Mid-Round RB: Who Ya Want?

[Keith]

Considering, (1) that the Texans are likely to be shopping for at least one running back in the draft, and (2) that they are not likely to get one of the first round or probably early second round prospects at the position, which player would be your pick? Vote and tell us why, heck even feel free to comment with a ranking, too.

I've removed Beanie Wells, Knowshon Moreno, and Donald Brown from consideration. I'm also taking LeSean McCoy off the board since he is currently thought to be off the board by the Texans' second round pick (though I think he is completely overrated that high and really a poor, poor pick for what the Texans offense needs).

The next group, in alpha order (ht/wt, 40/10, bench, vert, broad, 20, cone - combine #s unless noted with asterisk):
Andre Brown, NC State - 6001/224, 4.47/1.47, 24, 37.0", 9'7", 4.28*, 7.08*
Shonn Greene, Iowa - 5104/227, 4.55/1.57*, 23*, 39.0"*, 10'6"*, 4.25*, 7.10
Rashad Jennings, Liberty - 6010/231, 4.52/1.53*, 29, 34.0", 10'0", 4.20, 6.79*
Cedric Peerman, Virginia - 5094/216, 4.39/1.47, 27, 40.0", 9'9", 4.29, 6.99
Javon Ringer, Michigan St. - 5091/205, 4.56/1.58, 23, 34.0", 9'7", 4.11, 6.87
Javarris Williams, Tenn St. - 5094/223, 4.51/1.50, 25, 33.5", 9'8", 4.73*, 7.26*
And of course, "other", if you want someone else.

[painekiller]

I picked Brown, but would be happy with Jennings, Peerman or Williams also.

[TexanJedi]

I picked Peerman because, while I like Brown I think he might be moving up the board and will be gone by the time we want to take a back in round 3 or more likely 4. Peerman has great measureables and looked even better than Brown at the Senior Bowl I thought. He seemed to be a more decisive runner. Since he's from Virginia I guess he's like a bigger, faster, Walli Lundy.

I still like Glen Coffee though. He's just a little bigger than Slaton but runs tough inside the tackles. I wish he would there in round 5 so the Texans can address other needs in the first 4 rounds.

[idymoe]

I don't think Shonn Greene is there at our 3rd pick. I voted for Jennings & like Brown and Peerman next.

[edo783]

A. Brown. However, I suspect we will need to take him in the 2nd if we want him. A back with that size and speed is a want by most teams.

[jppaul]

Shonn Greene but I don't think he will be there, but since he was a choice I picked him anyway.

[Roy P]

If we are to believe John McClain, we won't be drafting a RB until the 3rd round. While I'd be fine with Shonn Greene or Andre Brown, I imagine that they both will be off the board before our pick #77.

Let me be clear, I'm looking for a guy to move the sticks on third and short by running between the tackles. Rashad Jennings appears that he'd be able to do that, but I have too many questions about his character or work ethic. He is a guy who may eat himself out of job and become a 265lbs wasted pick. Apparently, his older brothers have had to mentor him into becoming more mature and serious about football. I'm concerned that he might not be a "self-starter" and may need constant supervision.

While Peeman has really great measurables, I'll admit that I was very impressed by his Combine, there was not much production from him. There is the question of his small hands and other negatives that I won't go into.

Therefore, I'm left with Javarris Williams. He may be the best north-south runner after Andre Brown. He has a low center of gravity and can push a pile and break tackles. I won't go on record saying he is an every down back, because I'm not sure how well he can run on the edges, he doesn't have break-away speed, and won't make you think of Barry Sanders with his elusiveness. However, for a late round pick who can complement Steve Slaton, this guy can carry a load.

Want some production as proof?
He leaves the university ranking second in school history with 849 carries, 4,329 rushing yards and 5,117 all-purpose yards. He ranks third in school annals in scoring with 264 points and 44 total touchdowns, as his 42 touchdowns rushing set a TSU all-time mark.

Only two other players ever rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season for the Tigers, and Williams accomplished that feat three times. He is also the only player to lead the team in rushing four times in his career, as he owns four of the top seven spots on Tennessee State's single-season record list for rushing yardage.

