Late round or UDFA RB prospects

TeamoftheCentury · Feb 17, 2016

Without the durability issues, I could see Tre Madden being a top RB prospect in this draft. He's probably either a late round or UDFA propect, though, because of that.

[youtube]n1Y_UPG3fPw[/youtube]

He's still young and has NFL bloodlines. http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-foot ... 56301.html I think he would be well worth a camp spot and if he can stay healthy through preseason... probably a good practice squad player if he doesn't crack the roster as a backup to Rawls.

From a fan site of the Hawks Triple-A club

... http://vikingsterritory.com/2016/scouti ... ing-report

UK_Seahawk · Feb 17, 2016

I think we got Rawls as UDFA due to character concerns rather than talent issues. If we are to get someone similar I suspect we need them to drop because of the former rather than the latter.

kearly · Feb 17, 2016

Nice find.

[youtube]02VPq52GJKA[/youtube]

Big yet somehow fast and explosive with a smooth downhill style. He lacks the same caliber of lateral agility, but otherwise he compares well to Christian Michael. (Michael also had a similar list of injury dings in college).

Madden had a knee injury in 2012. Since then, he had a turf toe in 2014. That's not an injury history that scares me all that much.

Something about his running style lacks the twitchy "spark" Rawls and Michael have, but I would agree with the OP that Madden's talent is way higher than his 6th round projection would suggest.

All four of Seattle's RB's last year were big backs with speed, so I could absolutely see Seattle having interest.

Someone recently mentioned Jonathan Williams out of Arkansas. He's lacking the speed Seattle likes but plays with great balance and toughness.

cover-2 · Feb 17, 2016

While I'm in the "draft a RB in rounds 2-4 camp" this year, I agree that he would be a good late round prospect to consider in the draft.

firebee · Feb 17, 2016

Keith Marshall... RB out of Georgia... Didn't get a lot of touches after coming off an injury in 2014 and mostly relegated to spot duty with Gurley in 2013. Still.. Great vision with world class speed and great hands. Durability is a concern here, but the gamebreaking ability is a huge attraction for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEDaTV4p28o

Tre Madden looks like a good prospect too in a different way. Seems to play more physical and runs with a lower pad level than Marshall does. Marshall runs a bit upright, but he seems to be really good at getting downhill and bursting through the creases. Marshall also appears to have better patience. He doesn't run into the backs of his linemen, he lets his blocks set up the lanes and bursts through them. It's hard to say if he's a bettter receiver, as highlight videos usually don't show when players drop the ball.

cover-2 · Feb 17, 2016

firebee":1x29htho said:
Keith Marshall... RB out of Georgia... Didn't get a lot of touches after coming off an injury in 2014 and mostly relegated to spot duty with Gurley in 2013. Still.. Great vision with world class speed and great hands. Durability is a concern here, but the gamebreaking ability is a huge attraction for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEDaTV4p28o

Yeah, he has speed for days! I remember back in his freshman year when people were calling the Georgia RB duo of Gurley & Marshall "Gurshall".

kearly · Feb 17, 2016

I think before beginning this exercise it would be helpful to identify the kind of back Seattle wants. Do they want a 3rd down specialist to replace Fred Jackson? Do they want a Marshawn Lynch clone to pull the team back towards inline power football? Or do they want a RB as similar as possible to Thomas Rawls for injury insurance purposes? Those are three distinct RB types, and maybe that is a clue that Seattle could add multiple RBs this offseason.

Personally, I think the Fred Jackson role is highly fungible. Finding a good blocking RB off the street to handle a 3rd down role is easy.

Finding the next Lynch ranks right up there with finding the next franchise QB in the draft. It's hard to do, and often expensive. Lynch's ineffectiveness in 2015 also hints that his style of running might no longer suit Seattle's new offensive identity.

So to me, if you are drafting a RB with a decent pick in 2016, it really should be for a guy that fits the Thomas Rawls mold. A guy who can feel blocks, break tackles, play light on his feet and showcase decent speed.

