(05-23-2024, 10:03 AM)mikesez Wrote:

(05-23-2024, 09:31 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: Actually, no, there is a sharp downward trend of RBs taken early. See stat at bottom of post. 

Because the position has been devalued.

The game evolves. Positional importance shifts. 

Might be bad luck for running backs' bank accounts, but it's not any more complicated than that.

They don't need saving. It really just is what it is. 

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2024 - zero 1st round RBs
One - 2nd round RB

2023 - zero 1st round RB
One - 2nd round RB

2022 -zero 1st round RB
three - 2nd round RB (of the 6 six seasons played by those three backs - two 1000 yard seasons have been recorded)

For about a decade, fewer and fewer teams had a bell cow RB and fewer and fewer RBs were reaching 1000 yards.  

That trend is reversing.  In 2021 only seven players got to 1000 yards rushing.  But in 2022 sixteen players got there.  It is now becoming more important to have one of the top running backs, after years of it being less important.  And the top guys are almost all former first round picks.  This trend you see in the draft is a fluke, I predict.

That may be reversing the logic. Why are the top guys getting picked in the first round, if they aren't the ones that are good enough to consistently lead the league in rushing? You also have guys like Algaier, Stevenson and Pollard on that list. You would almost expect the 1000-yard list to be littered with former first round guys. For one thing, teams that invest in those guys are going to put the ball in their hands to prove the pick was worthwhile (or because the dude is in fact legit and merits the focus of the offense)

If you're a GM worth a darn, you earn your money finding those 4th round guys that can get you the quality yards for a fraction of what the other team is paying $25M guaranteed.

Wasn't the argument that the back of the draft guys not making any money in comparison to the top guys? Not sure where this trail is headed.

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