RB Offseason 2024

[T-Dub]

3 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

 

If he wants a 1 year prove it deal while we draft his replacement 

 

Not the most ideal but ....

 

Prove what though, that the last 4 years were a fluke?

 

My concern is they bring him back and then act like everything's fine while Joe continues to take a beating.

[Jamie_B]

1 minute ago, T-Dub said:

 

Prove what though, that the last 4 years were a fluke?

 

My concern is they bring him back and then act like everything's fine while Joe continues to take a beating.

 

There is no way they don't draft a tackle though, it's just a matter of with what pick. It's a question of what are they going to do about getting a bridge guy in here. Are they going to go into the draft without a RT? What happens if there is a run on tackles and we miss out? 

[T-Dub]

9 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

 

There is no way they don't draft a tackle though, it's just a matter of with what pick. It's a question of what are they going to do about getting a bridge guy in here. Are they going to go into the draft without a RT? What happens if there is a run on tackles and we miss out? 

 

I would've thought there was no way they'd ignore the OL entirely in last year's draft, knowing how many guys were getting up there in age & in the last year or two under contract.  I would've thought there was no way they'd replace Jonah at LT, have him ask for a trade, then make him play RT where he's completely outmatched and the flaws in his game would be an even bigger liability. 

 

So, you know, at this point keeping him at RT for the next 5 years seems entirely within the realm of possibility.

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, T-Dub said:

 

I would've thought there was no way they'd ignore the OL entirely in last year's draft, knowing how many guys were getting up there in age & in the last year or two under contract.  I would've thought there was no way they'd replace Jonah at LT, have him ask for a trade, then make him play RT where he's completely outmatched and the flaws in his game would be an even bigger liability. 

 

So, you know, at this point keeping him at RT for the next 5 years seems entirely within the realm of possibility.

Williams value has dropped

Teams have filmed him

I proposed a 3-42-13 per deal but rethinking it a 

2-20-10 per would  my offer

I think he'd bite.

 

 

 

[Le Tigre]

So…if Jonah is this week-old pizza in quality…why would the Bengals spend a dime on him? 
 

Asking for Harry. 😀

[sparky151]

15 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

 

 

I think they may.

Jonah hasn't got the deal he wanted

 

Id go 3 yr .40 mil...13.3 per

Both parties walk away satisfied..

 

Er, what about the Bengals desire for a tackle who is better than Jonah? If he comes back, it better not be for more than 1 year. Bengals should have just paid Eluemunor an extra half mil over what he got from the Giants. He signed for 2 years/14 mil. That would have either given us a very good swing tackle in reserve or a decent starter at RT and no need to draft one unless they were good value. 

[UncleEarl]

4 hours ago, Le Tigre said:

So…if Jonah is this week-old pizza in quality…why would the Bengals spend a dime on him? 
 

Asking for Harry. 😀

Someone has to play the position.   Unless they draft a no doubter (😂) they need someone who isn’t worse than Williams.  
 

That said, I wouldn’t give him any more than 2 years.  Need an upgrade. 

[claptonrocks]

10 hours ago, Le Tigre said:

So…if Jonah is this week-old pizza in quality…why would the Bengals spend a dime on him? 
 

Asking for Harry. 😀

To reheat ...

It's not so bad..😎

[|BlackJesus|]

[|BlackJesus|]

[|BlackJesus|]

[|High School Harry|]

3 hours ago, BlackJesus said:

Late to the party, here, but the whole cut/trade get Mixon out of town deal.

Yes, I did not like him.  Yes, others I respect did... Jamie, Pattern etc and I am very

OK and respect their opinions.

But I'm thinking there was something else at play behind the curtain with The Great Wizard Pumpkin

we were not seeing.  Maybe/probably nothing overt but The Bengals Powers That Be secretly saw or

feared something about this guy... a loose cannon with a Glock or Tec.

