Is this proof the running back position is ascending?

We're starting to see some upward correction in the RB market. The Gurley and Zeke contracts blew up, and vet RBs were seen as radioactive. But this offseason, we saw like half a dozen vet RBs signed, and pretty much every one has looked like they're worth the money.

It's a copycat league, so now mid-tier vets like Chuba Hubbard and James Connor are getting contracts that they wouldn't have even 1 or 2 years ago. I think salaries will keep rising and teams will keep paying as long as these guys keep producing.
 
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We're starting to see some upward correction in the RB market. The Gurley and Zeke contracts blew up, and vet RBs were seen as radioactive. But this offseason, we saw like half a dozen vet RBs signed, and pretty much every one has looked like they're worth the money.

It's a copycat league, so now mid-tier vets like Chuba Hubbard and James Connor are getting contracts that they wouldn't have even 1 or 2 years ago. I think salaries will keep rising and teams will keep paying as long as these guys keep producing.
I think you’re spot on. The time to jump on nfl trends is a pretty short window though. The last couple of years RBs have been cheap, which would have been the perfect time to pounce on a good one. Now that salaries are trending up again I’d look at the draft and see what other positions are being undervalued in free agency.
 
I would say that the combined records of the teams with the top four RB's in rushing yards would be the proof.

The top four RB's in rushing are Barkley, Henry, Jacobs and Gibbs who play for the Giants, Ravens, Packers, and Lions respectively.

Their combined records are 38-11.

If the season ended today, they would all be in the playoffs.

The RB position cannot be devalued in terms of importance to the team. Offensive balance is a commonality in the profiles of Super Bowl teams.

They may only be devalued if there is a perceived surplus of productive RB's on the market.

Interesting that there was so much criticism when it came to drafting RB's in the first round. And, yet, all four current top rushers in the NFL were 1st round draft picks.
 
I think you’re spot on. The time to jump on nfl trends is a pretty short window though. The last couple of years RBs have been cheap, which would have been the perfect time to pounce on a good one. Now that salaries are trending up again I’d look at the draft and see what other positions are being undervalued in free agency.
Safety is the most undervalued position right now, IMO.

A really good safety is worth about $15M/yr right now, and a really good corner is worth around $20M. Top flight CBs are harder to find, but I don't see their impact on the pass defense as that much different. Teams don't run a lot of the Revis Island, shadow man coverage these days. It's mostly zone.

Linebackers are undervalued as well. You can sign a starter for RB money, and it's a surprisingly tough position to fill from the draft.
 
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44 of 57 teams who have won the SB rushed for more than 100 yds.
 
If he's still there when we draft we should take him without hesitation. He will be BPA at that point if he's still there.
 
Yeah it's ascending so much that we still have the great "zeke" on the roster, he's a slow as a turtle, but damn we should run our offense through him!!!! Keep eating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He got 1 carry Thanksgiving
 
:facepalm: Hating on the Zeke still.
He's fair game while Jerry wastes a roster spot on him.

Seriously, why do you carry Zeke's jock? He's not only a wasted spot, he's also a behavioral problem. It would be one thing if Zeke were putting up a 1000 yards, and didn't have discipline issues, but that isn't the case. So why? Just for the LOLs?
 
That is not true. I got me a ceramic plate to throw at you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No worries guys, he gets like this around the holidays, he loves me but hates me at the same time! You didn't used to be this violent years ago!!!:huh::huh::facepalm::muttley:
 
We do need a new RB, however, we also need to begin a rebuild. IMO, that means building up the offensive and defensive lines up, letting them develop, then drafting a RB a year before Dak’s contract expires so we can then draft a new QB and have a fully reformed team.
 
He's fair game while Jerry wastes a roster spot on him.

Seriously, why do you carry Zeke's jock? He's not only a wasted spot, he's also a behavioral problem. It would be one thing if Zeke were putting up a 1000 yards, and didn't have discipline issues, but that isn't the case. So why? Just for the LOLs?
I don't.
I do it to get all the insane reactions. Because fans are so comical. :lmao:
 
We do need a new RB, however, we also need to begin a rebuild. IMO, that means building up the offensive and defensive lines up, letting them develop, then drafting a RB a year before Dak’s contract expires so we can then draft a new QB and have a fully reformed team.
This years RB class is being called a once in a generation collection of talent. We can get one with say trading a couple of our fifth round picks and moving up to the fourth and almost certainly get one a lot better than what we have now
 
Yup. Silly fan stuff. The super bowl contenders take them often in the first. KC, DET, both took a 1st round RB recently. SF just gave up a king's ransom for one.
no they don't. kc did a few years ago, he's sucked and their udfa has been the difference maker. detroit is great this year, but we can not speak of them as a historical contender, or really pay any attention to what they did in the draft this year as a blueprint of any sorts.
 
Can you? Rb's are hit and miss after the 2nd. The majority of starting RB's in the NFL came in rounds 1-2.
i mean he said 2/3 so he's got 2nd covered. there's only a handful of first round rbs of note in the league.
 

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