He would give us more of the lightning portion but not a full time back. If we were sticking with the current crop we would still lack a legit thunder but I really like Henderson
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The 2025 Draft Thread
- Thread starter Neophyte
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bifflog
The Rookie
Where is he lacking for this (legitimately asking, not a loaded question) as I see good reviews for his pass blocking? Maybe because his size doesn't translate to doing that super well at NFL level?
Yeah it has to do with his size and why he was so good in combination with the bigger Judkins. As SIP mentioned a few posts back, he struggles against stacked boxes and he has quite a bit of time missed due to injuries. He would be an incredible weapon to add to the team but would not be a real workhorse type. Combined with our current RB room, he would fit but don't really have a thunder to his lightning.
Commander Wraith
The 1st Round Pick
Came across an OSU fan page where they talked about the ground game. Specifically to the short yardage run game, it was interesting to see the split in blame between the OL (DL penetrating consistently), the backs, and the play-calling (shotgun handoffs, rarely using the qb sneak). Consensus seemed to be that the OL has been poor for years (at least in terms of run blocking).
I’m glad our offense at least will have scheme continuity, even if we’re changing up our oline a fair bit.
On a separate note, I hope we hear more about visits at some point.
I’m glad our offense at least will have scheme continuity, even if we’re changing up our oline a fair bit.
On a separate note, I hope we hear more about visits at some point.
Hail Raiser
The Free Agent Vet
Considering not a single prospect has played a single down in the NFL, I don't see how you could possibly rank any of them, in any way.I think this post was probably meant for the other thread.
There IS a consensus board, though. Maybe more than one. The one I look at takes 150 different boards and mocks and does math to figure out approximately where players rank. Galdi had a segment on this with one of the folks who puts one together. There was a term (which I can't remember) but it used something like the "law of big sample size" or something to get closer to what the general consensus on a player was.
I wouldn't use it as a draft board, even for a mock draft, but if you're judging how far a player is away from "the average" then it's as good a spot to look at.
We talked about this with Ron because his picks were often WAY off the consensus boards. Which screamed "I'm smarter than everybody!" I think either Conn of Califan originally brought it up, but I could be mis-remembering.
On the topic of the mock draft, yeah, just a list of who's taken is all I was really getting at. Alphabetical by position would be fine. Challenge there would be keeping it up to date. It also might be a stupid idea. Not all thoughts turn into good ideas.
Voice_of_Reason
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Thor will find a way.Considering not a single prospect has played a single down in the NFL, I don't see how you could possibly rank any of them, in any way.
It's a really good RB draft. I am not really hung up on #1 type three down RBs.
My point is some of the faster - homerun style RB's are really rotational backs versus #1 types. I am fine with that. But am explaining that's why the further I dive into these guys, the more I think for example Henderson will indeed fall to the mid 2nd and won't be taken at the end of the first. Sampson could go in the early 3rd, etc. Because some teams are looking for pure #1 backs.
Henderson struggles against stacked boxes and when the opponent's penetrate the line of scrimmage. Statisitically speaking on some of these measures he's the worst RB in this class on that front. Then you got his injury history. So he's more of a 12 touches a game guy then a bell cow. Now on that front, he's perfect. He catches the ball well, pass blockers well and destroys light boxes. And he's more of an inside runner which fits this defense. To use a baseball term he's a platoon player, not a full-time starter IMO.
Tuten i like a lot. But he's also not a dude who does hot against stacked boxes. Fumbles. Is so so at best as pass catcher and isn't a good pass blocker. But he's explosive especially with outside the tackles runs. Good change of pace back. I don't think he's a bell cow back.
Blue fumbles too much. Isn't a good pass blocker. Isn't the most physlcal runner. But he's elusive in open space. Really good pass catcher who plays both in the slot and outside. In short, fun player in a role versus being the main dude.
Brashard Smith: A lot like Blue. I think a better runner than him. But a role player.
