Boom Williams signed by the Bengals
- Thread starter wildcatman26
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When Boom declared that he would bypass his senior season to enter this draft, I was among several here who said he would not be drafted. We were slammed for it, but this did not require much analysis. Throughout the evaluation process, Boom was rated no higher than the 25th running back in the draft pool. Some services had him rated much lower. Boom is 1 of the 10 most talented running backs I have seen at Kentucky. Boom is faster than Rafael Little, and stronger than Derrick Locke. But he doesn't block very well, and he has not shown the pass catching ability that the NFL looks for. If he makes it in Cincinnati, he may have to return kickoffs, and he must improve immediately as a pass receiver. No doubt about it, it will be tough for Boom to make their roster.
He's a project and will spend time on the practice squad while they figure out what they might be able to do with him. He has talent and athletic ability, but he has shortcomings also that need to be addressed.
Not really. 3rd string guy left. And none of the starters are any good. Jeremy hill averages 3.8 yards/carry. Giovanni Bernard 3.7.
Dixon will take one of their jobs. Boom can win the third spot. I'm sure he's not the only back they invited.
It's a stretch saying Bernard is not good. Kids had some very good years. The oline is what needs to step up.
The Bengals drafted Mixon. This shouldn't be sugar coated. Boom has an uphill battle ahead to make their roster, and he will have to show skills such as blocking, pass receiving, kick returning that have not been his forte here. He can do it, but it's going to take some tremendous work and some luck.
He's not going to make the 53 with Hill, Bernard, Mixon and Peerman (they keep him for special teams). He will have a shot at the practice squad and Hill is in the final year of his contract.
Yeah, they have another RB and FB that they've signed as UFA's. I'm sure they'll have Tra Carson in camp as well.
If Boom can make the practice squad, there will be opportunity. All it takes is an injury or Mixon getting in trouble again. The NFL is very quick to suspend players accused of dating violence. Picking Mixon was a gamble, but Boom is a good insurance policy to have without having to use a draft pick.
This post makes sense...all these posters saying it's better to be a FA and be on the practice squad for a year or two; rather than be drafted...smh... practice squad makes 5200/week (which ain't bad) when they are on the squad. And if you have a real job in between to calls to practice squad, it creates issues.
But Mimimum rookie contract is 425k
This is typical budget Bengals behavior. They sign guys nearby so they don't have to buy a plane ticket. The Browns are the Scrooges of the NFL.
I know you're joking, but here's an up to date list of Bengals' UFA's. As you can see, they are from all over the country.
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...-2017-undrafted-free-agent-tracker/101082044/
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Being a 7th round pick is far from a guarantee to make the 53 man roster. At least as a FA, you can pick where you go.
Have always agreed with this take....the big issue for a guy his size is the inability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Ithink it would be safe to say; there is a better chance of making a roster if drafted, than not
Probably a little bit (I couldn't find numbers of odds for 7th vs undrafted). I saw 58% for 7th round picks, but that was a few years ago. Last year on opening day rosters there were 481 players on teams that weren't drafted (more than 1st and 2nd round pick players combined).
That isn't awful in the NFL, especially for a team who looks to throw. Boom will have to show the ability to return kicks which he has done, return punts, some receiving skills, a willingness to block and improved durability. Backs his size have to show good hands be it at receiving or returning kicks, otherwise they are a liability.
3 solid ones now that they drafted Mixon. I don't understand why he chose the Bengals...
That's what he's implying or at least that his options were limited.
Her is what I found, backs up everything I have heard
"If a player goes all the way through the draft without being picked by a team they go "undrafted". At this point they're just a free agent, any team can offer them a contract and they pick the one they want".
. "Undrafted free agents are free to sign with any team they choose, and have a different payscale/ minimum salary than drafted players. Usually an indication of mediocre talent or perhaps raw ability, but played at an uncompetitive college. Many undrafted players develop successful careers, but it is definitely a harder road than top draft picks".
Surely his agent could get more than 1 team to make an offer
Gio averaged 8.6 yards per reception last year. As a previous poster said, it was their offensive line that is the reason for the lower yards per carry.
The Bengals will have at least 3 backs on the roster next year, Hill, Bernard and Mixon. They also have Cedric Peerman who I think was one of the special teams captains. If they keep him, that's 4 running backs. Boom is going to have to do something very special to make the roster. I'd love it if he can. I suspect he'll be on the practice squad to start out.
I think we underestimate Booms skills. As a freshman, he was 13th in the nation in kick off returns. We had to protect him as our best back. The Bengals can plug him back there as a backup.
