http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2008/02/rice_combineing_his_skills.html If Ray does run a 4.38 at the combine, is he a first round pick?
i dont think he is a 1rst roundguy with a 4.38, but this is merely because of the deepness of this rb class. I think it definately makes him a high-mid second rounder however.
Well, there are a lot of things they measure to determine who is a first round pick and whose not besides their 40-speed at the running back position, but it certainly wouldn't hurt him. McFadden and Mendenhall are considered the only two first round running backs with Jonathan Stewart right behind them. Rice is a 3rd round selection but if he performs well at the combine could make a case for a 2nd round selection. I really like his play and think he'll do excellent in the NFL.
On rotoworld... The Broncos are expected to add a backfield complement for Selvin Young this offseason. Coach Mike Shanahan believes that Young, who's currently recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, is only a 10-15 carry per game back. Travis Henry is likely to be cut. Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) and Ray Rice (Rutgers) are draft-eligible runners who'd fit nicely in the Broncos' one-cut scheme. Source: Denver Post Related: Ray Rice, Rashard Mendenhall
A lot of people have Stewart ahead of Mendenhall, all 3 are a lock for the first round if you ask me, a guy like Felix Jones could even sneak into the first Anyway, Maurice Jones-Drew ran a 4.39 and is around the same size and he went near the end of the second round, I could see Rice going anywhere from mid second (if some team falls in love with him) to mid third round.
Who are these people? Every credible mock draft has had Mendenhall ahead of Stewart. I love Stewart's play, Mendenhall too, but it seems like Mendenhall will go ahead of Stewart.
Of course, there are more things to look at then 40 times but many posters on this board have breakaway speed as one of Ray's weaknesses.
The only person I've seen with Mendenhall ahead of Stewart is Mayock, and he has Mendenhall over McFadden. But whatever, running back rankings are sure to change after the combine.
He might run a 4.38, but he doesn't play to that speed. That being said, he would be absolutely ridiculous in a Broncos uniform.
You hit the nail on the head. If he runs in the 4.4 range, I really won't konow what to make of it. Breakaway speed is really the ONLY weakness in his game, sadly though, it's a pretty big weakness to have. It should improve his stock, just based on history, but when teams go back to the tapw he'll just probably just slip back down a little on draft day. He in all likelihood deserves a 2nd round grade, whether he goes there or not depends on what those later teams decide to do.
No way he runs a 4.38 if he runs anywhere below a 4.7 ill be VERY surprised. Ive seen him play in real life and hes just not that fast, he is always getting caught from behind. If he runs a 4.38 though i will be the first to say take him with our second round pick, if he makes it that far.