Sampson: Similar to Tuten except runs better inside and I trust him more around the red zone. I don't know if he has the size to hold up to the #1, and is just OK at best at pass catching. So so pass protector.
Harvey -- borderline #1 back. But is poor in pass protect. And seems so determined to take everything outside that he comes off to me as more rotational where he plays to a niche.
And look i like all of those guys for different reasons, love to him them. But I think they are all rotational backs
As for backs that aren't rotational IMO among the ones I've watched, and that doesn't mean better but just that they can handle 20-25 carries and stay in there for third down.
Hampton -- textbook all around back.
Kaleb Johnson. Albiet he's not perfect for it either considering he's a so so pass catcher and is meh as a pass blocker. But I think he's good enough as a pass catcher and his the size to develop as a pass protector.
Judkins: Can do everything. Not explosive.
DJ Giddens: Same as Kaleb. Different types of runners but same weaknesses. If they can get a third round pick in this draft, its a toss up for me between him, Martinez, Tuten, and Harvey in that range and I'd lean Giddens.
Devin Neal: Good enough to be all around. Doesn't IMO do one thing great. But does everything well enough.
D. Martinez: Can do everything as a runner well enough, not the best pass protector or catcher, but I figure for his size he'd grow into that.
Skattebo: Can do it all. But they use him so much as an outlet in the passing game that he has so little experience in pass protect so he'd need to develop that
J. Hunter. More of a straight line runner than Neal but otherwise the same points about Neal apply to him.
Then you got guys who aren't complete backs but might develop into them
Jordan James. A poor man's Neal. A bad pass protector. OK pass catcher. He's physical enough that he can grow.
Etienne: Is fairly fast, can break tackles, decent but not hot as a pass catcher and so so at best as a pass protector
Hampton -- textbook all around back.
Kaleb Johnson. Albiet he's not perfect for it either considering he's a so so pass catcher and is meh as a pass blocker. But I think he's good enough as a pass catcher and his the size to develop as a pass protector.
Judkins: Can do everything. Not explosive.
DJ Giddens: Same as Kaleb. Different types of runners but same weaknesses. If they can get a third round pick in this draft, its a toss up for me between him, Martinez, Tuten, and Harvey in that range and I'd lean Giddens.
Devin Neal: Good enough to be all around. Doesn't IMO do one thing great. But does everything well enough.
D. Martinez: Can do everything as a runner well enough, not the best pass protector or catcher, but I figure for his size he'd grow into that.
Skattebo: Can do it all. But they use him so much as an outlet in the passing game that he has so little experience in pass protect so he'd need to develop that
J. Hunter. More of a straight line runner than Neal but otherwise the same points about Neal apply to him.
Then you got guys who aren't complete backs but might develop into them
Jordan James. A poor man's Neal. A bad pass protector. OK pass catcher. He's physical enough that he can grow.
Etienne: Is fairly fast, can break tackles, decent but not hot as a pass catcher and so so at best as a pass protector
RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Johnson didn’t quite have the athletic showing at the NFL Scouting Combine some expected, but his name still sneakily carries first-round potential simply because his tape at Iowa shows that there aren't many running backs with his combination of size and speed.
Johnson’s height (6-foot-1), weight (224 pounds), wingspan (78 1/2 inches) and hand size (9 5/8 inches) were all above the 78th percentile for the position. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash placed him in just the 46th percentile, but weight-adjusting that score makes it just fine. Still, some were expecting more, and because of that, his stock seemed to cool.
But make no mistake, this is a big, explosive back who, behind a zone-heavy blocking scheme, could be a 1,000-yard back early in his rookie contract. Teams such as the Broncos and Steelers (teams that ran a heavy amount of zone in 2024) could at least consider him on Day 1. The Commanders, who deploy more of an even split between zone and man/gap run blocking, are also an intriguing landing spot.
www.pff.com
Johnson didn’t quite have the athletic showing at the NFL Scouting Combine some expected, but his name still sneakily carries first-round potential simply because his tape at Iowa shows that there aren't many running backs with his combination of size and speed.
