The Next Le’Veon Bell?
April 21st, 2018
SEC power.
It seems one running back who performed well in the SEC is flying under the radar of Bucs fans.
That would be Kerryon Johnson. Joe was doing a bit of research last night and noticed that back last season, respected former Ravens and Eagles scout Daniel Jeremiah wrote that Johnson reminded him of Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell in some ways.
Joe doesn’t think Jeremiah is willing to ruin a strong reputation by pumping out silly misinformation if there wasn’t a nugget of truth to that.
The last two seasons, Johnson averaged 4.9 yards a carry in the defensively-strong SEC. That’s not bad at all.
Joe did not notice if the Bucs ever worked out Johnson, but that does not prevent a team from drafting him if they have done their homework on the guy.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com suggests Johnson is a three-down back who catches, blocks and is a physical runner. Zierlein also states Johnson is a second-day draft pick.
Joe supposes the Bucs could do worse than Johnson for a running back. It’s not like the Bucs shy away from Auburn running backs.
April 21st, 2018 at 12:28 am
Well somebody get this guy the #19 Jersey and I can dig up and recycle my tattered #19 from glory days of past.
April 21st, 2018 at 12:41 am
Sometimes he looks like Bell. But Bell is bigger, better feet, better vision, more patience. Trade up in the third for him, but I much rather take
Mark Walton or John Kelly in the 4th
April 21st, 2018 at 1:46 am
As an Auburn fan, this dude was insanely fun to watch with his combination of speed and power. I support this pick
April 21st, 2018 at 3:20 am
I’ve heard that he might have some durability issues (I.E. injury prone) but he’s tough as nails. I saw him in a game last year injure his shoulder and still rush for over 100 yards in a game.
April 21st, 2018 at 3:46 am
Darren McFadden in his latter years.
April 21st, 2018 at 4:10 am
Did he play with Peyton barber?
April 21st, 2018 at 4:43 am
WAIT A MINUTE…. JOE… you mean to tell me that there are other RBs in this draft who can be good that aren’t named Saquon Barkley?!!?!?!?!?!
Its almost like we should take advantage of the depth of this RB class and, ya know, not take one in the top 10……..
April 21st, 2018 at 4:43 am
But for real I dont get the Lev Bell comp
April 21st, 2018 at 5:37 am
ALSO THIS:
https://twitter.com/FO_ScottKacsmar/status/987195784205684736
The media gases up prospects every year. It just happens to be Barkley this year. Dont see how people keep falling for it lol.
April 21st, 2018 at 5:50 am
Is Barkley that good or is he just perceived as the best in this class. Not sure the hype matches up with his talent.
April 21st, 2018 at 5:54 am
Johnson has been discussed in Buccs circles a lot. The one that is flying under the radar of most is John Kelly or Guice light from Tennesee. He played behind a terrible olin yet had no negative runs, runs violent, but has breakaway speed.
April 21st, 2018 at 5:59 am
Check out Kelly’s highlights: https://youtu.be/OCaqOvCGg5o
April 21st, 2018 at 6:05 am
I live in PA and am around a ton of penn state fans. Most of them say they wouldnt want him on their team. Apparently he never ahowed up in big games. He padded his stats vs the lesser big 10 teams. To me that is a red flag. I am not opposed to taking him at 7th but with caution. I am not 100% on the bandwagon. I would prefer we trade back if chubb is not there. Would love to move back get derwin then hernandez and/ or pending on what we got feom trade back sony/guice. Either or bucs must draft a rb, cb, and ol. We need another de too but coulld see them passing with the signings of curry and jpp.
April 21st, 2018 at 7:10 am
I like Kerryon Johnson a lot. Although they have different builds, Kerryon’s lower body isn’t as thick and muscular, I’d say his play style is more similar to Kareem Hunt than to Lev Bell.
Both are very patient runners with good vision and burst through the whole with alacrity and bad intentions. Neither is a burner, but both have enough game speed to break off big runs. Each of them can make plays catching out of the back field, and both of them successfully fight through contact on a pretty regular basis.
