CFZ The recent history of drafting a RB in the 1st round

[rambo2]

When you draft Bijan you aren't just getting an elite RB.
You are also getting a major threat in the passing game. Bijan has the hands of a WR.

Gibbs, Spears, and McIntosh are good receivers as well.

 

[Whyjerry]

Yet a few here are begging for Robinson. Jerry has ruined these fans.

 

[rambo2]

Yet a few here are begging for Robinson. Jerry has ruined these fans.

It might be good if he goes before 26 and there is a decent chance that he will. Dallas might get good value again like they did with Tyler Smith and Lamb.

 

[Hardline]

Yet a few here are begging for Robinson. Jerry has ruined these fans.

Some us fans understand how important a dominating rushing attack is. The Cowboys have never won a Super Bowl without one.

 

[Captain-Crash]

never a rb in the first round.

 

[Whyjerry]

Some us fans understand how important a dominating rushing attack is. The Cowboys have never won a Super Bowl without one.

In Mike McCarthy’s history how many dominant rushing attacks did he have? He is a WCO guy. Always has been. Instead of disparaging me go back and look at Bob’s stats. What do they say? Nothing about down playing the running game. Just pointing out the pitfalls of early pick runners. Also where did I say a dominant rushing isn’t important? Instead of doing the straw man argument tell me exactly where I ran afoul of you?

 

[G2]

When you draft Bijan you aren't just getting an elite RB.
You are also getting a major threat in the passing game. Bijan has the hands of a WR.

Based on what?

 

[Flamma]

We could draft the next Walter Peyton and it wouldn't do us any good. We had a really good season in 2016, and both Dak and Zeke on rookie contracts through 2018, and what? Dallas didn't even make the playoffs in 2017. The trade for Cooper saved 2018. They don't build off of success. Let's see what they do going into next season. I still always hope they'll do something.

 

[Einstein]

Can you do this for other positions as well... QB and WR would be interesting

 

[rambo2]

never a rb in the first round.

All 5 of the Cowboys Super Bowl teams had a 1st round running back.

 

[Hardline]

Based on what?

Based on his college career. I've seen every single game he played.

 

[quickccc]

Below is a chart of all the RBs selected in the first round since 2012. Looking at this list can quickly explain why drafting a RB, especially early in round 1 is probably not the best use of draft capital.

Rd Year Pick

​

1​	2021​	24​	24​	Najee Harris​	Steelers​	Alabama​
1	2021​	25​	25​	Travis Etienne​	Jaguars​	Clemson​
1	2020​	32​	32​	Clyde Edwards-Helaire​	Chiefs​	Louisiana State​
1	2019​	24​	24​	Josh Jacobs​	Raiders​	Alabama​
1	2018​	2​	2​	Saquon Barkley​	Giants​	Penn State​
1	2018​	27​	27​	Rashaad Penny​	Seahawks​	San Diego State​
1	2018​	31​	31​	Sony Michel​	Patriots​	Georgia​
1	2017​	4​	4​	Leonard Fournette​	Jaguars​	Louisiana State​
1	2017​	8​	8​	Christian McCaffrey​	Panthers​	Stanford​
1	2016​	4​	4​	Ezekiel Elliott​	Cowboys​	Ohio State​
1	2015​	10​	10​	Todd Gurley​	Rams​	Georgia​
1	2015​	15​	15​	Melvin Gordon​	Chargers​	Wisconsin​
1	2012​	3​	3​	Trent Richardson​	Browns​	Alabama​
1	2012​	31​	31​	Doug Martin​	Buccaneers​	Boise State​
1	2012​	32​	32​	David Wilson​	Giants​	Virginia Tech​

Of the 15 first round RBs selected in round one in the last 11 drafts, only Zeke Elliott (2016, 2018) and Josh Jacobs (2022) have led the NFL in rushing in a season. The years 2013-14, not a single team selected a RB in round one.

And when looking at leading rusher stats the last 5 seasons, other than in 2018, first round RBs are not exactly killing it. In facts round 2 RBs are the most productive.

TOP 3 LEADING RUSHERS IN NFL BY YEAR (and round drafted)

• 2022- Josh Jacobs (rd 1), Derrick Henry (rd 2), Nick Chubb (rd 2)
• 2021- Jonathan Taylor (rd 2), Nick Chubb (rd 2), Joe Mixon (rd 2)
• 2020- Derrick Henry (rd 2), Dalvin Cook (rd 2), Jonathan Taylor rd 2)
• 2019- Derrick Henry (rd 2), Nick Chubb (rd 2), Christian McCaffrey (rd 1)
• 2018- Ezekiel Elliott (rd 1), Saquon Barkley (rd 1), Todd Gurley (rd 1)

Looks like drafting a RB in round 2 is a better option than round 1 based on recent history.

So does this mean Buyer Beware on Longhorns RB Bijan Robinson in the 1st rd ... ?

 

[quickccc]

The last RB drafted in the first round to make the NFL HOF was Marshall Faulk, drafted in round 1 in 1994.

Really ? ... so does this mean Edgerrin James is a Hall of Fame imposter ?

James was voted into HOF in 2017 i believe ...

 

[rambo2]

Based on what?

Dane Brugler says that he has wide receiver type hands and route running skills.

