What the stats on the Top 10 RBs in the NFL indicate

[Bobhaze]

At the halfway point of this crazy 2020 season, I looked at the NFL stats page as I always do at the midpoint of the season, looking for something interesting. One thing I found particularly interesting was looking at the top 10 rushers so far this year and what they may have in common in production as well as when they were drafted and their current age.

At the halfway point in the 2020 NFL season, here are the top 10 RBs:

1. Delvin Cook MIN 858 yds, 6.0 ypc, 12 TDs (2nd round, age 25)
2. Derrick Henry TEN 843 yds, 4.6 ypc, 8 TDs (2nd round, age 26)
3. Josh Jacobs LV 588 yds, 3.7 ypc, 6TDs (1st round, age 22)
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC, 586 yds, 4.7 ypc, 6 TDs (1st round, age 22)
5. Todd Gurley Atl 584 yds, 3.7 ypc, 9 TDs (1st round, age 26)
6. James Robinson Jax 580 yds, 4.4 ypc, 5 TDs (UFA, age 21)
7. Zeke Elliott DAL, 570 yds, 3.8 ypc, (1st round, age 25)
8. Ronald Jones TB 538 yds, 4.5 ypc, 4 TDs (2nd round, age 22)
9. Kareem Hunt Cle 526 yds, 4.6 ypc, 3 TDs (3rd round, age 25)
10. James Conner Pit 520 yds, 4.4 ypc, 5 TDs (3rd round, age 25)

Here are some interesting trends about these RBs combined:

• Only 3 of the top 10 RBs were first round picks.
• The average age of these top producing backs is 23.9.
• Only 3 of these guys are on second contracts (big payday contracts) They are Henry, Gurley, and Zeke)
• Delvin Cook and Derrick Henry are over 250 yards ahead of the next best rusher.
• Seven of the ten rushers here are on contenders.

Seems pretty clear you don’t have to draft a guy in the first round to get good production. And most top RBs are under 25 and still on their rookie deal. Hmmmm......

 

[buybuydandavis]

At the halfway point of this crazy 2020 season, I looked at the NFL stats page as I always do at the midpoint of the season, looking for something interesting. One thing I found particularly interesting was looking at the top 10 rushers so far this year and what they may have in common in production as well as when they were drafted and their current age.

At the halfway point in the 2020 NFL season, here are the top 10 RBs:

1. Delvin Cook MIN 858 yds, 6.0 ypc, 12 TDs (2nd round, age 25)
2. Derrick Henry TEN 843 yds, 4.6 ypc, 8 TDs (2nd round, age 26)
3. Josh Jacobs LV 588 yds, 3.7 ypc, 6TDs (1st round, age 22)
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC, 586 yds, 4.7 ypc, 6 TDs (1st round, age 22)
5. Todd Gurley Atl 584 yds, 3.7 ypc, 9 TDs (1st round, age 26)
6. James Robinson Jax 580 yds, 4.4 ypc, 5 TDs (UFA, age 21)
7. Zeke Elliott DAL, 570 yds, 3.8 ypc, (1st round, age 25)
8. Ronald Jones TB 538 yds, 4.5 ypc, 4 TDs (2nd round, age 22)
9. Kareem Hunt Cle 526 yds, 4.6 ypc, 3 TDs (3rd round, age 25)
10. James Conner Pit 520 yds, 4.4 ypc, 5 TDs (3rd round, age 25)

Here are some interesting trends about these RBs combined:

• Only 3 of the top 10 RBs were first round picks.
• The average age of these top producing backs is 23.9.
• Only 3 of these guys are on second contracts (big payday contracts) They are Henry, Gurley, and Zeke)
• Delvin Cook and Derrick Henry are over 250 yards ahead of the next best rusher.
• Seven of the ten rushers here are on contenders.

Seems pretty clear you don’t have to draft a guy in the first round to get good production. And most top RBs are under 25 and still on their rookie deal. Hmmmm......

3 guys in the top ten for yardage are 3.8 ypc or less. Bleh. Includes Gurley and Elliot.

McCaffrey is 1st for average yearly cost. Played 3 meh games. Zeke tied for 2nd with Kamara.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/average/running-back/

The value for money in the 2nd contract is pretty hit and miss. We missed. We Paid Da Man. And will continue to do so for 2 more years. Bad contract. And it's no surprise

 

[Jake]

Very few RBs should get a second contract. Draft one in the mid/late rounds every other year, cycle through them, and spend your money elsewhere.

If they hold out, let them. That's why you draft one every other year.

 

[Bobhaze]

Very few RBs should get a second contract. Draft one in the mid/late rounds every other year, cycle through them, and spend your money elsewhere.

If they hold out, let them. That's why you draft one every other year.

This makes the most sense. Jerry loves to spend cap space and draft capital on WRs and RBs.
Not surprisingly, only 3 of the top ten WRs right now were first round picks.

