Backs who have received the franchise tag (such as Josh Jacobsthis year) or who are approaching the time when they might earn their first extension (such as Najee Harris) are publicly wondering about whether running backs are getting a fair shake. When the Falcons and Lions drafted Robinson and Gibbs, they had to bring up the possibility of the backs as receivers around the formation to justify their choices. Teams are using less draft capital on backs than ever before, and they appear to be more aggressive in moving on from their lead backs once they sign extensions.Ī league that was once built around star backs dominating offensive workloads and competing for MVP awards now feels like something entirely different. In 2022, no back came off the board in the top 32 picks, something that didn't happen even once over a nearly 50-year span between 19. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs became the first running back duo to be selected in the top half of Round 1 since Fournette and Christian McCaffrey in 2017, a feat that happened far more often in the past. With the first round of April's draft as an exception, draft capital used on running backs continues to fall. Players are getting squeezed on both sides. Meanwhile, 27-year-old running backs are being portrayed as fossils hanging on to any hope of a meaningful NFL career for dear life. Those 27-year-olds who play other positions are in the primes of their careers. No team would dream of moving on from Myles Garrett, Deebo Samuelor Budda Baker, each of whom is 27. 27-year-old stars at other positions are years from being cut candidates. Popular veterans getting cut toward the tail end of their careers is nothing new, but the age at which these players have become free agents stands out. Kareem Hunt wasn't re-signed by the Browns after his contract expired, while Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournetteand Dalvin Cook were released by their respective franchises to create salary cap space.
As teams approach training camp later this month, four respected veteran rushers remain free agents, seemingly with little interest. Something feels wrong about what's happening for running backs in the NFL.
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