Making Them Miss
April 23rd, 2021
Hard to bring down.
The way Joe looks at it, if a running back can make a defender miss, a lot of that is just natural ability. Some guys have it and some don’t.
So one cool stat Joe likes to look at with running backs is forced missed tackles. Yeah, it is a bit subjective but these types of stats are not that far off.
This is one reason Joe would be quite content Thursday night while watching the draft at Joe’s draft party held (at Big Storm Brewing in Clearwater) if when NFL strongman Roger Goodell announces the Bucs’ pick, he says, “With the 32nd pick in the draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select… Javonte Williams, running back, North Carolina.
So why is Williams a guy Joe wants? Well, he’s a damn good runner. But he’s crazy good at making guys miss.
Per the PFF tribe, Williams led college football in forced missed tackles with 76. Another good sign is Williams ranked fifth in yards after contact with 720.
So not only can Williams make guys miss, he is tough to bring down. That’s a good combo.
Joe’s good friend Emory Hunt, Czar of the Playbook, is not a fan. He has Williams ranked No. 10 in his Football Gameplan Draft Guide.
Strengths:
– Excellent run power, showing the ability to plow through arm tackles. First defender will rarely bring him down.
– Above average burst and explosiveness for the position. Really can dart through a hole & pick up chunk gains.
– Above average in the pass game, from a route running, catching and blocking perspective. He’s a 3 down player.
– Seems to get stronger as the game goes on; can handle volume.
– Contact balance is arguably the best in the class.Areas of Improvement:
– Not the most elusive back, as he takes on far too much direct contact. Will need to become a bit more judicious in the NFL in that regard.
– Vision is average; will miss some opportunities and leave some ‘meat on the bones’.
Given how the guy can catch, Joe is very confident the Bucs will find a way to get Williams on the field. And it’s not a stretch, with the Bucs’ top three running backs in the final years of their contracts, that Williams could be the Bucs’ No. 1 back in 2022.
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:04 pm
Certainly fits my EXPLOSIVE criteria for the Bucs 1st pick
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:05 pm
I think a RB could be picked at 32 primarily as a return man in 2021. Our Special Teams play was like last in the league so they certainly want to improve in that area.
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:05 pm
Appreciate all the informative articles about Running Backs, but right now we are more likely to draft a WR…..how about some on them. I understand the 21 draft is deep at WR.
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:08 pm
I’ll confiscate the draft card from Roger Goodell if RB or QB is written anywhere on it
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:15 pm
He would be RoJo and Lenny rolled into one player
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, Aaron Stinnie and Josh Wells are in the final year of their contracts.
Suh, JPP, Gholston, Davis and Whitehead are in the final year of their contract.
Are the Bucs drafting for this year or next year?
Best player available
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:19 pm
If they take a rb and they may it will be later in the draft I like his teammate michael carter later on in the draft
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:20 pm
This kid is fun to watch. His highlights are great. I’m trying to figure out why his running mate Michael Carter isn’t getting any buzz. To be honest he’s the one I think we should target. I see him being able to return kicks and punts and the way he makes guys miss and sets up his blockers is a thing of beauty. Check him out. I wouldn’t complain about either of them to be honest but I thinking about our return games as well.
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Will…returning kicks ,especially, is nothing to bank on , returning punts is not either. The game has changed so much in that regard.
Williams is 220+ and 5’10’…feed him the rock !
Carter ib much smaller and lighter
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:35 pm
Michael Carter – he’s more elusive, better feet, more speed, already good at pass-blocking (an Arians must) and is super capable as a receiving back.
Love Williams, but Carter is the better back at this point and different than what we already have. He’s more the type of back we lack and he’s slightly more talented (besides just running people over….that style don’t last long)
Williams really good. Carter > Williams
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:35 pm
We could draft 2 Elijah’s
the 1st the WR
the 2nd the RB 215 4.38 Louisiana
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:38 pm
Carter is not faster, maybe quicker cuts and acceleration , their 40 times are the same
Carter is 205 lbs and 5’8″
for the record
I would NOT consider Carter at 32
Williams yes
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:39 pm
Carter maybe smaller but he still worked his way to being north Carolinas top rusher with a higher ypc last season williams won’t be there there for us in the second and I’m not a fan of drafting him in the first
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:53 pm
corner or trenches with the first pick
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:59 pm
I would be shocked if we went RB in the 1st. Now, if we trade back, that would be another matter.
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:02 pm
Mike….IMO the offense needs explosiveness @ RB or WR…we are very good at both positions but don’t have , IMO, explosive playmakers
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:02 pm
@SB LV
Carter did have a slightly better 40 time btw. 4.5 > 4.55. That’s besides the point though. It’s called game speed w/ pads on speed. If you wanna go your whole life judging football speed by just their 40 times in shorts, knock yourself out. Watch the tape, watch them the speed on the field in pads, watch, the acceleration, the start/stop speed, short area quickness, burst, etc.
This is Football, not track (and even by your logic, Carter still is faster.
That’s also just ONE element to being a RB. Put on the film and tell me who plays ACTUAL football faster and that Carter doesn’t best Williams in all elements of speed and football. Even by your gold standard of the 40 time!
“Stats are for losers” – Raheem the Dream
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:05 pm
I head an interview with a defender from another team, and he said Carter was the best running back he played against this year.
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:10 pm
it’s all RB and DE/DL guesses……and rightfully so. JL may surprise us though I think.
