Darren McFadden - Draft Projection - NFL Impact

Miller

• 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?

fantasyfool

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

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

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

Miller

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coachnorm

Interesting point, I didn't know the other Minny backs had such a high yards per carry. I realized Chester Taylor did great when Peterson was out but not that it was across the board.

Wes Dawg, Nice analysis.

Miller

A perfect situation does not include 8 man fronts......sorry, it just doesn't!

And the passing game was improved??? They ranked 28th in the league (down from 18th in 06')!!! Only 171 ypg (down from 195 in 06)! They did not get better, they got worse at passing the ball. No balance, no threat, 8 man fronts.

You really do have it in for AP don't ya

Phicinfan

I am a McFadden hype believer. I also think he will be a top 5 pick in the NFL draft this year. Just not sure who will take him. I had him projected to Oakland...until they dropped money on Fargas. So I see them addressing defense instead.

As for McFadden, I do like the Eddie George comparison. Very much alike ane will probably have a similar career. I too am high on Stewart like Wes...but not quite that high.

This could end up being a huge draft at the rb position this year. A lot of great backs that will fall later due to depth. I am also high on Mendenhall...and see him as a great pick for Seattle later in round 1.

Da Bomb

eddie george was doing just fine through his first four years with a pretty consistent 1300+ yards a season, and then his team ran him into the ground with 400+ carries his fifth year. history shows that thats the end of any RB's life expectancy, had nothing to do with his running style. if you think dmac is going to average just under 4 YPC most of his career, you're crazy.

Mike

I was talking about the running game being improved, not the passing game.

And no, I don't have it in for Peterson, but at the same time, I am not going to start making room for him in Canton after his rookie season like most people seem to be ready to do.

Remember, Chester Taylor ran for a around a 5.5 ypc arverage in this offense as well. I don't know how you can look at the entire running game for Minnesota being very good, and not think it was a great situation for a running back.

And that is why I brought it up in this thread. Comparisons are already being made with McFadden, and many are going to judge him on his rookie year, when he may very likely end up behind a bad offensive line.