RB #3 Wide Open

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • NorthCoast
    Legend
    • Sep 2008
    • 26055

    RB #3 Wide Open

    Kahn was the only NFL GM to attend the HBCU combine and came back with this guy.

    Longshot to make the team but who knows, with his competition being McFarland, Teague, and Huntley it's possible he makes noise.

    Scouting Report
    At 5-foot-8, 182 pounds, Alfonzo Graham is an undersized running back prospect with a slight build and below-average arm & hand measurements. Despite his small stature, Graham possesses multiple positive qualities that helped develop him into one of the best FCS running backs in the country in 2022.

    Graham operates with excellent play speed and is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. With proficient initial quickness, burst, and acceleration, Graham is most dangerous when he can beat defenders to the edge and utilize his impressive straight-line speed and elusiveness to create explosive plays in open space. Graham has also proven to be an effective runner between the tackles; He possesses underrated power, runs with great toughness & a low center of gravity, and keeps his legs driving upon first contact. If Graham can break through the first line of defense, he becomes a tough assignment to bring down in the open field.

    Graham is an intelligent ball carrier who uses his sharp instincts, vision, and patience to create running lanes for himself. Since Graham does not have the prototypical running back size, he has to rely on his athleticism, instincts, and toughness to make an impact in the running game. When allowed to be RB1 in an offense, Graham ran for over 1,110 yards, proving that he can be a smart, productive ball carrier despite his stature.

    To go along with his production on the ground, Graham flashed reliable ball skills and fluid route-running ability out of the backfield. Given his top-end speed, initial quickness, and route-running acumen, Graham has the potential to develop into a capable slot receiver. He also possesses some versatility as a kick return specialist on special teams.

    Scouts will likely harp on Graham?s size and lack of play strength as a reason to discredit his NFL potential, he satisfies most of the critical factors and specific skills used to evaluate the running back position. In regards to play speed, instincts/vision, toughness, durability, and ball security, Graham checks all of those boxes. Graham also possesses strong ball skills, versatility as an inside and outside runner, and special teams versatility.

    Additionally, Graham?s football journey, which saw him attend four different colleges in four years, exemplifies his drive and passion for the game of football.

    If NFL scouts can look past the size concerns, Graham should warrant some attention as an undrafted free agent with the potential to earn a practice squad spot after training camp
  • Steel Maniac
    Banned
    • Apr 2017
    • 19472

    #2
    Wow .. another undersized RB. This just never ends…regardless of who’s the GM.

    Comment

    • WindyCitySteel
      Legend
      • Nov 2011
      • 15451

      #3
      ***Master Teague has entered the chat***

      Comment

      • Iron City Inc.
        Hall of Famer
        • Jun 2013
        • 3185

        #4
        Originally posted by WindyCitySteel
        ***Master Teague has entered the chat***
        Teague has some size n speed. Believe he ran a 4.46 at his pro day. Kid will have a shot IF he can pass pro , show good hands and contribute on special teams. If he proves he can make the grade there he will have a shot cause he can run it just fine.

        Comment

        • whisper
          Legend
          • Mar 2020
          • 9423

          #5
          Originally posted by WindyCitySteel
          ***Master Teague has entered the chat***
          Chris Rainey rocked. So did Dri Archer.

          Comment

          • Blitzer
            Pro Bowler
            • Nov 2022
            • 1072

            #6
            I am going to say somehow it will be Benny Snell Football again

            Comment

            • SteelerOfDeVille
              Legend
              • May 2008
              • 9065

              #7
              Originally posted by Steel Maniac
              Wow .. another undersized RB. This just never ends?regardless of who?s the GM.
              I think we disagree here a little.

              I think RB1 and RB2 are locked down, BUT... I don't see a need for a 3rd RB like, say a Snell on the roster. If Naj goes down, you bring in Warren, whose a balanced RB -- neither overly strong, nor overly fast, but just enough of both to be really good.

              While you have both of those guys, I'd personally like to see the 3rd RB bring something that neither of them have - basically, I'd be intrigued to see a true 3rd down back that is a threat. A Darren Sproles-type to be the lightening to Najee's thunder. Someone capable of taking a screen play to the house at any moment. Someone to take McFarland's place, not to be on the roster with him.

              Admittedly, I was disappointed that the team didn't nab Sean Tucker late in the draft. He's Jaylen Warren all over again.

              I did do a little film session on the guys... the short story is Huntly, Graham, McFarland in that order, but I'm not overly excited about any of them
              2013 MNF Executive Champion!

              Comment

              • SteelerOfDeVille
                Legend
                • May 2008
                • 9065

                #8
                Originally posted by whisper
                Chris Rainey rocked. So did Dri Archer.
                Archer was a horrible decision - that was during the time where the team drafted for speed because they got beat the year before by speed. If he had hands, he might have been a decent KO return guy - lol
                2013 MNF Executive Champion!

                Comment

                • Steel Maniac
                  Banned
                  • Apr 2017
                  • 19472

                  #9
                  Originally posted by SteelerOfDeVille
                  I think we disagree here a little.

                  I think RB1 and RB2 are locked down, BUT... I don't see a need for a 3rd RB like, say a Snell on the roster. If Naj goes down, you bring in Warren, whose a balanced RB -- neither overly strong, nor overly fast, but just enough of both to be really good.

                  While you have both of those guys, I'd personally like to see the 3rd RB bring something that neither of them have - basically, I'd be intrigued to see a true 3rd down back that is a threat. A Darren Sproles-type to be the lightening to Najee's thunder. Someone capable of taking a screen play to the house at any moment. Someone to take McFarland's place, not to be on the roster with him.

