Darren McFadden - Draft Projection - NFL Impact

Miller · 02-19-2008, 09:31 PM

Darren McFadden

Running Back - Arkansas

Height - 6'2"
Weight - 215
40 Time - 4.40
2006 & 2007 Heisman Runner-up
** Combine 40 Time - 4.33 **

2007 Stats:

1725 rushing yards, 164 Receiving yards
15 Rushing TD's, 1 Receiving TD

Draft Projection - Top 10

NFL Impact
With the immediate impact that Adrian Peterson had last season, McFadden is being looked at the this years quick fix. A dynamic runner with amazing versatility, McFadden could become an instant threat for any offense. His upright running style is a concern to some, and needs more experience as a receiver. Is McFadden all hype, or the next big thing?

YouTube - Darren McFadden Interview

YouTube - D-Mac 40 yard dash!

YouTube - D-Mac talks NFL Draft

fantasyfool · 02-20-2008, 02:49 AM

Depending on the team that takes him and how much their line can block for him, McFadden *could* be as talented as A.P. He's definitely not as great as he is cracked up to be, and he might fall on draft day.

I think he will take some time to adjust to NFL and bulk up his running a bit. He might look like a bigger Reggie Bush this first year. I wouldn't like taking a chance on him for fantasy football next year--I know that much for sure.

Mike · 02-20-2008, 04:48 PM

Darren McFadden is going to be a beast in the NFL, plain and simple.

5 years into each running backs career, there will be no comparison between McFadden and Adrian Peterson. McFadden is going to be a force with any team he lands with, even if he isn't fortunate enough to land with a team who's run blocking is an dominating as the Vikings were in 2007.

The last time I was as excited to see a running back enter the NFL as I am to see this guy, was Ladainian Tomlinson. If you want a guy to compare McFadden to, this is the guy.

Coachnorm · 02-20-2008, 05:35 PM

He is going to be very attractive in Keeper and Dynasty drafts even if he lands in a "bad" situation.

Miller · 02-20-2008, 05:38 PM

I think he will be very good, but not sure if he'll be "great". He strikes me as a better college athlete then pure NFL runner. Maybe a big Reggie Bush? I don't think he's on the level that AP was last year when he came out.

Mike · 02-20-2008, 05:45 PM

He is way better than Reggie Bush, and a much tougher runner.

The Adrian Peterson comparisons, I just don't get. The chances of McFadden falling into an offense that is going to make running as easy for him as Minnesota made it for Peterson is highly unlikely. Yet, comparing first year stats is exactly what everyone is going to do.

Miller · 02-20-2008, 05:58 PM

AP had ZERO passing game to take any pressure off of him. Not exactly an "ideal" situation. He did run behind one hell of a line, but still against 8 man fronts. Not saying this was a bad situation by any means, but not going to anoint this as the perfect situation either.

As far as AD vs DMac, will be a great comparison to make after 5 years, but I think it will be evident well before then who the better back is. I also think you will have an idea after next year, but any player should get a few years before final judgment.

As far as DMac being a tough runner....I don't exactly agree on that one. He's an explosive, dynamic back, but I think power will be one of the HUGE question marks come draft day.

Mike · 02-20-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller_time

AP had ZERO passing game to take any pressure off of him. Not exactly an "ideal" situation. He did run behind one hell of a line, but still against 8 man fronts. Not saying this was a bad situation by any means, but not going to anoint this as the perfect situation either.

It was improved enough from the previous year to allow Chester Taylor to run at the same pace that Adrian Peterson did. Mewelde Moore was also over 5 ypc in his limited carries. Basically, the top four rushers (in attempts) all put up huge averages.

That tells me that this was the perfect situation for a running back

WesDawg · 02-20-2008, 06:42 PM

He's the second coming of Eddie George, plus an extra gear. Very similar builds and running styles, but I don't see D-Mac having more than 4-5 really productive seasons, a la George. No doubt about it, he'll be a superior back in the league, just not for a real long time. That upright style will get him killed when he starts to lose a step somewhere down the road.