Something that I find very worrisome about Johnson however, is that I’ve seen numerous plays on his real where he goes to make a cut, and then just drops to the ground in pain. Like the one at 1:14 of the video embedded in this article.
April 21st, 2018 at 7:17 am
and Cadillac Williams.
April 21st, 2018 at 7:21 am
Being from Kentucky and a Big SEC Fan, I have watched this dude play a few times. I have liked him since the first time I seen him kick Kentuckys ass by himself. He is the real deal. Quick as a cat, see’s holes and he gets up in them and is gone. Would be a great get for the Bucs if Barkley doesn’t fall in the lap of Licht!!! And those chances are slim and none so something to think about!!! GO BUCS!!!!!
April 21st, 2018 at 7:28 am
My buddy told me about him yesterday. First thing that jumps out to me when watching his video is his stride. He has a huge distance between each step which is great in the second level but not sure how how well his footwork will translate to runni between the tackles.
I don’t like Barkley much either, I personally ally like the Georgia bulldog guy won’t michel
April 21st, 2018 at 7:31 am
I agree with Blake and Morgan.
He doesn’t look like he has the lower body of a starting running back in the NFL. However, if he is there when the Bucs 4th round pick comes up he should be a strong consideration.
April 21st, 2018 at 7:33 am
You mean the guy that was so good he had to sit behind Peyton Barber for 2 years…yea. There’s an upgrade for ya. :/ They only played one year together in college. –Joe
April 21st, 2018 at 7:36 am
Is anyone else’s head spinning from all of these proposed draft picks?……Especially the RBs…..We can’t get to Thursday quick enough for me…..I actually had a dream that we traded down 3 times and ended up with 8 2nd round picks….(don’t ask me who we selected) It woke me up.
April 21st, 2018 at 7:39 am
You Barkley doubters are going to be wondering “how could I have been so wrong?” After he wins offensive rookie of the year, unless he gets drafted by the browns, then idk if he can over come that juju.
April 21st, 2018 at 7:40 am
Auburn ran this guy into the fricking ground. He was on dead legs by the end of the season. I’ll pass on Larry Johnson 2.0
April 21st, 2018 at 7:42 am
@Wausa
I didn’t necessarily mean that Kerryon’s lower body is scrawny, just that it’s not as thick as Kareem Hunts. I still find their college film and skill sets to be very similar.
April 21st, 2018 at 7:45 am
@Easy
Easily my second biggest worry surrounding Johnson behind his tendency to get injured cutting.
But other than that, his film is really good, and if we were to draft him he would almost certainly be part of a rotation so we could keep his and Barbers legs fresh.
April 21st, 2018 at 8:00 am
I like the guy. He plays with confidence, plays hurt and runs over people.
April 21st, 2018 at 8:03 am
Kerry on My wayward Son Johnson, as Boomer would say. He… could… go… all… the…. way!!!
April 21st, 2018 at 8:57 am
If you need a RB this is a banner year for prospects. My only concern is between last year and this year every team in the league is going to have a pro bowl calibre player in their backfield. I would have no reservations under the circumstances picking 2 this year. Injuries to good RB is a great equalizer. Additionally a solid O-line makes a day three RB a pro bowler.
April 21st, 2018 at 9:05 am
This kid took a beating in college, his shoulder was injured most of the season, and instead of sitting him Auburn put winning ahead of his well being. He won’t hold up the whole NFL season. Damaged goods, buyer beware.
April 21st, 2018 at 9:13 am
Bell has the quickest feet and stop and go ability compared to noone in the league
He can setup and make fools of tacklers from his moves even in small areas….even without good off blockinh
NO ONE including this kid can compare to Bells rare skillset
April 21st, 2018 at 9:17 am
Too injured in college
April 21st, 2018 at 9:27 am
The Saints sure got lucky to find Alvin Kamara where they did.
