NFL Running Backs to Regain Their Draft Value in 2015

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball in Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Every year, we hear about how the NFL is a quarterback driven league and how the running back has been devalued. Every Sunday, I laugh when I hear commentators say, “You can get a running back in the 6th round.” citing Terrell Davis. But they seem to forget what round All-Universe quarterback Tom Brady was drafted in (Round 6).

First-round pick Marshawn Lynch carried the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title in 2013-14 to display the value the position. Then for 2014-15, head coach Pete Carroll stopped Lynch from beating Brady and his New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Demarco Murray’s 1,8oo-yard season carried the Dallas Cowboys back into relevance as well.

Fans want to see flash and dash as today’s generation doesn’t have the patience or attention span for the basics. But if today’s generation wants their team to win consistently, they need to learn to put up with basic football. The basics in every sport is what wins out over the flashy things that no human do can do consistently.

While other boxers go for knockouts, Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains undefeated by he throwing jabs and body shots. While the NBA has gone uptempo with 3-point shooting, the San Antonio are consistently contenders by using the post-up game. And the Seahawks went to back-to-back Super Bowls by running the ball and playing defense.

So the NFL, the ultimate copy-cat league, will start to have more teams trying to play that way. Such a style of play will drive the value of a good running back up and more forcing teams to look for one early in the draft. And if a few running backs drafted in the first round have good years this year, the value of the this position will really go up in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Turn the page to see what they are.

Next: 2015 First-Round Pick