[Inigo Montoya]

Reading back through this thread, it seems that no one is very happy about the moves the Bengals made at RB.  Plenty of people were done with Mixon and wanted him gone for a while now.  Yet I’m not seeing much celebration that they got their wish.  I’m assuming that’s mainly because they don’t know or like Moss (already) and/or wanted a bigger name in free agency.  The same goes for the smaller group who supported Joe and we’re OK with keeping him.  They’re not pleased at the change and see it as a downgrade.  
 

My take is the Bengals wanted to get younger and cheaper at the position.  Moss is both of those things compared to Mixon.  He flashed early last year for Indy in place of Jonathan Taylor after being traded from Buffalo.  That’s not much to go on, but it’s something.  

[T-Dub]

6 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said:

Reading back through this thread, it seems that no one is very happy about the moves the Bengals made at RB.  Plenty of people were done with Mixon and wanted him gone for a while now.  Yet I’m not seeing much celebration that they got their wish.  I’m assuming that’s mainly because they don’t know or like Moss (already) and/or wanted a bigger name in free agency.  The same goes for the smaller group who supported Joe and we’re OK with keeping him.  They’re not pleased at the change and see it as a downgrade.  
 

My take is the Bengals wanted to get younger and cheaper at the position.  Moss is both of those things compared to Mixon.  He flashed early last year for Indy last year in place of Jonathan Taylor after being traded from Buffalo.  That’s not much to go on, but it’s something.  

 

Considering they ran the ball less than any team except Washington last year - even with a backup QB - I think you're right that they don't put a high value on the position. It'd make sense that they primarily want RBs to block & catch. 

[IKOTA]

24 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said:

Reading back through this thread, it seems that no one is very happy about the moves the Bengals made at RB.  Plenty of people were done with Mixon and wanted him gone for a while now.  Yet I’m not seeing much celebration that they got their wish.  I’m assuming that’s mainly because they don’t know or like Moss (already) and/or wanted a bigger name in free agency.  The same goes for the smaller group who supported Joe and we’re OK with keeping him.  They’re not pleased at the change and see it as a downgrade.  
 

My take is the Bengals wanted to get younger and cheaper at the position.  Moss is both of those things compared to Mixon.  He flashed early last year for Indy in place of Jonathan Taylor after being traded from Buffalo.  That’s not much to go on, but it’s something.  

Zach Moss isn’t the sexy signing, but that’s not what the Bengals need out of their RBs. Pass protection was the priority. Mixon was only here because of Mike Brown, the football people wanted him gone last year. 

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, High School Harry said:

Late to the party, here, but the whole cut/trade get Mixon out of town deal.

Yes, I did not like him.  Yes, others I respect did... Jamie, Pattern etc and I am very

OK and respect their opinions.

But I'm thinking there was something else at play behind the curtain with The Great Wizard Pumpkin

we were not seeing.  Maybe/probably nothing overt but The Bengals Powers That Be secretly saw or

feared something about this guy... a loose cannon with a Glock or Tec.

I think you nailed it.

Blackburn women were tired of potential worries with him.

Moved him out.

[claptonrocks]

5 hours ago, BlackJesus said:

Hoping he's a great locker room presence.

No clue. 

[claptonrocks]

13 minutes ago, IKOTA said:

Zach Moss isn’t the sexy signing, but that’s not what the Bengals need out of their RBs. Pass protection was the priority. Mixon was only here because of Mike Brown, the football people wanted him gone last year. 

"The football people" are the Blackburn women and yeah your right.

[IKOTA]

12 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

Hoping he's a great locker room presence.

No clue. 

He’s a consummate professional, he fits in perfectly with what the bengals want from their players.  Extremely humble and seems like a good dude. Perfect culture fit. 

[MichaelWeston]

1 hour ago, claptonrocks said:

Hoping he's a great locker room presence.

No clue. 

Usually on all the free agents whose numbers stand out I watch a highlight video and an interview. He wins both. 

