Value of first round RBs

[Pullo Vision]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... ambuilding

Instead of bypassing talented runners in lieu of "value picks" in the mid-to-late rounds, savvy executives are using top picks to secure blue-chip RBs for their teams to provide stability and cost certainty at a position that remains valuable in the team-building formula.

Now, I know we've been conditioned to believe NFL running backs can be found at your local YMCA, but just look at the most recent first-round selections. You won't find many busts at the position. From Ezekiel Elliott (two-time NFL rushing champ) to Todd Gurley (2017 Offensive Player of the Year) to Christian McCaffrey (one of only three players with 1,000 rush yards and 100 catches in a single season) to Saquon Barkley (2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year and one of three rookies in history to surpass 2,000 scrimmage yards), first-round running backs are living up to the hype as playmakers for their respective squads. Additionally, they are centerpieces to an offensive puzzle who alleviate the pressure of a quarterback and enable some teams to play with a B or B+ player at the QB1 spot.

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There's more in this article, but I thought it worth highlighting the point that a strong RB and run game can cover for an average QB, a la Dallas.