Football Perspective - 2017 draft valued RBs

[KB_fan]

An interesting analysis of how the draft played out in regards to running backs.  A lot more value invested in the position than recent years.

http://www.footballperspective.com/the-2017-nfl-draft-brought-back-the-running-back/

A few excerpts:

 

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Over the last 15 years, NFL teams have put less emphasis on drafting running backs. The amount of draft capital used on the position had been on a steady decline, although there was a notable reversal this year. In fact, 2017 falls behind only 2005 (where Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson, and Cadillac Williams went in the top 5, and Frank Gore, Brandon Jacobs, Marion Barber and Darren Sproles went in the later rounds) and 2008 (Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall, and Chris Johnson all went in the first round, and Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles, Ray Rice, and Justin Forsett went in the later rounds) in terms of draft capital used on running backs and fullbacks.

 

 

 

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There are a couple of factors that make the running back position unique, and they tend to have opposite results when it comes to the draft. The running back position is simply devalued in today’s game — the variance between the best and worst players is small, and the impact a single running back has on the game is low. As a result, the position is just not that valuable, which is why you see the general trend showing the decline.

On the other hand, running back is also a young man’s position. Consider that 10 players last year averaged at least 75 rushing yards per game: two were rookies (Ezekiel Elliott and Jordan Howard), and two more were 23 year olds (Melvin Gordon and Jay Ajayi). Another three (Le’Veon Bell, David Johnson, and Carlos Hyde) were on their rookie contracts. The only three running backs not on their rookie contracts that were in the top 10 in rushing yards per game last year: LeSean McCoy, a 25-year-old Lamar Miller, and DeMarco Murray.

 

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The Panthers took McCaffrey at 8, but this seems like a rare case when the value makes sense to take a running back so high. The Panthers offense is run-heavy and the team almost never throws to its backs.  Indeed, Carolina running backs, as a group, ranked 32nd in targets, receptions, and receiving yards last year.  And Panthers running backs ranked 31st or 32nd in those three categories in 2015, too. McCaffrey’s versatile playing style seems to be a perfect fit for the Panthers offense that could use a pass-catching back and a powerful inside runner all in one player.