This article lends a little credit to the mocks that have Cedric Benson falling to us.
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While this year's running back class is being touted as one of the best in more than a decade, most NFL teams would rather go with a proven veteran commodity. That's why we could still see Travis Henry (Bills), Shaun Alexander (Seahawks) and even Edgerrin James (Colts) dealt between now and the end of draft weekend. There are only a few teams in need of a No. 1 running back the Dolphins, Buccaneers, Cardinals and possibly the Bears, who might be looking for an upgrade over Thomas Jones.
Even if you count the Bears as the fourth team in search of a starting running back, six running backs (Henry, Alexander, James, Auburn's Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams and Texas' Cedric Benson) are essentially fighting for four spots. That's why the agents for the top three running-back prospects in this year's class are starting to get nervous.
For a team like the Buccaneers, a deal for Alexander or James would make a lot of sense. Theoretically, the Bucs could get a proven veteran running back both players would fit coach Jon Gruden's versatile scheme while also potentially acquiring an extra pick in a later round as part of the deal. That would give the Bucs the answer they are looking for at running back, plus an extra draft selection to address some of their other pressing needs, such as OLB, WR, SS and OG.
If Seattle hasn't traded Alexander by April 23, don't assume that a deal won't get done. In fact, unless the Seahawks get a deal they can't refuse between now and then, they'd rather wait until draft day to make a move. That's when they have the most leverage because of teams' panicking while on the clock. If the Seahawks can find a draft-day suitor in the Dolphins (pick No. 2), Bears (No. 4) or Buccaneers (No. 5), it would allow them to deal the disgruntled Alexander for a top-five pick, ensuring them one of the elite running backs in this year's class.
What's worrisome for Brown, Williams and Benson, however, is that the Cardinals (No. 8) could address their running back need in a trade with the Bills, and a team such as the Colts could trade James for a top-five pick. The Colts would likely use that pick on a defensive prospect. Even if two of the top three running backs do wind up coming off the board in the first five picks, the possibility exists that the third running back prospect could experience a free fall.
The Cardinals and Bills continue to work on a swap of L.J. Shelton for Henry. The Bills reportedly want a little bit more to sweeten the deal, possibly a swap of second-round picks. That would result in the Bills' moving up to No. 44 and the Cardinals down to No. 55. In that scenario, cornerback becomes the most important position to address early on for the Cardinals.
Miami's Antrel Rolle would be the team's first choice, but if he's gone (presumably two picks earlier to the Titans), the Cardinals would have a difficult decision to make between West Virginia's Adam Jones and Auburn's Carlos Rogers at pick No. 8. The trade would benefit the Bills just as much. It would allow them to fill their biggest need with Shelton's taking over as a starting tackle opposite Mike Williams. Also, without a first-round pick, the move up to No. 44 would give them a better chance to find an impact player at defensive tackle or cornerback.
As the draft nears, there seem to be increasing concerns regarding Benson and Oklahoma DE Dan Cody. Both have undeniable first-round talent, which explains why NFL scouts graded them so highly during their fall evaluation process. But now that teams are meeting as a complete staff with coaches, physicians, trainers, scouts and personnel officials all in one room, the red flags that both of these prospects carry are becoming more prevalent as draft boards are being finalized.
Cody, who notched 20 sacks in his last two seasons as a Sooner, is a fine athlete with great instincts and a non-stop motor. The two concerns that keep coming up are his clinical depression and lack of a base necessary to hold his ground as an every-down defensive end in the NFL. Cody is on medication to treat his depression and it has seemingly had no effect on his play, but teams are understandably squeamish about paying first-round money to a player with that condition.
It's easy to study Benson on film and project Stephen Davis-type production at the NFL level. However, his lack of versatility and top-end speed make him a good fit only for a team using a north-south power running scheme, such as the Panthers and Ravens. There are some questions regarding his passion for the game and teams wonder if he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ricky Williams.
Character is an issue after an arrest for possession of marijuana in 2002 and a separate charge for misdemeanor trespassing in 2003. Durability has to be considered, even though he held up well in college, because he has loads of mileage on his legs 561 carries his last two years. Age is also a minor concern, as he played two years in the Dodgers (MLB) farm system before enrolling at Texas as a freshman in 2001.
The Falcons are a lot higher on LOT Kevin Shaffer than many people think. They also feel that the safety position is secure with SS Bryan Scott and FS Keion Carpenter as starters, with newly acquired free agents Ronnie Heard and Rich Coady providing good depth and special-teams help. With that in mind, the team must be targeting the defensive tackle and wide receiver positions on day one, after not addressing those two glaring areas of weakness during the free-agency period.
