Shawn's Running Back Rankings

[Shawn]

After a full review of all the running backs in this upcoming draft I wanted to post my list and who I think the Steelers will target.

1) Joe Mixon-If he is on the Steelers board its in the second round. He won't fall that far. (early first)
2) Leonard Fournette-a close second to Mixon who we have no chance of getting. (early first)
3) Dalvin Cook-Need to work on his hands but this guys burst and balance are elite. Again, no chance at getting him. (middle first)
4) Christian McCaffrey-smallish but has better hands than most WRs. He may not be able to absorb 30 touches a game at the NFL but he will bring a spark to any team. The Steelers actually have a shot as I think its possible he falls. I don't think he can absorb feature back punishment. I think the Steelers would pass. (late first)
5) Samaje Perine-A man amongst boys, old school power back who will punish NFL Ds. He is limited and a bit slow a foot but I haven't seen a bruiser like Perine in many years. I suspect the Steelers will eye ball him very closely. (3rd round)
6) James Conner-Conner for me is one of the more baffling RBs to evaluate. There are times on film where he appears slow and very average. Other times he has this lateral burst that surprises me for a guy his size. He has some one cut shiftiness and more than enough power. I doubt he makes NFL Ds respect the edges. But, I do like him. I think he is an underrated back in this draft. I think Conner is a real possibility for the Steelers in the 4th. (but is a late 3rd round talent)
7) Alvin Kamara-He is ahead of the next group of overrated backs just based on his receiving skills. He is a solid receiver and an average running back who has some speed. He will make an NFL roster and I suspect be fairly productive based on his diverse skill set. I don't see him as a feature back but he provides a higher ceiling than the next group. He is a Steeler possibility if he is there for us in the second. With that said, I wouldn't want him in the second. Third? Maybe. I see him as a late 3rd talent.
Wayne Gallman-Plays faster than his 4.6 40 time. He has a real burst to make defenders respect the edges. He has nice lateral movement, but little power and average vision. I don't see his body type being able to withstand franchise back poundings. He is a #2 in a running back by committee scenario. He is a mid 4th round talent.
9) Marlon Mack-good explosive back, I love his homerun hitting ability. Appears undisciplined and loves to take losses getting too cute with the ball. But, if you could harness all that talent you could have something special. He is a risk but maybe one worth taking if he is looking at the Steelers late 4th.
10) Kareem Hunt-all purpose very average back that can do anything but doesn't excel at anything either. He does appear to be built to take NFL punishment and could be a decent #2 at the next level. 5th round grade

MY Dream 7th round/UDFA pick would be Tarik "The human joystick" Cohen. Barry Sanders-lite. Elite speed, elite bounce, elite cutting ability but tiny. His 5 foot 6 180 frame isn't built for the NFL...though I must admit he looks thicker than that. But, watch this guys youtube video...fun to watch. I think he is worth a real look but know the Steelers would have to limit his touches.

[Iron City Inc.]

Hey Shawn nice write up. Took some time I'm sure and appreciate the effort. I believe our options on rb's will be your 5-7 guys somewhere starting at 3b. Now I agree with your assessment of JC. I had a feeling you would go back to the tape as I did on that guy.

[Shawn]

Hey Shawn nice write up. Took some time I'm sure and appreciate the effort. I believe our options on rb's will be your 5-7 guys somewhere starting at 3b. Now I agree with your assessment of JC. I had a feeling you would go back to the tape as I did on that guy.

I pulled as much as I could. I don't know if I was looking at pre and post cancer, or he is just a guy who looks like a different back on different days. I seen some runs that I was like YES THAT! When I'm looking at RBs its almost hard to describe but it's an IT quality to the way they run...burst, power, cut ability etc. He has it SOMETIMES. Other times he looked like a lead footed uninspired back. He may have not been feeling well, or maybe he takes plays off. I do think there is something there to work with. He intrigues me and I would be happy if we grabbed him late three.

[Iron City Inc.]

The kid Foreman from Texas I believe will be in the mix kind of early on day 3. He doesn't make sharp cuts more of a 1 cut guy get up field and go. No receptions at the college level 13 in total but he has size 235 n a burst. He is a back that intrigues me cause if you watch some runs he shows excellent vision and he doesn't get caught from behind and at over 230lbs that as a rare skill set. This rb class seems to me to have good depth. In fact this draft class has depth at corner n edge rusher. Positions that fit our needs perfectly.

[Shawn]

The kid Foreman from Texas I believe will be in the mix kind of early on day 3. He doesn't make sharp cuts more of a 1 cut guy get up field and go. No receptions at the college level 13 in total but he has size 235 n a burst. He is a back that intrigues me cause if you watch some runs he shows excellent vision and he doesn't get caught from behind and at over 230lbs that as a rare skill set. This rb class seems to me to have good depth. In fact this draft class has depth at corner n edge rusher. Positions that fit our needs perfectly.