 

[NumOneQB]

It’s that old school nfl mentality where you need a franchise RB. As much as I love that history of the league, it’s just not a priority in today’s nfl. Draft a rb on day 1 and you’ll be ok...

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s that old school nfl mentality where you need a franchise RB. As much as I love that history of the league, it’s just not a priority in today’s nfl. Draft a rb on day 1 and you’ll be ok...

Totally agree. Could you get that message to our owner?

 

[Future]

Total yards isn't a measure of "top."

If not for injuries, Chubb and CMC are both on there, and Kamara should be too, since total yards, in this case, matters a lot more than just rushing yards.

 

[Bobhaze]

Total yards isn't a measure of "top."

If not for injuries, Chubb and CMC are both on there, and Kamara should be too, since total yards, in this case, matters a lot more than just rushing yards.

I agree. Chubb would have been top three in this group. And Kamara was 13th in rushing yards but his total yards are top 3. Interestingly, neither of these guys were first round picks.

 

[HanD]

• Only 3 of the top 10 RBs were first round picks.

CEH, jacbos, gurley and zeke make 4 right?

 

[blueblood70]

Total yards isn't a measure of "top."

If not for injuries, Chubb and CMC are both on there, and Kamara should be too, since total yards, in this case, matters a lot more than just rushing yards.

staying healthy is part of being a great player,. If you cant be available you are no use to your team..so they dont get a pass for not being able to hold up in the rigors of being an every down back..

zekes having his worse year not because of age and breaking down, some of that naturally happens but BY FAR NOT EVEN CLOSE,

ZEKES PLAYING WITH THE WORST LINE IN THE NFL ON THAT LIST, ITS HORRIBLE and Has no threat in the pass game to take some pressure off him, and we were playing from 2-3 scores downs and with a pass happy OC , zekes decline is far more obvious then simply looking at numbers....

hes here to stay at least another season if not TWO. Constantly harping on where we picked and him and signed him is useless

he will rebound next year..im confident in that , too late to just keep harping on the bs narratives..

 

[Bobhaze]

staying healthy is part of being a great player,. If you cant be available you are no use to your team..so they dont get a pass for not being able to hold up in the rigors of being an every down back..

zekes having his worse year not because of age and breaking down, some of that naturally happens but BY FAR NOT EVEN CLOSE,

ZEKES PLAYING WITH THE WORST LINE IN THE NFL ON THAT LIST, ITS HORRIBLE and Has no threat in the pass game to take some pressure off him, and we were playing from 2-3 scores downs and with a pass happy OC , zekes decline is far more obvious then simply looking at numbers....

hes here to stay at least another season if not TWO. Constantly harping on where we picked and him and signed him is useless

he will rebound next year..im confident in that , too late to just keep harping on the bs narratives..

It’s interesting to me Blu, that none of the top 10 backs are over 26. Are we sure Zeke is going to be better if the line is healthier next year? I’m not so sure.

 

[Bobhaze]

CEH, jacbos, gurley and zeke make 4 right?

You are correct! My mistake. Thank you.

 

[blueblood70]

It’s interesting to me Blu, that none of the top 10 backs are over 26. Are we sure Zeke is going to be better if the line is healthier next year? I’m not so sure.

he will be for sure..not 2016 good but last year he was NOT bad was solid year given the shift in philosophy with the OC and dak etc.. i see more of that and we are stuck with him..

ive seen Henry bro has some big run big games then sandwiched in between i saw 3 games under 4.0 YPC had game with 57 yards total and hes playing in a offense that more like zekes first few year where the run game is the identity so hes getting a great OL, OC calling Run plays etc etc..

Look again i cant say this enough, Zekes our RB for another full season maybe two , who cares what some Fans FEEL GMs are doing bad jobs of when jerry not alone. Many Rbs got picked high and got paid after..Im betting more will when they are consider as good as Fournette, Gurley, Barkley, and Zeke coming out of college has them graded Pre-draft.

it happens its rare but its in the past no amount of zeke based threads started will change anything that happened and we must just relax, its out of control..

paying QBs and taken the First round arent faring much better IMHO..seen the same results and that why Daks sitting on the FT because as bad as zekes deal may seem its 2.5 times LESs AAV then Zekes deal and Zeke took a team friendly deal that will allow him out sooner if they choose with less cap hit..

 

[xwalker]

At the halfway point of this crazy 2020 season, I looked at the NFL stats page as I always do at the midpoint of the season, looking for something interesting. One thing I found particularly interesting was looking at the top 10 rushers so far this year and what they may have in common in production as well as when they were drafted and their current age.