[jppaul]

BTW as far as Ringer goes, I am not very high on him but he dropped a 3.98 in the short shuttle on his proday. That is amazing.

[Roy P]

Andre Brown is currently ranked #54 - #70, depending upon where you look. Would anybody here who voted for Brown be willing to trade our #77 and #112 to move up to #64 in order to draft him?

I'm assuming that we drafted a LB like Matthews and a DB like William Moore with our 1st 2 picks, so those needs have been filled.

Remember, there appears to be a lot of players who could fill roster spots in the 3rd and 4th rounds this year. We would be giving up on one of them, assuming one of those picks would be going to a RB (maybe of lesser stature).

[jppaul]

Actually sorry thats a 3.89 on his short shuttle.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Andre Brown is currently ranked #54 - #70, depending upon where you look. Would anybody here who voted for Brown be willing to trade our #77 and #112 to move up to #64 in order to draft him?

I still haven't heard an answer to this question. Today I heard a guy talking about the Texans drafting Brown at #46, which I think is a reach. Then he talked about how Andre Brown is this year's Mike Forte of the draft. We may have to use our 3rd round (#77), 4th round (#112), and 5th (#152) round pick to move up to #59 in order to get him.

There are quite a few successful teams with a RB by committee, in which the RBs could be "featured" backs. Brown could be that if he's another Forte and we know what we have in Slaton. My question boils down to, is getting another RB worth giving up the 4th and 5th rounders (assuming the 3rd would be going to a RB anyway). Rashad Jennings might not last to #77, for those who thought he might. Who may we be missing out on at those slots?

4th - David Bruton, Cedric Peeman, Gerald McGrath, CJ Spillman, Roy Miller

5th - AQ Shipley, Johnny Knox, Gregory Toler, Scott McKillop, James Davis

[painekiller]

I say no way give up both rounds, but a future pick? Would I give a 4th this year and a 4th next year? I might.

What about picking higher, maybe trying to get to a late 1st or early 2nd round pick ? What would the cost be? Remember future picks could be in play?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

What about picking higher, maybe trying to get to a late 1st or early 2nd round pick ? What would the cost be? Remember future picks could be in play?

Are you suggesting we trade up for Donald?

Hmm....

#28 now belongs to the Bills and Marshawn Lynch has a suspension coming up. #27 is the Colts' and Joseph Addai has had his issues. #29 is the Giants who may be thinking that they are only a Big WR away, so they might not be wanting to trade down to #46. Everyone knows that Arizona wants a RB, so I'm not thinking they move out. I'm not giving Tennessee extra picks. Pittsburgh might be too late.

So, my best option is hoping the Colts pass on him or take Knowshon Moreno and the Bills trade out of their new pick for two more picks in which they can get A. Brown. It's going to cost me #46 and #77 for a total of 645 points to do that. They might go for this year's second round pick and next year's 2nd. What ya think?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

So, my best option is hoping the Colts pass on him or take Knowshon Moreno and the Bills trade out of their new pick for two more picks in which they can get A. Brown. It's going to cost me #46 and #77 for a total of 645 points to do that. They might go for this year's second round pick and next year's 2nd. What ya think?

I am almost thinking I would make that offer to Indy, and grab the Donald at 27.

How about a trading down from 15 to the low 20's, get's a 3rd, and then make the offer to Indy of #46 and next years 2nd for 27? ...

Wait, this just in. DraftDaddy.com has a 2 round mock and guess what?

We get Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Brown. Brown at #46. I don't see it.

[machoneil]

We'll get Brown on one of our trade down acquisitions

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I am almost thinking I would make that offer to Indy, and grab the Donald at 27.

How about a trading down from 15 to the low 20's, get's a 3rd, and then make the offer to Indy of #46 and next years 2nd for 27? ...

Wait, this just in. DraftDaddy.com has a 2 round mock and guess what?

We get Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Brown. Brown at #46. I don't see it.

