I distinctly remember that going into the 2015 NFL Draft, I had long been indoctrinated into the “Running Backs Don’t Matter” cult, which with hindsight is surprising given that many of us hadn’t finished screaming the exclamation point in the sentence, “Just hand the ball to Marshawn!” yet.
As great as Robinson looks., its not the value that gives me pause...it's the need for a difference maker on the other side of the ball that trumps a 1-2 punch at rb. I think the Hawks need to focus on the 2 lines in this draft to transform the team and compete with San Fran and Philly. If there is a trade up to put the 20th pick in play (after getting a difference maker on the D line), then I'd rather put that trade up into a Center or offensive Guard - and then trust that their later round rb pick will be in a position to be successful with a powerful, experienced and even elite offensive line.
Good point made by you. I am not one of those anti RB people. Everyone says how useless they are to have until they don’t have one. But I am passing on Robinson. I’d rather try for Gibbs in the 2nd round. Imagine when you could have Gibbs and Walker in the backfield at the same time. You could motion Gibbs out to line up in the slot, which we need, he’s the best route runner for RBs and probably better than most WRs in this draft. Blazing speed, makes guys miss all the time. Also on plays you don’t motion him out you make it very hard for the defense to set up is he going out for a pass will he be a decoy or will he carry the ball instead. And all this attention going to Gibbs it allows Walker to hit you with that home run play he is so good at doing. I just think Gibbs and Walker would be a dynamic duo to watch on Sundays.
I have looked at several mock drafts, and i have not seen Robinson drafted before our second pick at 20. The conventional wisdom is that we pick a wr. As a running team, i think Robinson would be a much better pick. We can still grab Anderson/Carter/Tyree and wait. Then we can grab and olb/dt in the second round
On one hand, it's fair to say that people will hesitate because there hasn't been a top-20 RB since Saquon Barkley. On another hand, it's fair to say that many people are scared to put Bijan in the top-20 because it's not the "smart thing" to do.
I think Bijan is a top-15 pick. If he's there at 20, the Seahawks very may well run to the podium before they're done announcing pick 19.
But seaside joe! Even though Walker was a runner up offensive rookie of the year, and the group is super thin outside of him, they gave up the chance to have Malik Willis!! A player who can barely throw passes! OMG what an incredible waste of resources!!!
I think I would want to see the Seahawks pair more of dameon pierce with Walker since he's like a Carson-esque hammer. But my goodness, if any of these top blue chip talents are available at 20, why not.
I love that Ben's follow up to that a year later was "It still would have been better to take a chance on Malik Willis or any QB". It basically sums up his analysis perfectly: He doesn't think that scouting/watching football matters AT ALL.
Robinson looks like a generational talent with his receiving skills someone is taking him he will not last past 10 .............Figure it out , lets get him .
I think he’ll go earlier than the mocks show. An RB who can WR routes is about as common as a sun tan in Greenland. McCaffrey went 8th overall and Carolina got a decent haul when they traded him. I doubt the Panthers have any regrets over that pick.
I just ran a simulator where I traded #5 down (with #83) for #10 and #30 and eventually wound up Carter (10), Robinson (20), Adebawore (30), Flowers (37), and Hooker (52).
I'm seriously worried about Detroit or Chicago taking Bijan at 6 or 9. Both teams have a history with being a RB team and both teams could use Bijan. Unless Carter has passed the character test with flying colors, and there is no doubt he will dominate from day one, I'm for taking the safer risk and taking Bijan at 5.
Every professional I read about Bijan screams: TAKE ME EARLY! Half of them say he is the best football player in this draft, and the other half say he won't last past 18. I am willing to throw in whatever I can find in my cushions to make the deal if that will help.
I would actually really like to see Buffalo take Bijan (if we don't get him) because I think it would allow them to overtake the Chiefs and for whatever reason (maybe the four consecutive Superbowl losses?) I have a soft spot for them, like the one on a baby that you're not supposed to push (though it's not against the law or anything, sheesh).
Bijan would be a top draft pick as a receiver in this draft. I’m hoping for a trade down to 10-12, with a 2024 first round pick added, and taking him there. It was fun rooting against a team so hard last year and I want to do that again!