[alleycat]

Just watched Tyrone Tracy from Purdue (and Iowa). He started at WR before moving to RB. A whole lot of Deebo Samuel to his game. He ran a 4.48 at the combine so enough speed, but his vision and shiftiness and overall pass game skill are impressive. 9.87 RAS. I thought I'd click on his profile and find him to be 5'8 195 but he's 5'11" and 210. 

 

Nice article in The Athletic about him: 

 

Tyrone Tracy embraced a position change. The payoff could come in the NFL Draft

Scott Dochterman

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrone Tracy Jr. felt his football clock ticking like a heartbeat on a roller coaster one year ago as he approached his final winter conditioning period at Purdue.

For five seasons, Tracy played receiver. The first four were full of promise, then ended mostly with letdowns at Iowa. His fifth season featured a new start in his home state, but it concluded with the same level of disappointment.

Entering his final season of eligibility, Tracy faced a career crossroads. Purdue had a new staff, and coach Ryan Walters asked Tracy to switch positions to running back. There was pressure and uncertainty.

“I was a little skeptical at first,” Tracy said. “I didn’t know if he was trying to say I’m not a good receiver, or ‘Hey, man, we actually think you can do this.’ I kind of just prayed about it. I talked to my mom and dad about it. And my dad was basically saying, ‘I know you’ve been doing this your whole life.’”

One year after shifting positions, Tracy (5 feet 11, 209 pounds) stood on a podium at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He produced one of the best sets of testing numbers of any running back in attendance. His magnetic personality came through in a 20-minute interview session and he was energized, relaxed and thankful.

Most of all, he was appreciative of his opportunity and the trust he put into the Boilermakers’ coaching staff. Their suggestion turned Tracy from an underachiever into a possible draft pick.

Tyrone Tracy led Purdue with nine TDs in 2023 after opening up to a position change. (Robert Goddin / USA Today)

‘Football might not be for me’

Few players were as explosive as Tracy at Decatur Central High School on the southwest side of Indianapolis. In 2017, Tracy was named the state’s Gatorade football player of the year and he signed to play receiver at Iowa. Tracy held school marks for career touchdowns (72), receiving touchdowns (33) and receiving yards (2,643). He totaled 3,525 rushing yards and wanted to play in the slot like Odell Beckham Jr.

He redshirted in 2018, then made a splash in 2019 as Iowa’s fourth wide receiver. Tracy caught 36 passes for 589 yards and three scores and rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown. He called himself “Sweet Feet,” which led to constant jabs from his teammates. But after a 75-yard touchdown catch at Wisconsin and a 23-yard reverse for a score against USC, the nickname stuck.

“I love it just because of the yards after the catch,” Tracy said, laughing. “That’s where ‘Sweet Feet’ came from.”

There was uncertainty about his best position, however. In Tracy’s first fall and spring, he saw action at receiver and running back. It nearly led to a full-time position switch.

“We weren’t sure if he’s a running back or a receiver,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “During our bye week, (former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator) Tom Moore happened to be on campus. Tyrone made a little cut playing running back. And I remember for whatever reason, my eyes met Tom’s and we’re both like, ‘Hmm, this is good.’”

Tracy never reached his potential at receiver. In 2020-21 combined, Tracy totaled 29 catches for 260 yards. Iowa used him at X-receiver, which led him to face jams and didn’t use his quickness off the ball. Eventually, his snaps dwindled, he lost his starting job and hit the transfer portal within days of the 2021 Big Ten title game.

“We had some really good running backs,” Tracy said. “We had Tyler Goodson, so I understand. When I was playing, I just felt super natural. I just felt like I could actually do this.

“But during that time, they really needed me to be a receiver and help on special teams.”

Tracy landed at Purdue, where he thought he’d play a hybrid role. But his production under coach Jeff Brohm in 2022 mirrored his Iowa tenure. He caught 28 passes for 198 yards.

