I agree with you. There were times when it looked like a play was opening up somewhere and he ran directly into the back of a blocker. Other times, he hit the hole clean and it was really special. I think the word I would use is inconsistent. Sometimes really good, sometimes really not.
The one thing I hold out hope for is he played one game in college his last year, so maybe he just needed some reps and another full off-season to get back into the groove.
skinsinparadise was high on him coming out of college. I don't know if he showed the same in college as last year. But I kindof expect not given how high SIP was on him.
Ironically, three players I was really high on before they got here—Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chig Okonkwo, and Rachaad White—have skyrocketed with some fans and to an extent with the local media. I pushed all three during the draft or free agency, but now I think the hype has gotten a little out of hand.
Croskey-Merritt: His superpower is what happens once he reaches the second level. He's elusive in space, has legitimate home-run ability, and runs with an edge. He isn't quite the battering ram someone like Skattebo is, but he definitely has that "I won't be denied" mentality.
He's pretty much been what I expected as a pro. He runs with reckless abandon—for better and worse. He flashes big-play potential, but he didn't produce many explosive runs last season. He also wasn't much of a receiving weapon in college, and that has carried over to the NFL. Pass protection is another weakness. Unless he develops as both a receiver and pass blocker, I think it's fair to view him as one of the weaker starting running backs in the league. As part of a committee, though, I like him a lot. I just don't buy the idea that he's some hidden superstar. And let's not forget—he's already 25, which is on the older side for a young NFL running back.
Rachaad White: Really good pickup for the cheap price. He's an excellent receiving back, but only an average runner. So I disagree with the comparisons to TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson is a far more explosive athlete. White actually ranked near the bottom of the league in explosive run metrics last season. As a pass catcher, though, he's outstanding. He reminds me a little of Larry Centers—a back who could consistently make plays in the passing game but will rarely take it to the house. But he and Nick Cross IMO are their best under the radar signings -- not completely under the radar but they don't get the almost universal love that some others do.
Chig Okonkwo: I pushed hard for him throughout free agency. What I didn't expect was for some fans—and even some local media—to immediately crown him as a star the moment he signed. It's almost as if the Zach Ertz era has suddenly become a disappointment and Jayden now has his own Travis Kelce. I'm exaggerating to make the point, but not by much.
Chig is a good player. He has never been a great player. I think some people assume any good player automatically becomes great once he joins Jayden Daniels, especially considering the limited supporting cast Jayden has had. Compared to guys like Van Jefferson, Jamison Crowder, or Chris Moore, Chig looks like a superstar. But that's a pretty low bar.
What Chig does exceptionally well is create yards after the catch. That's his calling card. He's not an elite route runner, and there are still areas of his game that need refinement. I think he'll be a good addition and probably have a productive season. But the level of hype has gotten way ahead of what he's actually accomplished or how he's seen nationally -- not even ranked top 25 from scouts-exuectives. I honestly can't remember another player receiving this much hype before proving it on the field. Do I think he will be a superstar? Not sure. But I can see him energe into a top 15 type TE in part because the lack of other talent on the offensive side.
 }})