We should trade down with whoever takes a QB, and expects to start them, that's not Young or Stroud because I would love another top 5 pick next year that we could possibly use to trade up.
Also 1 other thought 3rd down conversion are essential for a team that wants to run the ball 25 to 30 times a game. Robinson with his ability to slide into a second slot, pick up a blitz or role into the flat and make a man miss is a third down machine.
I'm hoping with a year of experience that KWIII limits his dancing around and hits his holes with more confidence because the narrative(?) now is that he is boom or bust. I'll admit that I don't know how true that is because I've only read it and not looked up the stats or even know the objective measurement of a boom or a bust.
As an aside, they need someone besides Dallas to return kicks because he does the same thing -- just dances around and gets massacred. I want a returner who catches the ball and just goes because it's easier to make guys miss when you follow your blocks and are going at full speed.
Walker is what he is, thats not likely to change. He’s not an inside runner, but if he finds the hole, he is a home run hitter. He is the best at what he does. It’s the Barry Sanders routine, but he has more speed
I've always wondered why different players do kickoffs and punts and this article gives a brief summary: it basically comes down to how close guys are to hitting you when you catch the ball.
It has to be a versatility thing. Basically they don't want a guy taking up a spot who is only a kick returner. Whether he could work as a backup WR or RB I don't know but there must be a reason Seattle or any other team hasn't signed him. I did enjoy watching him return kicks though!
Being mostly an Idiot, I am unconstrained by thinking inside the box.
SWMBO would interject that it is pretentious of me to bring up the box at all, let alone pick a side. But I digress.
Again.
If it is possible for a pretty good team to draft some mostly-WR called "Deebo", then use him effectively as an RB from time to time, it should be possible to draft some mostly-RB and use him as a WR, at least often enough to stave off the need for a new WR3 for a while. Being available as a backup (or platoonmate) to the regular RB1 (not "if" he's injured, but "when") seems useful, too.
It seems to me that isn't very different from considering that it might make sense for a pretty good tackle move to guard after just a year.
Maybe the value of a draft position depends on how the team ends up using what's picked. Sort of like saying "a priori is not necessarily the same as a posteriori". I don't think that's the same as "BPA", but I could be wrong.
I thought a little bit of Latin might elevate the comments. Who knew the Romans understood Monday Morning Quarterbacking?
One thing that I picked up from JT OSullivan's video o Kyle Shanahan recently is that while Deebo is a fantastic weapon, he's not much of a RB. He can line up incorrectly, run weak routes out of the backfield, poor blocking, etc. Versatile enough to be versatile, but maybe there's a reason he isn't a RB or a WR. It'll be interesting to see how long his career lasts, I didn't quite notice how underwhelming his 2022 season was.
"If it is possible for a pretty good team to draft some mostly-WR called "Deebo", then use him effectively as an RB from time to time, it should be possible to draft some mostly-RB and use him as a WR"
My thoughts exactly on Bijan or Gibbs! Don't look for the next WR to be like Deebo, look for the next RUNNING BACK to catch & run like Deebo...
As great as Robinson looks., its not the value that gives me pause...it's the need for a difference maker on the other side of the ball that trumps a 1-2 punch at rb. I think the Hawks need to focus on the 2 lines in this draft to transform the team and compete with San Fran and Philly. If there is a trade up to put the 20th pick in play (after getting a difference maker on the D line), then I'd rather put that trade up into a Center or offensive Guard - and then trust that their later round rb pick will be in a position to be successful with a powerful, experienced and even elite offensive line.
I personally would love drafting him high. I think he will be worth it
Good point made by you. I am not one of those anti RB people. Everyone says how useless they are to have until they don’t have one. But I am passing on Robinson. I’d rather try for Gibbs in the 2nd round. Imagine when you could have Gibbs and Walker in the backfield at the same time. You could motion Gibbs out to line up in the slot, which we need, he’s the best route runner for RBs and probably better than most WRs in this draft. Blazing speed, makes guys miss all the time. Also on plays you don’t motion him out you make it very hard for the defense to set up is he going out for a pass will he be a decoy or will he carry the ball instead. And all this attention going to Gibbs it allows Walker to hit you with that home run play he is so good at doing. I just think Gibbs and Walker would be a dynamic duo to watch on Sundays.