I actually prefer J. Stewart from Oregon a slight bit over McFadden, if we're looking at them both at age 27. But then again I'm biased towards durable bowling-ball type RB's (Barry Foster, Bam Morris, The Bus)

Mike · 02-20-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesDawg

He's the second coming of Eddie George, plus an extra gear. Very similar builds and running styles, but I don't see D-Mac having more than 4-5 really productive seasons, a la George. No doubt about it, he'll be a superior back in the league, just not for a real long time. That upright style will get him killed when he starts to lose a step somewhere down the road.

Good analysis. If DMac doesn't learn how to "get little" at the NFL level, his NFL lifespan will be shortened. This is true for the majority of the running backs that come to the NFL. Unless they can adapt, 5 years is the running average

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02-20-2008, 02:49 AM	Top #2
fantasyfool Fantasy Football Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 173	Depending on the team that takes him and how much their line can block for him, McFadden could be as talented as A.P. He's definitely not as great as he is cracked up to be, and he might fall on draft day. I think he will take some time to adjust to NFL and bulk up his running a bit. He might look like a bigger Reggie Bush this first year. I wouldn't like taking a chance on him for fantasy football next year--I know that much for sure.

02-20-2008, 04:48 PM	Top #3
Mike OU SUCKS Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In A Freaking Freightliner Posts: 32,965	Darren McFadden is going to be a beast in the NFL, plain and simple. 5 years into each running backs career, there will be no comparison between McFadden and Adrian Peterson. McFadden is going to be a force with any team he lands with, even if he isn't fortunate enough to land with a team who's run blocking is an dominating as the Vikings were in 2007. The last time I was as excited to see a running back enter the NFL as I am to see this guy, was Ladainian Tomlinson. If you want a guy to compare McFadden to, this is the guy.

02-20-2008, 05:35 PM	Top #4
Coachnorm Bloggin' Outlaw Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 17,404	He is going to be very attractive in Keeper and Dynasty drafts even if he lands in a "bad" situation.

02-20-2008, 05:38 PM	Top #5
Miller "Child, please." Admin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 25,296	I think he will be very good, but not sure if he'll be "great". He strikes me as a better college athlete then pure NFL runner. Maybe a big Reggie Bush? I don't think he's on the level that AP was last year when he came out.

02-20-2008, 05:45 PM	Top #6
Mike OU SUCKS Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In A Freaking Freightliner Posts: 32,965	He is way better than Reggie Bush, and a much tougher runner. The Adrian Peterson comparisons, I just don't get. The chances of McFadden falling into an offense that is going to make running as easy for him as Minnesota made it for Peterson is highly unlikely. Yet, comparing first year stats is exactly what everyone is going to do.

02-20-2008, 05:58 PM	Top #7
Miller "Child, please." Admin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 25,296	AP had ZERO passing game to take any pressure off of him. Not exactly an "ideal" situation. He did run behind one hell of a line, but still against 8 man fronts. Not saying this was a bad situation by any means, but not going to anoint this as the perfect situation either. As far as AD vs DMac, will be a great comparison to make after 5 years, but I think it will be evident well before then who the better back is. I also think you will have an idea after next year, but any player should get a few years before final judgment. As far as DMac being a tough runner....I don't exactly agree on that one. He's an explosive, dynamic back, but I think power will be one of the HUGE question marks come draft day.

02-20-2008, 06:42 PM	Top #9
WesDawg 'Burghapologist Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Little Rock AFB, AR Posts: 3,153	He's the second coming of Eddie George, plus an extra gear. Very similar builds and running styles, but I don't see D-Mac having more than 4-5 really productive seasons, a la George. No doubt about it, he'll be a superior back in the league, just not for a real long time. That upright style will get him killed when he starts to lose a step somewhere down the road. I actually prefer J. Stewart from Oregon a slight bit over McFadden, if we're looking at them both at age 27. But then again I'm biased towards durable bowling-ball type RB's (Barry Foster, Bam Morris, The Bus)