I'm not saying Foreman is a bad back but nothing really caught my eye. I like about 6-7 running backs in this draft class and considering I usually like 2-3 I suppose that means there is depth. I think we take the plunge late 3 and grab Conner or Perine.

[Chucktownsteeler]

You don't see Curtis Samuel as a RB, more WR type?

[Shawn]

You don't see Curtis Samuel as a RB, more WR type?

Great question. He is both. He is a true hybrid who can carry the ball 10 times a game as well as be targeted for 5-7 in the passing game. Samuel is a true game changer but he isn't a feature back. He is electric, runs great routes, has very good hands, and can tote the rock as well. He isn't built for an NFL pounding hence the reason he isn't a first round talent.

[feltdizz]

My rankings

Cook
Fournette
Mixon
McCaffery
Kamara
Perine
Conner

and I think we end up with none of these guys.

[RuthlessBurgher]

My rankings

Cook
Fournette
Mixon
McCaffery
Kamara
Perine
Conner

and I think we end up with none of these guys.

If either Perine or Conner is still on the board Saturday morning when we pick in round 4, that's our target, I would think.

[williar]

Thanks for the write-ups, Shawn. It is good to have some sort of perspective on all these "names" being thrown around at draft time. I am just curious, though! Why the "fixation" on running backs? I mean, it is still good to know, but knowing our team we don't seem to be a "rotating" or situational running back usage, type of team. It's like if LeVeon Bell is healthy, he's the man until the wheels fall off. Which personally is worrisome to me! Running backs wear down fast after a few good years. I would hate to see steelers continue to "misuse" Bell that way.

And yeah, I said it! Misuse. The steelers ran bell so much in those last few games leading up to the AFCCG, until he had nothing left for that game. Not a good way to preserve your start running back for the biggest game.

[Shawn]

If either Perine or Conner is still on the board Saturday morning when we pick in round 4, that's our target, I would think.

I concur...those two make the most amount of sense. But I have this sneaky suspicion Marlon Mack is a guy they are targeting as well.

[Shawn]

Thanks for the write-ups, Shawn. It is good to have some sort of perspective on all these "names" being thrown around at draft time. I am just curious, though! Why the "fixation" on running backs? I mean, it is still good to know, but knowing our team we don't seem to be a "rotating" or situational running back usage, type of team. It's like if LeVeon Bell is healthy, he's the man until the wheels fall off. Which personally is worrisome to me! Running backs wear down fast after a few good years. I would hate to see steelers continue to "misuse" Bell that way.

And yeah, I said it! Misuse. The steelers ran bell so much in those last few games leading up to the AFCCG, until he had nothing left for that game. Not a good way to preserve your start running back for the biggest game.

Running backs are merely my favorite to assess but I plan on doing this for several groups of players I believe are important for the Steelers draft. With that said, with Williams not coming back #2 RB has become a priority, and if a long term deal doesn't get done, even more so.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Hey Shawn, I haven't gone through the trouble to scout like i usually do. I'm very selective about my RB rankings.

Having said that, I do have a sleeper for ya. Check out Matt Dayes for NC state. He might crack your top 10, IMO. He's a little smallish (5'9", 203). Good back on a bad team. My gut tells me, he'll land in someone's camp, move up the depth charts and the rest of the league will be like, "how'd we miss on this kid?"

[Shawn]

Hey Shawn, I haven't gone through the trouble to scout like i usually do. I'm very selective about my RB rankings.

Having said that, I do have a sleeper for ya. Check out Matt Dayes for NC state. He might crack your top 10, IMO. He's a little smallish (5'9", 203). Good back on a bad team. My gut tells me, he'll land in someone's camp, move up the depth charts and the rest of the league will be like, "how'd we miss on this kid?"

He is considered a late pick because he is smallish and is a 4.6 40 back. He isn't built to be an every down back, a one cut very little power back with some decent vision and patience. I don't see anything I would consider special with Dayes.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Hey Shawn, I haven't gone through the trouble to scout like i usually do. I'm very selective about my RB rankings.

Having said that, I do have a sleeper for ya. Check out Matt Dayes for NC state. He might crack your top 10, IMO. He's a little smallish (5'9", 203). Good back on a bad team. My gut tells me, he'll land in someone's camp, move up the depth charts and the rest of the league will be like, "how'd we miss on this kid?"

I put him in as the 7th round pick in my latest revised mock. While he may not be built to be an every-down back, I think he'd be better than Toussaint and could handle a backup role.

I'd still like to see the Steelers re-sign DW as well.