NFL: Reevaluating Running Backs

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Running backs across the league may have a major concern on their hands. The value of running backs in the NFL has plummeted in recent years leading to less desirable contracts. Teams across the league are also limiting how long-running backs stay on the team due to decreasing effectiveness starting at age 28.

With so many rules favoring the passing games, teams are strategizing their game plans to take advantage. Is it time for the team to start giving running backs the contracts and carries they want?

This trend was particularly noticeable in the NFL draft. Running backs used to be top ten but now top running backs are lucky to be pick 15. Bijan Robinson was number eight but the days of selecting a running back with picks one through ten are virtually over.

In 2018, Saquon Barkley was selected number two overall while Browns running back Nick Chubb somehow fell to round two in that draft. It’s surprising that Chubb was drafted by the Browns considering how many teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, passed on him. Seattle selected Rashad Penny number 27 overall that year. Chubb proved multiple times he was easily a top-ten talent.

The stigma is running backs are not truly top-ten picks anymore for the simple fact that the NFL is no longer a league in which teams employ an offense with balance but seek to pass the ball almost every play. The old-school mentality of using a power-run offense is from a bygone era.

It’s shocking to consider that the number one overall running back in terms of total production in the ground and passing game Austin Ekeler, is struggling to get a contract extension. He could very well end up being a free agent at some point.

Logically speaking, the run should set up a team’s passing game. The logic is simple, let the opposing defense step closer to the line of scrimmage in an effort to stop the run. At that point, the offense has the defense at a disadvantage and can use the receivers to go downfield since the defense might not cover the pass.

Teams are likely deciding to not extend the contracts of running backs due to short careers. Why invest in a running back for up to ten years when they’re possibly not effective anymore? Running backs who have an excessive amount of carries will have a career that might last between seven to eight years at the most. However, running backs who get fewer carries but lots of production could last 9-12 years. Part of the challenge is knowing how often a running back should carry the ball. This leads teams to a different mentality: running back by committee. It’s smart to have two reliable running backs rather than just the one reliable starter with an average or poorly rated number two running back.

However, the moves to release Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette were all shocking, to say the least.

Running backs led by Ekeler voiced their frustration recently and it’s unclear if things will change much, if at all. Cleveland typically employs the power run game so Chubb can safely assume he’ll retire a Brown. However, the starters on other teams don’t necessarily have that reassurance.

Running backs have to “truck through defenders” and help set up the passing game. In addition, these runners can often be part of the passing game, particularly with wheel routes and screen passes. They often take more of a physical beating than any other player on a football team. They do so much and sometimes get little in return. Is it time for NFL General Managers to rethink how they view the value of running backs? Can a team have much offensive success without crazy numbers like rushing totals of 1,150-1500 rushing yards with at least seven touchdowns?

Ask how much the Browns value Chubb and Tennessee Titans value Derrick Henry. Those teams might have different answers than most of the NFL.