And I wouldn't say he can't catch. More of an issue that was taken out of the offense. He caught 17 passes as a freshman sharing the snaps with three different backs. Then Dawson came in and we didn't seem to try as much. Plus his arm was in that contraption several games. He definitely can't make the league if he needs that again.
And as far as Bernard and Jeremy Hill. Yes, he might not be as productive as them. But he doesn't have to. He has to do near as much for less the cost. And Bernard is hurt. He may not even be available to start the season. Boom makes the team as a necessity until he gets better. Then kept as a cheaper, brighter future than Hill.
Bengals have Hill. Bernard tore his ACL in week 11, I highly doubt he's ready to go (likely on PUP list). They drafted Mixon, he will be in the mix right away. Cedric Peerman was lost for the year last season, but he's the 3rd stringer and is their best special teams player.
AKA, Boom really only has a shot to make the team if there is an injury and/or Bernard goes on PUP and he just dominates on special teams. He's not a specialist and thus, I don't see it as the best fit. Would've been better off going to a place like Washington or Detroit where their starting RB job is truly wide open.
AKA, Boom really only has a shot to make the team if there is an injury and/or Bernard goes on PUP and he just dominates on special teams. He's not a specialist and thus, I don't see it as the best fit. Would've been better off going to a place like Washington or Detroit where their starting RB job is truly wide open.
Too much is being put on being an undrafted free agent. The Patriots starting C was an undrafted free agent from UGA in 15 and has started every regular season and post season game for them both years. Took some misfortune on the starting C's part by getting injured, but Andrews stepped in and hasn't lost the job, in fact is playing pretty well. So the free agent route doesn't mean career ending.
Make the roster first. I'd bet against Boom making the rosters. The Bengals are loyal to a fault.
He won't make it over Hill or Bernard.
He won't make it over Mixon.
They have brought back Cedric Peerman back for 5 or 6 straight years, just like they have done the same with many, many guys.
In fact, I'd say the Bengals are one of, if not the toughest team to break through on.
If Peerman, 30, shows age and rust after an injury, Boom has a shot, yet special teams is where the UFA can make a team and get their NFL start. Pulling his hammy already did him no favors. But it also wouldn't surprise me to see Jeremy Hill cut if Mixon impresses. A lot of things depend on the health of Peerman and Gio Bernard.
I have no idea if he will stick but I recently read something to the contrary, that Cincinnati had actually kept the most UFA's than any other team in recent years. So they definitely have taken on the college UFA before and will again.
Not from that aspect, because it could be the case if you hit a position of weakness.
Last year, it was WR. They kept 2 UDFA's at WR. They also have Vontaze Burfict, an UDFA along with Wallace Gilberry who was brought back for the 3rd time. They liked Keith Wenning as their 3rd stringer, an UDFA because they didn't need a veteran QB due to how good McCarron is.
My point was that RB is NOT the spot. They are committed to Hill for another year, Bernard just got a huge extension, Mixon was a high draft pick and Peerman is a front office favorite. Barring an injury, Boom Williams has no chance to make the active roster. Hopefully, he can latch on the practice squad and work his way into a job sometime down the line.
Like I said earlier, Boom is 1 of the 10 best running backs I have seen at Kentucky. Boom was used in a system here that played to his strengths and hid his weaknesses, especially after Eddie Gran got here. Boom broke off some big plays, so Kentucky fans understandably love him. This leads to overestimating, not underestimating. Boom's limitations as a blocker are about marginal size, short arms, and maybe his elbow injuries to a certain extent. But it is clear that he doesn't block well. He didn't show pass catching skills out of our backfield. When they tried to throw to him, it just wasn't his forte. Otherwise they would have thrown to him more. But you can legitimately wonder if another system might improve his receiving skills. Maybe it would, or maybe that puts him at a disadvantage to make that team. We will find out. Mixon, Bernard, Hill are going to play. If someone is hurt, then maybe Boom gets an opportunity to show what he can do. But there are undeniable facts at work. Every NFL team passed on Boom in the draft for a reason. NFL GMs tend to know what they are doing, especially the guys drafting near the end of each round. You mentioned that Boom is cheap. He is cheap for a reason. Being cheap can be an advantage, but not necessarily. When an NFL team has a substantial investment in a player, that player gets the 1st opportunity. Boom was not signed by teams like NE that tend to do a good job evaluating and developing FAs. Boom probably signed with Cincinnati because his options were limited. However, all FAs need a break or 2 to have an NFL career. Maybe Boom will catch a break. If Boom is successful, that would cast Kentucky in a good light. I hope he is successful.
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