“I hit some brick walls,” Tracy said. “In 2020, my numbers didn’t look good. I’m coming back and I think, ‘OK, 2021 is my year.’ Well, 2021 wasn’t my year. So I transferred to Purdue. The 2022 numbers still didn’t look as good as I wanted them to. So I’m thinking football might not be for me. I kind of went through a hard phase.”

GO DEEPER

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades shake up Round 1; QBs, WRs dominate early

Renewed hope

As Illinois’ defensive coordinator in 2022, Walters guided the nation’s best scoring defense. After the 2022 Big Ten title game, Brohm left Purdue for Louisville, and the Boilermakers hired Walters. He schemed against Iowa and Purdue and thought moving Tracy to running back was in everyone’s best interest.

“Every time I watched Tyrone, you’d look at his frame, the way he moves with the ball in his hands, his physicality as a wideout. I felt like he was out of position at receiver,” Walters said. “The good running backs I’ve been around, they looked and moved like he does.

“We were kind of thin at running back. I felt like that was an opportunity for him to get a lot more touches.”

Walters wasn’t the only one who believed Tracy should switch positions. Lamar Conard coached Tracy’s younger brother, Kenny, at Miami (Ohio). Conard tried to recruit Tracy in high school as a running back. When Tracy left Iowa and before he selected Purdue, Conard brought the same speech.

“We had this conversation: ‘You’re a tailback, I know you’re going to Purdue most likely to be a receiver but, brother, the easiest way to satisfy your hunger is to transition,’” Conard recalled. “And just by the grace of God, I got hired as running backs coach here. The first thing I said to coach Walters and coach (Noah) Joseph, our CEO, was ‘I need Tyrone. You’ve got to give me Tyrone.’”

But with one season left, Tracy was unsure whether he wanted to experiment. If he failed, there was no chance at the next level. He needed to learn the intricacies of playing running back and bulk up for the hard hits. Unlike at Iowa, there was no dabbling in both roles.

“Obviously, his question was, ‘Can we get this done in this small window?’” Conard said. “I said, ‘Ultimately, that is up to you. How invested are you? I will give you everything I have.’”

Tracy unleashed his passion into the position switch. He bulked up from 197 to 210 with a diet increased by 1,500 calories a day while stepping up his workouts. It became an obsession.

“His family, his brothers, they always do extra work,” Conard said. “Trying to get them to stop working — you need to take a break, go rest on your off day — they can’t help themselves. That’s just the competitive nature of their family.”

GO DEEPER

Official combine measurements and results for 2024 NFL Draft prospects

Learning how to play running back

Receivers are designed to avoid contact; runners often embrace it. Against Big Ten defenses, Tracy had to learn how to run inside and outside zone, hit the holes in gaps and counters and most importantly, take on blitzers.

“Once he got cracked a couple times, and he understood the force that he has to put through people, I think that shook the cobwebs loose,” Conard said.

“One of the things I was worried about was pass protection,” Walters said. “But he embraced the physicality and ended up being our best pass pro running back.”

The move turned out better than expected. Tracy rushed for 716 yards last year and his 6.3 yards per carry led the Big Ten. He added 47 catches for 330 yards and generated 428 yards on kickoff return. He was named a second-team All-Big Ten return specialist and an honorable mention All-Big Ten running back. He finished with nine touchdowns.

Tracy also built an NFL resume. At the Hula Bowl, Tracy put both the Purdue “P” and the Tigerhawk on his helmet. He also competed in the Shrine Bowl. When he received his combine invite, his family wept with joy.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Tracy said.

Among combine running backs, Tracy posted the best three-cone time in 6.81 seconds and was second in both the shuttle (4.06 seconds) and vertical jump (40 inches). He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash to finish eighth and his 10-yard split (1.53 seconds) was sixth.

When compared with his peers, Tracy still has plenty to learn but averaged 4.44 yards after contact and shows “natural instincts” and “dynamic agility and elusiveness,” according to The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler.

