A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

I was just watching E60 Ray Rice and they were talking about how 5 Running back were taken in front of Rice. Went back to look at who they were and saw what might end up being one of the best classes ever for a single position.

Among the players from that class we see Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Jammal Charles, and Peyton Hillis. Not to mention Ray Rice.

Even guys like Torain, Hightower, Felix Jones, Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, and Tasard Choice came from this class.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

So instead of picking Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas we could of picked Matt Forte AND Ray Rice:doh:

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

So, ultimately it is Darren McFadden>Peyton Hillis>Felix Jones. In the 2009 offseason, it would have been Felix Jones=Peyton Hillis>Darren McFadden. In the 2010 offseason, it would have been McFadden>Jones>Hillis. Sometimes, you just gotta wait before jumping to conclusions.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=WaldSkins;852327]So instead of picking Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas we could of picked Matt Forte AND Ray Rice:doh:[/quote]

But we had Clinton Portis.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;852333]But we had Clinton Portis.[/quote]

I am a huge Clinton Portis fan, but Forte or Rice or Charles could of got Betts of the team that much sooner.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;852333]But we had Clinton Portis.[/quote]

:doh:

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Chico23231;852340]:doh:[/quote]

That would have been the fan reaction if we actually did draft a RB then. I'm just sayin'. ;)

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

And actually, we could have had Chris Johnson in the first round. So, "draft for need"-niks, what is your answer to drafting a starting caliber RB onto your roster? Let me answer for you. None, even with Clinton Portis making a few million, you take the successful player and leave the unsuccessful ones in the dust.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

you can get good running backs late. If the draft threads that year I was all for ray rice, after watching him in college (i don't root for any NCAA team, so, no homer) I knew he's be a solid NFL back. I didn't think that much of mcfadden though (especially after reggie bush was very eh), but I'm never a fan of spending 1st rounders on RBs or LBs (I'd prefer LT's and DE's - orakpo and kerrigan count as DEs for drafting purposes).

good running backs aren't hard to find, but good durable ones can be...

adrian peterson or barry sanders are the type of RB i'd take with a top 5 pick.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right?

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=steveo395;852384]You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right?[/quote]

Well in all fairness to Vinny he did bring in Forte for a predraft visit. Then again who would have expected him to screw up 2 of 3 second round picks?

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;852298]I was just watching E60 Ray Rice and they were talking about how 5 Running back were taken in front of Rice. Went back to look at who they were and saw what might end up being one of the best classes ever for a single position.

Among the players from that class we see Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Jammal Charles, and Peyton Hillis. Not to mention Ray Rice.

Even guys like Torain, Hightower, Felix Jones, Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, and Tasard Choice came from this class.[/quote]

So what you are saying is we should draft Devin Thomas?

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

Drafting RBs is a trade off IMO. It's common now for people to say that you shouldn't draft one in the 1st or 2nd round cause there are always late rounders that can start. And that RBs don't have a long shelf life.

While both are true, the upside of a RB in round 1 is that if he's really talented he should be able to contribute as a starter immediately. Compare that to QBs, WRs & DE/OLBs, they take 3 years to become productive & have a much higher bust rate. At the end of that productive 3rd year they may be entering a contract year.

So RB is still a pretty safe pick & a good return on draft pick/salary investment.

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

Pay Matt Forte!!!!

Re: A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;852452]Pay Matt Forte!!!![/quote]

Seriously, WTF are they thinking?