Over the past 10 years or so, we've seen Running Backs fall out of favor in the NFL. The days of paying stud runners large sums of money was out of fashion, the data showed that you can find efficient and effective running backs for cheap. 



Many teams bought into the phenomenon, passing on running backs in the Draft and in Free Agency for positions of "higher value". Teams went to running back by committee, or found younger backs who could carry the load for a couple years for cheap and then move on to the next one. It was trendy, effective, and seemed to be working. 



Today, running backs DOMINATED the first day of free agency. Saquon Barkley, D'Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, Gus Edwards, Austin Ekeler, and Devin Signletary were all off of the board in the first couple of hours. They weren't some of the flashiest contracts of the day money wise, but the contracts came quick. So what may of changed this year?



I believe one man, Christian McCafferey, may have saved the position. The effect that he had on the success of the 49ers were unbelievable. He took an already good offense, and made it elite. He was the best player on a Super Bowl team, and was arguably the most valuable player in the NFL. Yes, I know the 49ers lost, but if it wasn't for McCafferey, they wouldn't have even been there.



The running back has been the most valued position early in the 2024 offseason, and more names will continue to come off the board in the coming days. The level of value teams put on getting "their guy" at the running back position early in the free agency points to the position being...back!