Best Compliment to Langford?

[dawhizz]

In the event we don't got Elliott in the first, I can really see the Bears using a pick in the middle rounds on a compliment back to Langford. They have to feel pretty good about their ability to get good value in the middle rounds in RB after getting Langford, and truthfully most of the RBs taken in the middle rounds last year performed pretty well, so they can probably aim to catch a falling RB around the same area they took Langford and get a good complimentary back.

 

My question is, what kind of back do we need as a compliment to Langford? He's kind of an in-between back. He's got the size of a between the tackles guy, but doesn't really run that way. He's got good (but not great) speed and is probably better as an outside the numbers runner, but he's not super shifty. He came into the draft as a good pass-catcher, but dropped a lot of passes last year. So is the ideal compliment to Langford more of a pounding inside runner (someone like Derrick Henry or Alex Collins) or a third down/shifty/pass-catcher (like Paul Perkins or Tyler Ervin)? Or do you just take another guy who is a little bit of both like Kenyon Drake?

 

Currently, I lean toward a guy like Alex Collins if he's still there in the 4th (

), but I'm interested in what others think.

[adam]

This might sound silly, but just draft the best RB available. I don't think you need to compliment a player that is not on the field at the same time as the other. If we are going to go RBC, then you don't necessarily need someone different than Langford, just someone to spell him. I would want the back that can do anything, otherwise, if you get one that can't catch a cold, then it is easier for defenses to play the run when they are in.

[AZ54]

I really don't like Henry at all, well maybe on day 3. So yes, that makes me unlike anyone else on the planet. My reason is simply because if it isn't right in front of Henry then it isn't likely to happen. I feel RBs who can make the quick lateral cuts to the unplanned hole and then explode forward are just more productive. That's not to say Henry won't be productive in the NFL, he will.

 

I'd take Kenyan Drake over Henry all day, in any round where both are available. Drake offers much more versatility because he can split out wide as a slot WR and I think he'd be a great compliment to Langford and the offense overall. There's injury history with him so that pushes a 1st Rd talent down to 2nd and maybe 3rd Rd. If he's there in the 3rd Rd that's good value IMO.

[AZ54]

Watching some other RBs tonight...

 

Day 2 options:

 

I'm already on board with Kenyan Drake.

 

Not on board with Derek Henry.

 

I don't like Devontae Booker that much. He's effective but I don't see the quickness in his cuts. Later rounds I'm ok but I often see him selected in the 2nd Rd.

 

I like Prosise. Like Langford he was converted from playing other positions in college so he doesn't have a lot of RB experience. That means he has some things to work on but I like the tool box: power, speed, quickness and vision.

 

I like Kenneth Dixon. CBS has him as a 2nd Rd prospect but I don't quite see that as he doesn't have any standout attributes. He is a very good all-around player. Good hands as a receiver, quickness and vision to make the lateral cuts and find the opening. Enough size to run with some power. He won't run away from anyone in the NFL.

 

 

 

Day 3 options:

 

Said many times I like Tyler Ervin's versatility as a slot WR/KR/PR but as a RB he's a 5-10 carry guy. If we're are looking for 15 carries/gm player to split time with Langford we'll have to go elsewhere. Likewise if pass protection is paramount, and after pursuing CJ Anderson I suspect it is.

 

Paul Perkins... he's ok but for a smaller back I don't see any special traits. I'll pass.

 

Jonathan Williams... I like him. He would have probably had a Day 2 grade (still does in places) but after missing all of 2015 with a bad foot injury and just now getting back into form I think he'll drop to day 3. If he's elite in one area it's balance. This is the guy who just makes people miss tackles, over and over. Good enough strength to run through the arm tackles and can run with some power. I don't see enough long speed for the NFL game but he's fast enough. In two games I didn't see many receptions but he had a few. He did run routes at his Pro Day.

 

Jordan Howard... If you enjoyed watching Chris Ivory play smash-mouth football for half a season this is your RB. Oddly, as physical as he is while running he puts a skirt on when pass protecting. I'll pass.

 

Darius Jackson... I like this kid. He's from Eastern Mich so level of competition is a concern but he has all the tools you want. 4.40 forty at 220lbs and the shiftiness to make tacklers miss in the hole and open field. I'm sure he'll need time to adapt to the NFL but watch him against LSU's defense and it's clear he's belongs on the field against those players.

 

 

 

 

[Stinger226]

Watching some other RBs tonight...

 

Day 2 options:

 

I'm already on board with Kenyan Drake.

 

Not on board with Derek Henry.

 

I don't like Devontae Booker that much. He's effective but I don't see the quickness in his cuts. Later rounds I'm ok but I often see him selected in the 2nd Rd.

 

I like Prosise. Like Langford he was converted from playing other positions in college so he doesn't have a lot of RB experience. That means he has some things to work on but I like the tool box: power, speed, quickness and vision.

