DeMarco Murray - Undervalued?

jth1331 · 03-30-2011, 09:48 AM

So while I may be an OU Alumni, I still do not get how Murray is valued as an at best 3rd round prospect.
Is it because of his injury history? I could see that as a valid concern, but the guy has incredible talent IMO.
He is a tough runner with good speed and incredible hands. I'm not saying Murray should be the 1st back taken and a shoe in for the 1st round, but he would be an incredible pick for a team that wants to go with 2 RB's. He can pick up blitzes, and catch the ball out of the backfield, so he adds value not with just running the ball. I'd view him as a less explosive Reggie Bush, but a better runner.
Personally, I think he'd be a great 2nd round pick for St. Louis; who could use him to spell Jackson, and he would help Bradford out in the passing game.

So, I guess, what is really setting Murray back?

PossibleCabbage · 03-30-2011, 09:49 AM

The depressed value of the running back position in the modern NFL. There are people out there who see Ingram as a second round pick, so your lower tier guys don't really start creeping into their mental second rounds.

Scott Wright · 03-30-2011, 09:50 AM

I agree that Murray may be getting underrated.

I think the issues people have with him are two-fold:

1) The Durability Concerns

2) Lacks Wiggle and is Straight-Linish

Murray actually reminds me a bit of Deuce McAllister when he was coming out. Remember, Deuce was a totally different player at the end of his pro career than he was at the start.

AntoinCD · 03-30-2011, 10:27 AM

I don't think he is being undervalued to any great degree. Ideally in the first two rounds you would like to get at the very least a serviceable starter. Murray has a lot of talent and I would like him for the Patriots, anywhere really from the end of the second on, but he is not going to be an every down back in the NFL. His best fit will be as a third down back to start with and see if he can stay healthy and become something more. I think his "value" is just about right where it is now.

rawdawg · 03-30-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth1331

So while I may be an OU Alumni, I still do not get how Murray is valued as an at best 3rd round prospect.
Is it because of his injury history?

YES. Pretty much the only reason I can find.

FUNBUNCHER · 03-30-2011, 11:52 AM

Wish you guys would stop spilling the beans about the SKins draft wish list.

Murray is the heir apparent to Clinton Portis, or was, since he won't be on the board when the Skins target him in the 4th.

Iamcanadian · 03-30-2011, 12:20 PM

I'm not a Murray fan, sure, he has decent speed but he isn't durable and I see no cutting ability. With all that speed and the talent he played with at Oklahoma, he should have been totally dominating, but it just wasn't there.

jth1331 · 03-30-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

I agree that Murray may be getting underrated.

I think the issues people have with him are two-fold:

1) The Durability Concerns

2) Lacks Wiggle and is Straight-Linish

Murray actually reminds me a bit of Deuce McAllister when he was coming out. Remember, Deuce was a totally different player at the end of his pro career than he was at the start.

I can understand if its the injury concerns.
I don't really understand the whole concern about him being straight line. He is a one cut and go back. Remember the Bronco RB's? One cut, and go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntoinCD

I don't think he is being undervalued to any great degree. Ideally in the first two rounds you would like to get at the very least a serviceable starter. Murray has a lot of talent and I would like him for the Patriots, anywhere really from the end of the second on, but he is not going to be an every down back in the NFL. His best fit will be as a third down back to start with and see if he can stay healthy and become something more. I think his "value" is just about right where it is now.

Murray would be a serviceable starter. I seriously would consider Murray to be more along the lines of Matt Forte. He could be a productive starting RB in the NFL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iamcanadian

I'm not a Murray fan, sure, he has decent speed but he isn't durable and I see no cutting ability. With all that speed and the talent he played with at Oklahoma, he should have been totally dominating, but it just wasn't there.

What annoys me with people is how they don't realize the OU OL was dreadful run blocking Murray's last 2 years and before that, he had injuries and split time.
As far as not dominating, he had over 1,800 yards rushing and receiving with 20 TD's combined. Lamichael James? 1900 combined yards and 24 combined TD's.

I see Murray becoming a very solid RB in the NFL barring health. Starting in the future, 1,200 yards rushing, 500 receiving and 10+ TD's. I don't see him ever winning rushing yard titles, but he'll get a lot of yards through the air. He's a huge matchup concern out of the backfield IMO, similar to Brian Westbrook was, LeSean McCoy, Tomlinson was, etc.

GaMeTiMe · 03-30-2011, 03:18 PM

I think I'm in the minority, but there's something about the mid-late round RBs that I really like this year - I think they're ALL flying under the radar, some as relative unknowns and others as guys who just do one thing well and aren't considered "complete backs" which they wouldn't have to be in the pros anyway.

