Running back in the first round

[Bhcforlife]

I dont see the value in to take any RB in the first round. Is Gurley/ Gordon good enough you would draft them in the first over a potential day one starter at WR, CB or pass rusher? Tali will be eating up carries this year... Id rather draft Yeldon in the 3rd or 4th, and pick up a WR, CB and DLineman in the first 3 picks...

I just dont see the value or need for RB in the FIRST round

I wouldn't take either guy over a day-one starter at CB or WR, but I don't think there is going to be that kind of guy at either position at 26. Certainly not at CB.

[ravenjoe]

... but I wanted to get the pulse of the board on taking Gurley or Gordon in the first round..

Also, while we're on the topic I'll pose one more question: which of the two (if you were forced to take one) would you prefer?

I am 100% in favor of picking one of these two backs in the first round, if Oz et.al. are also in favor of doing same! Regarding the latter question, I really like Gurley!

I am hoping for either a running back, or pass rushing specialist/CB in the first round.

[BcRaven]

I dont see the value in to take any RB in the first round. Is Gurley/ Gordon good enough you would draft them in the first over a potential day one starter at WR, CB or pass rusher? Tali will be eating up carries this year... Id rather draft Yeldon in the 3rd or 4th, and pick up a WR, CB and DLineman in the first 3 picks...

I just dont see the value or need for RB in the FIRST round

I am 100% in your camp on this. If I had my druthers, all things being equal, CB would be the way to go in round #1. We need another Jimmy Smith type, and there is depth @ WR and RB that can be tapped later on... Bc

[Ravenous1]

I am 100% in your camp on this. If I had my druthers, all things being equal, CB would be the way to go in round #1. We need another Jimmy Smith type, and there is depth @ WR and RB that can be tapped later on... Bc

I am down with that approach. All things being equal I would even rather take a DL guy than a RB in the first if the value is there. With that said though I think I would much rather take Gordon or Gurley than reach for a guy at CB, WR or TE simply because it fills a need IMO.

I know that there are good backs to be had in the mid to late rounds but if that easy to pick up a LeVeon Bell or McCoy, or Murray then everyone would be sporting a guy like that. If your scouting report tells you that either Gurley or Gordon can be that type of impact player then you have to at least consider it. If your scouting says they are good but not in that ultra-elite category then you do not make the pick.

[HbgPARavenfan]

I wouldn't take either guy over a day-one starter at CB or WR, but I don't think there is going to be that kind of guy at either position at 26. Certainly not at CB.

I think there are a few WR that could come in and start day one over our current core,

CB not so much

Pass rusher- would at least get game time action like Jernnigan did.... Plus suggs and doom are more likely to trend down than up in the near future

[JimZipCode]

On another note, Thomas Hammock was present today at Tevin Coleman's pro day.

Love Tevin Coleman, since I read that piece by Tanier about him playing in pain from a broken bone in his foot, the last 7 games of the season:

http://forum.russellstreetreport.com...-a-broken-foot

Gurley if he's there in the first; else corner / pass-rusher in the first and Coleman in the second.

[PerpetuallyBored74]

That doesn't really bother me. These guys are getting more snaps and more tread on their tires than most NFL backs. They are putting up numbers NFL backs are trying to reach. So this does not bother me. Gordon rushed for over 2500 yards last year. He's not going to do that in the NFL and he's not going to have as many carries per game. At most teams are going to run 30 run plays per game and most teams using a two back system those carries are going to be split between two backs. Gordon had six games alone last year where he had over 25 carries. In comparison to Forsett for instance, Forsett did not have one game where he had over 25 carries. In the NFL you run a guy into the ground doing that. Forsett finished last season with 235 carries. Gordon had 343 carries, which is over 100 more opportunities. The fact that they are carrying the football more = more fumble opportunities.

Now you take a guy like Ameer Abdullah and there is a reason why his fumble rate is much lower. His carries are very similar in number to Forsett. Last year he had 264 carries, which is much closer to Forsett, than a guy like Gordon. Abdullah had only one game over 25 carries.

Jay Ajayi, had 347 carries last season, which is very similar to Gordon.
That chart doesn't scare me one bit about taking a game changing HB in the first round.

You misread the chart.
The smaller numbers at the top means that the RB fumbled more often--those are the number of touches per fumble. So, Abdullah, then Hilliard, then Gordon fumbled the most. Gurley is actually very impressive here with how rarely he fumbles, though he can't compare to Malcolm Brown who must secrete glue from his palms because those hands are sticky.

[Bigfish]

I don't understand not placing value on the offensive position as important as any past the QB. A good back is going to get 1,400 yards rushing and another 400 or so receiving. He's also an important part of protecting the QB and as an outlet receiver. He'll be responsible for more offensive yardage than any receiver while provided QB protection.

Forsett is a good back, but he's not an every down back. The Pats playoff game he was out of the game on the last drive, we had abandoned the run although there was plenty of time on the clock. Why? He had the highest number of carries that he had all year, he was gassed.

It won't bother me if we don't get one in the first round, but I'd be very happy if Gurley falls to us. Past that, there are other interesting prospects in the latter rounds.

[rhapsody]

Love Tevin Coleman, since I read that piece by Tanier about him playing in pain from a broken bone in his foot, the last 7 games of the season:

http://forum.russellstreetreport.com...-a-broken-foot

Gurley if he's there in the first; else corner / pass-rusher in the first and Coleman in the second.

This looks like a good way to go to me, too. I'll trust the Ravens to make the call on Gurley's health.

[The Wizard of OZ]

I don't understand not placing value on the offensive position as important as any past the QB. A good back is going to get 1,400 yards rushing and another 400 or so receiving. He's also an important part of protecting the QB and as an outlet receiver. He'll be responsible for more offensive yardage than any receiver while provided QB protection.

Forsett is a good back, but he's not an every down back. The Pats playoff game he was out of the game on the last drive, we had abandoned the run although there was plenty of time on the clock. Why? He had the highest number of carries that he had all year, he was gassed.

It won't bother me if we don't get one in the first round, but I'd be very happy if Gurley falls to us. Past that, there are other interesting prospects in the latter rounds.

Agreed. I can understand if people say I don't WANT a RB in the first round. But that's different than whether the guy is the best value at where we pick.

[GaTechRavens]

They don't have a top 10 pick. The "elite" corners / pass rushers will be gone by #26. Like you said...those things fly off the shelves. Not all first rounders are the same.

You'd think the Ravens have had enough great 26th picks to make people realize they can still get an elite player there...but I guess not.

[The Wizard of OZ]

Love Tevin Coleman, since I read that piece by Tanier about him playing in pain from a broken bone in his foot, the last 7 games of the season:

http://forum.russellstreetreport.com...-a-broken-foot

Gurley if he's there in the first; else corner / pass-rusher in the first and Coleman in the second.

Coleman won't be there at 58.