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Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:14 pm
by Vcize
mgscott wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:48 pm
OhCruelestRanter wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:35 pm
mgscott wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 1:41 pm
I would say for me it's because he isn't a 3 down back, doesn't have ideal NFL size and struggles to run between the tackles. If his team doesn't scheme him for getting to the outside or in open field on passes, he could struggle and become forgettable. I see more backs like him get forgotten after a year or two vs high production backs.
Idk man, he’s really similar to Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift. He was more successful than either in college, albeit with less competition.
Who do you think is a comparable player that busted?
Swift is bigger and a different kind of runner that Etienne. Miles has not been a bust, but not really broken out yet.
As far as comparable players, not a lot have necessarily busted because they weren't hyped up as day 1-2 picks. But a lot are forgettable. Some of the most heard of: Wendell Smallwood, DeAndre Washington, Jeremy McNichols, Sony Michel, Ito Smith, Darrell Henderson, Justice Hill, Miles Gaskin, Karan Higdon, Jordan Scarlett, Travis Homer, Darrynton Evans, Anthony McFarland.
I think there are a lot of Day 1-2 picks that were sold as "if they were used right" non-workhorse kind of RBs.
Gio Bernard, Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Sony Michel, CJ Prosise, TJ Yeldon, Charles Sims, David Wilson, LaMichael James, Shane Vereen, CJ Spiller, Jahvid Best, Dexter McCluster, Donald Brown.
That's not to say Etienne will end up like any of those guys, but this idea that there is a day 1-2 talent who could be great if a coach uses him correctly out in space and out of the backfield is far from new and far from reliable historically.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:28 pm
by Dragon_Breath5
Jigga94 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:12 pm
CGW wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:51 pm
Dragon_Breath5 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:14 pm
He reportedly promised his Mom/family that he would get his degree. I've also read that he's a role model is his hometown (Jennings, LA) so this explanation makes sense.
Both of those are easy and noble excuses to make. In reality, it also probably had something to so him being rated lower than he had hoped last year in a very strong class. He bet on himself going back to school for a draft class that has minimal talent/depth.
I really do think he would've been taken in the 2nd round though. 3rd at worst. Probably exactly where he goes this year
In reality, Etienne received a late first-round to mid-second-round and he specifically said he wanted to get his degree (and also work on improving his craft).
It wasn't an easy decision, and there wasn't one dominating motive. Essentially, the Tigers' all-time leading rusher didn't feel "complete" as a person, a student and a running back. He wanted his college degree, and Etienne felt like he had a lot still to prove to NFL scouts and executives.
When draft grades were handed out to college football's juniors last year, Etienne was projected as a late first-round to mid-second-round selection. That, to him, wasn't good enough.
“I just felt like I could come back and improve that grade,” Etienne said in March of 2020. “I don’t have my degree. Coming back and going second round (in 2021), at least I’d have my degree. Leaving for the second round has never been a dream of mine. I feel like I can do so much better than that. The NFL is going to be there so I wasn’t leaving with no second-round draft grade.”
Source:
https://www.si.com/college/clemson/foot ... raft-stock
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 7:48 am
by ArrylT
Apologies if this already got posted but apparently Etienne has the highest career rushing grade for PFF:
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1383934116291244036
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:14 am
by honcho55
??
Is this all time, or just the last 5 years? Seems a little weird the top three are all in this class regardless.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:38 am
by Bronco Billy
If someone ever wanted to make an argument against pff’s grading, this would be exhibit 1.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:47 am
by Vcize
honcho55 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:14 am
??
Is this all time, or just the last 5 years? Seems a little weird the top three are all in this class regardless.
It looks like it is since 2006.
But yes, very weird that all of the top 3 were from this year's class which is generally seen as fairly mediocre.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:17 am
by Pullo Vision
mgscott wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 6:41 am
I'm torn on Etienne. I definitely think he is over-hyped due to Clemson and perceived speed, but can see where in the right system and used correctly he can be very effective. I don't see him as a 3-down back at all, but neither is Kamara. I understand the initial comp of Etienne to Kamara, but think Etienne has more straight line speed, but Kamara is much better with lateral movement, which is how he is so effective.
