RB Class

[VulturesRule]

It's looking like the 2018 draft class is strong with running backs, which is good for the Lions. With drafting towards the bottom third of the round, should the Lions go with improving the D line or O line first and come back in a later round for this skill position, or nab the best available? With how poorly the past drafts of this position have turned out, if it was the old management team I would be inclined to say draft the line positions first - at least they stood a chance of getting it right. I'm far more confident in the BQ led draft team in evaluating talent and taking appropriate risk, which is why I'm starting to lean towards take the best work horse RB that's in place when the pick is available in round one. Get a bruiser to make the opposition be honest on every play for the potential of run or pass.

Certainly there are other needs for this team. A strong presence in the interior of the D-line, depth at the DE and LB positions, perhaps a C to anchor the O-line. Still, the best help that the D can get is to keep them off the field more. This draft is looking like an opportune time for the Lions to move forward.

 

[Stomp]

I haven't devoted as much time as normal to looking at prospects, but i really hope we grab a RB in this draft at the moment i'm also thinking we should grab a bruiser. Guice(1st), Chubb(3rd or 4th), Scarborough(4th), or Darrell Williams(6th)

 

[Stomp]

If they decide to go the FA rout at RB Isaiah Crowell, Jeremy Hill, and Rex Burkhead.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

2018 NFL Draft: Fumble rates for all running back prospects

Below are the career offensive fumble rates for the top running back prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft class, broken down into five categories:

ELITE (150 or better)

359.0 -- Darrel Williams, LSU

238.7 -- Demario Richard, Arizona State

207.7 -- Ronald Jones, USC

193.3 -- Saquon Barkley, Penn State

191.3 -- Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

181.7 -- Kyle Hicks, TCU

180.6 -- Justin Jackson, Northwestern

174.0 -- Josh Adams, Notre Dame

155.5 -- Jordan Wilkins, Ole Miss


RED FLAG (75 or worse)

74.2 -- Roc Thomas, Jacksonville State

67.4 -- Akrum Wadley, Iowa

66.9 -- Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan

66.5 -- Kalen Ballage, Arizona State

62.5 -- Justin Crawford, West Virginia

58.2 -- Kamryn Pettway, Auburn

55.6 -- Keith Ford, Texas A&M

54.6 -- Sony Michel, Georgia

39.5 -- Jeffery Wilson, North Texas

 

[Old Lion]

2018 NFL Draft: Fumble rates for all running back prospects

Below are the career offensive fumble rates for the top running back prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft class, broken down into five categories:

ELITE (150 or better)

359.0 -- Darrel Williams, LSU

238.7 -- Demario Richard, Arizona State

207.7 -- Ronald Jones, USC

193.3 -- Saquon Barkley, Penn State

191.3 -- Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

181.7 -- Kyle Hicks, TCU

180.6 -- Justin Jackson, Northwestern

174.0 -- Josh Adams, Notre Dame

155.5 -- Jordan Wilkins, Ole Miss


RED FLAG (75 or worse)

74.2 -- Roc Thomas, Jacksonville State

67.4 -- Akrum Wadley, Iowa

66.9 -- Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan

66.5 -- Kalen Ballage, Arizona State

62.5 -- Justin Crawford, West Virginia

58.2 -- Kamryn Pettway, Auburn

55.6 -- Keith Ford, Texas A&M

54.6 -- Sony Michel, Georgia

39.5 -- Jeffery Wilson, North Texas

Nice to see you back.

Michel is probably the only one on the bottom I would consider. He is so good at everything else it might be worth overlooking the fumble issues.

 

[Old Lion]

Here are the others for reference

AVERAGE (100-124)

114.0 -- Royce Freeman, Oregon

110.0 -- Phillip Lindsay, Colorado

105.8 -- Rashaad Penny, San Diego State

100.6 -- Derrius Guice, LSU

BELOW AVERAGE (76-99)

98.6 -- Nick Chubb, Georgia

96.0 -- Bo Scarbrough, Alabama

90.0 -- Mark Walton, Miami (Fla.)