 

[G2]

Based on his college career. I've seen every single game he played.

I didn't think they passed to him often. I don't even think he's in the top 10 among RBs.

 

[G2]

Dane Brugler says that he has wide receiver type hands and route running skills.

He may have good hands, but his passing numbers were not great, I wonder if he meant potential.

 

[LatinMind]

Below is a chart of all the RBs selected in the first round since 2012. Looking at this list can quickly explain why drafting a RB, especially early in round 1 is probably not the best use of draft capital.

Rd Year Pick

​

1​	2021​	24​	24​	Najee Harris​	Steelers​	Alabama​
1	2021​	25​	25​	Travis Etienne​	Jaguars​	Clemson​
1	2020​	32​	32​	Clyde Edwards-Helaire​	Chiefs​	Louisiana State​
1	2019​	24​	24​	Josh Jacobs​	Raiders​	Alabama​
1	2018​	2​	2​	Saquon Barkley​	Giants​	Penn State​
1	2018​	27​	27​	Rashaad Penny​	Seahawks​	San Diego State​
1	2018​	31​	31​	Sony Michel​	Patriots​	Georgia​
1	2017​	4​	4​	Leonard Fournette​	Jaguars​	Louisiana State​
1	2017​	8​	8​	Christian McCaffrey​	Panthers​	Stanford​
1	2016​	4​	4​	Ezekiel Elliott​	Cowboys​	Ohio State​
1	2015​	10​	10​	Todd Gurley​	Rams​	Georgia​
1	2015​	15​	15​	Melvin Gordon​	Chargers​	Wisconsin​
1	2012​	3​	3​	Trent Richardson​	Browns​	Alabama​
1	2012​	31​	31​	Doug Martin​	Buccaneers​	Boise State​
1	2012​	32​	32​	David Wilson​	Giants​	Virginia Tech​

Of the 15 first round RBs selected in round one in the last 11 drafts, only Zeke Elliott (2016, 2018) and Josh Jacobs (2022) have led the NFL in rushing in a season. The years 2013-14, not a single team selected a RB in round one.

And when looking at leading rusher stats the last 5 seasons, other than in 2018, first round RBs are not exactly killing it. In facts round 2 RBs are the most productive.

TOP 3 LEADING RUSHERS IN NFL BY YEAR (and round drafted)

• 2022- Josh Jacobs (rd 1), Derrick Henry (rd 2), Nick Chubb (rd 2)
• 2021- Jonathan Taylor (rd 2), Nick Chubb (rd 2), Joe Mixon (rd 2)
• 2020- Derrick Henry (rd 2), Dalvin Cook (rd 2), Jonathan Taylor rd 2)
• 2019- Derrick Henry (rd 2), Nick Chubb (rd 2), Christian McCaffrey (rd 1)
• 2018- Ezekiel Elliott (rd 1), Saquon Barkley (rd 1), Todd Gurley (rd 1)

Looks like drafting a RB in round 2 is a better option than round 1 based on recent history.

Dallas' pick is literally 5 picks from being a 2nd round pick. At 26 it would be smart to draft a rb there, imo Robinson and Gibbs would be BPA

 

[Bagman]

Robinson could be available in early round 2 if Cowboys wanted to trade down and get an extra 2nd round pick. With the multiple needs this team has, it would seem malpractice to draft a RB in round one.

He won't. In fact, he'll be an Eagle if he makes it to them. It would be a nightmare watching him run for 150 every week while our 1st Rd cornerback is getting gashed by pedestrian WRs.

 

[quickccc]

He may have good hands, but his passing numbers were not great, I wonder if he meant potential.

- my question is for some reason some keep calling him a " generational " back .. although he does not have top elite killer speed
i haven't seen the homerun fifth gear i've seen from saquon barkley....chris johnson .. 2016 Zeke Elliott .. or even Tony Pollard

- i'll give him the elite elusiveness, vision, tackle breaking power but i'm not convince this is that type that has breathe-taking, 60 yard sprinter - ala Tony Pollard
those are the backs that flat out keep you pins and needles -

- yes, Robinson has fascinatiing " stop and re-start " cut back run skills -thus the Broaddus comparisons to Barry Sanders .
..but i don't see him near as flat quick stop/re-start sheer elusive as Sanders- and he does not have Sanders home run fifth gear .

- But i think Robinson is bigger and powerful and even more elusive than Travis Etienne Jr.... and he is far more elusive and creative than Steelers' Najee Harris
Two RBs previously selected in the first round .

 

[Bobhaze]

We could draft the next Walter Peyton and it wouldn't do us any good. We had a really good season in 2016, and both Dak and Zeke on rookie contracts through 2018, and what? Dallas didn't even make the playoffs in 2017. The trade for Cooper saved 2018. They don't build off of success. Let's see what they do going into next season. I still always hope they'll do something.

Our only hope is for the FO leadership either learning something from their mistakes or listening to some great advice on how to build a championship roster.

Because if we’re being totally honest, the Jones boys don’t know what they’re doing. And they are accountable to no one. Jerry made a good move in hiring McClay. But they need someone else in their ear giving them clear eyed advice about what their needs really are and how to get the kind of players to take us to the next level.

Hate to say it, but as good as it’s been to make the playoffs two years in a row, I don’t see this team as being “close” without some major moves this off-season.