My ranking of Etienne will depend on how high and where he goes. He could be a high upside producer, but just as easily (or more likely) a committee back that isn't used in a way to produce consistent FF numbers. Unless something drastically changes, You don't see many teams or coaches so far, using this type of back imaginatively in order to get good FF production out of him.
Yeah, I don't see Kamara's lateral movement. Speed is the most overrated thing about a RB. I see Tevin Coleman in Etienne, though haven't seen the vision/impatience issues of running into his linemen.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 10:46 am
by Zhoward88
Nobody knows what ETN is going to be in the nfl. It’s just a risk reward game. Could be terrible year 1 and double digit TDs next 3 years (Melvin gordon). If you need RB you might as well take him if Harris and chase are gone. Really easy formula. Unless the landing spots are polar opposite Harris will go before ETN in 90% of drafts
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:43 am
by tresskid84
Vcize wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:47 am
honcho55 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:14 am
??
Is this all time, or just the last 5 years? Seems a little weird the top three are all in this class regardless.
It looks like it is since 2006.
But yes, very weird that all of the top 3 were from this year's class which is generally seen as fairly mediocre.
They've only done college grading since 2016, so its since then.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:55 pm
by ArrylT
tresskid84 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:43 am
Vcize wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:47 am
honcho55 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:14 am
??
Is this all time, or just the last 5 years? Seems a little weird the top three are all in this class regardless.
It looks like it is since 2006.
But yes, very weird that all of the top 3 were from this year's class which is generally seen as fairly mediocre.
They've only done college grading since 2016, so its since then.
Yeah that is a tad confusing tbh - I knew they had not been that focused on College grading until more recently. Either way it is interesting how they like (in terms of grades) the 2021 RBs over previous years.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 2:17 pm
by Vcize
tresskid84 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:43 am
Vcize wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:47 am
honcho55 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:14 am
??
Is this all time, or just the last 5 years? Seems a little weird the top three are all in this class regardless.
It looks like it is since 2006.
But yes, very weird that all of the top 3 were from this year's class which is generally seen as fairly mediocre.
They've only done college grading since 2016, so its since then.
Ah it looks like
the first tweet they sent out must have been a typo. That one is deleted now.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:17 pm
by MEuRaH
Bronco Billy wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:38 am
If someone ever wanted to make an argument against pff’s grading, this would be exhibit 1.
lol, this is so silly. Right after I just said what I said about PFF.
ETN is my top ranked RB, no question. I hate PFF for agreeing with me.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:18 pm
by MEuRaH
ArrylT wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:55 pmYeah that is a tad confusing tbh - I knew they had not been that focused on College grading until more recently. Either way it is interesting how they like (in terms of grades) the 2021 RBs over previous years.
So do I. This is the best draft class I've ever seen. Not a ton of top talent, but tons of depth.
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:28 pm
by Zhoward88
dlf_mikeh wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:18 pm
ArrylT wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:55 pmYeah that is a tad confusing tbh - I knew they had not been that focused on College grading until more recently. Either way it is interesting how they like (in terms of grades) the 2021 RBs over previous years.
So do I. This is the best draft class I've ever seen. Not a ton of top talent, but tons of depth.
Agree. Great potential in this class. WR is super deep, TE group is solid with a elite talent, QB group is great and RBs I personally think there are a few flying way too far under the radar. Several I believe that could contribute a lot and early on. It’s like people are just down playing RB prospects because they aren’t saquan. There are many RBs in this group that were even hottter names last year. Covid has this draft a little skewed. Be some true rookie sleepers pop this year
Re: Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:45 pm
by OhCruelestRanter
dlf_mikeh wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:18 pm
ArrylT wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:55 pmYeah that is a tad confusing tbh - I knew they had not been that focused on College grading until more recently. Either way it is interesting how they like (in terms of grades) the 2021 RBs over previous years.
So do I. This is the best draft class I've ever seen. Not a ton of top talent, but tons of depth.
Merely 4 years ago Christian McCaffery, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon, Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette, Chris Carson, Austin Ekeler, James Conner, Tarik Cohen, Marlon Mack and Matt Breida, among others, were in the same class.
There’s a reasonable discussion to be had re: 2021’s RB group and whether or not they’re being properly valued but “the best draft class I’ve ever seen” is an inane position to take. File this with all the others.