I''ll try to go from memory but the point was that the RBs coming (the marquee ones) were not just RBs...they were receivers and it was my view they were going to start tapping into some of the WR money to boost their contracts. Look at how many times LeVeon Bell, Todd Gurley, David Johnson, Ezekial Elliott and I think you can add Kamara...touch the ball running AND receiving. Another key factor for these individuals is that they have also shown the ability to run inside and outside the tackles.
The multi-dimensional RB is in vogue. That's why we are once again seeing them drafted early. Bell is unfortunate. He is really the first one of these hybrids to come up on a second contract. He'll have to "crack the code". That said, he will make $14.5 million on his second franchise tag...at least from what I remember reading.
Here was the list of RBs drafted in round 1 in the last six years...
2013 none in Rd 1 Note: 4 RBs taken in Rd 2...Bernard, Bell, Ball, Lacy
2014 none in Rd 1 Note: 3 RBs taken in Rd 2...Sankey, Hill, Hyde
2015 Gurley, Gordon - all have receiving skills and both have shown inside/outside running ability Note: 2 more RBs in Rd 2...Yeldon and Abdullah
2016 Elliott - has receiving skills and inside/outside running ability Note: 1 RB taken in Rd 2...Henry
2017 Fournette, McCaffrey - all have receiving skills and Fournette has shown inside/outside running ability Note: 2 more RBs in Rd 2...Cook and Mixon and Karmara was Rd 3
2018 Barrkley, Penny, Michel - all have receiving skills and Barkley has shown inside/outside running ability Note: 4 more RBs in Rd 2...Chubb, Jones, Johnson, Guice
Since 2015, RBs have gained more respect...granted they are great players too! But, while this is a passing league, there has been a commitment to the run. Two examples last season are the Rams and Saints. The Rams offense was triggered by Todd Gurley. He was the key cog IMO. The Saints were a renewed team by getting back to the run. Drew Brees didn't have the volume of passing as he did in the pass but their offense was rejuvenated by a great running/receiving game from Kamara/Ingram. Kamara was, IMO, the catalyst.
Back to the article...I think you will be RBs getting a lot more money in the new few years. You cannot deny the benefit of their receiving skills and IMO some of those WR $s will come their way...it's just a matter of time.