At the halfway point in the 2020 NFL season, here are the top 10 RBs:

1. Delvin Cook MIN 858 yds, 6.0 ypc, 12 TDs (2nd round, age 25)
2. Derrick Henry TEN 843 yds, 4.6 ypc, 8 TDs (2nd round, age 26)
3. Josh Jacobs LV 588 yds, 3.7 ypc, 6TDs (1st round, age 22)
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC, 586 yds, 4.7 ypc, 6 TDs (1st round, age 22)
5. Todd Gurley Atl 584 yds, 3.7 ypc, 9 TDs (1st round, age 26)
6. James Robinson Jax 580 yds, 4.4 ypc, 5 TDs (UFA, age 21)
7. Zeke Elliott DAL, 570 yds, 3.8 ypc, (1st round, age 25)
8. Ronald Jones TB 538 yds, 4.5 ypc, 4 TDs (2nd round, age 22)
9. Kareem Hunt Cle 526 yds, 4.6 ypc, 3 TDs (3rd round, age 25)
10. James Conner Pit 520 yds, 4.4 ypc, 5 TDs (3rd round, age 25)

Here are some interesting trends about these RBs combined:

• Only 3 of the top 10 RBs were first round picks.
• The average age of these top producing backs is 23.9.
• Only 3 of these guys are on second contracts (big payday contracts) They are Henry, Gurley, and Zeke)
• Delvin Cook and Derrick Henry are over 250 yards ahead of the next best rusher.
• Seven of the ten rushers here are on contenders.

Seems pretty clear you don’t have to draft a guy in the first round to get good production. And most top RBs are under 25 and still on their rookie deal. Hmmmm......

I suggested drafting Cook in 2017 even with the Cowboys 1st round pick. Drafting him after a trade down would have been even better.

The Cowboys could have traded him or Zeke later and could have avoided the mega contract for Zeke.

 

[GMO415]

For some reason it took Henry years to develop. That was unusual.

 

[G2]

I'll wait until the season is complete. Half a season can look a lot different.

 

[USArmyVet]

staying healthy is part of being a great player,. If you cant be available you are no use to your team..so they dont get a pass for not being able to hold up in the rigors of being an every down back..

zekes having his worse year not because of age and breaking down, some of that naturally happens but BY FAR NOT EVEN CLOSE,

ZEKES PLAYING WITH THE WORST LINE IN THE NFL ON THAT LIST, ITS HORRIBLE and Has no threat in the pass game to take some pressure off him, and we were playing from 2-3 scores downs and with a pass happy OC , zekes decline is far more obvious then simply looking at numbers....

hes here to stay at least another season if not TWO. Constantly harping on where we picked and him and signed him is useless

he will rebound next year..im confident in that , too late to just keep harping on the bs narratives..

Zeke's YPC based on year

2016 5.1 ypc

2017 4.1 ypc

2018 4.7 ypc

2019 4.5 ypc

2020 3.8 ypc


Zeke is on the decline yet due to the dumb extension JJ gave Zeke he is stuck in Dallas for at least another year.

 

[Sarge]

For some reason it took Henry years to develop. That was unusual.

He wasn’t getting the reps early on.

 

[blueblood70]

Zeke's YPC based on year

2016 5.1 ypc

2017 4.1 ypc

2018 4.7 ypc

2019 4.5 ypc

2020 3.8 ypc


Zeke is on the decline yet due to the dumb extension JJ gave Zeke he is stuck in Dallas for at least another year.

sorry but we dont live in the past..ok get out of here ..zekes decline this year is obvious smh

last year was more on the OC but put him top 3/4 in all categories that matter..thats what zeke is now and put those 2019 number up at Bobs list this year its still what most top RBs are doing.. get over it his deal was inked a long time ago and his 3.8 YPC is the offense, Line, QB, and OC, very obvious..

look up at Bobs list a lot of under 4YPC from backs with better teams and better lines..get it?! i doubt you do because well its obvious you ate a zeke troll...hater be hatin but dudes deal is dry and hes here so constantly harping like an old nag about it, well you know how that would feel if you ive with an old nag..

bunch of old naggers, harp on things that wont change..

 

[blueblood70]

Zeke's YPC based on year

2016 5.1 ypc

2017 4.1 ypc

2018 4.7 ypc

2019 4.5 ypc

2020 3.8 ypc


Zeke is on the decline yet due to the dumb extension JJ gave Zeke he is stuck in Dallas for at least another year.

BTW if you looked past your hate goggles and knew football , Pay attention. Go back to come of the best RBS in History and they have 4-7 years where their YPC were under 4.0 ESmith had 6 had 13yrs as pro SIX(6) season under 4.0 YPC ,FIVE(5) seasons under 4.5 TWO seasons 4.6 and 4.7 and ONE season over 5.0 YPOC

Esmith didnt he hold out twice and was the highest paid Rb in the league and wore the star and is in the HOF? played on much better teams with great OLs and yet his numbers career and what not looks a whole lot like Zekes..

i went back to Eddie George, Jerome bettis and many many of the best volume backs to ever plays and its all the same..

you cant see pat reality its ok i get it Internet GMs and the advent of SM and these types of forums breeds know it all they think they have clue when they dont..