hagan714

I have been watching the the mocks and a player that has dropped so much is:
Brian Leonard - 6016, 226, 4.52, Rutgers

Leonard bulked up for his senior campaign in order to serve as the lead blocker for Ray Rice, but what impressed both scouts, coaches and teammates alike was that, unlike most potential pro athletes, he put his team and its needs ahead of his own after having gained over 3,900 yards of total offense in his first three seasons with the Scarlet Knights.
He has some of the draft's best hands out of the backfield, having totaled 207 career receptions. He was able to bruise his way to yardage in the second half of games, but he also has quick feet to the hole and can bounce a few carries outside for big gains. A good cutback-style runner, Leonard uses very good vision, balance and power to consistently gain yardage. That said, he needs to make better use of his size once he gets into the open field. He has been susceptible to being tackled around the ankles or when defenders grab at his legs.
Leonard proved to be a viable and productive member of the backfield from the fullback position. A very good cut blocker, he can stand his ground firmly when picking up the blitz. He will dip his head at times and lead in without having the full balance of his body weight underneath him, but his effort is never waning.


In the mocks he is now a mid 3rd to a 4th rounder. Why? He is listed as FB I know but he is one of the best pure football players in this year's draft. One that is versatile enough to play either running back or fullback at the next level.
How did he drop from the top of the second to a possible day 2 pick. There has been nothing negative written about him or been busted. I would love the pick. Has the hands for a 3rd down back. He has the speed to sub for Duce. The blocking skills to spell John. If we are picking with the BPA guide lines he may be the pick.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

papz

I actually really like this guy hagan but I don't know where he'd fit. The guy can play either runningback or fullback and very skilled. But, we already have Deuce, Bush, and Karney. I wouldn't complain if we landed him though... as long as it isn't with our first 2 picks.

ScottF

He doesn't really fit, plus I think he will be gone in round 2. He is a stud, and will be a starter someday somewhere.

NarwhalHunter

I think the one position we can all agree upon as being loaded is at running back, so the last thing we need is to invest a high round pick in an RB. Unless Sean wants to start running some wishbone formations or something...

blacksaint

The kid is the perfect West Coast back.

hagan714

When every bodies healthy I agree with you. But even then we are thin in our rotation. One starter goes down and we are very thin. Stecker was a non factor more and more as the season went on. If he makes it to us at 58 he will be the BPA, IMO. After that we are looking at reaching in round 3 or hoping in 4 that one falls. 5-7 is always a major crap shoot.
Take him.

BRSaintsFan

Sure if someone goes down then things are thinner than originally but thats the case for any team in the league at any position. If we selected him, then we would bank on carrying 5 backs (Deuce, Reggie, Stecker, Karney, and Leonard) unless he could absolutely outplay Stecker on special teams and in the 3rd down role.

Also something to think about, if we draft a WR which is very likely then Michael Lewis might not make the roster cut making Stecker the leading kick returner and possibly not very expendable.

hagan714

I am sure any WR/CB/RB in the draft, espically in the mid rounds, will have to be a dual threat as KR. It is a must due to ML age. Stecker just seems to me to be out of the picture. As the season went on I thought I saw less and less of him. Another back, be it Leonard or another (ie. Booker), has to be able to give Duce a rest without changing the play book much. Stecker can not do that. Reggie has no choice but to line up in the backfield. Limiting his flexability. A bigger back would keep him line up all over the field. Teams do carry 5 backs. Only a few have 5 good ones. Patriots are a good example. IF he drops and IF Shawn takes him, we might have the stronest RB rotation in the NFL. Leonard subbing at FB and RB.

NarwhalHunter

Jammal Branch is also still on the roster, and he looked pretty good every time he got a chance to carry the ball. He runs like a slower version of Deuce.

BRSaintsFan

I agree that Stecker didnt have much of a season last year from an offense standpoint but he also didnt have a load of opportunities on offense either. I just dont see a role for Leonard on the team whereas teams such as the Patriots carry 5 RBs on their roster, with all of them having more distinct roles. Last season, Dillon and Maroney were the 1-2 punch. Heath Evans was their FB. K Faulk provides them with a return man. Patrick Pass played as thei 3rd down back.

Now that being said, I wouldn't be disappointed to get a versatile player with the motivation, character, and leadership of a Brian Leonard and if he is head and shoulders above everyone as BPA at that point, then we have to take him. But I just don't think that he would get the touches or the role on offense or special teams to take advantage of his skills and if there is another player who might not be quite the caliber but is a combination of need and BPA, then I would go that route.

If we are going to take a RB, then Im thinking late rounds or if one really stands out, but I would rather see someone who can contribute on special teams and on offense and can replace Stecker from both points. Guys like Booker, Garrett Wolfe, or Ramonce Taylor would be guys that could be had later in the draft than Leonard and these guys would be able to help in the return game and provide another fast, shifty 3rd down back that could allow Reggie to still line up in the slot or at wide out but also be dependable dump off guys who still have the big play potential to take a short dumpoff for big gains.