But I also wouldn’t be upset if they took Bijan as well. Having more than 1 good thing is always a good move!!
Great article! Enjoyed the informative read.
Thanks Cody! I love this community because I can write about a running back without getting flamed in the comments for it.
Would it be bad to put an “old school throwback football playing footballer “ on the Seahawks? No, it would not.
It would not! Very Seahawks!
I have looked at several mock drafts, and i have not seen Robinson drafted before our second pick at 20. The conventional wisdom is that we pick a wr. As a running team, i think Robinson would be a much better pick. We can still grab Anderson/Carter/Tyree and wait. Then we can grab and olb/dt in the second round
On one hand, it's fair to say that people will hesitate because there hasn't been a top-20 RB since Saquon Barkley. On another hand, it's fair to say that many people are scared to put Bijan in the top-20 because it's not the "smart thing" to do.
I think Bijan is a top-15 pick. If he's there at 20, the Seahawks very may well run to the podium before they're done announcing pick 19.
Agreed. I think he's equal or slightly better than Barkley, and Barkley went in the top 5.
I’ve run several simulators at NFL.com. Robinson is available at #20 about half the time. FWIW, I got few interesting offers to trade down from #5.
But seaside joe! Even though Walker was a runner up offensive rookie of the year, and the group is super thin outside of him, they gave up the chance to have Malik Willis!! A player who can barely throw passes! OMG what an incredible waste of resources!!!
I think I would want to see the Seahawks pair more of dameon pierce with Walker since he's like a Carson-esque hammer. But my goodness, if any of these top blue chip talents are available at 20, why not.
I love that Ben's follow up to that a year later was "It still would have been better to take a chance on Malik Willis or any QB". It basically sums up his analysis perfectly: He doesn't think that scouting/watching football matters AT ALL.
Lol did he actually say that. Hard to take any person or position seriously if they can never admit that they could be wrong.
He did. I would have been shocked if Ben admitted any error whatsoever.
Robinson looks like a generational talent with his receiving skills someone is taking him he will not last past 10 .............Figure it out , lets get him .
Yeah, I didn't even mention the receiving. He could be a slot player.
I think he’ll go earlier than the mocks show. An RB who can WR routes is about as common as a sun tan in Greenland. McCaffrey went 8th overall and Carolina got a decent haul when they traded him. I doubt the Panthers have any regrets over that pick.
I agree! A team who feels they're a RB away (Buffalo?!) will take him with their first pick. It's the difference between HOT dogs and hot DOGS.
Only if they trade up ...Never be there for them at 27
I just ran a simulator where I traded #5 down (with #83) for #10 and #30 and eventually wound up Carter (10), Robinson (20), Adebawore (30), Flowers (37), and Hooker (52).
https://youtu.be/W-9AdWthjfU
Hey what's going on in here? I know it's been tough but this year we're going to make it baby because the blue wave is on a roll
https://youtu.be/vlq9UWWqe44
Draftin' Bijan and kickin' ass
Please tell me you actually clicked that link and listened to the satire Kentavius
I wish there was someone here who could take the DnD ruleset and apply it to football so we could play tabletop football 😁
I'm seriously worried about Detroit or Chicago taking Bijan at 6 or 9. Both teams have a history with being a RB team and both teams could use Bijan. Unless Carter has passed the character test with flying colors, and there is no doubt he will dominate from day one, I'm for taking the safer risk and taking Bijan at 5.
Every professional I read about Bijan screams: TAKE ME EARLY! Half of them say he is the best football player in this draft, and the other half say he won't last past 18. I am willing to throw in whatever I can find in my cushions to make the deal if that will help.
I agree Stephen, I think the Lions would be fine with it. I didn't mention that GM Brad Holmes was in the Rams front office when they picked Gurley.
