Combine Lincs

Hi Brian,

Living in a suburb of Columbus (OH) I can speak to Beanie Wells as I've seen him a lot.

I don't question his skills or his football speed at all. He has been a money player (against Michigan, top ranked teams and in bowls) and if you watch he consistently breaks off long runs for TDs even against schools with a lot of speed. He isn't going to outrun quality NFL corners but the pads don't seem to slow him at all. He has a lot of power and he can definitely pick up short yardage assuming he has any line. He has good vision and for a large guy has fairly nimble feet.

I'm not sure how he is as a pass catcher as Ohio State isn't big on screens or sending him downfield but I don't recall him dropping any either. My biggest concern with Beanie is he gets injured quite a lot. If he were to go uninjured I think Iggles fans would be thrilled with him but he may be one of those brittle guys.

I don't think he is the style of runner Reid would go for though. Style-wise he is sort of like Jim Brown or a slower Eric Dickerson. I think the one Reid would go for is McCoy from Pittsburgh. He is 'supposed' to be a near clone of Westbrook with a lot more speed.

One guy the Eagles would love from Ohio State would be Brian Robiskie. He has good size, decent speed, runs great routes, has excellent ball skills and hands of velcro. Sort of a poor man's Larry Fitzgerald. Don't put too much into this year's stats as Terrelle Pryor can't pass yet. But since he ran faster than he was forecasted at the combine you'll probably have some team pick him at the end of Round 1 or very beginning of Round 2. If by some miracle he made it to our 2nd round pick I think he'd be a steal.

Chris, thanks for the input. That's the major knock on Wells, the injury history. He's definitely got the physique and the skills to be a solid running back in the NFL. He ran a 4.5 in the 40 on Sunday, which is plenty of speed for a guy his size. Personally, I'm a McCoy guy. As for Robiskie, he's totally impressed me from the Senior Bowl through the combine. I'd love for the Birds to pick him up. I think he could step in and contribute from day 1. 6'2" 210, with refined route running skills and 4.5 speed, sounds nice to me.

Wells is a little worrisome because if he gets banged around in college, can you really change a players' running style at this stage of the game (to avoid injuries). I've read some scouts say Wells is too upright a runner, and not in the mold of an Adrian Peterson. I actually like McCoy better as well because I think he has the potential to be a threat on all 3 downs. I was kind of happy he didn't run so he can stay a little under the radar. I'm assuming the Moreno kid from Georgia will be the first back off the board.

I think Robiskie will be a solid pro, but I just see some team taking him too high. I feel like you know what his ceiling is going to be. That's not a terrible thing, considering my one draft complaint on the Birds is that the roll the dice too often with the 2nd and 3rd rounders. Wouldn't mind him in Eagle Green, but I don't think he warrants a top 28 selection.

I agree with Dave and Bob, I'm not a Wells fan and would rather see the Eagles get McCoy or Moreno if they elect to draft a back early. If they wait a round or two, the RB from Iowa (Green?) is a compelling option.

I just checked out Mike Mayock's top 5 by position and his #2 rated running back is Donald Brown out of UConn. I'm a little shocked to say the least. Dave, what have you heard/read about this guy?

Check the updated post Bob. His speed score was less than brilliant. Brown is a productive guy - he went over 1,800 yards and 17 TDs this past year. I have to watch a little more video of the guy before I make a judgment on him. UConn isn't exactly a NFL RB hotbed.