Johnson’s height (6-foot-1), weight (224 pounds), wingspan (78 1/2 inches) and hand size (9 5/8 inches) were all above the 78th percentile for the position. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash placed him in just the 46th percentile, but weight-adjusting that score makes it just fine. Still, some were expecting more, and because of that, his stock seemed to cool.
But make no mistake, this is a big, explosive back who, behind a zone-heavy blocking scheme, could be a 1,000-yard back early in his rookie contract. Teams such as the Broncos and Steelers (teams that ran a heavy amount of zone in 2024) could at least consider him on Day 1. The Commanders, who deploy more of an even split between zone and man/gap run blocking, are also an intriguing landing spot.
2025 NFL Draft: 5 prospects who could be surprise first-round picks
The NFL draft is often full of surprises, many of which occur on Day 1. Here are five 2025 prospects who might sneak into the first round.
www.pff.com
Killer first move, one cut, runs through tackles, keeps balance after first hit, always moves and falls forward, did have 22 receptions, ran for over 1500 yards when everyone knew he was getting the ball. I mean do you see his QB or receivers in the draft. The offense was KalebRB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Johnson didn’t quite have the athletic showing at the NFL Scouting Combine some expected, but his name still sneakily carries first-round potential simply because his tape at Iowa shows that there aren't many running backs with his combination of size and speed.
Johnson’s height (6-foot-1), weight (224 pounds), wingspan (78 1/2 inches) and hand size (9 5/8 inches) were all above the 78th percentile for the position. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash placed him in just the 46th percentile, but weight-adjusting that score makes it just fine. Still, some were expecting more, and because of that, his stock seemed to cool.
But make no mistake, this is a big, explosive back who, behind a zone-heavy blocking scheme, could be a 1,000-yard back early in his rookie contract. Teams such as the Broncos and Steelers (teams that ran a heavy amount of zone in 2024) could at least consider him on Day 1. The Commanders, who deploy more of an even split between zone and man/gap run blocking, are also an intriguing landing spot.
2025 NFL Draft: 5 prospects who could be surprise first-round picks
The NFL draft is often full of surprises, many of which occur on Day 1. Here are five 2025 prospects who might sneak into the first round.
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Yeah I'd be giddy if they take a RB among that 2nd tier group: Hampton, Kaleb Johnson, Skattebo, Henderson. All for very different reasons. But I do think Kaleb has suffered the most in this group from prospect fatigue. I like Judkins, I'd put him in that group, too but he's not as explosive from what I've watched and the stats back this as to breaking open runs for doubles, etc.
i know those who seem to judge breakaway runs on 40 time, would think that's crazy. But its not all about 40 time. These players actually have a history on this front and it is not purely predicated by their 40 time. Skattebo and Kaleb are more likely to break a big run than Judkins -- especially Kaleb.
That's something he and Skattebo had in common. That is they carried their respective offenses.
If I had to rank these guys right now. This is among the ones I've watched
Tier 1
1. Jeanty
2. Hampton
Tier 2
3. Henderson (purely because of the fit here not because he's my preferred RB)
4. Kaleb Johnson
5. Skattebo
6. Judkins.
The next tier is tough and i don't want to go all the way to the end because of the board's mock draft going on now.
Tier 3
7. Giddens
8. RJ Harvey
9. D. Martinez
10. Tuten
11. Sampson
(those 7 to 11, my mind can change on a dime, they are so close to me)
Tier 4
12. Croskey-Merritt
13. D. Neal
13. J. Hunter
14. B. Smith
15. Monangai
16. Etienne
17. Jordan James
18. Jaydon Blue
All of these are close to me, all different flavors.
Anselmheifer
The Starter
Do you think Hampton is worth pick 29?