 

I like Kenneth Dixon. CBS has him as a 2nd Rd prospect but I don't quite see that as he doesn't have any standout attributes. He is a very good all-around player. Good hands as a receiver, quickness and vision to make the lateral cuts and find the opening. Enough size to run with some power. He won't run away from anyone in the NFL.

 

 

 

Day 3 options:

 

Said many times I like Tyler Ervin's versatility as a slot WR/KR/PR but as a RB he's a 5-10 carry guy. If we're are looking for 15 carries/gm player to split time with Langford we'll have to go elsewhere. Likewise if pass protection is paramount, and after pursuing CJ Anderson I suspect it is.

 

Paul Perkins... he's ok but for a smaller back I don't see any special traits. I'll pass.

 

Jonathan Williams... I like him. He would have probably had a Day 2 grade (still does in places) but after missing all of 2015 with a bad foot injury and just now getting back into form I think he'll drop to day 3. If he's elite in one area it's balance. This is the guy who just makes people miss tackles, over and over. Good enough strength to run through the arm tackles and can run with some power. I don't see enough long speed for the NFL game but he's fast enough. In two games I didn't see many receptions but he had a few. He did run routes at his Pro Day.

 

Jordan Howard... If you enjoyed watching Chris Ivory play smash-mouth football for half a season this is your RB. Oddly, as physical as he is while running he puts a skirt on when pass protecting. I'll pass.

 

Darius Jackson... I like this kid. He's from Eastern Mich so level of competition is a concern but he has all the tools you want. 4.40 forty at 220lbs and the shiftiness to make tacklers miss in the hole and open field. I'm sure he'll need time to adapt to the NFL but watch him against LSU's defense and it's clear he's belongs on the field against those players.

 

2 names I'll throw out the there is Wendell Smallwood and Daniel lassco. They sound like interesting 4th or 5th round picks.

[jason]

I really don't like Henry at all, well maybe on day 3. So yes, that makes me unlike anyone else on the planet. My reason is simply because if it isn't right in front of Henry then it isn't likely to happen. I feel RBs who can make the quick lateral cuts to the unplanned hole and then explode forward are just more productive. That's not to say Henry won't be productive in the NFL, he will.

 

I'd take Kenyan Drake over Henry all day, in any round where both are available. Drake offers much more versatility because he can split out wide as a slot WR and I think he'd be a great compliment to Langford and the offense overall. There's injury history with him so that pushes a 1st Rd talent down to 2nd and maybe 3rd Rd. If he's there in the 3rd Rd that's good value IMO.

 

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT? That's straight insane. You're not objectively looking at this at all. There is a reason Drake didn't start over Henry. It's because as a RB Henry is a monster. He's super fast, runs with great power, is capable of breaking tons of tackles, is an absolute terror running north-south, and has very good vision through the hole. Who cares if the RB can split out as a WR.

 

 

2:18 - Great double cutback then turns on the jets.

2:45 - Single cut, explodes downhill.

2:51 - Single cut, explodes to the EZ.

3:10 - Single cut, sets up his WR block, goes to the outside for a TD.

3:36 - Amazing creative vision here, cutback left is blocked by LB, sees RT get leverage, blasts into the weak spot, then powers for a long TD

3:54 - Catches a pass in the flats, shits on a LB, runs through an arm tackle, stiff-arms another, TD

4:08 - Great jump cut, explodes down hill for a much bigger gain than he should have gotten

 

Find another highlight and I'll show you a bunch more.

 

If Henry is there in the 3rd, the Bears front office should draft him instantaneously and then have a war room orgy to celebrate.

[AZ54]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT? That's straight insane. You're not objectively looking at this at all. There is a reason Drake didn't start over Henry. It's because as a RB Henry is a monster. He's super fast, runs with great power, is capable of breaking tons of tackles, is an absolute terror running north-south, and has very good vision through the hole. Who cares if the RB can split out as a WR.

 

 

2:18 - Great double cutback then turns on the jets.

2:45 - Single cut, explodes downhill.

2:51 - Single cut, explodes to the EZ.

3:10 - Single cut, sets up his WR block, goes to the outside for a TD.

3:36 - Amazing creative vision here, cutback left is blocked by LB, sees RT get leverage, blasts into the weak spot, then powers for a long TD

3:54 - Catches a pass in the flats, shits on a LB, runs through an arm tackle, stiff-arms another, TD

4:08 - Great jump cut, explodes down hill for a much bigger gain than he should have gotten

 

Find another highlight and I'll show you a bunch more.

 

If Henry is there in the 3rd, the Bears front office should draft him instantaneously and then have a war room orgy to celebrate.

 

Insanity is me. I watched some more film I'll say 3rd Rd is ok for me. Despite the highlights you shared I don't see a guy with the ability to make the quick lateral cuts to the backside of the play. He'll have a good career and he'll have plenty of NFL highlights. I also think NFL defenses are going to shoot into the front side of the play and make him stop to cutback. That's going to lead to many short gains or no-gain plays. I don't want him with our 2nd Rd pick, or a late 1st Rd pick if we should trade back.

