The times sure have changed in the NFL. What used to be ground and pound bruising football has since given way to more offense-friendly fireworks shows. That’s happening for a number of reasons, but perhaps none bigger than the rule changes implemented to help increase player safety. Whether it’s eventually going to lead to us watching flag football every Sunday remains to be seen.
But, one position in the game that has evolved notably in the last 10 years is the running back position. Like “ground and pound” football, it feels out of place in today’s NFL. Remember when everyone was making such a big deal about the Chicago Bears defense shutting down the Los Angeles Rams offense? That was a big deal because we’ve grown so accustomed to the idea that “it is hard to play defense these days.” It feels out of place because it’s unusual. Sure, you’ve had exceptions, and a good defense still comes in handy in the NFL. But, teams are loading up on weapons, building around quarterbacks, and trying to hire coaches who have so much as taken a breath in the same room as Sean McVay.
In the same vein, Jerome Bettis ain’t takin’ the field in 2019. Ezekiel Elliott is a rarity in the modern NFL because of how much he makes the Dallas Cowboys offense go. But for the most part, the days of building around a strong rushing game with a single running back at the center of it are gone. To become a truly featured back in today’s NFL, you have to produce with what you get, and you have to produce in the passing game, too.
After the 2018 season, there’s some interesting data to provide evidence of how this position has changed.
During the regular season, there were a total of nine 1,000+ yard rushers. 10 years ago, there were a whopping 16 1,000+ yard rushers. Elliott led the league with 1,434. That yardage would’ve put him at 5th in the league in 2008. His 304 carries led the league by far (Saquon Barkley was second with 261). He was the only back to top 300 carries in 2018. But, that figure would’ve put him at 6th in the NFL in 2008. Michael Turner led the league in carries that year with 376. Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, Matt Forte, and Ryan Grant also topped 300 carries in 2008. 14 different dudes got 200+ carries in 2018, compared to 24 guys seeing that mark in 2008.
You’re just not going to see the running back play the position in the traditional sense anymore. Guys don’t get the carries they used to. So, in order to hit that 1,000-yard mark, you have to do a lot more with a lot less. But, they’re also being asked to do more in the passing game. The hybrid running back is the future of the position, and you’re seeing running backs becoming pass-catching threats now more than ever. Christian McCaffrey was 27th in the NFL in receiving yards with 867 this year. He was 8th in the NFL in receptions, with 107. The McCaffrey type back did not exist in 2008.
We had five running backs in the top 50 in receiving yards in 2018. In 2008, Maurice Jones-Drew led running backs in receiving yards with 565. That mark was good for 66th in receiving. In today’s NFL, it’s about how many different ways you can contribute to a team. It’s an interesting observation considering it feels like we’re in the next era of great feature backs – Elliott, Todd Gurley, Barkley, McCaffrey, etc.
But, it’s as plain as day – being a feature back in 2019 means something completely different than being a feature back in 2008.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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