Official 2017 NFL Draft Thread

D'Onta Foreman ran a 4.45 40 at his Texas pro day today. Weighing 237 lbs. No RB over 230 lbs has run that fast in the last 14 years. I think a 4.45 40 would have been top 4 for all RB's at the combine. 

Foreman is a load, and like Lacy he doesn't have a lot of wear on the legs. Used little until last season.

I like Foreman, he's totally unproven in pass pro or as a receiver, but he's a great ball carrier. If he's available in round 2 he'd be hard to pass up.

Was being projected as a 4th rounder, but his stock just went up

Foreman would be really hard to pass up at the end of round 2. 

I like Foreman but would rather use the second rounder elsewhere.  Just have the feeling there will still be good CB or OLB candidates (whatever Ted doesn't take in round one) available at the end of round two and RB quality should be good enough late in round four and five where I'd rather wait and grab one in that area.

Again, I like Foreman but (1) he's a fumbler (2) only caught 13 passes while at Texas (3) has a very poor reputation when it comes to blocking.  All things that may be correctable or a function of how he was used in the Texas offense...so those things aren't major concerns for me...but just some factors why I'd pass, go with bigger need areas and be content to pick a running back (or maybe running backs) later.

Grave Digger posted:

The question is why did Fournette fall? Rodgers fell because of Tedford Curse fears and stupidity, if a guy like Fournette fell you would assume it's injury related (long term damage potential) or character related (pending legal issues). Do you want to take on a RB who may be done in a couple years or may be suspended for 8-16 games? Probably not. If he falls for seemingly no reason then it's a no brainer...you have 2 starters at OLB and 0 starters at RB and he's a Bo Jackson level talent. 

Bo Jackson is a stretch, I'd say maybe Jamal Lewis but say they have him rated a notch below that as a faster Shaun Alexander or Jamal Anderson? That's still a top back,  but not transcendent.

Bo Jackson won Alabama state decathlon twice in high school. Both years he didn't even compete in the final event. The 1,500 meter because his lead was out of reach. 

"Distance is the only think I hate about track. And you can't catch me in 100 yards or throw me out in 90 feet" 

He set state records in the high jump and triple jump. 

Yes. Bo Jackson comparison is a stretch. 

Bo, none better. 

Damn AVN

Fournette ran a 4.51 40 at 240 lbs., that's pretty outstanding. He was also a T&F star in high school. No he's not a uniquely ridiculous athlete like Bo, none are, but he and Adrian Peterson are 1a and 1b in terms of the best RB prospects of the last 20 years. Comparing him to Shaun Alexander or Jamal Anderson is ridiculous, Fournette is a special talent. 

Agree that Fournette is the best running back prospect since Peterson but I think he's just a notch below what Peterson was.  I'd throw need out the window and take him at #29 if available, but he's the only running back I'd take in the first two rounds when looking at Green Bay's situation.  But Fournette won't make it to #29, really shouldn't make it out of the top 10. 

Would you take Cook at 29 if there? 

Agreed. If Fournette is at 29 then there is something really wrong with him that scared off every team before. 

Cook would be hard to pass, but as it's been pointed out his character issues are tough to get past. Some are bad, some are just immature, is he truly a bad guy or just easily influenced by a bad crew? His talent is ridiculous though, he's a true 3 down back. If the dropoff between Cook and the next guy available is dramatic then I would take him, but it's hard to imagine there won't be a player there at 29 that would make this a non-issue. 

Grave Digger posted:

Fournette ran a 4.51 40 at 240 lbs., that's pretty outstanding. He was also a T&F star in high school. No he's not a uniquely ridiculous athlete like Bo, none are, but he and Adrian Peterson are 1a and 1b in terms of the best RB prospects of the last 20 years. Comparing him to Shaun Alexander or Jamal Anderson is ridiculous, Fournette is a special talent. 

Which is why I compared him to Jamal Lewis, who was a 245# fast, do-it-all back, though Lewis was probably more versatile as a blocker/receiver. That passing game attributes (aside from medical/character) are about all that could cause teams to move him down a notch IMO. He's probably not the runner Peterson was, but he's more versatile that Peterson, but then so's a petrified tree stump. 

BTW a faster/better Shaun Alexander isn't a knock. That five-year stretch is rather impressive. 

FLPACKER posted:

Would you take Cook at 29 if there? 

No

If they pick any RB that isn't named Fournette in the first two rounds I'm going to kick all of you clowns in the nuts.  They just signed a huge weapon at TE and this offense is already potent.  I'd be seriously pissed if TT wasn't giving The Wizard all the talent he is missing hence the reason why it's not his fault.

This article has a good discussion of the RB choices and how all of them might fall out of the first round.

https://theringer.com/ringer-n...rsion-2-6917921551d6

Teams must ask themselves: Does a two-down back like Fournette — a power runner who’s not going to give you a whole lot in the passing game — warrant a first-round pick? Is it worth taking an early chance on Cook, a proven playmaker with multiple off-field incidents in his past and two surgically repaired shoulders who measured out in the ninth percentile as an athlete at the combine? Can someone afford to take McCaffrey in the first knowing that he’s not likely to be a three-down sustainer between the tackles?

The trouble for the Packers is that the pass blocking skills of the RB are almost as important as the running ability. If the guy is no threat in the passing game (as Fournette apparently is not) and doesn't pass block well, he's not a high volume guy for GB. Fournette is the type of guy that can get 4 yards when it's blocked for 2 yards (like pre-whale Lacy) and that will be key for GB after jettisoning Sitton and Lang. It will be an interesting choice for TT if he falls that far.