                  Admittedly, I was disappointed that the team didn't nab Sean Tucker late in the draft. He's Jaylen Warren all over again.

                  I did do a little film session on the guys... the short story is Huntly, Graham, McFarland in that order, but I'm not overly excited about any of them
                  They've been looking for that ( Darren Sproles) guy for years with no success. Just get a # 3 RB with good size and decent speed who is good running between the tackles and stop doing all this specialty search crap they've been doing over a decade now.

                  Comment

                  • NorthCoast
                    Legend
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 26055

                    #10
                    Originally posted by SteelerOfDeVille
                    I think we disagree here a little.

                    I think RB1 and RB2 are locked down, BUT... I don't see a need for a 3rd RB like, say a Snell on the roster. If Naj goes down, you bring in Warren, whose a balanced RB -- neither overly strong, nor overly fast, but just enough of both to be really good.

                    While you have both of those guys, I'd personally like to see the 3rd RB bring something that neither of them have - basically, I'd be intrigued to see a true 3rd down back that is a threat. A Darren Sproles-type to be the lightening to Najee's thunder. Someone capable of taking a screen play to the house at any moment. Someone to take McFarland's place, not to be on the roster with him.

                    Admittedly, I was disappointed that the team didn't nab Sean Tucker late in the draft. He's Jaylen Warren all over again.

                    I did do a little film session on the guys... the short story is Huntly, Graham, McFarland in that order, but I'm not overly excited about any of them
                    Agree... and so do the Steelers;

                    The Steelers are signing Morgan State running back Alfonzo Graham after a rookie minicamp tryout, he tweeted out on Sunday afternoon.

                    Graham won the MEAC rushing title in 2022, rushing for 1150 yards and 8 touchdowns while earning first-team all-conference honors with his strong 2022 season. Starting out at Arizona Western, Graham has been all around the college football landscape, including at the JUCO level at Independence Community College. Then, he would transfer up to Fullerton College, but transferred for a third time during the COVID-19 pandemic after the college canceled their season.

                    Not only does Graham have experience as a receiver and running back, but Graham has been a kick returner for Morgan State, amassing over 300 kick return yards in 2021. He is only 5-foot-8, but Graham seems to have impressed coaches and received a contract as a result.......

                    Graham is among the smallest in the room, but his skill set has plenty of intriguing wrinkles that make sense for what the Steelers want at the position. Now, he will have an opportunity as they continue forward in the offseason program toward OTAs.
                    Last edited by NorthCoast; 05-15-2023, 05:57 AM.

                    Comment

                    • SteelerOfDeVille
                      Legend
                      • May 2008
                      • 9065

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Steel Maniac
                      They've been looking for that ( Darren Sproles) guy for years with no success. Just get a # 3 RB with good size and decent speed who is good running between the tackles and stop doing all this specialty search crap they've been doing over a decade now.
                      If your backfield is Bell/Connor or Harris/Warren, then meh.

                      You've already got 2 guys that are capable of being starters so why not take a chance on someone who has a skillset that's entirely different that you might actually get some touches and impact games.

                      I think they scout it incorrectly, but that's a different problem.
                      2013 MNF Executive Champion!

                      Comment

                      • SteelerOfDeVille
                        Legend
                        • May 2008
                        • 9065

                        #12
                        Originally posted by NorthCoast
                        Agree... and so do the Steelers;
                        Anyone seen a 40 on Graham?

                        I watched 5 minutes of youtube vids on each of them from college - at the moment, my money's on Huntley (with Graham close behind).
                        2013 MNF Executive Champion!

                        Comment

                        • NorthCoast
                          Legend
                          • Sep 2008
                          • 26055

                          #13
                          Originally posted by SteelerOfDeVille
                          Anyone seen a 40 on Graham?

                          I watched 5 minutes of youtube vids on each of them from college - at the moment, my money's on Huntley (with Graham close behind).
                          Have not, but my understanding is he is more 'quick' than 'fast'.

                          Comment

                          • SteelerOfDeVille
                            Legend
                            • May 2008
                            • 9065

                            #14
                            Originally posted by NorthCoast
                            Have not, but my understanding is he is more 'quick' than 'fast'.
                            I'll be honest, level of competition has me curious. He was the fastest guy on the field, but that doesn't mean he's a 4.3 guy.

                            He has some wiggle, but it's square you up, throw in a couple of head/shoulder with choppy feet while you commit - he reads it correctly and gets upfield. He seemed to have decent hands as well. He didn't appear to be a jump-cut kind of guy, which I have an affinity for. He'll throw in an occasional spin. He's about what you'd have gotten with Mendenhall if you made him faster and took off strength/weight.
                            I DO think he'd be a good punt returner.
                            2013 MNF Executive Champion!

                            Comment

                            • Joel Buchsbaum
                              Legend
                              • Jan 2021
                              • 7549

                              #15
                              Originally posted by SteelerOfDeVille
                              Archer was a horrible decision - that was during the time where the team drafted for speed because they got beat the year before by speed. If he had hands, he might have been a decent KO return guy - lol
                              +1 If he has hands and was not a smurf...

                              I am more interested in who gets the majority of the carries this year. Oh , and the FB Spot and usage.
                              Last edited by Joel Buchsbaum; 07-10-2023, 06:51 AM.
                              Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game in seven years and counting. The earliest will be eight years. I guess that in Art Rooney's II, opinion is worth a 3 year extension.

                              Our 2024 draft looks to be grade A. Our 2023 draft is an A. The roster is talented, but Mike Tomlin is still the head coach.

                              *** Mike Tomlin is the best coach since the AFL- NFL merger that has not won a playoff game in 8 seasons or more. It's either him or Lewis. ***

                              Comment

                              Working...