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Published on 04/15/2008 at Tue Apr 15 12:24.
Tagged: ,,.



Arguments for Drafting a Running Back

Posted Tue Apr 15th by

[Rashard Mendenhall]

Every weekday leading up to the draft, BroncoTalk breaks down all the important positions. We’ll tell you why we should and why we shouldn’t pursue that position in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Today we’re covering running back. Enjoy.

Say what you will about the Denver Broncos running system, 2007 was not a good year on the ground. It’s true, we finished 9th overall in the league in rushing, but that’s hardly a measure of success. At least not to our standards. Compare our rushing total of 1,957 yards to years past, and you will see the struggle we had on the ground:

2006 – 2,152. 2005 – 2,539. 2004 – 2,333. 2003 – 2,629.

Does anyone else see a pattern? Run for over 2,300 yards, make the playoffs. Run for over 2,300 yards, make the playoffs. When the Broncos are dominant in the running game, they enjoy winning records and playoff berths. I’m all for that.

What’s especially damning about the players on our roster was the fact that none of them were able to stay healthy. By the end of the year, the depth chart at RB had been exhausted. Travis Henry came back from his injury but played poorly down the stretch. Selvin Young lit it up, but the same injury concerns that kept him from being drafted popped up and kept him out of several games. Andre Hall had a few great games in the final third of the season, but he didn’t last long without getting injured either. The question remains: do we have a RB on our roster that can play a 16 game season? Do we have one that can play 10? Do we have a running back on our roster that can take us into the playoffs and carry this team on his shoulders, like Terrell Davis did in both Super Bowl runs?

The answer is no. The running back by committee approach will get you so far, but even then the same guys on our depth chart now were still dropping like flies.

It’s not like drafting a running back in the first round is impossible, either. In 2006, it’s been widely reported the Broncos were prepared to take current Patriots RB Laurence Maroney if Jay Cutler wasn’t available. Second round picks are no minor selections either, and both Clinton Portis and Tatum Bell were Round 2 choices. The Broncos have showed a willingness to use upper first day picks on running backs, and if they do so again, they may just inject their rush offense with better youth, and, to be frank, better talent.

Names to Know: Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall, Felix Jones, Jonathan Stewart

Most Likely at 12: Mendenhall.

We’ll post arguments against drafting a running back at the top of the hour.  In the meantime, feel free to vote in the poll on the main page.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    I can’t say I would hate drafting Mendenhall in the first round. The chance of having an elite running game again is very appealing.

  • http://seancunnane@gmail.com Seán Cunnane

    Although I agree both the trenches are the main need areas we have this year, the thought of Jonathan Stewart running in our system for the next 6-7 years has me giddy. The man ran a 4.48 at 235lb on practically a broken toe at the combine. He has great hands, He had the best vertical jump, and nearly the most reps on the bar (if not the most). Can you imagine the numbers he would have put up if anywhere near fully healthy, 4.3 speed? Higher jump?. Doctors say he’ll be fine and healthy long before training camp as well. With the strengthening of most need areas so far this offseason, I feel we can take this beast with his incredible speed and power and concentrate on the trenches for the rest of the draft. This is the guy that could take our offense to the next level, take the pressure off jay, and help him really explode like we all know he will.

  • Quicksilver

    but can mendenhall pass block, one of the most amazing things about TD was his ability to get in there and block, the same can be said of guys maroney, and last years big guy, peterson. I love the idea of getting a good balance on offense, but in order to do that you need a back who can run AND block.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Excellent question quicksilver, and to be honest, I’d have to defer to other scouts. I read a few, and they all said Mendenhall would have to pick up his game in that department. But that’s pretty typical of most RBs entering the draft.

  • http://www.milehighreport.com/user/Zapparulez Zapparulez

    You are preaching to the choir man!