Chiefly Bacon’s Lazy Big Board: Running Back

Today we look at RBs on the Lazy Big Board (LBB). With the loss of Charles, and West not showing up quite as well last year, Chiefs need a guy who can split carries with Ware. I’m not in the camp that thinks Ware needs to be a #2 back. I think he can be your feature guy, but that style of running is going to take a toll. Chiefs need him fresh for the playoffs. Luckily for the Chiefs, this draft is absolutely stacked at RB. Take a look:

Pick 27 RB Dalvin Cook 5’10” 210lbs

It might not have shown up at the combine, but Cook is an explosive athlete. He’s a dynamic runner who makes decisive cuts and gets up to top speed in a flash. Comparisons to Jamaal Charles are overblown, but Cook is a very talented back who could go in the top 10 most years. This is not most years though, and Cook’s ball security issues, coupled with a few character questions, will likely drop him a bit. Chiefs could steal another great player in the first round and be set at RB for years.

Pick 59 RB Alvin Kamara 5′10” 214lbs

Compact runner with instant acceleration. Slasher who can press the line and make cuts. Doesn’t have as much millage on him as most RBs coming out of college, though some of that is due to past character issues. Has some past injuries and needs to develop his instincts more, but, physically, he checks all the boxes that you look for in a starting RB.

Pick 91 RB D’Onta Foreman 6′ 233lbs

An ankle injury kept Foreman out of most combine drills, with any luck, it holds him down far enough for Chiefs to get him. This is a classic boom or bust pick. The guy is a physical freak, very strong surprisingly fast and highly productive. He’s not a pro back yet though. Needs to improve pass protection and his hands. Hasn’t been asked to do diverse things as a RB. For my money, if Chiefs can get him here, it could be the steal of the draft. I think Foreman will take a year or two to adjust, but when he gets it, he’s going to be a monster.

Pick 104 RB Kareem Hunt 5‘11” 203lbs

Great fit for a zone scheme. Does a good job of pressing the line and making one cut. Not exceptionally elusive or terribly fast, but very physical. Has a Ware type skill set and fairly decent hands. Does a good job of picking his way through traffic.

Pick 131 RB Semaje Perine 5‘ 11” 233lbs

Perine‘s highlights might not be the prettiest, but he gets the job done. His speed for the position is borderline, but he’s extremely physical and plays that way on a consistent basis. Soft hands and a great frame for pass protection. Chiefs could like Perine on 3^rd and short, or in goal line situations. While he’s never going to be a team’s #1 back, he’s a great change of pace and could have some potential as a FB. He offers a lot more in the way of offense than Sherman would and he‘s probably stronger. 30 reps of 225 is pretty eye-popping for any RB.

Pick 171 or 179 RB Aaron Jones 5’9” 208lbs

Reminds me of a poor man’s Curtis Samuel, except more solidly built. Jones doesn’t have Samuel’s speed, but he’s a twitchy athlete who was used a lot as both a true RB and a receiving target. Impressive combine workout could help his stock, but he has a medical history that will keep some teams from giving him a chance.

Pick 217 or 219 RB DeVeon Smith 5’11” 223lbs

Not the best athlete, but Smith has great vision and runs consistently. Does everything you want a RB to do pretty well. Good fit for a ZBS on the inside. Lacks the speed to run outside the tackles. Depth only RB, but he’ll be ready to contribute right away. Doesn’t need much developing, but also doesn’t have a lot of room to grow.

Pick 248 RB Joe Williams 5’11” 210lbs

If Chiefs draft Williams higher than this, I won’t be mad. He possesses elite balance that makes him really tough to tackle. Washington’s great defense learned that the hard way. If you want to bring Joe down, you better bring several guys. Williams has breakaway speed and the explosion to make cuts for big gains. He’s not NFL ready, vision needs work, and he needs to learn how to pass protect and catch passes out of the backfield. Some question as to how much he loves the game, retired from it briefly in college. Bottom line is, Williams has high level athletic traits that could make him an elite RB, but it might take a while before he can be a 3-down guy. Well worth a look in my opinion. Especially if he falls to the 7^th.

This is a great RB class. You can find starters all throughout the draft. Chiefs could wait till late to snag the best value, or, they could jump in early and get a back that would normally out of reach. My two favorite choices are D’Onta Foreman, for his freaky combination of size and speed, and Joe Williams, who could finally break the 7^th round curse for Dorsey and the Chiefs.