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...

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.

blacksaint

The kid is the perfect West Coast back.