When was the last time that RB was so weak in the draft???

[DaBruinz]

I'm seeing some stuff that says that there is maybe 1 RB worth taking before the 3rd round? I can't remember the last time the RB class was so weak.

Plus, I think it's absolutely ridiculous that so many decided not to do 3 cone and Short-Shuttle drills..

 

[jmt57]

Perhaps this is due in part to there now being so much emphasis on the passing game, therefore diminishing the importance of a running back? Add in the relative short career for a RB, and its value decreases even more.

Also at some point football players themselves are going to take notice of that short life span of an NFL running back, and their inability to secure a big payday in free agency relative to other positions. Perhaps players who would formerly become RBs now becoming receivers, corners, safetys or linebackers?

While it is true there will be no RBs taken early in 2024, there does at least seem to be a fair amount of Day 3 talent in this draft.


There does seem to be a slight downward trend with RBs in the draft:
2023: (2) 1st rounders, (1) 2nd, (4) 3rd, (1) 4th, (4) 5th, (3) 6th, (3) 7th
2022: (0) 1st rounders, (3) 2nd, (3) 3rd, (5) 4th, (5) 5th, (4) 6th, (3) 7th

2013: (0) 1st rounders, (5) 2nd, (1) 3rd, (3) 4th, (5) 5th, (8) 6th, (4) 7th
2012: (3) 1st rounders, (2) 2nd, (2) 3rd, (3) 4th, (3) 5th, (4) 6th, (4) 7th

2003: (2) 1st rounders, (0) 2nd, (4) 3rd, (9) 4th, (2) 5th, (1) 6th, (7) 7th
2002: (2) 1st rounders, (4) 2nd, (2) 3rd, (5) 4th, (3) 5th, (5) 6th, (6) 7th

 

[JerseyShore99]

Perhaps this is due in part to there now being so much emphasis on the passing game, therefore diminishing the importance of a running back? Add in the relative short career for a RB, and its value decreases even more.

Also at some point football players themselves are going to take notice of that short life span of an NFL running back, and their inability to secure a big payday in free agency relative to other positions. Perhaps players who would formerly become RBs now becoming receivers, corners, safetys or linebackers?

While it is true there will be no RBs taken early in 2024, there does at least seem to be a fair amount of Day 3 talent in this draft.


There does seem to be a slight downward trend with RBs in the draft:
2023: (2) 1st rounders, (1) 2nd, (4) 3rd, (1) 4th, (4) 5th, (3) 6th, (3) 7th
2022: (0) 1st rounders, (3) 2nd, (3) 3rd, (5) 4th, (5) 5th, (4) 6th, (3) 7th

2013: (0) 1st rounders, (5) 2nd, (1) 3rd, (3) 4th, (5) 5th, (8) 6th, (4) 7th
2012: (3) 1st rounders, (2) 2nd, (2) 3rd, (3) 4th, (3) 5th, (4) 6th, (4) 7th

2003: (2) 1st rounders, (0) 2nd, (4) 3rd, (9) 4th, (2) 5th, (1) 6th, (7) 7th
2002: (2) 1st rounders, (4) 2nd, (2) 3rd, (5) 4th, (3) 5th, (5) 6th, (6) 7th

Excellent point and I agree with you fully

IMO, the last couple of RB classes are not what they used to be...CB classes too, which goes back to your point...Meanwhile the WR classes are always loaded

 

[bakes781]

The most well known RB prospect IMO is Blake Corum and yet because of that he has a lot of tread on those tires which makes him used goods at a position that only has a 2-3 year peak lifespan on average.

 

[Real fan 02]

Perhaps this is due in part to there now being so much emphasis on the passing game, therefore diminishing the importance of a running back? Add in the relative short career for a RB, and its value decreases even more.

Also at some point football players themselves are going to take notice of that short life span of an NFL running back, and their inability to secure a big payday in free agency relative to other positions. Perhaps players who would formerly become RBs now becoming receivers, corners, safetys or linebackers?