I've looked at a lot of RBs now and its kind of shocking how hard it is to find a Thomas Rawls clone. It turns out his combination of qualities is pretty special. I feel pretty dumb now for allowing my bias against UDFA RBs from small schools cloud my judgement, because even in college Rawls showed a very special combination of traits that you don't find in every draft.

cover-2 · Feb 17, 2016

kearly":1zuj1fy6 said:
I think before beginning this exercise it would be helpful to identify the kind of back Seattle wants. Do they want a 3rd down specialist to replace Fred Jackson? Do they want a Marshawn Lynch clone to pull the team back towards inline power football? Or do they want a RB as similar as possible to Thomas Rawls for injury insurance purposes? Those are three distinct RB types, and maybe that is a clue that Seattle could add multiple RBs this offseason.

Personally, I think the Fred Jackson role is highly fungible. Finding a good blocking RB off the street to handle a 3rd down role is easy.

Finding the next Lynch ranks right up there with finding the next franchise QB in the draft. It's hard to do, and often expensive. Lynch's ineffectiveness in 2015 also hints that his style of running might no longer suit Seattle's new offensive identity.

So to me, if you are drafting a RB with a decent pick in 2016, it really should be for a guy that fits the Thomas Rawls mold. A guy who can feel blocks, break tackles, play light on his feet and showcase decent speed.

I've looked at a lot of RBs now and its kind of shocking how hard it is to find a Thomas Rawls clone. It turns out his combination of qualities is pretty special. I feel pretty dumb now for allowing my bias against UDFA RBs from small schools cloud my judgement, because even in college Rawls showed a very special combination of traits that you don't find in every draft.

If you think they should find a Fred Jackson 3rd down RB then bring back Robert Turbin or if you want to sign a RB to a one year prove it contract then Doug Martin or a bigger RB in Alred Morris are a couple of guys to keep in mind. The Seahawks want a RB that is at least a physical runner that is somewhat of a creative runner. So I highly doubt they would draft a finesse runner in the first three rounds of the draft.

chris98251 · Feb 17, 2016

You need the wide ass and the lateral vison and ability to cut sideways like a crab, Lynch and Rawls do that, I say wide ass for balance and power, you have to move the pile and break tackles, a wide base allows you to bounce off tackles and maintain balance and movement, also ability to keep the legs moving all the time, that heart and not quitting on a play, breaking first contact many times in the backfield. Ability to step up and block when asked and also catch the ball. Lastly running angry and wanting to dish out punishment or make contact. Lynch did it Rawls does it and Walter Payton stated giving and not receiving was what helped him play so long. Oh one last thing, speed, I would like a 4.4 something guy but a guy that can run 4.5 but has great vison and quickness in space as well as burst in that first five yards will get him that long run, he may get caught running 60 yards but the previous traits get him those 60 yard runs and many times the angle is all the difference anyway.

Simple to find this kind of back I know, but that's what we are looking for.

hawkfan68 · Feb 17, 2016

He looks great in his highlights but his line was opening some holes for him...I'd like to see a back without a decent line making those type of runs. USC probably has a better OL than the Seahawks do.

pehawk · Feb 18, 2016

The regression of conventional rushing attacks in college, and in turn the NFL, is changing how RB's should be evaluated. Physical traits should be next to last on requirements...replaced by instinct, patience and onecut commitment.

It's kind of a fascinating evolution.

McGruff · Feb 18, 2016

pehawk":2o8mu31c said:
The regression of conventional rushing attacks in college, and in turn the NFL, is changing how RB's should be evaluated. Physical traits should be next to last on requirements...replaced by instinct, patience and onecut commitment.

It's kind of a fascinating evolution.

And vision. Shaun Alexander would've put up 3000 yards in a spread running game.

That's one of the reasons I think Derek Henry is in play for Seattle. His vision to see blocks and set up defenders is the best I've seen in a long time.

pehawk · Feb 18, 2016

McGruff":2z7qqi7d said:
pehawk":2z7qqi7d said:

The regression of conventional rushing attacks in college, and in turn the NFL, is changing how RB's should be evaluated. Physical traits should be next to last on requirements...replaced by instinct, patience and onecut commitment.