The trade down option may be there or not. If Everette Brown is still on the board, I'm not trading down. If we get to the low 20's I'm hoping Clay Matthews, Peria Jerry, or Vontae Daivs is the pick. I know you rate Ziggy higher, but I'm a little cautious about him that high. I've seen him moving up draft boards (up to #26 but as low at #37) but he may be climbing more because of his Combine numbers rather than his game film. The good thing about trading down is we would still have a 3rd round pick. That way we could end up with Mathews, Brown, and Vaughn.

Donald Brown at #46? Do they have a bridge for sale too?

[Blitzwood]

I don't think our first rounder will be a situational guy, but more of a starter or tandem RB player, I could see us going with Mack, Woods, Oher, Maclin, or Wells on offense or on defense going with Matthews, Sintim, Jenkins, Butler, Gilbert, Jerry, Hood, or Cushings.

My Mid round RB preferences:
1. S. Greene
2. Andre Brown
2b. Jennings
3. James Davis
4. G. Coffee

Sleeper RB is Herb Donaldson from W. Illinois
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3n26z6Zr98

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

My Mid round RB preferences:
1. S. Greene
2. Andre Brown
2b. Jennings
3. James Davis
4. G. Coffee

Sleeper RB is Herb Donaldson from W. Illinois
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3n26z6Zr98

I don't think that the 2nd round qualifies as "mid round" and that's what Greene and Brown are starting to look like. Jennings might be available in the 3rd round.

I was hot on Donaldson early on, but then his Combine cooled me off after running a 4.68. The same goes for Gartrell Johnson and his 4.75. If I want a slow cruise liner, Arian Foster is a 4.68 guy.

My super duper deepity deep dark horse is Tyler Roehl from North Dakota State. He's a FB/HB/RB hybrid. I call him a shorter Brian Leonard.

[HPF Bob]

Peerman scares me because I ask where was that speed when he was on the playing field? I'd be alright with Brown/Green/Jennings based on whom the Texans believe is the best choice. While Casserly became easy to predict, the Rick Smith era has not been for me other than he seems to like ACC/Big East guys and he has a knack for taking guys who weren't anywhere near my radar.

Thinking outside the box, here are two names to consider as contingencies.

Javorskie Lane probably won't have his name called until the 6th or 7th round but if you want a guy who moves the pile, he certainly can. He would have to be a short-yardage only guy but there are few I would trust more to get me one yard I absolutely had to get - that is, until he eats half of Sharpstown.

Judging by the fact that he signed three FA running backs in the off-season and spent yesterday singing the praises of Peyton Hillis, I'm guessing McDaniels will not be keeping Selvyn Young on the Broncos. Young's proved that, when healthy, he's a legit all-purpose back in a ZBS offense and he would be a cheap back-up for Slaton who will have the offense picked up in no time. He's not an answer to the short-yardage issue but he would be good insurance and wouldn't cost as much as the Chris Brown signing last year. He's also a Houston product so he wouldn't be hard to sign.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Keith

thought to be off the board by the Texans' second round pick (though I think he is completely overrated that high and really a poor, poor pick for what the Texans offense needs).


And of course, "other", if you want someone else.

Originally Posted by Roy P

I don't think that the 2nd round qualifies as "mid round" and that's what Greene and Brown are starting to look like. Jennings might be available in the 3rd round.

I was hot on Donaldson early on, but then his Combine cooled me off after running a 4.68. The same goes for Gartrell Johnson and his 4.75. If I want a slow cruise liner, Arian Foster is a 4.68 guy.

Roy, I was keeping with Keith's original post as to who will be there when our 2nd round pick is on the clock, I'm sorry you feel that the 2nd round doesn't "qualify" as a mid rounder....


I'm not looking for a sub 4.5 RB in the mid-rounds, I want a thumper that can punch it in on goalline and short yardage situations. If I take a "thumper" in the second or third, then I would look at J. Williams, a local product, as insurance for Slaton.

A. Foster does too much dancing for a guy his size, IMO, and had some ball security issues in 08. I like H. Donaldson's toughness and determination fighting off tackles. He's got a nice stiff arm and is tough to bring down.