. It's not common to see 6-1, 220 lb humans run that fast. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

And here I was thinking Darren McFaddenTodd Gurley Leonard Fournette Saquon BarkleyBijan Robinson were all "the next AP". Always a fun annual chuckle when some pundit makes this statement. Been about 20 years, has yet to come remotely close to being true.

There will never be another AP (or AD, depending on your preference). And I don't think I've heard anyone make that comparison. I'm just saying the galloping nature of Benson's open field run style is similar. It's not common to see 6-1, 220 lb humans run that fast. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

And here I was thinking Darren McFaddenTodd Gurley Leonard Fournette Saquon BarkleyBijan Robinson were all "the next AP". Always a fun annual chuckle when some pundit makes this statement. Been about 20 years, has yet to come remotely close to being true.

There will never be another AP (or AD, depending on your preference). And I don't think I've heard anyone make that comparison. I'm just saying the galloping nature of Benson's open field run style is similar. It's not common to see 6-1, 220 lb humans run that fast. 

We won't be spending high draft capital on RB.

@"mgobluevikes" said: We won't be spending high draft capital on RB.

Unless they try another all in and kick some major cap cans,  RB shouldn't even be in the top half of players to take on their draft boards.  Too short of careers and too easy ro find in free agency.

@"kmillard" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

And here I was thinking Darren McFaddenTodd Gurley Leonard Fournette Saquon BarkleyBijan Robinson were all "the next AP". Always a fun annual chuckle when some pundit makes this statement. Been about 20 years, has yet to come remotely close to being true.

There will never be another AP (or AD, depending on your preference). And I don't think I've heard anyone make that comparison. I'm just saying the galloping nature of Benson's open field run style is similar. It's not common to see 6-1, 220 lb humans run that fast. 

I haven't really scouted RBs this year. Can he catch the ball at all?

Blake Corum??MINNESOTA VIKINGSThe Vikings are entering the offseason with a fairly sizable need at running back. Kevin O'Connell's offense struggled to move the ball effectively on the ground throughout the 2023 campaign. The Vikings averaged a 29th-ranked 90.7 rushing yards per game.
Alexander Mattison, who averaged a measly 3.9 yards per carry, led the Vikings in rushing with 700 yards. The Vikings scored a league-low seven rushing touchdowns. Corum scored nearly four times the amount of touchdowns at Michigan last season.
Midseason acquisition Cam Akers is an unrestricted free agent. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is sorting through decisions at quarterback while also preparing to sign Justin Jefferson to a record-breaking extension. Adding Corum on a four-year, cost-controlled contract should appeal to the Vikings
https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2024/02/15/blake-corum-nfl-draft-fits#google_vignette

A couple guys I really like who will likely be available in that 3rd or 4th round range is Will Shipley and Audric Estime. Shipley is shifty, has burst, and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Has some Christian McCaffrey to him. Was a top recruit and is a 21 year old true junior. Very productive at Clemson. 

Estimate is a true power, move the chains type with surprising burst for a 230+ pound back. I was always surprised when he ran because he was always trucking forward and I never saw him moved or hit backwards. He would just wear teams down and seemed to get stronger as games went on..

@"purplefaithful" said: Blake Corum??MINNESOTA VIKINGSThe Vikings are entering the offseason with a fairly sizable need at running back. Kevin O'Connell's offense struggled to move the ball effectively on the ground throughout the 2023 campaign. The Vikings averaged a 29th-ranked 90.7 rushing yards per game. Alexander Mattison, who averaged a measly 3.9 yards per carry, led the Vikings in rushing with 700 yards. The Vikings scored a league-low seven rushing touchdowns. Corum scored nearly four times the amount of touchdowns at Michigan last season. Midseason acquisition Cam Akers is an unrestricted free agent. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is sorting through decisions at quarterback while also preparing to sign Justin Jefferson to a record-breaking extension. Adding Corum on a four-year, cost-controlled contract should appeal to the Vikings https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2024/02/15/blake-corum-nfl-draft-fits#google_vignette

Not a huge Corum fan, but the Vikings are definitely going to add a RB. I kinda think if they keep Cousins, they use one of the 4th rounders on a back. If they don't keep Cousins, I think they go get one of Henry, Barkley, Pollard, Jacobs or Ekeler. And yes, I still love Chandler, but Matty just doesn't have it. 

@"supafreak84" said: https://youtu.be/Hw61zxHz5g8?si=SXO6Leq4uW8mcZjR

Estime was the 1st back I watched. Vikings haven't had a big back since Matt Asiata, and could use some beef in short yardage. 

Chandler was the best back at the start of last year and still is. That’s why he averaged 4.5 per and was far superior to the rest. 

Will he get play time? Probably not. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said: https://youtu.be/Hw61zxHz5g8?si=SXO6Leq4uW8mcZjR

Estime was the 1st back I watched. Vikings haven't had a big back since Matt Asiata, and could use some beef in short yardage. 

This kid got some raves during Shrine week so I watched a bit of him around that time. Transferred from Wisconsin and spent last year in a two-back rotation at Louisville. Probably not day one or two. He's not even listed on many draft sites. But that's about to change I think. A former receiver (35 lbs ago), he can run routes and catch the ball too.