Just Say No to Running Back in Round 1

We’ve gone through this before. Let’s go through it again. The 2016 RB flavor of the NFL Draft is Ezekiel Elliott. Last year it was ACL-injured Todd Gurley.

No.

I don’t care. Each year it’s the next Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson wrapped into one. I don’t care if you tell me in advance that this next RB draft prospect is going to the Hall of Fame. It’s not worth it. Find an adequate RB in Rounds 2-7. Round 1 running back is an extravagance. Here is why:

1. They get hurt. RB has the shortest career length in the NFL. It’s 2.6 years. If I need a run game or general help on Offense, I’m better off drafting a Franchise OLineman who will be there for 10-12 years. He’ll take that pissant RB I draft in R4 and make him a star for 2-3 years… until that RB gets hurt.
2. They platoon. Gone are the bell cow days. RBs typically share snaps for a host of reasons in today’s NFL. That makes the impact of drafting one very high in R1 muted.
3. It’s a passing league. It’s the NFL in the 21st Century. When the rules of engagement change and OLmen can no longer hold in between the pads, let me know and I’ll revisit this discussion. Until then, running the ball is one less time I didn’t pass.
4. You don’t need a RB to win the Super Bowl. The evidence is overwhelming. Beast-mode is the only RB-centric offense to win the SB in the last many years, and that was done with defense. Quick- name me the RB for the Super Bowl champion Broncos. Need help? It’s CJ Anderson. Drafted when? ..Undrafted Free Agent. The Gmen did it with a R4 (Jacobs) and R7 (Bradshaw) pick. You are better off using your resources elsewhere.
5. For Giants fans in 2016: they already have 4 RBs. Jennings, Vereen, Darkwa, and Williams are more than enough to win a title with.
6. For Giants fans: they have proven historically how well they draft this position in later rounds. Use that blue chip pick for another position.

Every year we get the next new awesome RB. But GMs have to efficiently allocate resources. RB is a luxury. Because of Reese’s shoddy drafting (i.e. no one left on roster from 2011-2012), the Giants need help in too many other places to even think about this position early in the draft. I’d go one step further and not draft anyone at RB unless the value is special in later rounds. Don’t go out of your way to get a RB. Let RB come to you. And that’s how you allocate resources in the NFL in the 21st Century.