Talented RBs fall into the late rounds or out of the draft completely almost every year and by now teams have to be catching on. Daniel Thomas, DeMarco Murray, Jordan Todman, Shane Vereen, Delone Carter, Taiwan Jones, Jacquizz Rodgers, maybe even guys like Devine, Ridley, Powell and Helu, I don't necessarily like them all as prospects but I think they all have a better chance to produce in the pros as people seem to think. I don't see as much of a separation between some of those guys and Leshoure, Ryan Williams and Kendall Hunter.

Iamcanadian · 03-30-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth1331

I can understand if its the injury concerns.
I don't really understand the whole concern about him being straight line. He is a one cut and go back. Remember the Bronco RB's? One cut, and go.

Murray would be a serviceable starter. I seriously would consider Murray to be more along the lines of Matt Forte. He could be a productive starting RB in the NFL.

What annoys me with people is how they don't realize the OU OL was dreadful run blocking Murray's last 2 years and before that, he had injuries and split time.
As far as not dominating, he had over 1,800 yards rushing and receiving with 20 TD's combined. Lamichael James? 1900 combined yards and 24 combined TD's.

Quote:

Please, he had a top 10 draft pick for his OL last draft, and Oklahoma is never lacking in solid prospects on their OL. To say they were dreadful is absurd.

I see Murray becoming a very solid RB in the NFL barring health. Starting in the future, 1,200 yards rushing, 500 receiving and 10+ TD's. I don't see him ever winning rushing yard titles, but he'll get a lot of yards through the air. He's a huge matchup concern out of the backfield IMO, similar to Brian Westbrook was, LeSean McCoy, Tomlinson was, etc.

He is not even in the same conversation with Westbrook, McCoy or Tomlinson, they all could use their feet to avoid being tackled, Murray cannot and that is why the pro scouts only talk about him as a middle round pick.
He isn't even in Mayock's top 5 so saying he will be a 1200 yard rusher is simply wishful thinking with no basis of fact. At this point in the post season draft process, we are way past wishful thinking and dealing in real scouting reports from many reliable sources and Murray is currently an after thought.

MI_Buckeye · 03-30-2011, 07:42 PM

I think Scott nailed it here. It seemed like he always had a ton of preseason buzz and was breathtaking in bursts, but he is just too fragile. His upright running style only makes him more vulnerable to injuries

Also, RBs tend to slide anyways, so even if he dominated throughout his college career, we might only be talking about a late No. 1 this year. I hate to say it, because I think he could end up being one of the steals of the draft, but if I am a GM, I dont even think about drafting him at any point.

gpngc · 03-30-2011, 08:02 PM

He's not very elusive = his size is a disadvantage because he's a huge target.

He's not very powerful = his size is a disadvantage because if you get an arm on him you can stop him or get him down quickly thereafter.

He's a 3rd-down back stuck in a workhorses body.

batsandgats · 03-30-2011, 10:38 PM

If he could work on his power, add a few pounds, he could excel in like in a Brian Leonard type role. Leonard is used mainly as a 3rd down back and blocks mostly in passing situations. Hes got good straight line speed (4.49 at the combine) but not good at running inside the tackles, mainly poor vision from what I remember at Rutgers. Murray has better straight line speed but seems more stiff when it comes to changing direction.

GoRavens · 03-30-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

Lacks Wiggle...Murray actually reminds me a bit of Deuce McAllister

- I disagree with that completely. Murray has some extremely quick feet and does a great job at lowering his hips in between cuts. He doesn't dance around either, he'll see the hole and explode through & durability shouldn't be a factor if he's used properly.
- As far as a pro comparison I'd say it's definitely Cadillac Williams.

bucfan12 · 03-30-2011, 10:54 PM

He's got a history of being injured so I wouldn't take him before the 4th.

Also, he is no where near the type of back Cadillac Williams was. Williams was explosive and tough and physical before the serious knee injuries that took that away.

If anything, Murray compares to someone like Fred Jackson from Buffalo.

MikeTheDudeV2 · 03-30-2011, 11:17 PM

He really reminds me of Michael Bush in terms of being talented, but with major injury concerns. I think he will go to a team in the 3rd or 4th Round and make a pretty large impact.

nepg · 03-30-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRavens

- I disagree with that completely. Murray has some extremely quick feet and does a great job at lowering his hips in between cuts. He doesn't dance around either, he'll see the hole and explode through & durability shouldn't be a factor if he's used properly.
- As far as a pro comparison I'd say it's definitely Cadillac Williams.

How does he compare to Williams? At all?