I would actually really like to see Buffalo take Bijan (if we don't get him) because I think it would allow them to overtake the Chiefs and for whatever reason (maybe the four consecutive Superbowl losses?) I have a soft spot for them, like the one on a baby that you're not supposed to push (though it's not against the law or anything, sheesh).
I’m fairly certain they built their stadium on an ancient burial ground. It’s the only reasonable explanation for the Buffalo jinx
Probably built it on an ancient Qziardacck burial ground. I know most of the ancient alien species I make up curse people because I'm crazy.
Bijan would be a top draft pick as a receiver in this draft. I’m hoping for a trade down to 10-12, with a 2024 first round pick added, and taking him there. It was fun rooting against a team so hard last year and I want to do that again!
Not sure Bijan even lasts to 10
That is really underrated. Every Bronco train-wreck game was a must-watch!
We should trade down with whoever takes a QB, and expects to start them, that's not Young or Stroud because I would love another top 5 pick next year that we could possibly use to trade up.
Why not trade up? Will be easier than getting value to trade down.
You got that right. I'd even take an extra interest in a third round pick.
Also 1 other thought 3rd down conversion are essential for a team that wants to run the ball 25 to 30 times a game. Robinson with his ability to slide into a second slot, pick up a blitz or role into the flat and make a man miss is a third down machine.
He'd be so exciting and pivotal on third-and-3.
I'm hoping with a year of experience that KWIII limits his dancing around and hits his holes with more confidence because the narrative(?) now is that he is boom or bust. I'll admit that I don't know how true that is because I've only read it and not looked up the stats or even know the objective measurement of a boom or a bust.
As an aside, they need someone besides Dallas to return kicks because he does the same thing -- just dances around and gets massacred. I want a returner who catches the ball and just goes because it's easier to make guys miss when you follow your blocks and are going at full speed.
Walker is what he is, thats not likely to change. He’s not an inside runner, but if he finds the hole, he is a home run hitter. He is the best at what he does. It’s the Barry Sanders routine, but he has more speed
https://www.audacy.com/thefandc/sports/b-mitch-whats-the-difference-in-skill-set-among-returners
I've always wondered why different players do kickoffs and punts and this article gives a brief summary: it basically comes down to how close guys are to hitting you when you catch the ball.
It has to be a versatility thing. Basically they don't want a guy taking up a spot who is only a kick returner. Whether he could work as a backup WR or RB I don't know but there must be a reason Seattle or any other team hasn't signed him. I did enjoy watching him return kicks though!
Being mostly an Idiot, I am unconstrained by thinking inside the box.
SWMBO would interject that it is pretentious of me to bring up the box at all, let alone pick a side. But I digress.
Again.
If it is possible for a pretty good team to draft some mostly-WR called "Deebo", then use him effectively as an RB from time to time, it should be possible to draft some mostly-RB and use him as a WR, at least often enough to stave off the need for a new WR3 for a while. Being available as a backup (or platoonmate) to the regular RB1 (not "if" he's injured, but "when") seems useful, too.
It seems to me that isn't very different from considering that it might make sense for a pretty good tackle move to guard after just a year.
Maybe the value of a draft position depends on how the team ends up using what's picked. Sort of like saying "a priori is not necessarily the same as a posteriori". I don't think that's the same as "BPA", but I could be wrong.
I thought a little bit of Latin might elevate the comments. Who knew the Romans understood Monday Morning Quarterbacking?
One thing that I picked up from JT OSullivan's video o Kyle Shanahan recently is that while Deebo is a fantastic weapon, he's not much of a RB. He can line up incorrectly, run weak routes out of the backfield, poor blocking, etc. Versatile enough to be versatile, but maybe there's a reason he isn't a RB or a WR. It'll be interesting to see how long his career lasts, I didn't quite notice how underwhelming his 2022 season was.
"If it is possible for a pretty good team to draft some mostly-WR called "Deebo", then use him effectively as an RB from time to time, it should be possible to draft some mostly-RB and use him as a WR"
My thoughts exactly on Bijan or Gibbs! Don't look for the next WR to be like Deebo, look for the next RUNNING BACK to catch & run like Deebo...