While it is true there will be no RBs taken early in 2024, there does at least seem to be a fair amount of Day 3 talent in this draft.


There does seem to be a slight downward trend with RBs in the draft:
2023: (2) 1st rounders, (1) 2nd, (4) 3rd, (1) 4th, (4) 5th, (3) 6th, (3) 7th
2022: (0) 1st rounders, (3) 2nd, (3) 3rd, (5) 4th, (5) 5th, (4) 6th, (3) 7th

2013: (0) 1st rounders, (5) 2nd, (1) 3rd, (3) 4th, (5) 5th, (8) 6th, (4) 7th
2012: (3) 1st rounders, (2) 2nd, (2) 3rd, (3) 4th, (3) 5th, (4) 6th, (4) 7th

2003: (2) 1st rounders, (0) 2nd, (4) 3rd, (9) 4th, (2) 5th, (1) 6th, (7) 7th
2002: (2) 1st rounders, (4) 2nd, (2) 3rd, (5) 4th, (3) 5th, (5) 6th, (6) 7th

Agreed, and great post! I really live what we have at RB.. Gibson is going to be an exciting player to watch. He's the type of player every offense needs. He can run routes, block, catch out the backfield, he will be an excellent player for the rookie.

Rham is the bell cow, the guy who runs hard between the tackles and gets those tough yards. If we identify someone we like in the 6th round at RB I would not mind taking one..

 

[jmt57]

The most well known RB prospect IMO is Blake Corum and yet because of that he has a lot of tread on those tires which makes him used goods at a position that only has a 2-3 year peak lifespan on average.

The most well known/best college RBs are going to be in that category, resulting in a shorter career span.

Another aspect of the diminished importance of the RB position is teams using a Running Back By Committee approach, as opposed to that one guy who ran the ball 300 times. Look back at guys like Shaun Alexander, Priest Holmes, Chris Johnson - they all had amazing seasons, but 3-5 years later they were washed up.

The position has become a very short term investment - so why invest a first round pick on that?

 

[DH523]

Also not helped when teams like the Chiefs and Rams are able to find mid to late-round RBs and just interchange them with relative success while sustaining offensive cohesion/success too. Saquon Barkley opted to try for a big contract from the Giants, under performed in 2023, and signed with Philadelphia for just 3 years at $37.75 Million (only $26 Million guaranteed) and he's considered one of the elite RB talents in the game today. A good but not superstar WR, Calvin Ridley, got 4 years at $92 Million and $50 Million guaranteed.

If you're a college RB, you know you basically have your rookie contract to make $$ and hope you become a Christian McCaffrey (who bounced back after 2 years of injuries himself) or Saquon Barkley where you get a solid 2nd contract.

 

[bakes781]

The next position to be undervalued is the slot WR. They take almost as much punishment and there's a plentiful of them to be had.

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm actually o

Also not helped when teams like the Chiefs and Rams are able to find mid to late-round RBs and just interchange them with relative success while sustaining offensive cohesion/success too. Saquon Barkley opted to try for a big contract from the Giants, under performed in 2023, and signed with Philadelphia for just 3 years at $37.75 Million (only $26 Million guaranteed) and he's considered one of the elite RB talents in the game today. A good but not superstar WR, Calvin Ridley, got 4 years at $92 Million and $50 Million guaranteed.

If you're a college RB, you know you basically have your rookie contract to make $$ and hope you become a Christian McCaffrey (who bounced back after 2 years of injuries himself) or Saquon Barkley where you get a solid 2nd contract.

In retrospect I'm actually ok with us not being able to get Ridley, great player however we had no QB so he signed elsewhere. Barkley is an excellent RB, but has not played a full season since he came into the league. But agreed with your overall post.

We have 2 great backs on our roster rham and Gibson. The WR corps is rounding out. I believe juju is going to end up being the odd man out. Thornton if he can't show anything this camp will likely be traded for a 6th or 7th round pick.