How Would You Feel if The Panthers Drafted Derrick Henry in the 1st?

[AU-panther]

I have my doubts on how well his abilities will translate to the NFL level.  At Alabama his O-line would often get him to the second level with a head of steam.  At that point his size would be imposing against college linebackers and secondaries.  That won't happen as much at the NFL level.

I'm not so much worried about his top end speed as I am his elusiveness and acceleration.  

Either way I'm not crazy about spending a first round pick on a RB unless he is a once in 10 year type of talent.  Someone like AP.  

Also the replacement cost for RB further discourages teams from picking them early.  According to overthecap.com the 10th highest paid(yearly avg) WR last year was at $11m.  The 10th highest RB was at $4m.  The 15th pick last year will average around $2.6m for four years.  Because of the rookie wage scale that 15th pick will make the same regardless of position.  Also look at all the late round RBs that seem to have success in the league.

Speaking of Gurley last year I think it is a bit of a stretch to compare the two.  A lot of the so called "experts" last year considered Gurley one of the best RB prospects that we've seen in awhile, just not last year.  A Peterson type of talent.  The only question with him was the ACL.  A lot of people don't even have Henry as the best RB prospect in this class. 

[panthers34]

3 hours ago, caatfan said:

The Eddie I've heard, for a Henry comparison, is George. 

For the most part it seems RB's have fallen out of favor as higher picks. Gurley was a winner for sure, but Melvin Gordon went in the 1st as well, and his 3.5 yds/carry and less than 650 yds. didn't exactly validate his 1st round status.

Yeah a big part of RB is fitting the system. I don't think Gordon fits the chargers at all with how often they run the ball from the shotgun. I honestly can't tell if Henry would fit us or not but I think Zeke Elliot fits us perfectly in my opinion 

[Carolina Cajun]

I'd hate the pick, but at the same time, I said, this offseason, I've stopped hammering Gettlemen on personnel decisions because even on his worst day, he's infinitely better than I am at spotting talent.

[bababoey]

Henry is not a bad back, he's just nothing special.  He's big, real big and alot faster than many think but he could not make a slug miss a tackle in an open parking lot.  He would be a good, not great, back if he goes to the right place.  30 years ago he would not get out of the top 5 picks but now anywhere after about 25 until the end of the 2nd seems about right.

If he goes to a power gap type run scheme, like we run, he could be ok.  He just has to hit the hole faster and not wait until he gets to the 2nd level to turn on the speed.

My best friend is a bama fan and we have seen Henry play in person 2 times and watch god knows how many bama games since he got there. 

I still think CAP can be a very good back he just isn't a power back the way Henry is.  He's better than Eric Shelton but both of them have the same kind of running style and same strengths and weaknesses.  It would not be the end of the world if we picked him but he sure would not be my first choice.  Probably not even 4th or 5th.

[The Huddler]

Id be ALL FOR picking Derek Henry at 30. I have a real good feeling about this guy. Real good.. 

 

Just gunna go on record saying this now

[CPantherKing]

No to Henry. The Panthers need players that compliment Cam Newton's game. RBs for Cam have to be able to be a physical runner, a dependable receiver, and a punishing blocker who can operate well in the run option and present a threat when moved out of the backfield and used as a receiver.

Why pick Henry when you can get Rockhead in the late rounds. This is the type of back that carries over well to the NFL. RB/FB/TE. Check out how he sets up the run option. Full speed battle ram at the point of hand off whether you give him the ball or not. Reminds me of Mike Alstott at Purdue.

 

 

 

[yasuhara2241]

I don't know how I would feel. I kind of want a game breaker speed type back which we haven't had since D Will was in good shape. I feel like CAP can be our J-stew of the future but I want a game breaker at RB. 

[BlackCats2013]

I would be disappointed with Henry being the selection in the first round. I feel that the RB position is one that can be filled by others mean such as FA rather than a first round pick 

[Gin and Juice]

3 hours ago, panthernation8923 said:

you hated a 6'5 250lb receiver who had the game winning catch in the championship game?

what crack were you smoking at the time.

I actually got down on my knees and prayed we drafted that guy, and i got my wish

He felt bustish! I was wrong. At the same time, plenty of college big men have failed in the NFL

[Ace_Aladdin]

11 hours ago, Dick the Butcher said:

No RB is worth a first round pick in the NFL right now. Gurly had a great rookie year, sure. But we'll see how he continues to play in the coming years and how his team fares. You can't just go drafting RBs if you don't have a running philosophy. 

Bro, Panthers run the ball 50% of the time. Wrong, Ezekiel Elliott

Quote

STRENGTHS

 Elite combination of vision and decisiveness. Instinctive, short strider with instant reaction time. Has a bona fide jump-­cut to elude penetration in the backfield and enough burst to elude chasers when he bounces runs to the outside. Able to change directions with no hesitation or wasted motion and is always headed forward. Has innate feel for developing blocks in space and is excellent at setting his blocks up and accelerating from behind them when the linebacker is trapped. When it’s gridlocked inside, finds yards on his own. Rocked up physique but still maintains loose hips for agility. Exceptional balance through contact and takes tacklers for a ride. Has a “come at me, bro!” mentality as a runner. Loves to end runs on his physical terms. Uses lead shoulder as a weapon, but plays with outstanding ball security. Looks to absolutely bludgeon defenders as a lead blocker and is often successful. Able pass catcher who adjusts to throws and can do something with it after the catch.

 

 

[CRA]

2 hours ago, The Huddler said:

Id be ALL FOR picking Derek Henry at 30. I have a real good feeling about this guy. Real good.. 

 

Just gunna go on record saying this now

In our offense?  Henry needs to basically run like Demarco Murray ran in Dallas.  Cam is at his best in a slow no huddle working from shotgun.  We need another Stewart.

[CRA]

2 hours ago, yasuhara2241 said:

I don't know how I would feel. I kind of want a game breaker speed type back which we haven't had since D Will was in good shape. I feel like CAP can be our J-stew of the future but I want a game breaker at RB. 

CAP is more like DWill than Stew IMO

[Fenrir]

Henry, while he is a physical specimen, has a ton of mileage on him before he's even taken an NFL snap. Had an absurd amount of carries and yardage in high school and Bama absolutely ran the guy into the ground. Don't think he'll last long in the league...

[t96]

11 hours ago, top dawg said:

I had no idea that Henry was that big. What does G-man say abut big men?

Big men allow you to compete...

But pretty sure he's referring to the trenches when saying that. I don't recall him bringing up that phrase when we drafted KB, only when talking about guys like Star, KK, Turner, etc. (linemen).