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:12 pm
Jg…I only brought up 40 time to show Carter was not faster, don’t put conclusions in my mouth, I accurately described the different styles and plus and minus of both players….feel free to make your own points
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:20 pm
SB LV
My b for misinterpreting 🙏 I’ll admit fault on that one
(4.50 is still faster than 4.55 though, w/o bringing up functional game and real football speed)
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:26 pm
@SB LV I’m not strictly talking about our return game I’m saying he adds to that as well. Rojo and Fournette don’t bring the elusiveness that this kid does and neither does Vaughn. If he’s there 3rd round I hope they’d grab him.
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:35 pm
I just would like to see a explosive RB or WR added to the game plan next year and I don’t mean a specialty guy. I’d like to see someone on the field for a high percentages of the offensive snaps that can strike fear into the defense with big play ability .
I could also be happy with just OL and DT/edge , pretty much anywhere
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:39 pm
Dang chiefs sending 4 picks for orlando brown (tackle)
Dude is a stud
That sucks. Their oline got a huge upgrade
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:53 pm
Not happening. Bucs aren’t reaching for anyone with their first pick and that guy is a reach. He’ll be there at 64.
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:58 pm
The Bucs had more than one meeting with UCLA RB/WR Demetric Felton. I don’t know how many are a lot. Very versatile and also does have the ability to play WR for depth. Could be dangerous in the return game. I like. Round 5.
April 23rd, 2021 at 3:59 pm
I like both Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. It just depends on what you want/need in your backfield. Javonte has NFL level patience and run after contact ability while Carter sort of reminds me up Darren Sproles with his build, open field elusiveness, and big play ability. Although Sproles played a little faster, I think.
April 23rd, 2021 at 4:11 pm
“With the 32nd pick in the draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select… Javonte Williams, running back, North Carolina.”
Better scenario, Goodell says ” Tampa Bay just traded back 10 spots with the New York Football Giants in exchange for the Giants 2021 third round pick and the Giants 2022 first round pick.”
April 23rd, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Someone else tell Jaymiss….
April 23rd, 2021 at 4:31 pm
SB LV,
I’m with you 100% on adding explosiveness to our RB/WR group and to be honest I didn’t think Carter ran a 4.5 which back in my day was good but like others have said put on the game film and he looks faster. He’s not a Hill or the return specialist that New Orleans has that made our ST look terrible on back to back punts (still have no clue why we kicked to that guy but that’s another story). I like what Carter brings to the table and just don’t understand why he’s not being talked about at all it seems. Heck this thread has probably talked about him more than any thing I’ve heard anywhere else.
April 23rd, 2021 at 4:45 pm
Yes if we don’t have rojo, Vaughn , fournette and Bernard.
So with the 1 pick oline or best pass rusher. 2nd DT. Nixon from Iowa.
April 23rd, 2021 at 5:05 pm
@ SB-LV someon already did…
Mike Says:
April 23rd, 2021 at 2:59 pm
I would be shocked if we went RB in the 1st. Now, if we trade back, that would be another matter.
April 23rd, 2021 at 5:07 pm
Two words Najee Harris !
April 23rd, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Jay miss . I meant that the Bucs won’t get a 3rd in 2021 and a 1st in 2020 for trading back 10 spots with the NYG… IMO
April 23rd, 2021 at 5:15 pm
I’d love Najee Harris, he would not be the explosive player but he would be a back breaker!
April 23rd, 2021 at 7:14 pm
Look to pass rusher or something on the D side of the ball. Chiefs traded for Orlando Brown Jr. to what is essentially a remaining rookie contract one year deal. He will likely be a FA Franchise player next year. So looks like they are “all in” this year as well.
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:39 pm
I don’t know Joe, I don’t see him “housing” too many runs. So by the criteria with which you judge Ronald Jones, he can’t be very good. Right?
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:48 pm
Can he block in the championship game if a few o-linemen go down?
April 23rd, 2021 at 10:43 pm
Only reach I condone is Kadarius Toney. If he is there at 32 you grab his ass. Gives the Bucs everything else they don’t have — a return man, a human hoystick, and a Tayon Hill type only better. The dude can heave the ball 70 yards in the air and was a QB when idiotsky McIllweenie drafted him.
April 23rd, 2021 at 11:04 pm
As we look forward, I can only wonder the “what if” had JL selected Dalvin Cook instead of OJ Howard, or even in Dalvin in 2nd round. Yeah, Dalvin had injuries, as did OJ. But Dalvin’s impact on his team was significant compared to OJ. Oh well.
Looking ahead at RB’s, J Williams is dang good. Great draft pick if we can get him.
April 23rd, 2021 at 11:21 pm
Joe – I see Thomas Jones 2.0
April 24th, 2021 at 12:05 am
I like him but NFL defenders a bigger, faster and many have seen it all. We don’t need to spend a high pick on a RB, and as much as want Naji Harris, go defense. I’d look at CB or safety, trade down a little to get both. As good as the defense was the last 8 games, the first 12 they got burned a lot. CB’s and safties often sustain imjuries. We need more top tier secondary guys. We can draft a RB later or next year. I’d also look at a center/guard in this draft. I wouldn’t mind seeing seeing Licht trade down to around 35 and then a few more to maybe 38. Grab a couple 2’nd and 3’rd round picks. We don’t need a receiver or RB. Trade OJ Howard for a pick too.
April 24th, 2021 at 12:19 am
Geez, can the season just start already?
April 24th, 2021 at 2:22 am
I LOVE the fact that for the 1st time ever we don’t have a TRUE NEED and no one knows what we’re going to do. This is a great time to be a Bucs fan. Enjoy it everyone!
April 27th, 2021 at 12:29 pm
I’m good with Williams, Harris in round 1 or Hubbard in round 2 or 3,