This is entirely my uneducated opinion, but I anticipate losing Reggie to free agency, and I more or less feel that Daniel is a bust (he makes some nice bruising plays here and there, but the YPC is abysmal and he can't seem to stay on the field to be mediocre)... so, if you agree on those grounds, what are some names that Ireland should be looking at in this draft class? The fan consensus has been that, despite Lamar's relative inexperience and draft status, that runningback is not a a huge area of need (OL, WR, DE, CB)... so let's throw guys like Eddie Lacy out. Who are some guys that would complement Lamar well in the 3rd round and beyond?
This may be the easy one but I really feel Jonas Gray will compliment Miller very well. Same stride but where Miller is more elusive Gray will run with some power. If you look at the draft, maybe Ellington, lacy, Taylor, lattimore, etc...my last rd sleeper is Ware from LSU. If you are looking for a power back I'm not sure you can get much better than him
I really like the idea of Lattimore if we could nab him late. This is a guy who was universally mocked in the 1st, pre-injury; how many 6th and 7th round guys contribute in their first year anyway? As far as power backs go, what's your opinion of Montee Ball?
If his head was on right, Christine Michael, at 220 lbs he's a nice compliment and carries a similar size to Miller. People forget Miller is nearly 20 lbs heavier than Bush is.
I wouldn't call him a power back but I like him. He hits the hole hard and has above average vision, nothing exceptional but almost always get yards after initial contact
Ridiculous! The most important weekend of his life and he does that? It's enough for some teams to move him to UDFA status I'll bet. Always wonder about any undrafted TAMU guys, whether due to the Sherman connection if we are more apt to sign them as UDFAs.
Giovani Bernard. He can play the role of third down back with his ability to catch the ball as well as pass block, plus he can be a good change of pace guy to give Lamar a breather. I also like alen's call on Mike James. Mike Gillespie is another one.
Even with a good combine Franklin is still being overlooked. Probably the best all-around back in the draft not named Bernard.
Couldn't agree more. Would love to see smash and dash back together. Mike James is the type of player you want on your team and I think you'll be able to get him late, which is where you should spend a draft pick on an easy to find position where you don't have a big need. As for the "type" of back that complements Miller best, I'm not sure there is one specific type. I think most will say a bruiser that can get you short yardage because many assume Miller is a finesse back because of his game breaking ability. But Lamar Miller fully realized in his potential is an all around back that should be able to do it all. He's a 220lb back that at times at Miami showed he can run hard in between the tackles.
He'll probably go in the 2nd or early 3rd at the latest. I'd prefer to wait till the 4th or later to take a back to pair with Miller.
I reckon we maybe able to get Franklin in the 4th, if not then likely Taylor. Both impress me immensely. I think the back to complement Miller should be able to carry the load for a few games if necessary too. In case of injury. So, a proven bell cow runner like either of them, or if he slid, also Ball, would be fine choices.
Well for my POV, I think Thigpen can fill that 3rd down role and backup Miller and Thiggy is going to have show more as a Rb to stay on the roster as we will draft Wr's who can also return kicks imo, and they probably have not given up DTrain. The real question to me is are they happy with Jonas Gray? To me that depth slot is the weakest, it's not DTrain per se. He can always be benched and deactivated, but does Gray then step in? I wouldn't bet heavily on it.
Eddie Lacy..but that ain't gonna happen, the traditional downhill style of Montee ball, the all around game of step Taylor, Jon Franklin, in the later rounds, I don't look at complimentary in this situation, I look at who I think will be good when they get their reps and who can stay on the field all three downs.