“Overall, Tracy needs to improve his decision-making at the line of scrimmage, but he can create with his quick lateral cuts and contact balance and can stay on the field on passing downs,” Brugler said. “He is a multidimensional threat as a rusher, receiver and special teamer, which raises his chances of earning an NFL roster spot.”

Tracy’s versatility lends to comparisons with traditional third-down backs who can catch passes. His willingness to play on special teams as a returner and in punt protection also is a plus with six special teams tackles.

“Tyrone’s best football days are ahead of him,” Walters said.

“I’ve told all the scouts he’s only played tailback for one year,” Conard said. “If you’re talking about Year 3, where could he be? I think the sky’s the limit athletically. But the versatility that he brings in the modern game of football when he gets with the right system, the right coach who knows how to use his skill set, he can be a problem.”

[T-Dub]

5 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

I think you nailed it.

Blackburn women were tired of potential worries with him.

Moved him out.

 

Smiles aside, if the reaction to someone running across your suburban back yard is to go outside and start blasting at shadows..  Even if he had legit death threats (over what, I wonder?) wouldn't the smart, reasonable thing be to stay inside and lock the doors?  I'm not anti-gun by any stretch & I don't even have a huge problem with someone owning an AK "pistol" as a collector/hobbyist, but to let his ex-con BIL wild out with it like Scarface...

 

To me that points to some serious bigger issues behind the scenes.  That is not normal behavior, he or at the very least the people around him are caught up in some bullshit.  Family or not it's his house and his name on the line, to let that mess happen when he was already under a microscope from the road rage thing (if that was even real IDK).. 

 

Anyway we've been over this before, I'm just relieved he's someone else's problem now.  I'd enjoy watching him go off for Houston & put whatever that was behind him.

[claptonrocks]

4 hours ago, alleycat said:

Just watched Tyrone Tracy from Purdue (and Iowa). He started at WR before moving to RB. A whole lot of Deebo Samuel to his game. He ran a 4.48 at the combine so enough speed, but his vision and shiftiness and overall pass game skill are impressive. 9.87 RAS. I thought I'd click on his profile and find him to be 5'8 195 but he's 5'11" and 210. 

 

Nice article in The Athletic about him: 

 

Tyrone Tracy embraced a position change. The payoff could come in the NFL Draft

Scott Dochterman

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrone Tracy Jr. felt his football clock ticking like a heartbeat on a roller coaster one year ago as he approached his final winter conditioning period at Purdue.

For five seasons, Tracy played receiver. The first four were full of promise, then ended mostly with letdowns at Iowa. His fifth season featured a new start in his home state, but it concluded with the same level of disappointment.

Entering his final season of eligibility, Tracy faced a career crossroads. Purdue had a new staff, and coach Ryan Walters asked Tracy to switch positions to running back. There was pressure and uncertainty.

“I was a little skeptical at first,” Tracy said. “I didn’t know if he was trying to say I’m not a good receiver, or ‘Hey, man, we actually think you can do this.’ I kind of just prayed about it. I talked to my mom and dad about it. And my dad was basically saying, ‘I know you’ve been doing this your whole life.’”

One year after shifting positions, Tracy (5 feet 11, 209 pounds) stood on a podium at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He produced one of the best sets of testing numbers of any running back in attendance. His magnetic personality came through in a 20-minute interview session and he was energized, relaxed and thankful.

Most of all, he was appreciative of his opportunity and the trust he put into the Boilermakers’ coaching staff. Their suggestion turned Tracy from an underachiever into a possible draft pick.

Tyrone Tracy led Purdue with nine TDs in 2023 after opening up to a position change. (Robert Goddin / USA Today)

‘Football might not be for me’

Few players were as explosive as Tracy at Decatur Central High School on the southwest side of Indianapolis. In 2017, Tracy was named the state’s Gatorade football player of the year and he signed to play receiver at Iowa. Tracy held school marks for career touchdowns (72), receiving touchdowns (33) and receiving yards (2,643). He totaled 3,525 rushing yards and wanted to play in the slot like Odell Beckham Jr.

