Watching Dallas completely change due to the impact of a rookie RB, makes me wonder how much a stud like Elliott could impact us?

Opening our running back cupboard it has some interesting items on the shelf. Montgomery will be back with full offseason as a runner. Lacy may return after his injury and wildcard Ripkowski has been largely unexplored. Michael was a Knile Davis that didn't cost a pick so he stuck due to desperation but believe he's done here.

Given what we have available how highly do you prioritize this position come draft time? This is a special RB class that doesn't come around often. Going to be hard not to grab one up relatively high within first 4 rounds.

Lacy situation clearly a major factor but I think Ripkowski flashed Alstott type potential. He appears to be much more than a 3 yard and a cloud of dust plodder. The guy looks to be very hard to bring down. Once through the Dline it's fun watching him run through people. I feel like he can fill the bull role that Eddie did for us. Sample size is small and Atlanta is hardly the old Steel Curtain but I'm wondering how Rip is perceived at 1265? Well enough to make Eddie expendable?

Still, would love a new guy. The Terrell Davis for Elway type. Do you want the ball out of Aaron's hands that much as a stud RB requires?

Lots of questions and interesting perspectives on how important finding a stud RB this spring. I think if we're going BPA and somehow Dalvin Cook or maybe even Christian McCaffery is there at 29, it's going to be hard to pass one of them up just because we need DB help.

Get a stud and revolutionize our offense.

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If we knew they'd be healthy an affordable I think Lacy, Rip, and Monty would be a nice backfield. I love Michaels' burst and don't feel he was utilized like he could have been last year - imagine him in space - but he tries too hard to be Barry Sanders and apparently the lights aren't all on upstairs.

As you said, depends on the Lacy domino, but if he signs, I actually think we could be in OK shape.

I just got done reading a scroll of Demovsky stories at ESPN.com. I see he rated the RB need as HIGH based on a high, medium, low standard.

Saw in his pieces that Kiper has us taking Christian in Round 1 while McShay has us taking Kamara from Tennessee. It's notable that the last 3 mocks I've seen don't have us taking a DB.

I was remiss in not speaking to Ty's sickle cell condition. Pretty risky and hard to put your eggs in his basket. Don't think we will. We didn't do it last year when we had the need so having an offseason to fix the position isn't going to leave Ty in a position to have to carry the load.

If Eddie is back, I think we still take a RB but one who fell or is available mid rounds ...If Eddie is gone, I think a high pick makes a ton of sense. However, with the class being so so deep, I think need at CB is going to push a RB selection later than I'd like no matter what happens with Eddie.

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Honest question... is Christian McCaffery that much different than Ty Montgomery?

Because from what I've seen/read is that McCaffery's best asset is that he's so darn versatile and can also be played like a slot WR... but so can Montgomery... also Montgomery gets flack for not being big enough... but he's bigger than McCaffery. Only than hype and that he's played the position longer and got to play against weaker fronts is the only big differences I see. Montgomery needs to keep improving but there were so many times where he could of just shook one more guy that he would of been off to the races for a possible 20+ yard run (and NFL > college). So is McCaffery really that much different than Montgomery?

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Don Jackson and John Crockett will be back. Both can play, they'll have to prove they can pass pro to make the team.

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I really don't like Lacy as our RB. McCarthy likes to run outside and that doesn't match Lacy's running style. He need to go north south and get his girth moving. We also have a finesse pass blocking Oline, who constantly gets beat to the edges by faster defensive players and they don't get a great drive forward.

Really unless we commit to running the game by improving the run blocking, investing a lot in the running game is kind of a waste.

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That's an excellent question. They sound similar. My thinking is the knock on Christian is he might not be able to take the pounding similar to Ty. Having two similar guys is appealing to keep each other fresh. Maybe, they ditch Cobb and his contract if Christian comes aboard. The Harvin comparison is exciting. I'll be curious to see his 40 time at the combine. He's listed at 4.5 like Ty. Their strength and conditioning coach said he's the fastest RB they've had since 2007 when he started.

To add a Harvin element is super exciting to me. We could use another WR and Christian could be that for us beyond his ability to help in backfield. If Ty didn't have sickle cell trait I'd be less enthusiastic about drafting McCaffrey.

I just believe Christian is Ted's kind of player. He would immediately add a buzz to this team that's been missing.

I'm all for it. Would love a RB in Round 1. Kamara is intriguing but I'd be worried about him as 29th overall. That guy is generating buzz and never carried more than 18 times in a game.

I agree with PFWT that our OL is not a great run unit. All the more reason to have a stud back there who can make something from nothing. Plus, the threat of Rodgers should really open up the run game. Freeman and Coleman sure help Atlanta's O. The Pats win with bruising Blount, shifty Lewis and middling White. Ripkowski could be our Blount.

I don't like Crockett and the mention of Don Jackson literally makes me laugh. Those two are classic scrap heap guys you could find anywhere. We're going to have to do something. I'm hoping it's adding a dynamic back in the draft... when 29 rolls around I'm hoping Cook has fallen to our spot. I'll even be fired up if Christian is there. Take one of them!

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This draft so far seems to be pretty stocked with good RBs. I'd expect us to take one at some point. I'm cool with Lacy coming back if it's a good deal but with Montgomery on the roster it's not really a desperate situation so we can pick our shots.

I think its a high priority, I'm not confident in Lacy anymore (love to keep him as the secondary runner) and I love Montgomery as the jack of all trades (our identity is a deep WR corp and an elite QB). I have no idea about draft prospects but I wouldn't be against a 3-5 round pick on a RB, I'd prefer to spend the earlier rounds on some defensive flash.

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I don't want Lacy back, he doesn't want to play football as you could see in his commitment. I would like to go into the year with TY, Rip, Crockett. Look at the Pats and you see what they do with a good receiving back in White. Plus why waste a high draft pick on a rb when we don't try keeping one going in a game. Plus i seen on NFL network that DJ has us taking TJ Watt with our 1st pick 🙂

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