In the wake of the LeSean McCoy deal, a lot of Chip Kelly-specific comments are being made. "Kelly doesn't value franchise running backs, his system doesn't need a special runner." That kind of thing.
But there's nothing special about Chip Kelly in that regard, either. In today's NFL, teams aren't out there looking to build an offense around the running back. Get a quarterback and build a strong offensive line, and you can plug in any old runner, found just about anywhere. Most teams don't place high value on running backs.
The table below shows the top running backs from the 2014 season. Half (16) of those 32 backs weren't selected in the first three rounds of the draft. More of them were undrafted (8) than were selected in the first round (5), or second round (7). And although age is a factor, note that three of the five first-rounders will be out on the streets when free agency begins. And those are the successful backs.
Philadelphia Inquirer staff writer Jeff McLane suspects the Eagles will use a three-headed committee at running back this season. They're not even particularly concerned about keeping last year's backup running back around; they'll reportedly tender Chris Polk at the lower level, and could lose him without compensation.
If you're going to use so many different backs, no need for a special one in the starting lineup. The Eagles aren't alone in that regard.
2014's TOP RUNNING BACKS | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Yards | TD | Drafted? |
DeMarco Murray | DAL | 1,845 | 13 | 3rd |
LeVeon Bell | PIT | 1,361 | 8 | 2nd |
LeSean McCoy | PHI | 1,319 | 5 | 2nd |
Marshawn Lynch | SEA | 1,306 | 13 | 1st |
Justin Forsett | BAL | 1,266 | 8 | 7th |
Arian Foster | HOU | 1,246 | 8 | Undrafted |
Eddie Lacy | GB | 1,139 | 9 | 2nd |
Jeremy Hill | CIN | 1,124 | 9 | 2nd |
Frank Gore | SF | 1,106 | 4 | 3rd |
Lamar Miller | MIA | 1,099 | 8 | 4th |
Alfred Morris | WAS | 1,074 | 8 | 6th |
Matt Forte | CHI | 1,038 | 6 | 2nd |
Jamaal Charles | KC | 1,033 | 9 | 3rd |
Mark Ingram | NO | 964 | 9 | 1st |
Joique Bell | DET | 860 | 7 | Undrafted |
C.J. Anderson | DEN | 849 | 8 | Undrafted |
Chris Ivory | NYJ | 821 | 6 | Undrafted |
Jonathan Stewart | CAR | 809 | 3 | 1st |
Tre Mason | STL | 765 | 4 | 3rd |
Andre Williams | NYG | 721 | 7 | 4th |
Steven Jackson | ATL | 707 | 6 | 1st |
Giovani Bernard | CIN | 680 | 5 | 2nd |
Terrance West | CLE | 673 | 4 | 3rd |
Chris Johnson | NYJ | 663 | 1 | 1st |
Andre Ellington | ARI | 660 | 3 | 6th |
Rashad Jennings | NYG | 639 | 4 | 7th |
Isaiah Crowell | CLE | 607 | 8 | Undrafted |
Branden Oliver | SD | 582 | 3 | Undrafted |
Denard Robinson | JAC | 582 | 4 | 5th |
Matt Asiata | MIN | 570 | 9 | Undrafted |
Bishop Sankey | TEN | 569 | 2 | 2nd |
LeGarrette Blount | PIT-NE | 547 | 5 | Undrafted |
--Andy Richardson