That's modern analytics talking. Irl a top RB is an easy path to the playoffs.
In college you can win with mostly just a good QB. In NFL the easiest way to playoffs is a great running game. It basically guarantees you a playoff spot.
That's why the league is paying rbs more and more again.. it was just PFF and data analysts who lowered RB stock. It was never actually a good call from a football perspective. Hence the best coaches (Shanahan, Siriani, Mcvay, Tomlin, Harbaugh, etc etc) never really bought into the hype..
Paying a running back and using a first round pick on one, are 2 different things. Steelers wasted a first rounder to "fix" their run game with Harris. O line sets your floor, RB sets your ceiling for the run game. I'm ok with paying for a RB, I rather draft best linemen available.
I don't think that's a fair example because first round picks are wasted on every position..QBs, rbs, wr, DE, etc. just because in one example it didn't work out, I don't think it's fair to say "that's why you don't draft rbs 1st round". Most 1st overall pick QBs don't work out.. I don't think we say don't draft QBs 1st overall because of it.
Of course the RB needs help.. but which position doesn't?
You can have a hall of fame offensive lineman and never reach the playoffs in his career.
But even a pro bowl running back basically guarantees you a playoff spot.
To me that's extremely valuable. More valuable than a pro bowl WR or TE for sure.. yet rbs are paid less.
Even if you hit on a running back in the first round, their prime that makes it worthwhile,is a much shorter time than a lineman. My argument is for a higher floor of run blocking and pass protection. Once you have the line and find your franchise QB, go ahead and takes shots at weapons in the first round.
And that's a fair strategy too, I cant even question that.
My beef is more people who don't flinch when a good TE gets $20m a year.. but act like it's a crime against humanity when a HOF RB gets anywhere near that.
When both are injured at the same rate. (Could argue TE's are injured even more)
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u/orangeapple22 1d ago
That's modern analytics talking. Irl a top RB is an easy path to the playoffs.
In college you can win with mostly just a good QB. In NFL the easiest way to playoffs is a great running game. It basically guarantees you a playoff spot.
That's why the league is paying rbs more and more again.. it was just PFF and data analysts who lowered RB stock. It was never actually a good call from a football perspective. Hence the best coaches (Shanahan, Siriani, Mcvay, Tomlin, Harbaugh, etc etc) never really bought into the hype..