He redshirted in 2018, then made a splash in 2019 as Iowa’s fourth wide receiver. Tracy caught 36 passes for 589 yards and three scores and rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown. He called himself “Sweet Feet,” which led to constant jabs from his teammates. But after a 75-yard touchdown catch at Wisconsin and a 23-yard reverse for a score against USC, the nickname stuck.

“I love it just because of the yards after the catch,” Tracy said, laughing. “That’s where ‘Sweet Feet’ came from.”

There was uncertainty about his best position, however. In Tracy’s first fall and spring, he saw action at receiver and running back. It nearly led to a full-time position switch.

“We weren’t sure if he’s a running back or a receiver,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “During our bye week, (former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator) Tom Moore happened to be on campus. Tyrone made a little cut playing running back. And I remember for whatever reason, my eyes met Tom’s and we’re both like, ‘Hmm, this is good.’”

Tracy never reached his potential at receiver. In 2020-21 combined, Tracy totaled 29 catches for 260 yards. Iowa used him at X-receiver, which led him to face jams and didn’t use his quickness off the ball. Eventually, his snaps dwindled, he lost his starting job and hit the transfer portal within days of the 2021 Big Ten title game.

“We had some really good running backs,” Tracy said. “We had Tyler Goodson, so I understand. When I was playing, I just felt super natural. I just felt like I could actually do this.

“But during that time, they really needed me to be a receiver and help on special teams.”

Tracy landed at Purdue, where he thought he’d play a hybrid role. But his production under coach Jeff Brohm in 2022 mirrored his Iowa tenure. He caught 28 passes for 198 yards.

“I hit some brick walls,” Tracy said. “In 2020, my numbers didn’t look good. I’m coming back and I think, ‘OK, 2021 is my year.’ Well, 2021 wasn’t my year. So I transferred to Purdue. The 2022 numbers still didn’t look as good as I wanted them to. So I’m thinking football might not be for me. I kind of went through a hard phase.”

GO DEEPER

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades shake up Round 1; QBs, WRs dominate early

Renewed hope

As Illinois’ defensive coordinator in 2022, Walters guided the nation’s best scoring defense. After the 2022 Big Ten title game, Brohm left Purdue for Louisville, and the Boilermakers hired Walters. He schemed against Iowa and Purdue and thought moving Tracy to running back was in everyone’s best interest.

“Every time I watched Tyrone, you’d look at his frame, the way he moves with the ball in his hands, his physicality as a wideout. I felt like he was out of position at receiver,” Walters said. “The good running backs I’ve been around, they looked and moved like he does.

“We were kind of thin at running back. I felt like that was an opportunity for him to get a lot more touches.”

Walters wasn’t the only one who believed Tracy should switch positions. Lamar Conard coached Tracy’s younger brother, Kenny, at Miami (Ohio). Conard tried to recruit Tracy in high school as a running back. When Tracy left Iowa and before he selected Purdue, Conard brought the same speech.

“We had this conversation: ‘You’re a tailback, I know you’re going to Purdue most likely to be a receiver but, brother, the easiest way to satisfy your hunger is to transition,’” Conard recalled. “And just by the grace of God, I got hired as running backs coach here. The first thing I said to coach Walters and coach (Noah) Joseph, our CEO, was ‘I need Tyrone. You’ve got to give me Tyrone.’”

But with one season left, Tracy was unsure whether he wanted to experiment. If he failed, there was no chance at the next level. He needed to learn the intricacies of playing running back and bulk up for the hard hits. Unlike at Iowa, there was no dabbling in both roles.

“Obviously, his question was, ‘Can we get this done in this small window?’” Conard said. “I said, ‘Ultimately, that is up to you. How invested are you? I will give you everything I have.’”

Tracy unleashed his passion into the position switch. He bulked up from 197 to 210 with a diet increased by 1,500 calories a day while stepping up his workouts. It became an obsession.