I’d love Henderson for us. Like most people. He’s so explosive. We just can not expect to have a million 15 play drives again next year and be as good as we were in 2024. It feels like Henderson could be used like Chris Thompson, but with better long speed, and if he pass blocked like Clinton Portis.
I’m fine if it’s not Henderson, but I’m not thrilled with taking a 3rd down speed back that can’t pass block.
Adding one your top 5 list (same top 5 as me and they are all different ) and a speedy slot/deep WR would be an amazing weapon update for JD.
I used to think yes. But after diving in more, I say no, not worth it. But I don't think we'd have to take him that early if we traded down. I'd guess he goes mid 2nd. I am good taking him there. PFF keeps dropping him, last I saw they have him in the ealy 3rd, and he's their #7 back. I doubt he lasts to the third round.
I think there is some romance with Henderson with our fan base because he seems so much what we need in this RB rotation. And I agree with that. But the romance for me stops there. I do think there are limitations to Henderson. That is, he's a good home runner hitter but not a good singles hitter when the defense is cued up to the run. So he's not going to grind you tough yards. So you need your own Judkins to do that in rotation with him. You also got his injury history to be concerned with.
While I'd like to have Henderson, its not him or bust with me. I do think he's the best fit in this group to what this RB room is missing. He kills light boxes. He catches the ball well. He pass protects well. But he doesn't though moonlight as a #1 back IMO where he can play the Judkins role.
Henderson versus Sampson is fascinating to me. Some with our fan base has Sampson as the backup idea to Henderson. Sampson IMO can do the tough yards better than Henderson. And find a way to do it in the red zone. But Sampson isn't as explosive even though he's fast. He doesn't have these breakaway runs like Henderson has. He also isn't as good as a pass protector or as a pass catcher.
If we are talking pure speedy guys. Jaydon Blue and Brashard Smith are really good in the passing game. Smith reminds me a little of Sampson as to how he runs but he is not on Sampson's level IMO. Jaydon Blue is erratic as a runner but has his moments. But as third down backs, you want some pass pro chops and neither are good at it.
If I had to say who can be another Henderson type if they pick later in the draft.
A. RJ Harvey is fast and explosive and can catch. He is "meh" though as a pass protector
B. Tuten. Fast and explosive. Just ok hands. But bad pass protector
So Henderson in that third back role is ideal. He IMO has no weaknesses on that front. But he's not a #1 back who can grind for tough yards. He's in the Ekeler role IMO.
Anselmheifer
The Starter
I didn’t realize how good James Pearce’s get off was. His 10 yard split was better than Micah Parsons and Von Miller, just to name a couple: I’d like to see what Quinn could do with that.
Commander Wraith
The 1st Round Pick
Focusing on one-on-one meetings with RBs, including virtual visits and Individual Pro Day meetings, we’ve (so far) got:
Skattebo (Individual Pro Day mtg)
Jeanty (Combine)
Marks (Combine)
Hunter (Virtual)
James (Combine)
Etienne (Virtual)
Croskey-Merritt (Virtual)
I’d say signs point to a late round RB selection, at least at this point.
Skattebo (Individual Pro Day mtg)
Jeanty (Combine)
Marks (Combine)
Hunter (Virtual)
James (Combine)
Etienne (Virtual)
Croskey-Merritt (Virtual)
I’d say signs point to a late round RB selection, at least at this point.
Unfortunately they seem really secretive about their combine meetings. Only some have been disclosed we are probably missing like 30 of them. This FO is good at being secretive.
Of the character issue players, Green and Pearce, i slightly prefer Green but both would be good gets as players.
As dudes, digesting all I can about these two, the impression I get is Pearce has questionable character as a teammate and in the locker room in general including being coachable. Whereas Green seems like a good dude in the locker room and with coaches -- but what's going on with him off the field?
I gather they likely have done a ton of research on both.
They appear to be heavily preparing more for 2-6th round picks for many positions, as they should!
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