We need to find a back like him.
April 21st, 2018 at 9:34 am
Blake, in that game where he just went down, he had already dislocated his shoulder, he refused to come out of the game (or they refused to take him out, which I highly doubt). YouTube that whole game, dude can run. Could be a 4th round steal if things fall the right way.
April 21st, 2018 at 9:59 am
Yes please! That was the first impression I got when I saw him in a game for the first time. Obviously not as polished as Bell. He watches a lot of film on Bell and on an interview he did mention that Bell it’s his favorite player( or HB ).
April 21st, 2018 at 10:32 am
Ahhh…@Poppems, can always count on Poppems for some of that good ishhh. 🙂
Jeremiah can (usually) be counted on for solid yet unspectacular evaluations, just way the eff off on Johnson. Not even a logical or reasonable comp to Leveon. Like @Kalind and others have said, injured too easily and too often, especially in his shoulders which all good backs use to create extra yardage, sat behind Barber at Auburn, shorter by a few inches than Leveon, doesn’t have NEAR the vision of Bell, etc,etc. Ridiculous comp.
Go Bucs! Go Bold! Go Barkley! Go Primetime!
April 21st, 2018 at 10:52 am
@feelthepewter, that was the best highlight reel I have seen yet for a RB in this class. Soooo many broken tackles and stiff arms with break away speed to match. Liking that kid.
April 21st, 2018 at 10:52 am
“Lance Zierlein of NFL.com suggests Johnson is a three-down back who catches”
I do not disagree with this but for a little perspective in the difference between first round and 2nd day picks.
Johnson caught 55 passes for 478 yards averaging 8.7 yards per catch over his three year career. Not bad.
Barkley caught 54 passes for 632 yards and a 11.7 per catch in ONE YEAR! Over his career he caught 102 passes for 1195
Not much comparison in rushing either. Over their entire careers Barkley average more than a yard per carry more than Johnson.
Le’Veon Bell? Really? Barkley maybe but Johnson?
April 21st, 2018 at 11:04 am
Difference between 1st day and 2nd day backs…
Barkley 6′ 230 lbs 40-4.4 BP 29 reps V Jump 41″ 20 yard shuttle 4.24
Johnson 6′ 212 lbs 4.54 11reps 40″ 4.29
Some of Johnson’s numbers are actually pretty good. They only suffer in comparison to Barkley but look pretty good against the other prospects.
If Johnson has a rep for stiff arm with 11 reps on the BP do we think Barkley could handle himself with 29 reps.
April 21st, 2018 at 12:03 pm
I don’t see how people can watch Barkley and not understand the hype after watching him play.
April 21st, 2018 at 12:09 pm
SB Says:
April 21st, 2018 at 10:52 am
@feelthepewter, that was the best highlight reel I have seen yet for a RB in this class. Soooo many broken tackles and stiff arms with break away speed to match. Liking that kid.
———————
Yeah, only question is can he be an every down back at his size and weight? I think Kelly is a sleeper and wouldn’t mind taking him in the mid to late rounds. He played in a bad offense at Tennesee so he hasn’t gotten much run. He also didnt run the forty I believe at the combine, but helped his stocl at peoday. I wouldnt say hes the fastest but he has good football speed, and for his size he
is really physical ala Guice.
April 21st, 2018 at 12:35 pm
Oxycondoms
Then you are correct…you simply do not understand.
NOBODY who actually watched him has anything bad to say and they are the most prejudiced of all in their support of him.
I do not know where the Barkley bashing is coming from. Perhaps people resent “sure things”? Again we have to concede that 40% will bust…Barkley probably lowers that. But accepting there are no sure things there is simply no player in this draft who compares to him, and virtually EVERY NFL expert agrees.
So who to believe? NFL experts like Gil Brandt and Mike Mayock or a contingent of JBF posters who don’t like him?