The Deuce McAllister comparison is pretty solid. Deuce was a fast back who could do things in the passing game, but wasn't the best guy to put into tough yardage situations.

The thing with Murray falling so far probably has a lot to do with the kind of recruit he was. Murray had insane expectations going in to Oklahoma - he was AD Jr. He never ended up being that dominant back on a consistent basis, but he grades out as a great prospect for modern NFL offenses. He's comfortable in the shotgun, he can catch, he can block a bit, and he has excellent straight line speed.

ellsy82 · 03-31-2011, 12:16 AM

Hmmm...good post, jth1331. I really haven't put a lot of thought into the running back position this year, as my team is stacked. I do think Murray is underrated. Delone Carter too, but I think Murray has a much better skillset and is a much more aware runner.

His shuttle results really blew me away for a kid his size.

Caulibflower · 03-31-2011, 02:45 AM

Michael Bush?! Brian Leonard!?

Caulibflower · 03-31-2011, 03:06 AM

I think he could pay off for a team in the second round, but I'm with everyone else who sees that the position has simply been devalued lately. Unless your team really wants a specific guy, they may as well just pick up some capable runner in the later rounds. My go at a comparison would be to point out that he and Arian Foster are both tall, slashing, long-striding runners who are very good at catching the ball. Foster's probably got some more power, but Murray's not a slouch and he's definitely faster. Again, I wouldn't take him in the first, but watching him I see a guy who looks like he's for real if he stays healthy.

Complex · 03-31-2011, 03:07 AM

I think he will better NFL player than Mark Ingram.

jth1331 · 04-04-2011, 10:32 AM

I seriously think people haven't watched Murray play. When I was asking why his value was so low, I was assuming due to the injury concerns.
But lacks toughness? Lacks "wiggle"? Lacks "quick feet"? Completely ridiculous. I mean this seriously, he can take on tacklers, he can cut and avoid defenders, juke. What separates Ingram from Murray?
I was simply stating that in a good situation and he stayed healthy, I seriously think he could post some solid numbers or be a very productive 2nd RB for a team.

AntoinCD · 04-04-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth1331

I seriously think people haven't watched Murray play. When I was asking why his value was so low, I was assuming due to the injury concerns.
But lacks toughness? Lacks "wiggle"? Lacks "quick feet"? Completely ridiculous. I mean this seriously, he can take on tacklers, he can cut and avoid defenders, juke. What separates Ingram from Murray?
I was simply stating that in a good situation and he stayed healthy, I seriously think he could post some solid numbers or be a very productive 2nd RB for a team.

He certainly vould be very productive as a 2nd RB for a team but look around the NFL and you see a lot of teams with primary RBs who were drafted after the first round.

Maurice Jones Drew
Ray Rice
Matt Forte
Arian Foster
Peyton Hillis
BenJarvus Green Ellis

Each of these guys had over 1000 yards rushing and were their team's #1 RB. First round RBs are now seldom and really should be Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Darren McFadden types.

Demarco Murray could become a very valuable asset to any team but the lower second round should really be his ceiling IMO

wicket · 04-04-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth1331

I seriously think people haven't watched Murray play. When I was asking why his value was so low, I was assuming due to the injury concerns.
But lacks toughness? Lacks "wiggle"? Lacks "quick feet"? Completely ridiculous. I mean this seriously, he can take on tacklers, he can cut and avoid defenders, juke. What separates Ingram from Murray?
I was simply stating that in a good situation and he stayed healthy, I seriously think he could post some solid numbers or be a very productive 2nd RB for a team.

ill give you quick feet but he does lack toughness and wiggle. Also being injury prone and a pretty certain backup only guy is quite a bad mix. There are a ton of backs id take over him and even if the saints needed a back (which they dont!!!) Murray would still be a guy i wouldnt touch till the fourth. Nothing its more annoying than injury prone backups

jth1331 · 04-04-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicket

ill give you quick feet but he does lack toughness and wiggle. Also being injury prone and a pretty certain backup only guy is quite a bad mix. There are a ton of backs id take over him and even if the saints needed a back (which they dont!!!) Murray would still be a guy i wouldnt touch till the fourth. Nothing its more annoying than injury prone backups

Adrian Peterson was thought to be injury prone too. How has that turned out for the Vikings?

And seriously, I don't get this lack toughness and wiggle. Is he Jerome Bettis? No, but he's no Troy Hambrick. He's a very solid pick who IMO would be an exceptional pick in the 2nd/3rd round.
If guys like Donald Brown, Beanie Wells, Addai got drafted in the late 1st, I think Murray should be valued as a 2nd rounder.