Needalife said:

I think people are listening too much to Mike Mayock! McFadden will be a stud for years to come. I also am on the Kevin Smith bandwagon and will say that I think Felix Jones might be a little overrated, unless placed in the right situation. I don’t like Chris Johnson or Mike Hart from a fantasy perspective.

1 DMC (can run, catch and throw TDs)
2 Mendenhall (ideal size and good measurables)
3 Stewart (toe injury concerns me because they are often lingering)
4 K Smith (best natural and instinctive runner in this draft class)
5 M Forte (reminds me of a bruiser like Jamal Lewis)
6 F Jones (undersized but could be a strong addition to a RBBC)
7 R Rice (workhorse who just needs a chance)
8 T Choice
9 J Charles
10 S Slayton (soft but very talented)

Welcome to the site Needalife!

Jones is just under 5'11″ and he is 207lbs. Not huge by any means, but DMC is 211lbs…and is taller at 6'1″. I would think DMC would be the one classified as undersized based on the frame they are working with.

Nice list…I agree with Slaton…soft but talented…3rd down back in my view

B D O said:

---

Thanks for the Bonus Points X…..lol. I always go with my gut, and it is screaming that this Smith kid is for real. We Shall See !

I agree 100%. Everything I have seen of this guy scream TOTAL package. I am really just hoping he goes to a team that will give him a legit shot at starting. Then I hope he slips to me at 1.06.

jmtorrey said:

MrMarbles said:

---

Welcome to the site Needalife!

Jones is just under 5'11″ and he is 207lbs. Not huge by any means, but DMC is 211lbs…and is taller at 6'1″. I would think DMC would be the one classified as undersized based on the frame they are working with.

Nice list…I agree with Slaton…soft but talented…3rd down back in my view

---

Is it common for rookies to put on weight? I've never kept my eyes on it. But I figure most RBs come out of college a little lighter than what they'll play in the NFL at.

I would think that once they get into the NFL they will throw more weight on their frame if need be or shed weight if required. They have such good strength and conditions coaches that they'd decide what needs to be done.

First of all, thanks for all the greetings and welcomes.

I'm high on McFadden because I watched him in 8 games this year and, from a college perspective, he might be one of the best 2 or 3 RBs I've EVER seen play at that level. He does have skinny legs but it didn't hurt him against some very strong SEC defenses with pro-type players. He plays rugged and with a relentless attitude. People who put Mendenhall and Stewart ahead of him are doing so purely based on height/weight/leg stats, not actual game film (which can be totally reasonable). While I like those 2 a lot, I didn't feel like they were over the top studs in college. Mayock drives me crazy on the NFL network talking about McFadden's legs. Is there any precedent of a guy who was a good college RB who sucked in the NFL because he had skinny legs?

I also remember a lot of people arguing that Lynch would be the better pro than AP last year too. Granted they're both pretty damn good. As always, the situation will determine a lot. I'd love to see DMC running behind Faneca, D'Brick and Mangold for the next few years. Luckily for me, I own 1.1 and 1.2 in my draft so I get to take a shot at McFadden and Mendenhall/Stewart. While I think it is insane when people say DMC could have a season like AD (even AD will have a tough time repeating that!), I do think he could have a top 8 fantasy RB season in 2008.

Kevin Smith is another guy you just have to see play. While his speed may not be elite, this guy has insane moves and instincts.

If I was a dynasty owner drafting in the 3rd position, I am definitely happy to get Stewart but I do worry about his toe after a season or 2. Toe injuries just seem to linger through a season and hold players from exploding for that 1/2 second when pushing off.

This might be one of the greatest years ever for RBs! Can't say the same for QBs or WRs…. although some of the WRs intrigue me (esp. Hardy).

If height, weight and game film were the only things that mattered in determining who would succeed and who wouldn't there would be no busts to speak of. Intangibles play just as big a role since most of these guys have the physical skills to compete. Yes, some run faster, some jump higher, some weigh more or less, but they are all essentially blessed with the physical skills to compete at this level.

The difference between Tom Brady and Ryan Leaf is not arm strength or height - it's football intelligence, focus and leadership. How exactly do you measure those until you get them on your team and in game situations? If they could measure them, Tom Brady would have been #1 overall and Ryan Leaf would never have been drafted.

McFadden is obviously blessed with all the physical skills anyone would need to succeed as an NFL running back. No one questions that. But it is also entirely reasonable to question past transgressions and his personal life as a way to peek into his psyche. If someone ranks others ahead of him based on that, it's hard to argue with it. One is not a better measuring stick than another, because a player needs both to succeed in the NFL. I happen to think McFadden will overcome the personal stuff and eventually be a top 5 running back some day. As of right now, he's the #1 RB and player on my rookie rankings.

That's funny. I was waiting to hear from you on this one. Which back do I take????

craphonso- pm'd you….

Good to see you on the boards dmac37!! Love it when someone goes back into the “archives” to add their take on a situation. This is what we’re all about!