Comparing 2017 RB class to 2018 class

[johnnymozart]

So this one is a little bit tough as the bias will likely be pretty heavy. If we were able to ignore the fact that 2017 has already been put in the books-- how do you think the RB classes of 2017/2018 rankings would look if they were merged into one? Looking solely at the first round/early 2nd candidates and using Mizzelle's (thanks!) ADP cheatsheet, we can at least look back at their average start up ADPs. If Fournette and CMC were available in this class-- they would have likely slotted 2 and 3, for example, behind Barkley.

I guess I'm trying to get a pulse on how GOOD these RBs actually are from this year's class. Are they actually going to be making impacts or is there a bias from the results of last year. Anyway-- composite rankings would look like this (based on post draft, but pre-September adps)
TIER 1:
Barkley
---
---
TIER 2:
Fournette
CMC
Mixon
Guice
Cook
Penny
Michel
Chubb
---
TIER 3:
R.Jones
Freeman
Kerryon
Kamara
Perine
Hunt

Which one from Tier 3 will fail like Perine? Which one from tier 3 is most likely to pull a K.Hunt?
Would this list reflect how you felt about them (again, pre actual results) if they were all in a pool of players to draft in say, Aug. 2017.

[Orenthal Shames]

You could do this for any position, comparing any drafts. It doesn't make anything predictive.

[johnnymozart]

well I don't remember how the stocks of the 2017 RBs were faring pre-draft as I only had pick 12 (Perine, YES)

Was more questioning if the crew this year is being overinflated due to the success of last year's. From a talent standpoint are these backs more promising than '17?

Draft capital certainly something I'm considering

[Servo]

It's not easy to say, Perine wasn't a bad back at Oklahoma but you factor in Washington's offensive line getting obliterated by injuries and you're not really setting the guy up for success.

Transcendent backs over the years (pre-draft) in my mind have been: Gurley, Zeke and Barkley. Maybe, maybe you could make the case for Fournette but all the other RBs (Gordon, DJ, Cook, McCaffrey, Henry, Penny, Michel, Chubb, Mixon, et, etc) were probably more thought of as good, quality players.

Should you draft RBs based on how good their OL is or how good the offense is or how barren the depth chart is? You could probably make the case for all of those things when making your pick. We've seen Gurley struggle with a crap OL/playcalling and similarly with Mixon...while Elliott dominated with Dallas' superior OL.

TL;DR I have no clue what I'm trying to say

[Dynasty DeLorean]

well I don't remember how the stocks of the 2017 RBs were faring pre-draft as I only had pick 12 (Perine, YES)

Was more questioning if the crew this year is being overinflated due to the success of last year's. From a talent standpoint are these backs more promising than '17?

Draft capital certainly something I'm considering

Last year I feel like people started saying the 2017 class was overrated. I think this year is as talented as last year, maybe even more so. The problem is the immediate impact of last years class was insane. You can't really predict that to happen again.

[hockeyBjj]

2017 rookie rb draft class was so overperforming, people splooged their pants for top 6 firsts and are assuming all those guys are gonna come out the gate like CMC, Hunt, Kamra, etc. rather than expecting something like Mixon first year

Real life GMs did it too to be honest. Record number of RBs taken in first two rounds of NFL draft

[meineymoe]

TIER 1:
Barkley
---
---
TIER 2:
Fournette
CMC
Mixon
Guice
Cook
Penny
Michel
Chubb
---
TIER 3:
R.Jones
Freeman
Kerryon
Kamara
Perine
Hunt

this looks similar to my tiers, except I didn't have Perine up there.
I feel as good about Guice and Chubb this year as I did Fournette and McCaffrey last year.
Also, Hunt was my sleeper guy from the 3rd tier, and I would not at all be surprised to see Freeman or KJohnson do what Kamara or Hunt did last season.

Definite changing of the guard happening! I better get my McCoy replacement real soon.
-oo-

[IBall2]

I remember last year's draft class lost a lot of its luster after the combine performances weren't living up to our expectations. This year it seems like the RB's put up better numbers in most of the drills. I haven't taken the time to actually look at the data and verify this claim, this is just what I recall.

[thebeast]

TL;DR I have no clue what I'm trying to say

You win the internet today.