Evaluating the value of the RB position | Page 5 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Evaluating the value of the RB position

I think I'd rather give Bell that 2 year deal than give Jones that 4 year deal. Still draft a RB.
 
granted we could cut Bell after 1 season, but thats 5 Mil just pissed away if we got him. If we're getting a low end RB in free agency i'd rather Mike Davis or just keep rolling with Gaskins
 
aquabob said:
Couldn’t you argue that MLB has become less important too with the run game becoming less important? A lot of the time, they’re not even on the field anymore with so much nickel and dime defenses. Part of the run efficiency stats you posted include defense too no?
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Depends on the linebacker.

Anyway, in a 3-4 hybrid, which is what we run, MLB is not an accurate descriptor.

You need guys with lateral range, and versatility to cover. The right player, ideally, wouldn't come off the field other than perhaps short yardage situations.

One thing is apparent. We need to upgrade that unit.
 
TheRevoltingBlob said:
I do like them for rotational depth. But we are talking about a 7th rounder and a UDFA. We can attempt to add a superior player without using any of our top picks.

To me it's about priorities. I don't see how you can look at our offensive line and WR play last year and think, this team really needs to prioritize RB. Passing wins games and we don't have the pieces to create an effective passing game right now.

That doesn't mean you can't try to improve the RB position as well. I've already mentioned guys like Kenneth Gainwell and Javonte Williams as guys I would like to target after our first 4 picks. This draft doesn't have a RB I can picture slipping to pick 50, while still being a good value (basically only Harris/Etienne and that's not happening).

We can agree or disagree on the players to target, but I believe we can add a decent RB prospect, while still focusing on fixing our pass game first.
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the priorities part does make sense but the other side of it is how often do you find what looks the part of a starting every down capable rb on day 3 of the draft? Id argue not very often
 
I made a comment in another thread about the cost/value of drafting RBs in the 1st.

First and foremost, only complete 3 down backs merit a first round grade.

Secondly, 3 down backs are truly rare. We simply don't have many examples in today's game.

Third, injury and longevity. You can wreck your entire offensive scheme if you plan around a 3 down back and he gets injured. It's rare to find one 3 down back. Finding 2 to maintain continuity is impossible. However, it is very easy to find a "runner" and "pass blocker/catcher" specialist on the street. Also, the most reasonable expectations for durability are 3 - 5 years. Most won't see their 2nd contract.

Fourth, cost. If you do find one in the draft, by Year 4 you start to creep into the inevitable conundrum; 1) pay top money to keep a guy you expect to get injured or lose productivity in the next 1 - 2 years or 2) hope to find another in the draft. Both have high costs. Do you want to spend big money and hope he doesn't get injured? Or do you want to let him walk, hope to find another and if you don't then be left with an offense tailored to a player you no longer have on your roster?
 
macd123 said:
I also think some of us are underestimating our needs on passing D too.

That's what our success was built on this year but look what happened when McCain left the field and when Byron Jones was injured. Baker is our only LB with range. It still needs work.
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this. Absolutely this. We need more range and playmaking at off ball lb. Id argue that’s a bigger need than any rotational 34 edge fit to pair with van ginkel. And we do need another piece there. We got the edge setting ends with Lawson and ogbah
 
lynx said:
You guys really want Bell? Did you see him play this year? Dude has lost more than a step and is always hurt these days.
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No, I'd just prefer giving out a 2 year smaller deal than a 4 to Jones.
 
hoops said:
the priorities part does make sense but the other side of it is how often do you find what looks the part of a starting every down capable rb on day 3 of the draft? Id argue not very often
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I'm not advocating waiting until day 3. I'm hoping we can get a solid prospect in round 3, but pick #83 could still put us out of range there. It's honestly not until after the combine and the draft projections settle a bit that I'm really focusing on where I actually want to pick a RB.

If we have to, pick #50 is not off the table in my mind. Neither is a trade down from #83. But there is also such a solid possibility that we trade back from #3 pick, that the picks we have could easily change.
 
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**** all this analytics bullshit. You gotta be able to pick up short yardage situations running the ball. We need a RB that can get a yard or two even when the defense is keying on stopping him. That’s old school football 101 and it still matters.
 
This year Super Bowl winner will yet again be a team without a bell cow RB.

I guess Marshawn Lynch with the Hawks was the last team with a bell cow RB that won a super Bowl.
 
Kebo said:
**** all this analytics bullshit. You gotta be able to pick up short yardage situations running the ball. We need a RB that can get a yard or two even when the defense is keying on stopping him. That’s old school football 101 and it still matters.
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Damn, I'm not the only one who still holds that thought? I get all the new age analytics but you can't tell me a RB who can pick up yardage and is a threat to run off big chunks of yardage wouldn't help Tua. Maybe he's not a first rounder but I wouldn't be afraid of a top rb in the early second round. Najee/Williams and a top WR would do wonders for this offense.

And yes. There are booming examples (nice job OP BTW) of late rounders who are awesome. I'm hoping the FA plan lands heavily on the offensive side with WR. Take a stud WR, RB aND an Olineman somewhere and lift this offense up. If you're banking on Tua being what we hope he is...this is crucial.
 
Kebo said:
**** all this analytics bullshit. You gotta be able to pick up short yardage situations running the ball. We need a RB that can get a yard or two even when the defense is keying on stopping him. That’s old school football 101 and it still matters.
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No ones saying it doesnt matter... What they're saying is it doesnt warrant a 1st round pick... You can find these yards after contact guys from the late 2nd all the way to the undrafted market...

Also, given the rookie wage scale you absolutely have to hit on a elite RB in the first because you're going to be paying him as such. Most other positions give you some kind of leeway, ie. If you only get average play from a WR in the top half of the draft, its not all that bad because his rookie contract actually pays him average WR money....

Especially when talking about these short down and distances situations, of the top 10 guys in yards after contact, 6 of them came from the 3rd or later with 2 of them undrafted and the other 4 were drafted in the 2nd round.
 
Kalen Ballage was big, fast and could catch and pass block, he just lacked any vision or ability to brk tackles/make guys miss.

Patrick Laird can catch and pass block.

Your ideal every down back is only worth it if he can actually run the ball.
 
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