Who's On Your Trade Back List?

**DC Raven** · 02-27-2015, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by JCro

Can someone please tell me what the fascination with Marcus peters is? His tape is absolutely dreadful. He's big and has decent speed, that's all I see. He's late on slants, lazy on curls and outs. He offers absolutely nothing in run support, always lets the play come to him instead of attacking.

Good thread idea. just give me best player

Thanks for being willing to say this outright. I've expressed doubts about Peters in other threads and usually people are like "Eh yeah maybe a bit overrated but lots of potential" but what you said is the truth. I see a few good plays, but mostly, his tape looks pretty poor. I have to admit I kind of got hoodwinked because EVERYONE says he's a 1st rounder, but personally I don't see it at all.

I'll be shocked if he goes in the first, the more I think about it. Would love to hear some arguments in his defense if anyone happens to be a big fan.

**The Wizard of OZ** · 02-27-2015, 03:47 PM

There are really only two CB's that I want in this draft. Either Kevin Johnson or Eric Rowe. I'm not saying there are no other good ones because there are other good ones. I just like those two for our style of defense and both seem to have high football IQ. After those two I wouldn't mind Darby, the guy out of Uconn, and JaCorey Shephard as a later round guy.

**JCro** · 02-27-2015, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of OZ

There are really only two CB's that I want in this draft. Either Kevin Johnson or Eric Rowe. I'm not saying there are no other good ones because there are other good ones. I just like those two for our style of defense and both seem to have high football IQ. After those two I wouldn't mind Darby, the guy out of Uconn, and JaCorey Shephard as a later round guy.

I need to watch more of Rowe, he uses his size well, but seems to lack speed to defend the deep ball. I really like Johnson. In my opinion I think PJ williams is the best guy I've watched so far( still need to watch Wayne's). He has incredible football IQ, excellent pursuit and effort in run support. Lacks speed on crossing and deep routes, but shows great positioning on said plays. Rollins is also a guy worth thinking about once he falls, he does not do anything particularly well, BUT his athleticism is off the charts, and makes some splash plays. You can tell he very close to putting it all together.

**JCro** · 02-27-2015, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by DC Raven

Thanks for being willing to say this outright. I've expressed doubts about Peters in other threads and usually people are like "Eh yeah maybe a bit overrated but lots of potential" but what you said is the truth. I see a few good plays, but mostly, his tape looks pretty poor. I have to admit I kind of got hoodwinked because EVERYONE says he's a 1st rounder, but personally I don't see it at all.

I'll be shocked if he goes in the first, the more I think about it. Would love to hear some arguments in his defense if anyone happens to be a big fan.

The best term I can think of to describe him is soft. He is not willing to go up and make the tackle, or arm fight with the receiver. For a guy that everyone is touting a man to man specialist he hardly plays press. He comes off to me as an arrogant player who thinks he is better than he is. Clapping and talking before plays, then proceeds to get beat. No where near a first round talent. But I will watch more tape to verify these thoughts. Thanks for the support lol

**BcRaven** · 02-28-2015, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by ravensintennessee

I've been thinking about this RB in the first round question. I wanted some facts.

2010: 3 RBs in first round
2011: 1 RB in first round
2012: 3 RBs in first round (Richardson 3rd overall)
2013: 0 RBs in first round (5 in second, beginning at pick 37)
2014: 0 RBs in first round (3 in second, beginning at 55)

Personally I think the demise of the RB is a bit exaggerated--I think seeing that there were 7 drafted in the first round the past 5 years (admittedly none the past two years) somewhat backs up the thought that RBs are still very important.

I think one main explanation for 2013 and 2014 is the talent of the backs we're talking about. I'd argue that Gordon and Gurley (injury aside for now) are better prospects than Bernard, Bell, Ball, Lacy, Michael ('13) and Sankey, Hill and Hyde ('14).

