2020 NFL Draft/Offseason thread

[MrNubbz]

RB has become such a devalued position, it’s such a passing league now and most teams do it by committee- that it honestly just doesn’t make sense to take a RB in the 1st round anymore unless that guy is like a Zeke Elliot, Gurley, Barkley level player imo. Swift isn’t in that class imo. Taylor might be- which is why I think he’ll probably be a 1st rounder.

That could be changing,remember listening to Florio & Sims awhile back.Defenses have been adjusting to faster,lighter player to counter spreads,HUNH and the like.Coordinators turning/countering to Henry/Chubb/Elliot/McCaffrey hitting what they believe to be a softer underbelly.I'd definately take Taylor in the 1st.Unless if your OL is so pathetic it wouldn't make a difference

[OrangeAfroMan]

Best line in those links:
He often had to make chicken salad out of chicken poop.

[Cincydawg]

I haven’t seen any mocks yet projecting Swift going ahead of Jonathan Taylor.

Every projection I've bothered to glance at has Swift going first, hence my question.  He's generally considered 4th or 5th or so best in CFB.

So, why?

[OrangeAfroMan]

Tread life?
JT:  926 carries
DS: 440 carries

[ELA]

Tread life?
JT:  926 carries
DS: 440 carries

Yeah, I think so.  I think combination of work load and Wisconsin OL, people have become slightly wary of Badger backs in the NFL.  Off the top of my head, have any other than Melvin Gordon panned out?

[Cincydawg]

Could be, I don't see the "experts" citing that factor:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2878405-nfl-draft-2020-where-dandre-swift-top-rbs-are-being-selected-in-mocks

So, it's a little jarring to see Miller, Kiper and Brooks all in agreement on not only which running back goes first, but where the player will land. All three have Georgia's D'Andre Swift joining the Miami Dolphins at pick 26.
"Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Miami Dolphins in rushing in 2019," Miller noted. "A 37-year-old quarterback led an NFL team in rushing. That's all you need to know when you look at the selection of D'Andre Swift."
Swift is a three-down back, and Kiper gave him a higher grade than Josh Jacobs (last draft's top running back at pick 24) had last season. Swift, who totaled 1,434 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns this past season, actually occupies the 14th spot on Miller's big board, but team needs and NFL opinions on the position could push Swift to the back end of the opening round.

[bayareabadger]

Yeah, I think so.  I think combination of work load and Wisconsin OL, people have become slightly wary of Badger backs in the NFL.  Off the top of my head, have any other than Melvin Gordon panned out?

James White? 

Michael Bennett was OK for a few year. 

[Cincydawg]

Is this "being a three down back" more important in the NFL than in college ball?

I would think being able to rotate backs is a good thing.  

[FearlessF]

I don't think so

a 3 down back is valuable in NCAA and NFL

[OrangeAfroMan]

A 3-down back means two things:
1 - he's capable of picking up the blitz AND catching the ball out of the backfield, and
2 - your starting RB is that much better than the backup
.
Rotating backs means one thing, but can be good or bad:
1 - your top 2 RBs are of similar quality and/or have complementary skills
a) good:  we have a really good backup
b) bad:  our starting RB isn't all that good

[OrangeAfroMan]

If Taylor loses a point for having the Wisconsin OL, so should Swift.  UGA had what many consider the best OL in the country.

[FearlessF]

rotating another back in on 3rd down can mean he's much better at catching the ball or running screens or just getting to the edge

1st/2nd down backs run between the tackles better

[MrNubbz]

rotating another back in on 3rd down can mean he's much better at catching the ball or running screens or just getting to the edge

Or just a deception so the defense will be looking for him/that

[betarhoalphadelta]

Yeah, I think so.  I think combination of work load and Wisconsin OL, people have become slightly wary of Badger backs in the NFL.  Off the top of my head, have any other than Melvin Gordon panned out?

Even Gordon doesn't have the best reputation in the NFL, due to low career ypc numbers.