88.2 -- Ryan Nall, Oregon State

87.3 -- Ito Smith, Southern Miss

86.8 -- Nyheim Hines, NC State

76.3 -- Jordan Chunn, Troy

 

[Old Lion]

I like K Johnson from Auburn in Round 2. He ran through the best defenses in D1. Justin Jackson is an interesting late round guy. He was injured and ran behind a shit line at Northwestern and still did well.

I really need to research more on some of these other guys. Dont know a lot of them.

 

[Stomp]

Nice to see you back.

Michel is probably the only one on the bottom I would consider. He is so good at everything else it might be worth overlooking the fumble issues.

I like him too, but i think he'll end up getting hyped into the first and i'd say that's a bit early for him. I do like the Knowshon comp he's been getting though. As far as fumbles go all these guys are much better than what we're used to.

 

[Old Lion]

The Boston Globe considers the Lions a potential landing spot for free agent Dion Lewis.

Lewis is coming off career highs in 2017 but the Patriots are expected to let him test the open market. Detroit is an obvious fit given their New England connections and need for a running back, though Lewis has never had more than a committee role. Lewis is reportedly targeting $5-plus million annually.

Nice replacement for tiny hands. We would still need to get rid of Washington and possibly ZZ and draft a RB that can carry us.

 

[Mebert]

The more I see Jaylen Samuels the more I like him. I don't care what position you call him, he adds value

 

[gandydancer]

The more I see Jaylen Samuels the more I like him. I don't care what position you call him, he adds value

Every since Stomp put him on my radar, yes he will add value to many offenses. Lions style would be one. Unlike Riddick who seems more a slot guy, Samuels really is true joker RB/Slot guy. Not sure he has the power of Kamira, but same skill set.

 

[Mebert]

Every since Stomp put him on my radar, yes he will add value to many offenses. Lions style would be one. Unlike Riddick who seems more a slot guy, Samuels really is true joker RB/Slot guy. Not sure he has the power of Kamira, but same skill set.

I think he could be similar to Kevin Faulk

 

[Rollingthndr]

Nick Chubb or bust

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Derrius Guice, Louisiana State

Junior | 5’10″ and 224 Pounds | Born June 21, 1997 (Age: 20) | Projection: Rounds 1-2

Combine numbers: Combine numbers: 40-yard: 4.49 sec | bench: 15 reps | 3-cone: DNP | 20-yard shuttle: DNP | vertical: 31.5 in | broad: DNP

Over the last decade, there have been nine big-bodied backs to enter the league as either first- or second-rounders and play as 21-year-old rookies (per Pro Football Reference). All of them (except for last year’s rookie) have had at least one NFL season with 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Here are the nine backs and their best seasons.

• Joe Mixon (2017, 2.48): 913 yards and four touchdowns from scrimmage
• Ezekiel Elliott (2016, 1.04): 1,994 yards, 16 touchdowns
• Todd Gurley (2015, 1.10): 2,093 yards, 19 touchdowns
• Le’Veon Bell (2013, 2.48): 2,215 yards, 11 touchdowns
• LeSean McCoy (2009, 2.53): 1,624 yards, 20 touchdowns
• Beanie Wells (2009, 1.31): 1,099 yards, 10 touchdowns
• Darren McFadden (2008,1.04): 1,664 yards, 10 touchdowns
• Rashard Mendenhall (2008, 1.23): 1,440 yards, 13 touchdowns
• Jonathan Stewart (2008, 1.13): 1,272 yards, 11 touchdowns

Guice will be drafted at the precocious age of 20 and will almost certainly be selected no later than the second round. Blessed with great size-adjusted athleticism, Guice has significant upside as a future NFL lead back. He’s not Barkley, but he’s still one of the best running back prospects of the past five years.

Derrius Guice & 2018 NFL Draft: Fantasy DraftKings & FanDuel Picks | FantasyLabs