Posted this in another thread but it fits here so
#1A C.J. Spiller 5-10, 195 4.30 Clemson
Video Highlight
Video Highlight
NFL comparison Reggie Bush/Chriss Johnson
Projection - first round
My case for Spiller - He is taylor made this offense. He not only gives our running game a boost with his crazy speed he is capable of improving our passing game. Watch the highlight videos above and you will see him turning the same screen plays we run into long TD runs.
However having a smaller back like Spiller would mean that we would have to continue to more of a pass to set up the run style ala Indy. Its not as big a stretch as some might think. We pretty much did it all year and did it well. You add Spiller to this years offense and I believe our 10 plus yard runs more than double. He also would improve our kickoff return game. Adding another big play threat like Spiller to our offense would make us one of the most dangerous offenses in the league.
Some will point out that he will have trouble in pass protection because of his size but that is going to be a problem with any rookie RB and I feel like his big play threat will nullify that enough to overlook it. Teams will have to put a spy on him or risk giving up a big play. That means one less blitzer to worry about.
Others will point out that he isnt strong enough or big enough to run between the tackles on a regular basis. I agree that in a run oriented offense this would be true. It is my opinion that we stay true to our strengths and continue spread the ball around and get it to our playmakers in the open field. He would flourish in this type offense.
A Spiller, Slaton combination assuming Slaton returns to last years form could be one of the better more dangerous backfields in all of the NFL. If Slaton doesnt return we would still have Spiller and Foster as a one two punch and we should be able to find another more traditional RB in FA or later in the draft.
So going into next season our stable of RBs would look like this.
Slaton, Spiller, Foster and Moats or FA or late draft pick. I would really like to see Moats let go and us pick up another bigger back that can get tough yards since he wouldnt be getting much playing time with Spiller on the team.