Why is the running back position so undervalued recently?

[big dog cowboy]

Running backs shelf life is about 5 or 6 years

It's really that simple.

 

[bewp7]

because u can find rb production easy and better then any other positon any where

u are also better investing in ol and plugging a udfa or 7th rd rb

it is a stupid positon to invest any thing in

maybe not anything but investing 1st rd pick or giving them a second contract is stupid

 

[charron]

Because you can get a good running back as an undrafted free agent pretty easy

 

[TheCoolFan]

A running game is still valuable. But the championship teams can achieve the same results for much cheaper with a RB by committee approach instead of spending a high draft pick on a single RB or giving them a big contract. Just look at how many SB-winning teams have had a 1000 yard rusher in that season since 2010 (only a few).

A great passing game should be the basis of your offense but you still need to be able to run. You just don't need to run with a workhorse/star RB anymore like 15+ years ago. You use your resources for impact makers at other positions instead of investing in RB.

 

[Havic]

The only justification to spend a 1 on a rb is if it’s an Adrian Peterson type back.

 

[JayFord]

The difference between the great running backs and the very good running backs isn't that large, and great running backs that last 10 years or so is pretty small.

Teams can get by with lesser running backs a lot easier than they can with lesser receivers.

E.g., the Chiefs just won the SB with a rookie 6th round running back....

when you have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes they could have my Granddad at RB and it would work

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Because what makes a good to great RB is a good offensive line. Also you need a good offensive line to protect the QB anyway.

 

[JayFord]

That says a lot, the Titans are willing to part ways with a RB that just got 1500 yards, 4.4 ypc, and 13 tds. Yet Dallas puts the franchise tag on a RB that barely got over 1000 yards, and thinking of bringing the other RB back on this team after he had 800 yards and 3.8 ypc. Absolute joke this FO is

The Titans have holes across the board and trading Derrick Henry can fill some of them...its a different situation than us

our holes can be filled simply by Stephen realizing free agency exist and that we have good cap

 

[CowboyRoy]

Seems they're getting no love these days, yet teams are supposed to be balanced on offense! I get that they don't have a long shelf life, and that the money they're asking for is outrageous for a position that is no longer valued.

Please give your thoughts. I know we need runners in this game, but once they get up in age, teams have to ask those tough questions!

1. RB's are pretty much done after 4 or 5 years
2. GM's have finally figured out that its more about the Oline than the back
3. Paying a back huge money on a 2nd contract over the last 10 years has been a complete disaster every time
4. Because of the 3 above reasons great backs are available in rounds 2-4 and veteran backs in FA come cheap.

 

[Rockport]

Seems they're getting no love these days, yet teams are supposed to be balanced on offense! I get that they don't have a long shelf life, and that the money they're asking for is outrageous for a position that is no longer valued.

Please give your thoughts. I know we need runners in this game, but once they get up in age, teams have to ask those tough questions!

Where did Tony Pollard get drafted? 4th round. Case closed.

 

[jwitten82]

Where did Tony Pollard get drafted? 4th round. Case closed.

Your case is closed

 

[Rockport]

Your case is closed

Still here McFly.

 

[Teague31]

If you have a dominant OL, pretty much any pro level back can flourish.

 

[Hardline]

I don't subscribe to a devalued RB.
If I was an offensive coordinator I would build a top OL WITH a great RB. It's not an either-or situation.
The 90s Dallas Cowboys offensive style would be just as great in todays game with the right personal. Every defense knew what the Cowboys were going to do on offense and still couldn't stop it.
I would ground and pound defenses into submission.
No matter what is said 1st and 2nd round RBs greatly outperform late round ones with very few exceptions.
And historically the Cowboys have had their most success with a great RB.

 

[Tussinman]

No matter what is said 1st and 2nd round RBs greatly outperform late round ones with very few exceptions.

To be fair a lot of that has to do with the 1st and 2 rounder RBs eating up 250+ attempts per year to justify not only the draft position but cap figure if they're already on their 2nd deal.

That's not to say they aren't better, but the debate has always been what's the point of diminishing return especially at RB when the shelf life is low. Even with a lower tier prestige position like Guard if you replace Nelson or Martin with a 4th rounder the drop off is gigantic. That isn't usually the case with running back, especially since most of the "top 5 backs in rushing yards" per year usually play on teams that have top 10 offensive lines.

If a team can get 150 less yards with a 4th rounder (or the popular modern option of splitting the load between 2 fresh backs) and save both the premium pick, the cap savings, and not have to worry about the eventually "bloated dead cap" on an overpriced 2nd deal then the argument comes up of "is this a better deal for the team"

 

[Bobhaze]

Totally agree, but still why do they mention we need balance

You can have a great running game with 2-3 good but not great backs.

 

[Coogiguy03]

You can have a great running game with 2-3 good but not great backs.

Gotcha

 

[rags747]

The difference between the great running backs and the very good running backs isn't that large, and great running backs that last 10 years or so is pretty small.

Teams can get by with lesser running backs a lot easier than they can with lesser receivers.

E.g., the Chiefs just won the SB with a rookie 6th round running back....

7th round!

 

[rags747]

If Bijan is there at 26 I’m all over it, he won’t be though. I’m even good at trading up to 22 or so to land him. Cheap rookie 5yr contract. Take an OT at 26, he kills It for 4-5 years. You are looking at $20m a year for the second contract, not exactly cheap. Maybe you just let both walk and take the comp.

 

[Silly]

It seems to me that most first downs in the NFL are now made by some sort of PI or illegal contact. Thy don't need RBs anymore.