It's kind of a fascinating evolution.

Click to expand...

And vision. Shaun Alexander would've put up 3000 yards in a spread running game.

That's one of the reasons I think Derek Henry is in play for Seattle. His vision to see blocks and set up defenders is the best I've seen in a long time.

True.

It could be my bias, but I have a feeling Cable is the one who identifies all these RB gems. Hes so good other teams line up for their cast offs.

Davidess · Feb 20, 2016

McGruff":30sbttvu said:
pehawk":30sbttvu said:

The regression of conventional rushing attacks in college, and in turn the NFL, is changing how RB's should be evaluated. Physical traits should be next to last on requirements...replaced by instinct, patience and onecut commitment.

It's kind of a fascinating evolution.

Click to expand...

And vision. Shaun Alexander would've put up 3000 yards in a spread running game.

That's one of the reasons I think Derek Henry is in play for Seattle. His vision to see blocks and set up defenders is the best I've seen in a long time.

I think the hawks like RBs who hit a hole and go. Can avoid leg tackles and are elusive. sounds the opposite of Henry. his lower body is small compared to the rest of him. His running style runs me of Kaepernick. straight line speed with long strides but not elusive at all. doesn't seem to use his size like he should. I don't think I want Henry at all.

poplarbluffman · Feb 20, 2016

love Henry as a rb but he needs a hole..as a side note 2nd highest sparq score for all players at nike high school sparq camp...

love to see Seattle draft him and add a couple of olineman later

as to top also think Tre Madden is a great later rd rb prospect 6'0 225 6th/udfa USC former lb with a long injury history has the size, speed, and instincts to be a very solid #2 back..also high character player

sc85sis · Feb 23, 2016

Tre was a LB who converted to RB at USC. When he was healthy he ran hard. Problem was keeping him healthy.

jdemps · Feb 26, 2016

I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on Dan Vitale as a 7th/UDFA as a FB. Runs good routes out of the backfield. Decent hands. Decent blocker. Slightly bigger than Derrick Coleman but super agile. At the top of the shuttle and 3 cone drills. He's a little small for a FB though and his frame looks pretty maxed out (dude is stacked).

[youtube]uUsRNH1Alt0[/youtube]

Erebus · Feb 26, 2016

If we're looking for a 3rd down back with big play potential, how about Daniel Lasco from Cal? His combine performance caught my attention. His 10 yard split (1.53), vertical jump (41.5"), and broad jump (11'3") suggested he is an explosive athlete, and were all the best numbers among RBs today. So I looked at some film and read his scouting report. Rob Rang says he's a good receiver and alert blocker. From my amateur eye, he looks like he has good vision, acceleration, and cutting ability and fights for extra yards. He had been considered a 4th/5th round prospect, but his performance today probably vaulted him up a round.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/daniel-lasco-vs-san-diego-state-2015/

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1880836/daniel-lasco

SDHawk · Feb 26, 2016

Nice find re: Tre Madden

Reminds me of TJ Yeldon. Good vision. Not very sudden, but has solid straight line speed once he has a head full of steam.

I like Josh Ferguson, who isn't a feature back type but a play-maker for sure in the mold of a Percy Harvin/Darren Sproles. Pros: Decisive. Extremely sudden. Wicked jump cut and spin move. Elite long speed. Soft hands and good routes.
Cons: Bounces everything outside. Small.

[youtube]7kqHVjkn8tA[/youtube]

Jimjones0384 · Mar 6, 2016

Keith Marshall is the guy I want. It amazes me he came back from injury this strong. He is that one cut and burn guy I love, like Rawls. In my mind he has power to compliment his world class speed. Seems to have the patience I would want in my running back. His knee injury is more a freak thing than a concern in my opinion. But because of injury he will fall a lot in the draft probably. Definitely worth the risk, even if you have to get him a little earlier than projected. He just had he misfortune of an injury, and being sandwiched between gurly and Chubb.

Late round or UDFA RB prospects

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