Giants: Drafting RB's

Though the NFL can currently be classified as a passing league, teams that can also run the ball will always have an advantage.  Running the ball allows teams to control the clock and wear out the other team's D.   In three of their 4 SB wins, the Giants have been a very good running team.  In 2011, the line had already declined and Jake and Bradshaw were really banged up all year.  Though, the Giants did run well in the playoffs.

The Giants will have a new offense under Ben McAdoo.  However; McAdoo is coming to the Giants, who have featured a fullback and power running, from two of the other teams that still use a fullback and power running: the Saints and the Packers.  So I think, in the run game, we can assume that the Giants will get back to being fundamentally sound, and then build on top of that with more screens and swing passes.

This draft does not have any round one backs.   In fact, you rarely see RB's drafted in the first anymore.  15 or 20 years ago, you'd see that all the time.  But the pass first tilt, and the realization that you can find RB value later in the draft has changed that.

Also, teams are getting away from using one back and more are using a two back system or even a three back system -- you remember when the Giants had Earth, Wind and Fire, don't you?

The Giants are currently putting their new committee together.  So far, it features Rashad Jennings, and big 230 pounder who can run, catch and block and is dedicated to film study.  They also have David Wilson, who is as explosive as they come, but has a neck issue that could ruin his career at any moment. They also have Michael Cox,  a kid they took last year who seems physical but uninstinctive when he got chances.  Thus the Giants are probably going to pick another back this year.

In general, there are several kinds of backs,  big backs, small backs, in-between backs, quick backs, one cut backs, guys who can catch, guys who can't, third down backs, etc. etc.

The valuable guys in this draft, as far as the Giants are concerned, fall into 3 groups.    Power backs, like Carlos Hyde, Jeremy Hill, and Andre Williams; and more all purpose 200-210 pound guys like, Lache Seastrunk, Bishop Sankey, Charles Sims, and Ka'Deem Carey.   Finally, there is a smaller group of all purpose guys featuring Tre Mason and  Jerick McKinney.  Most of the other guys like DeAnthony Thomas, are third down backs.  For our rotation we need a guy like the ones listed above

I'm actually not that high on Andre Williams, though he has some good tape. But, he did go to BC and does sort of seem Gianty.

There are also some small school guys, like Towson's Terrance West and Toledo's David Fluellen who could be decent rotation pieces for the Giants.

Ultimately, though, I'd like them to get one of Hyde, Hill, Seastrunk, Sanky, Carey, Mason or McKinney.

I don't expect them to draft a fullback, since they have done well finding them on the waiver wire and in UDFA.

But, before we install our new running game, we still have to fix the OL.