“His family, his brothers, they always do extra work,” Conard said. “Trying to get them to stop working — you need to take a break, go rest on your off day — they can’t help themselves. That’s just the competitive nature of their family.”

GO DEEPER

Official combine measurements and results for 2024 NFL Draft prospects

Learning how to play running back

Receivers are designed to avoid contact; runners often embrace it. Against Big Ten defenses, Tracy had to learn how to run inside and outside zone, hit the holes in gaps and counters and most importantly, take on blitzers.

“Once he got cracked a couple times, and he understood the force that he has to put through people, I think that shook the cobwebs loose,” Conard said.

“One of the things I was worried about was pass protection,” Walters said. “But he embraced the physicality and ended up being our best pass pro running back.”

The move turned out better than expected. Tracy rushed for 716 yards last year and his 6.3 yards per carry led the Big Ten. He added 47 catches for 330 yards and generated 428 yards on kickoff return. He was named a second-team All-Big Ten return specialist and an honorable mention All-Big Ten running back. He finished with nine touchdowns.

Tracy also built an NFL resume. At the Hula Bowl, Tracy put both the Purdue “P” and the Tigerhawk on his helmet. He also competed in the Shrine Bowl. When he received his combine invite, his family wept with joy.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Tracy said.

Among combine running backs, Tracy posted the best three-cone time in 6.81 seconds and was second in both the shuttle (4.06 seconds) and vertical jump (40 inches). He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash to finish eighth and his 10-yard split (1.53 seconds) was sixth.

When compared with his peers, Tracy still has plenty to learn but averaged 4.44 yards after contact and shows “natural instincts” and “dynamic agility and elusiveness,” according to The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler.

“Overall, Tracy needs to improve his decision-making at the line of scrimmage, but he can create with his quick lateral cuts and contact balance and can stay on the field on passing downs,” Brugler said. “He is a multidimensional threat as a rusher, receiver and special teamer, which raises his chances of earning an NFL roster spot.”

Tracy’s versatility lends to comparisons with traditional third-down backs who can catch passes. His willingness to play on special teams as a returner and in punt protection also is a plus with six special teams tackles.

“Tyrone’s best football days are ahead of him,” Walters said.

“I’ve told all the scouts he’s only played tailback for one year,” Conard said. “If you’re talking about Year 3, where could he be? I think the sky’s the limit athletically. But the versatility that he brings in the modern game of football when he gets with the right system, the right coach who knows how to use his skill set, he can be a problem.”

That's a long article for a probable free agent.

He hasn't a place with the Bengals

 

Hell Chris Lewis is probably on the PS..

[Cricket]

6 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

That's a long article for a probable free agent.

He hasn't a place with the Bengals

 

Hell Chris Lewis is probably on the PS..

He could also be the next Isiah Pacheco, the running back selected by the KC Chiefs in the 7th round.  Who knows?

 

I would hope that the Bengals have spent some time looking at past drafts to try to determine what player traits or signs might have been missed that allowed players to drop in the draft…Tom Brady (6th round) and Brock Purdy (last pick of the draft) being the most widely known ones, and Rams WR Puka Nacua (5th round) from just last year.  

 

Will Tracy be another such player?     None of us know.  
 

Sounds like he would at least be a good special teams player, and I’d be okay using a 6th-round pick on him, assuming we will have already heavily addressed our holes on the offensive and defensive lines…but I’m a Purdue guy, so I am admittedly biased toward Boilermakers. 😎

 

🦗

[alleycat]

6 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

That's a long article for a probable free agent.

He hasn't a place with the Bengals

 

Hell Chris Lewis is probably on the PS..

 

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who does their rankings, has him as the 5th RB overall in the draft. Pretty sure those guys get drafted. I won't be shocked to see him go in the top 4 rounds...and I could see him going in the 3rd to the team that knows how to use a guy like this (SF, for example).