I mean, Bell and Lacy (and seemingly Hill) are obviously premier backs in the NFL now, and all of these guys looked good coming out, but Gordon and Gurley are special, and look at least as good, if not better than most/all of these past second round backs...(people have talked about Gordon being better than Ball and other past Wisconsin backs)....i'm talking about as prospects, not that they're guaranteed to be better NFL backs.

Gurley's injury is definitely concerning, so I understand his stock being affected. But the blanket statement that "RBs aren't first round picks anymore" seems a bit foolish...I think the success of the Lacys and Bells of the world will actually re-establish the importance of the position, and make teams more comfortable taking these game-changers higher. Not to mention teams envious of what Marshawn Lynch brings to a team with what is perceived as an average passing offense (copycat league).

I'm pretty sure Gordon and maybe Gurley will go first round so that would be 8 or 9 first round backs in 6 years....not a ton, but to say that first round pick (especially a later round, like 26) would be wasted on a guy like these two is kind of short-changing the process.

Are RBs as important as they once were? No. Is passing rampantly becoming more important? Yes. Are scheme and the offensive line basically crucial to a RB's success? Of course. But as has been said, these backs touch the ball 20+ times a game, and need to be dynamic. Especially if they can pass protect and catch the football, they become essential cogs.

While it seems like backs are interchangeable, Baltimore is still about running the ball, and to see our pick at 26 be Gordon shouldn't infuriate everybody. It's not even what I want to happen (there will be tremendous value in the 2-3 rounds because I see this RB class as quite deep amongst the top ten backs), I'm just saying it's not as crazy as some think.

IMO you actually defeated your own opinion by stating that no RBs were taken in the 1st round over the last two drafts. Last year, the first RB was selected @ #55, nearly the end of the 2nd round. What are you trying to tell us that we do not know? ... Bc

**JayRedE** · 02-28-2015, 12:04 PM

Here's the breakdown of # of RBs selected by round since the NFL went to 7 rounds. The data is from Pro-football Reference. The two years in a row of no RBs is a significant swing; part of it's probably due to the level of prospects, but it's still a big swing. Even before '94 there has been at least two RBs taken in the 1st round since '65 even with fewer teams and before that it's more of a change in terminology.

RB Graph.jpg

**Sarcasticfury** · 02-28-2015, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by JayRedE

Here's the breakdown of # of RBs selected by round since the NFL went to 7 rounds. The data is from Pro-football Reference. The two years in a row of no RBs is a significant swing; part of it's probably due to the level of prospects, but it's still a big swing. Even before '94 there has been at least two RBs taken in the 1st round since '65 even with fewer teams and before that it's more of a change in terminology.

RB Graph.jpg

Part of it is also due to the fact that 1. RBs are a dime a dozen, 2. It's a passing league now, and 3. There's no need to draft an RB in the first anymore, especially considering that a first round RB hasn't panned out since 2007.

**JCro** · 02-28-2015, 12:24 PM

Jesus we get it no running backs were taken in the first round the last two years. That has no bearing on what will happen this year or in the future. If RB is the best player on the board Ozzie will take him or trade back.

This is a solid class of backs that can be had in the middle rounds. But If you can get a guy that will be a stud for the next four years you take him. You have to calculate the value of the other guys on the board and if you can replace the potential production by committee and take the best player at a different position then you do that. Rb will only be the Ravens first pick if they trade down, and Gordon or Gurley are still on the board period

**JCro** · 02-28-2015, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sarcasticfury

Part of it is also due to the fact that 1. RBs are a dime a dozen, 2. It's a passing league now, and 3. There's no need to draft an RB in the first anymore, especially considering that a first round RB hasn't panned out since 2007.

Beat me to it lol. Teams have learned that you can find value in round two and later. Ray rice, McCoy, lacy etc. All of those guys could have been first round picks and no one would scoff at their value or production, but like you said there are a half dozen guys in any given draft that can be productive starters. teams have to evaluate RB1 and see if they can match his potential prosuction with RB4 and a cut vet etc. And take the best player at a different position, one that is harder to hit on. Like a CB or edge rusher etc.