BTW I concede we can get by without the BEST rb in the draft. Any of 3 or 4 guys in the 2nd combined with a great OL will provide enough of a running game. I also concede this team has been built to throw the ball. But a good running game would be really nice and a great running game could seal the deal on Jameis career as well. Imagine #3 with a GENUINE threat on his play action fakes.
April 21st, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Another good take above ^^^^^^ @StPeteBucsFan. Well said.
Go Bucs!
April 21st, 2018 at 12:44 pm
This rb looks more like Charles Simms then bell
April 21st, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Agree ,Darren McFadden 2.0
April 21st, 2018 at 12:59 pm
@Stpete
I wouldn’t say I have anything “bad” to say about him, but there are questions around his game that won’t be able to be answered until he actually plays an NFL game.
As far as the NFL “experts” go…
In 2015 they said Todd Gurley was the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson.
In 2016 they Said Ezekiel Elliot was the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson.
In 2017 they said Leonard Fournette was the best RB prospect since… Adrian Peterson.
And now in 2018 Saquon Barkley is once again the best RB prospect since, guess who, Adrian Peterson.
They have been saying the same thing every year. Have all those guys worked out? Yes they have. But then there is this
The same draft that gave us the next AP in Todd Gurley gave us David Johnson in the 3rd round.
The same draft that gave us the next AP in Zeke Elliott gave us Jordan Howard in the 5th round.
The same draft that gave us the next AP in Leonard Fournette gave us Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt in the 3rd round.
People refusing to acknowledge this trend is more head scratching than people “bashing” Barkley.
April 21st, 2018 at 1:00 pm
This draft is so deep with running backs. No need to spend a top-10 pick on one.
I really like Guice and Michel, or John Kelly!!!
April 21st, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Smooth, gliding running style. Patience and vision stand out in these highlights. I see some very good cut back ability. Burst and speed don’t appear to be that of an elite back. Runs a little bit high and many of his best looking runs came out of the wildcat or shotgun handoffs, not like Bucs style
April 21st, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Joey
Kamara and Kareem Hunt are good not great RB’s. I think any GM would trade both of them for either Zeke or Fournette.
Again all of the great RB’s of the past came from the top five. SOME pundits may have called various backs the greatest since AP but I simply do not recall them gushing over them I hear virtually EVERY “expert” do about Barkley and the measurables aren’t even close. He can literally do EVERYTHING including return kicks although I doubt any team would use him that way save perhaps in a critical playoff situation.
I think we’re just talking past each other. You do not value a GREAT RB as a critical part of success and believe we can get by with just a GOOD RB. I do not disagree. In addition we are a team built for passing so there’s that.
Simply saying we shouldn’t keep BSing ourselves that we’re going to find a game changer late in the rounds.
Again if you believe that then we also messed up using the top draft pick of the entire draft on #3 when Brady was selected way back in the 6th round.
Again exceptions to the rule do not mean the rule has no merit.
Just to recap…we may not be disagreeing…if your point is that Barkley is overkill and we can win with Guice or Chubb or Michel I do not disagree…but it’s clear there is one generational rb in this group and that is Barkley.
It would also be fun to see one of the best RB’s combined with one of the best QB’s….imagine #3’s play action fakes…he’s good at that…would they have to respect Barkley?
April 21st, 2018 at 6:02 pm
What you say?
Kamara is marshal faulk 2.0
Kamara will be in the HOF without injury
He will have over 10 years of 1k rush/ 1k pass seasons
Wait until ingram leaves and karma becomes rb1
Multiple mvp woth over 1500 rush yards and 1200 pass reception yard seasons
This kid is the next superstar and will be MUCH better than leovon bell
April 21st, 2018 at 9:02 pm
@Joeypoppems
Well Gurley, Elliot, and Fournette are all pretty damn good. And Barkley is the most physically talented and well rounded skill wise than any of them.
Penn State does not have now and did not have a good O-line in front of Barkley, but whenever they gave him a shred of daylight, he gashed defenses for huge plays.
He is legit.