Eddie Lacy finally runs, and reportedly runs fast

[Captain Lemming]

Excellent points. Combine him with Miami's Mike James & you get a nice mix of RB's to go with Dwyer/Bradshaw.... and without the high round draft selections to go with it. Could Harper be Mewelde Moore- a specialist 3rd down RB?

He could play that role but they are very different in style.
DJ has some Jets, while Moore is boring but consistent.
DJ can make the ESPN highlight reel, but I can see him getting stuffed alot too.

It's cliche but I would want to get him the ball "in space" at an NFL level to be most effective.

Hows this more like a poor mans Marshall Faulk.

Similar stature and style, but Faulk was WAY better even as a college back.
Lived in Hawaii back then we were in the same conference and Faulk was just ridiculous.
Faulk has WAY more "make you miss" ability, and better vision but their running style is kinda similar.

DJ has good hands too but Faulk was "better than most receivers good."

I feel like I'm saying how different they are, but when I say similar I mean "stylistically" not as good though if that makes sense.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

My personal thought on RBs - unless the guy has AP potential, taking him in the 1st round is a wasted draft pick.

Got to agree with this.

[supersteeler]

Taking a back in round one would be a reach IMO especially this years draft. I don't see a back worthy of a 1st round pick and in our case we could still get a decent one in the third round.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I'm not a big college FB guy, but every time I saw this guy play he had a full head of steam and was five yards past the LOS before he encountered his first potential tackler. Any time I see that happen it reminds me of Ron Dayne of Wisconsin. He won the Heisman as a big back behind a huge line, but flopped in the NFL because they actually try to tackle you at this level.

Thing is, you never get to see what you are going to get in a case like that.

[thor75]

I would not like Lacy as a pick. Simple offense, no pass protection experience to speak of, and isn't in shape for his pro day?? I'll take a guy with drive but maybe less talented over that.

[Shawn]

I think Lacy can be a better back.

I think you are wrong. I guess we will see.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

and isn't in shape for his pro day??

hasn't he been injured? (i.e., couldn't train)

i don't want him in the first either, but, just trying to be fair to the perception out there...

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

There aren't any 1st round backs in this class. There are arguably 5 backs in this class you could grade out the same depending on your system that sit in the 2-3 range.

[Oviedo]

There aren't any 1st round backs in this class. There are arguably 5 backs in this class you could grade out the same depending on your system that sit in the 2-3 range.

Agree. Wouldn't touch any RB in Round 1.

[thor75]

hasn't he been injured? (i.e., couldn't train)

i don't want him in the first either, but, just trying to be fair to the perception out there...

You're right, hamstring I believe now that you mention it. He stated in an interview he really on worked on his 40 time. Which seemed odd to me at the time, but makes sense if he was rehabbing the hammy.

**Small tear of the hamstring at combine event in February**

[feltdizz]

then we agree...he isn't a first round talent.

yep.. but I think he is a solid 2nd rounder.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

There aren't any 1st round backs in this class. There are arguably 5 backs in this class you could grade out the same depending on your system that sit in the 2-3 range.

there's one that would grade out as a 1st round back - but, he's rehabbing a torn up knee... take him when the time is right!

[Shawn]

yep.. but I think he is a solid 2nd rounder.

I agree, I would give him a mid second round grade, with Bell as a late second round grade. Lacy is one of the few SEC guys I watched. He is a good back, but I don't believe him to be a great back. I actually believe Bell will have the better pro career.

[Shawn]

there's one that would grade out as a 1st round back - but, he's rehabbing a torn up knee... take him when the time is right!

Yeah, I just don't see it when it comes to Lattimore.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Yeah, I just don't see it when it comes to Lattimore.

he may well be a case of "he never returns to form", but, that's more rare these days... guys like Frank Gore have returned from 2 torn knees. IMO, first 2-3 rounds you feel should be guaranteed future starters. Beyond that point, IMO, is when you take a flier on a guy or two that's a boom or bust prospect. Many forget, Ivan "Ike" Taylor was one of those guys... Played RB for a portion of college, had switched to DB and was untested because opposing teams feared his speed out of his "small school conference". (allow me to chest thump for a moment, cuz i mocked him that year)