The problem Atlanta could have, however, is that the top two DTs (FSU's Travis Johnson and USC's Shaun Cody) and the top five WRs (Michigan's Braylon Edwards, USC's Mike Williams, South Carolina's Troy Williamson, Oklahoma's Mark Clayton and UAB's Roddy White) should all be gone by pick No. 27. Reaching for a second-round prospect such as Wisconsin DT Anttaj Hawthorne or Georgia's Reggie Brown is bad business.
http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/draft05/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=2031874
While this year's running back class is being touted as one of the best in more than a decade, most NFL teams would rather go with a proven veteran commodity. That's why we could still see Travis Henry (Bills), Shaun Alexander (Seahawks) and even Edgerrin James (Colts) dealt between now and the end of draft weekend. There are only a few teams in need of a No. 1 running back the Dolphins, Buccaneers, Cardinals and possibly the Bears, who might be looking for an upgrade over Thomas Jones.
Even if you count the Bears as the fourth team in search of a starting running back, six running backs (Henry, Alexander, James, Auburn's Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams and Texas' Cedric Benson) are essentially fighting for four spots. That's why the agents for the top three running-back prospects in this year's class are starting to get nervous.
For a team like the Buccaneers, a deal for Alexander or James would make a lot of sense. Theoretically, the Bucs could get a proven veteran running back both players would fit coach Jon Gruden's versatile scheme while also potentially acquiring an extra pick in a later round as part of the deal. That would give the Bucs the answer they are looking for at running back, plus an extra draft selection to address some of their other pressing needs, such as OLB, WR, SS and OG.
If Seattle hasn't traded Alexander by April 23, don't assume that a deal won't get done. In fact, unless the Seahawks get a deal they can't refuse between now and then, they'd rather wait until draft day to make a move. That's when they have the most leverage because of teams' panicking while on the clock. If the Seahawks can find a draft-day suitor in the Dolphins (pick No. 2), Bears (No. 4) or Buccaneers (No. 5), it would allow them to deal the disgruntled Alexander for a top-five pick, ensuring them one of the elite running backs in this year's class.
What's worrisome for Brown, Williams and Benson, however, is that the Cardinals (No. 8) could address their running back need in a trade with the Bills, and a team such as the Colts could trade James for a top-five pick. The Colts would likely use that pick on a defensive prospect. Even if two of the top three running backs do wind up coming off the board in the first five picks, the possibility exists that the third running back prospect could experience a free fall.
The Cardinals and Bills continue to work on a swap of L.J. Shelton for Henry. The Bills reportedly want a little bit more to sweeten the deal, possibly a swap of second-round picks. That would result in the Bills' moving up to No. 44 and the Cardinals down to No. 55. In that scenario, cornerback becomes the most important position to address early on for the Cardinals.
Miami's Antrel Rolle would be the team's first choice, but if he's gone (presumably two picks earlier to the Titans), the Cardinals would have a difficult decision to make between West Virginia's Adam Jones and Auburn's Carlos Rogers at pick No. 8. The trade would benefit the Bills just as much. It would allow them to fill their biggest need with Shelton's taking over as a starting tackle opposite Mike Williams. Also, without a first-round pick, the move up to No. 44 would give them a better chance to find an impact player at defensive tackle or cornerback.
As the draft nears, there seem to be increasing concerns regarding Benson and Oklahoma DE Dan Cody. Both have undeniable first-round talent, which explains why NFL scouts graded them so highly during their fall evaluation process. But now that teams are meeting as a complete staff with coaches, physicians, trainers, scouts and personnel officials all in one room, the red flags that both of these prospects carry are becoming more prevalent as draft boards are being finalized.
Cody, who notched 20 sacks in his last two seasons as a Sooner, is a fine athlete with great instincts and a non-stop motor. The two concerns that keep coming up are his clinical depression and lack of a base necessary to hold his ground as an every-down defensive end in the NFL. Cody is on medication to treat his depression and it has seemingly had no effect on his play, but teams are understandably squeamish about paying first-round money to a player with that condition.
It's easy to study Benson on film and project Stephen Davis-type production at the NFL level. However, his lack of versatility and top-end speed make him a good fit only for a team using a north-south power running scheme, such as the Panthers and Ravens. There are some questions regarding his passion for the game and teams wonder if he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ricky Williams.
Character is an issue after an arrest for possession of marijuana in 2002 and a separate charge for misdemeanor trespassing in 2003. Durability has to be considered, even though he held up well in college, because he has loads of mileage on his legs 561 carries his last two years. Age is also a minor concern, as he played two years in the Dodgers (MLB) farm system before enrolling at Texas as a freshman in 2001.
The Falcons are a lot higher on LOT Kevin Shaffer than many people think. They also feel that the safety position is secure with SS Bryan Scott and FS Keion Carpenter as starters, with newly acquired free agents Ronnie Heard and Rich Coady providing good depth and special-teams help. With that in mind, the team must be targeting the defensive tackle and wide receiver positions on day one, after not addressing those two glaring areas of weakness during the free-agency period.
The problem Atlanta could have, however, is that the top two DTs (FSU's Travis Johnson and USC's Shaun Cody) and the top five WRs (Michigan's Braylon Edwards, USC's Mike Williams, South Carolina's Troy Williamson, Oklahoma's Mark Clayton and UAB's Roddy White) should all be gone by pick No. 27. Reaching for a second-round prospect such as Wisconsin DT Anttaj Hawthorne or Georgia's Reggie Brown is bad business.
