First, I do not believe that the RB position is going away anytime soon...just ask The Titans and their opponents what they think about that concept!!!
But I am noticing that 2 straight drafts are leaning away from RBs. Being that I am not a college football guru, I can not speak to the effectiveness of the backs in totality.
I do however believe that the game has changed for a number of teams, and partly because of the theory I have (you may not all agree, and that's perfectly fine) that the era of the more mobile, athletic, passing QBs has created some different ways to be successful, with RBs playing a big role, but not necessarily a lead role. Multiple back units are not that rare either. Still, as long as Derek Henry, Saquon Barkley and a number of other load carriers roam the plains, backs will definitely have lead roles.
But just to reflect this more recent trending, lets look at the last 2 draft years, and project based on one expert's 3 round mock draft. One can argue about the 3 year mock's credibility, but in terms of first rounders in most mocks I've seen. the RB is not very prevalent.
2018
Top 5
Saquon Barkley - Rd 1 - #2
Rashad Penny - Rd 1 - #27
Sony Michel - Rd 1 - #31
Nick Chubb - Rd 2 - #35
Ronald Jones II - Rd 2 - #38
Total of 7 in first 2 rounds
2019
Top 5
Josh Jacobs - Rd 1 - #24
Miles Sanders - Rd 2 - #53
Darrell Henderson - Rd 3 - #70
David Montgomery - Rd 3 - #73
Devin Singletary - Rd 3 - #74
Total of 2 in first 2 rounds
2020 (projected by Chad Reuter of NFL.com)
Top 5
D'Andre Swift - Rd 1 - #26
JK Dobbins - Rd 2 - #40
Jonathan Taylor - Rd 2 - #45
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Rd 2 - #47
Cam Akers - Rd 3- #91
Total of 4 in first 2 rounds
More details could be evaluated, but all in all, only 1 first rounder in '19 and possibly '20. And let me just add that 2017 produced Fournette, McCaffrey, Cook, Kamara, Mixon, Hunt, Connor, Mack, Aaron Jones, Carson, and more.
So gang, help me out. Are the recent batch of RBs not as talented, or has the NFL game changed enough that backs are a little less relevant, as individuals? Are we to expect more tandems, than 3 downers? Are mobile QBs allowing OC's more liberty to mix and match, given that QBs can run a little more as well?
What's your take? Have fun with it!:thumb:
But I am noticing that 2 straight drafts are leaning away from RBs. Being that I am not a college football guru, I can not speak to the effectiveness of the backs in totality.
I do however believe that the game has changed for a number of teams, and partly because of the theory I have (you may not all agree, and that's perfectly fine) that the era of the more mobile, athletic, passing QBs has created some different ways to be successful, with RBs playing a big role, but not necessarily a lead role. Multiple back units are not that rare either. Still, as long as Derek Henry, Saquon Barkley and a number of other load carriers roam the plains, backs will definitely have lead roles.
But just to reflect this more recent trending, lets look at the last 2 draft years, and project based on one expert's 3 round mock draft. One can argue about the 3 year mock's credibility, but in terms of first rounders in most mocks I've seen. the RB is not very prevalent.
2018
Top 5
Saquon Barkley - Rd 1 - #2
Rashad Penny - Rd 1 - #27
Sony Michel - Rd 1 - #31
Nick Chubb - Rd 2 - #35
Ronald Jones II - Rd 2 - #38
Total of 7 in first 2 rounds
2019
Top 5
Josh Jacobs - Rd 1 - #24
Miles Sanders - Rd 2 - #53
Darrell Henderson - Rd 3 - #70
David Montgomery - Rd 3 - #73
Devin Singletary - Rd 3 - #74
Total of 2 in first 2 rounds
2020 (projected by Chad Reuter of NFL.com)
Top 5
D'Andre Swift - Rd 1 - #26
JK Dobbins - Rd 2 - #40
Jonathan Taylor - Rd 2 - #45
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Rd 2 - #47
Cam Akers - Rd 3- #91
Total of 4 in first 2 rounds
More details could be evaluated, but all in all, only 1 first rounder in '19 and possibly '20. And let me just add that 2017 produced Fournette, McCaffrey, Cook, Kamara, Mixon, Hunt, Connor, Mack, Aaron Jones, Carson, and more.
So gang, help me out. Are the recent batch of RBs not as talented, or has the NFL game changed enough that backs are a little less relevant, as individuals? Are we to expect more tandems, than 3 downers? Are mobile QBs allowing OC's more liberty to mix and match, given that QBs can run a little more as well?
What's your take? Have fun with it!:thumb:
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