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(05-01-2023 11:19 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  I think it is a combination of all the above.

Injuries, Lack of utilization in the passing game, (blocking and receiving), fumble issues especially earlier in the season, decreased production against perceived better competition, most of his success was against perceived weaker competition, perception of CUSA, not being at the combine, not being a senior and playing in the Senior Bowl.

Add it all up and he is fortunate to be drafted at all.

Now I said that and it sounds like a slight. I actually think he will be a 6-10 year pro and can eventually be a starter in the NFL.

Let’s add the draft is another thing that is becoming a P5 invitational. Most can’t get a combine invite, and teams are looking for safe choices.

(05-01-2023 08:59 AM)DuelingDragon Wrote:  It is more that the NFL doesn’t value running backs these days. There aren’t many feature backs, certainly none like in the old days where the teams was built around a superstar RB. Even the best players often only have 3-4 year window of peak productivity but want to be paid elite salaries into their 30s. The teams know they can find big value late or UDFA and moneyball the position by committee with 3-4 players to equal the productivity of the one big salary. They would rather sink the big contracts on QBs, OT, edge rushers and corners.

Debo probably should have gone around the 4th or 5th but I also understand why some teams passed. He has a massive amount of attempts already. High mileage for a guy who will take a ton of hits with his style in the pros but also may be only a 2-down guy.

I actually think Skull could be drafted higher.

I agree that Skull could be drafted higher. He caught several passes in the spring game in his limited playing time, so I think he’ll have a more expanded role with Dilfer’s offense.

Assuming he stays healthy, I could easily see Skull being an all purpose back with 1000 rushing /500+ receiving and another 300 in kick returns.

The fact that he can catch, and especially that he is a pretty elite pass blocker, will also give NFL teams confidence he can contribute on special teams and even coverage teams. Put that with a great work ethic and attitude and I definitely can see them drafting him higher than Debo. His versatility is highly valued in the late rounds, especially if he comes in closer to 200 lbs than his listed 185.

I say that more on what I think we’re going to see this fall than what we have seen to date.

(05-01-2023 04:22 PM)DuelingDragon Wrote:  Assuming he stays healthy, I could easily see Skull being an all purpose back with 1000 rushing /500+ receiving and another 300 in kick returns.

The fact that he can catch, and especially that he is a pretty elite pass blocker, will also give NFL teams confidence he can contribute on special teams and even coverage teams. Put that with a great work ethic and attitude and I definitely can see them drafting him higher than Debo. His versatility is highly valued in the late rounds, especially if he comes in closer to 200 lbs than his listed 185.

I say that more on what I think we’re going to see this fall than what we have seen to date.

I love Skull as much as the next guy but 1800 total yards seems like a lot for him. He's not going to be an every down back.

I don’t think it is that much at all. Skull had 1,548 yards of total offense last season (rushing, receiving, kickoff returns.

He got 948 rushing last year as the secondary guy, even if his attempts don’t increase much or at all (166 attempts), 1000 is a good stretch goal. It is a reasonable goal assuming the OL is even decent

Receiving, we just don’t know. He had 19 catches last year for 120 yards. He averaged more per catch (6.2 ypc) than he did per run (5.7) I think he could be a 35-40 catch guy in the new offense. That’s about 41 ypg receiving. 3-5 catches per game. He would also need to increase his ypc average to between 8-12. Doable? Maybe. A stretch goal for sure.

The top 10 kick returns in the country last year had 400 or more yards for the season and all averaged 20 or more yards per return. Is Skull going to be the primary returner? Dunno but if he is, 300 yards isn’t implausible. I would say it’s a reasonable goal — IF he is the primary returner. He was the primary returner last year and had … 475 yards, 25 per returner average.

I chose 1800 because that’s the ceiling.

1200-1400 is very realistic because he exceeded that total last year, and would have him in the same draft territory.

The Athletic has an article on Debo:

https://theathletic.com/4539542/2023/05/...ed_article