 

I do care if a RB has versatility and can return kicks, punts, and especially if they are able to work outside as as slot WR like Forte did for us for many years. I think that makes it harder for defenses to figure out a play based on personnel. If it's between Henry and Drake in the 3rd Rd I'd still take Drake.

 

If I had Dallas' Oline then Henry is a perfect fit. We have Grasu at C who gets pushed around, or an aging Ramirez in his place, and Leno at LT who is not that good as a run blocker. Our slot WR depth right now consists of Eddie "Sugar Glass" Royal backed up by Marc "I might get separation on this play" Mariani.

[jason]

Insanity is me. I watched some more film I'll say 3rd Rd is ok for me. Despite the highlights you shared I don't see a guy with the ability to make the quick lateral cuts to the backside of the play. He'll have a good career and he'll have plenty of NFL highlights. I also think NFL defenses are going to shoot into the front side of the play and make him stop to cutback. That's going to lead to many short gains or no-gain plays. I don't want him with our 2nd Rd pick, or a late 1st Rd pick if we should trade back.

 

I do care if a RB has versatility and can return kicks, punts, and especially if they are able to work outside as as slot WR like Forte did for us for many years. I think that makes it harder for defenses to figure out a play based on personnel. If it's between Henry and Drake in the 3rd Rd I'd still take Drake.

 

If I had Dallas' Oline then Henry is a perfect fit. We have Grasu at C who gets pushed around, or an aging Ramirez in his place, and Leno at LT who is not that good as a run blocker. Our slot WR depth right now consists of Eddie "Sugar Glass" Royal backed up by Marc "I might get separation on this play" Mariani.

 

If you want a slot WR, the Bears should draft a slot WR. Using that as an option is just a minor schematic option.

 

I still think you're wrong about Henry. He doesn't have the "juke you in a phone booth" skills that some shifty guys like Ervin has, but he only needs the single cut most of the time because he's so strong and explosive. He'll truck right through arm tackles in the NFL as well. Not only that, but Langford is not a pure power back, and he's yet to show his GL abilities. That is not a concern with Henry. At the very least, he's a monster, guaranteed GL back, pseudo FB. He's a guy who is going to get you 3 hard yards regardless of where you're at. Great compliment if you ask me.

[AZ54]

If you want a slot WR, the Bears should draft a slot WR. Using that as an option is just a minor schematic option.

 

I still think you're wrong about Henry. He doesn't have the "juke you in a phone booth" skills that some shifty guys like Ervin has, but he only needs the single cut most of the time because he's so strong and explosive. He'll truck right through arm tackles in the NFL as well. Not only that, but Langford is not a pure power back, and he's yet to show his GL abilities. That is not a concern with Henry. At the very least, he's a monster, guaranteed GL back, pseudo FB. He's a guy who is going to get you 3 hard yards regardless of where you're at. Great compliment if you ask me.

 

It's just our preferences. I value the player with the 4.3 forty that is more versatile and you value more the player with the power for short yardage situations.

[jason]

It's just our preferences. I value the player with the 4.3 forty that is more versatile and you value more the player with the power for short yardage situations.

 

On the contrary. We're the same. I'd much rather have the home-run hitter. I've said so for years. But this is about which player is a better compliment to Langford, a guy who already has home-run speed (4.42).

[adam]

Henry is built like a brick shithouse. He makes Eddie Lacy look like an 8th grader:

 

[jason]

Henry is built like a brick shithouse. He makes Eddie Lacy look like an 8th grader:

 

And that's only half the photo!!

 

He's just about as thick as Ingram, while being 5" taller. Meanwhile, Trent Richardson and Lacy look like fans taking photos with their favorite player. He's immense. He's stronger than the others, and just as fast.

 

https://twitter.com/BamaPride143/status/721...0008192/photo/1

[AZ54]

On the contrary. We're the same. I'd much rather have the home-run hitter. I've said so for years. But this is about which player is a better compliment to Langford, a guy who already has home-run speed (4.42).

 

Seems like we went through a similar debate a couple months back between Myles Jack vs. Ragland.

[Stinger226]

And that's only half the photo!!

 

He's just about as thick as Ingram, while being 5" taller. Meanwhile, Trent Richardson and Lacy look like fans taking photos with their favorite player. He's immense. He's stronger than the others, and just as fast.

 

https://twitter.com/BamaPride143/status/721...0008192/photo/1

Henry will be a stud RB, would have to take Elliot first and he a close 2nd. They both will be gone by the early 2nd round.

[jason]

Seems like we went through a similar debate a couple months back between Myles Jack vs. Ragland.

 

I thought you were just talking about RBs. I don't apply that philosophy across all positions.

 

RBs? Yeah, in general I prefer the homerun hitter over the steady 4ypc guy.

LBs? Give me the steady guy who wraps up and makes consistent tackles all day over the guy who may explode into a few huge plays and perform average the rest of the time...not that either description fits Jack/Ragland.