Our current depth chart probably looks something like this...
1st string HB = Mendenhall
2nd string HB = Redman
3rd string HB = Moore (questionable because he does need to be re-signed)
4th string HB = Dwyer
1st string 3rd down back = Redman
2nd string 3rd down back = Moore
1st string FB = Johnson
2nd string FB = Legursky
We were fairly lucky this last year with Mendenhall's durability. Typically your starting RB gets banged up a lot more, especially behind a line like ours. If/when Mendenhall gets hurt next year, how does that effect our offense? In which rounds would it be most reasonable for us to draft depth? What type of RB do we need most?
Pass blocking/blitz pick up is essential in our current offense. Rashard and Redman both showed improvement this year in that area. Dwyer did not (and i believe that's what kept him off the field). Will Dwyer show improvement next year and be able to contribute on 3rd downs? Or is he just a 1st and 2nd down back up HB? A lot of people are calling for a faster change of pace back, and I have to disagree. With our current OL we really don't open the holes necessary to make that effective. We can't just call sweeps on every play and hope he outruns NFL caliber linebackers (ala Willie Parker). Until we improve our OL our best value is with a stronger HB who can break tackles AND pass protect. I think this is where we can draft a replacement for Moore who could also play some special teams (blocking and coverage). Moore's roster spot is very costly in that regard (as of now he's just a back-up HB). I really prefer keeping Redman as our short yardage/3rd down guy, even in the event of a Mendenhall injury. A stronger HB could take over short yardage in the event of a Redman injury. I do not want to run Mendenhall as much this coming year. The kid absorbed a lot of wear and tear and we another fresh legged HB late in the game. (Maybe that could be Dwyer?)
As far as FB goes, who knows what Arians is thinking? I can't reasonably ask to draft an actual FB when I know he's not going to be used. Honestly, plugging in Legursky in those rare short yardage situations is probably our best value at this point. He gets better leverage that most TE's and is fairly mobile. I would love a DJ Williams type TE, lead blocking for Mendenhall and/or slipping into a route on play action, but I don't that Arians will use him "enough" like that to warrant a 2-3 round pick (which could be used on an every down CB, OL, or even DL). I would say we are most likely to draft a "David Johnson upgrade" - a blocking TE who can flex to FB and catch the ball a little if the defense ignores him. We just have too big a need blocking for Mendenhall right now to go for a pass catcher.
1st string HB = Mendenhall
2nd string HB = Redman
3rd string HB = Moore (questionable because he does need to be re-signed)
4th string HB = Dwyer
1st string 3rd down back = Redman
2nd string 3rd down back = Moore
1st string FB = Johnson
2nd string FB = Legursky
We were fairly lucky this last year with Mendenhall's durability. Typically your starting RB gets banged up a lot more, especially behind a line like ours. If/when Mendenhall gets hurt next year, how does that effect our offense? In which rounds would it be most reasonable for us to draft depth? What type of RB do we need most?
Pass blocking/blitz pick up is essential in our current offense. Rashard and Redman both showed improvement this year in that area. Dwyer did not (and i believe that's what kept him off the field). Will Dwyer show improvement next year and be able to contribute on 3rd downs? Or is he just a 1st and 2nd down back up HB? A lot of people are calling for a faster change of pace back, and I have to disagree. With our current OL we really don't open the holes necessary to make that effective. We can't just call sweeps on every play and hope he outruns NFL caliber linebackers (ala Willie Parker). Until we improve our OL our best value is with a stronger HB who can break tackles AND pass protect. I think this is where we can draft a replacement for Moore who could also play some special teams (blocking and coverage). Moore's roster spot is very costly in that regard (as of now he's just a back-up HB). I really prefer keeping Redman as our short yardage/3rd down guy, even in the event of a Mendenhall injury. A stronger HB could take over short yardage in the event of a Redman injury. I do not want to run Mendenhall as much this coming year. The kid absorbed a lot of wear and tear and we another fresh legged HB late in the game. (Maybe that could be Dwyer?)
As far as FB goes, who knows what Arians is thinking? I can't reasonably ask to draft an actual FB when I know he's not going to be used. Honestly, plugging in Legursky in those rare short yardage situations is probably our best value at this point. He gets better leverage that most TE's and is fairly mobile. I would love a DJ Williams type TE, lead blocking for Mendenhall and/or slipping into a route on play action, but I don't that Arians will use him "enough" like that to warrant a 2-3 round pick (which could be used on an every down CB, OL, or even DL). I would say we are most likely to draft a "David Johnson upgrade" - a blocking TE who can flex to FB and catch the ball a little if the defense ignores him. We just have too big a need blocking for Mendenhall right now to go for a pass catcher.
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