Cook seems like the type of guy that needs a good OL in front of him to be successful. The Packers OTs are as good of pass blockers as there are in the NFL, but they aren't dominant run blockers and we'll be satisfied if the guards are adequate at this point.

McCaffrey seems like a better college version of Ty Montgomery. Interesting, Monty is a much bigger guy which I wouldn't have guessed (3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier). If you have concerns over Monty holding up physically, those are magnified with McCaffrey.

In the end, as a typical uninformed fan, I probably take Fournette if he's there but pass on the other two.

Redding was the top SPARQ RB?  Man, I did not see that on the field.  

MP's take makes the most sense simply from a backfield personnel point of view.  Eddie was pretty solid on most fronts (still wish they'd have given him a one year deal).  Given Monty's size and a full offseason/TC at RB I really think his blocking skills will improve making him a more complete RB.  It doesn't mean they don't need another back but using a high pick on a RB just seems asinine.

Henry posted:

If they pick any RB that isn't named Fournette in the first two rounds I'm going to kick all of you clowns in the nuts.  They just signed a huge weapon at TE and this offense is already potent.  I'd be seriously pissed if TT wasn't giving The Wizard all the talent he is missing hence the reason why it's not his fault.

I've held that opinion for years and TT has played along.   It hasn't worked.   I'm ready to jump ship and say just draft to your scouting strengths.   Offense, offense and more offense.   54 to 45 is still a win. 

Not if it is the other team scoring 54.

If Ted takes a RB in the first few rounds because he thinks he's the BPA, its not asinine. Even though RB isn't the biggest need on the current roster, hitting on a BPA RB is better than picking a Justin Harrell, Jerel Worthy, Pat Lee, Mike Neal, Derek Sherrod, Datone Jones, etc....just cause they are at a position of greater need doesn't make it a better pick. 

Bottom line : get 3 or 4 good Football players in the draft. 

Agree, I would not bat an eye if Ted takes a RB fairly early, I just don't see it in the first round.  Second or third is not out of the question.  

Ted needs a 10-12 sack guy that brings consistent pressure and energy in round 1. Lots to like about Daniels, Clark, RJF inside. Got to build a defense inside out with a front 7 that's interchangeable with playmakers.

Watt makes a lot of sense. Endless energy that this defense needs. Reddick could be there at 29. 

Rush with four. Block with five. Win turnover differential. Have more explosive plays. That's football. 

Find the right edge guy on defense in round 1 and you potentially swing 3 of those in your favor. 

Sleeper pick. Tarell Basham. Super high character & effort Alpha dog on defense. He's going to be a good one. 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/...ll-basham?id=2558165

Shhhhhhhhhhh. 

Packdog posted:

 hitting on a BPA RB is better than picking a Justin Harrell, Jerel Worthy, Pat Lee, Mike Neal, Derek Sherrod, Datone Jones, etc....

Guh.  Point taken.

It's a good year for RBs and I would be surprised if TT took one early (first two rounds).  Still, I think they need to draft one as Monty isn't an every down guy and his injury history would suggest you might want to draft two backs just to be sure. 

Sherrod was **** happens. I think he could have been good. 

The very best thing I can say about Mike Neal is Ted gave him an extension that he refused to give Datone. So it's not like Ted isn't admitting he ****ed up. I love seeing Ted swing the machete on picks that he thinks need to be better. 

Ted is capable of damned near anything in this draft. 

Possibly pick up Utah RB Joe Williams or someone similar later in the draft if he checks out and seems committed to the game. I don't follow the draft that closely so I don't have any idea when he's projected to go. Maybe he'll end up being an UDFA and could be the 2nd back drafted/signed if they decide to bring 2 to camp.

I think we could get Williams as late as the 6th round. It was reported that he has met with the Packers. 

Tarrell Basham under Weaknesses in the above link:

"Leaves his hands at home rather than turning them into weapons of victory."

'weapons of victory' - wtf...

author:  Lance Zierlein is a sports talk show host on KMBE 790 AM in Houston, Texas. He formerly hosted sports talk shows on KILT 610 and KGOW 1560 AM in Houston, Texas.

ah, that explains it - a bull****ter, and a texas one at that.

I like this kid, borderline 2nd - 3rd rounds:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/...ek-rivers?id=2558040

Tdog posted:

"Leaves his hands at home rather than turning them into weapons of victory."

Not this guy

More like the Lodi Grope Festival

Nothing wrong with grabbing a little nip. 

I don't see any of these guys falling to #29 except McCaffrey and I don't see TT using a 1st round pick on a RB.  

https://nflspinzone.com/2017/0...targets-first-round/

One guy rumored to possibly slide a bit is Derrick Barnett, but I don't see it. If he did, he'd be a great pick even though he'd fit in Perry's profile. 

Packy posted:

I don't see any of these guys falling to #29 except McCaffrey and I don't see TT using a 1st round pick on a RB.  

https://nflspinzone.com/2017/0...targets-first-round/

Joe Mixon, possibly the best back in thr draft may be available in the 3rd round, he will be taken eventually, by someone.....just sayin.

Pikes Peak posted:

Packy posted:

I don't see any of these guys falling to #29 except McCaffrey and I don't see TT using a 1st round pick on a RB.  

https://nflspinzone.com/2017/0...targets-first-round/

Joe Mixon, possibly the best back in thr draft may be available in the 3rd round, he will be taken eventually, by someone.....just sayin.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/...oe-mixon-draft-board