Crockett. John Crockett.

[SoonerPack]

Am I the only one that's pretty excited about getting a crack at this kid via UDFA? I've been following him on ESPNs Draft Academy and think we may have stole a good one here. I am not saying he's going to be a superstar but I think he could be useful and end up giving Starks a run for his money for the #2 back. His 40 time suggests he's a plodder but his game tape, vertical (40") and broad jump (125") suggest otherwise. His tape is pretty nice and I just have a feeling he's gonna be a good one. He was expected to get drafted and the fact he didn't has put a Texas sized chip in his shoulder which if harnessed properly could serve as jet fuel. He also was the Packers #1 priority UDFA which tells me they are pretty high on him as well. I know that undrafted guys don't normally deserve a thread but I think this kid does. I've attached a few links for those of you unfamiliar with him. Thoughts?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/john-crockett?id=2552465

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft...5-Draft-profile-RB-John-Crockett-North-Dakota

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Looks good for a undrafted rookie. But honestly, Starks has been beasting out lately. Its going to take an injury to unseat him at #2 IMO.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Had the chance to see him play live a couple times during his tenure at NDSU and the kid can play. But I don't honestly think we'll see him play as a packer. Lacy and Starks haven't given me a reason to think they won't continue to be the 1-2 RB attack for the next few years at least.

 

[TJV]

For what it's worth (not much), McGinn has him #3 on the early, early, early depth chart in front of Rajion Neal.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/green-bay-packers-depth-chart-b99494648z1-302691781.html

 

[HardRightEdge]

The point is not whether a third running back can unseat Starks at #2. The point is that you need three.

30 touches every week is too many for Lacy. You need a #2 to spell him. And if the #1 or #2 is injured, a high risk at running back, you need a guy who can step in and pick up some of the load. The problem is particularly acute if Lacy is injured, given Starks' own injury history. Further, Starks will be 30 by the 2016 season and a free agent.

Finding a #3 now who can move to #2 in 2016 is not a high priority at this time, so finding one out of this group of UDFA's would be a happy circumstance. Failing that, the need could be much more acute in the next draft.

Further, even if you find a guy now who can run the ball, he might need a year to polish his pass blocking skills, a not small consideration in this offense.

 

[Pack12TX]

I really like this kid. I think he has the skills and motivation to do something with our team. A nice change of pace, 3rd down back, perhaps?

 

[HardRightEdge]

If you look at some Crockett tape, he doesn't do much after initial contact, in line with the nfl.com scouting report regarding play strength. And this is against a lot of secondary competition.

He looks impressive in space or when getting clean to the second level where he can use his quick feet. He looks like a nifty receiver. His long speed looks better than his 40 time on that 80 yd. run against Iowa St.

I hate to say he reminds me somewhat of Alex Green, a guy who put up an impressive yards-per-carry number at Hawaii, but all of his impressive runs were draws out of shotgun where he got clean to the second level and used his quickness to elude tacklers, while also looking like a pretty decent receiver. Green could not stick because he couldn't run between the tackles against NFL talent, a guy who's size did not show up on the field.

At least in this case he's a UDFA and not a 3rd. round pick like Green.

I would not write him off by any means without seeing him play some in preseason, but I would not pencil him in at #3 either. The competition should be wide open.

 

[SoonerPack]

He definitely needs to run through would-be tacklers better and given his body type you would think he should be able to do just that. I do like the point HRE made about the necessity of a quality 3rd RB. Lacy has the asthma thing and while he's proven more reliable of late we all know Starks isn't exactly made of granite. If he can refine his game and not get 12 killed I think he could end up being useful especially when the colder temps roll in. Again, I know he's got an uphill battle but when you combine the roster situation and his skill set I think he could end up contributing next season. Thanks for all the input as well. I was worried this topic would get the cold shoulder.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I´m well aware of the fact that Crockett hasn´t played vs. elite competition most of the time but he did very well vs. the only FBS team North Dakota State faced last season, rushing for 139 yards and three TDs on 17 carries (37 yards after contact). He seems to be an intriguing prospect.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I´m well aware of the fact that Crockett hasn´t played vs. elite competition most of the time but he did very well vs. the only FBS team North Dakota State faced last season, rushing for 139 yards and three TDs on 17 carries (37 yards after contact). He seems to be an intriguing prospect.

It might be worth pointing out that Crockett had nearly 400 touches last year, which might have involved husbanding resources. He might run harder in spot duty. I expect just that in preseason as he tries to win a job. We'll see how it works out.

 

[SoonerPack]

I´m well aware of the fact that Crockett hasn´t played vs. elite competition most of the time but he did very well vs. the only FBS team North Dakota State faced last season, rushing for 139 yards and three TDs on 17 carries (37 yards after contact). He seems to be an intriguing prospect.

While Iowa State isn't exactly a powerhouse they are still a D1 program and in the Big 12. Crockett was the best player on the field that day and by a wide margin. If you have a game against a D1 team and average 8 yards per tote and get in the end zone 3 times you are doing something right. One of the TD's was a 80 yarder and while the hole was nice he put a nice move on what looked like a safety and turned on the jets. He had a couple secondary guys to beat and he outran them for the score. He didn't look like a upper 4.6 guy there. Again, I am not saying he's the next Tony Dorsett but I do think he could surprise some people! Here's the play...

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Im more excited to see how we use Montgomery out of the backfield.

 

[adambr2]

Starks will get his usual 5-10 carries a game. I wouldn't be all that shocked if Cobb and Montgomery typically combine for 5 or so carries. I'm not too concerned with Lacy being overworked this next season.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

According to an AP article I read, after the draft Crockett was contacted by twenty NFL teams but chose Green Bay because the Packers have a reputation for giving undrafted free agents a legitimate shot at making the roster. I'm looking forward to see what he can do this pre-season, but it won't be like it was at North Dakota State.