Najee Harris Sounds Off On Running Back Market

[Captain Lemming]

Now that?s a different argument. I think SF giving up draft stock to pay MC 16 million per shows top end RBs can get paid. Part of the problem is the short shelf life of RBs. 5 year contract and then the tag. Thats whats killing RBs. I heard a suggestion that they should let college RBs leave after their freshman season as a counter to this might be a great idea.

Interesting thought.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I also think Najee was a little long of tooth leaving college (as players go). That also could work against him.

[whisper]

I also think Najee was a little long of tooth leaving college (as players go). That also could work against him.

As was our "young QB" who is already 25, 2 years older than when Ben won his 1st ring.

[Chucktownsteeler]

As was our "young QB" who is already 25, 2 years older than when Ben won his 1st ring.

NFL life span of a RB and QB are completely different. No comparison. Keep in mind this is a RB thread.

[Northern_Blitz]

This isn?t about comparing NFL players salaries to the common man. Its comparing NFL salaries among their peers.

I understand WR?s have longer careers. What I don?t agree with is paying them $18 to $20 mill to do it when they have pedestrian stats like DJ Moore.

Everyone says RB?s are replaceable but look at KC. Tyreek Hill moved on and they replaced his production with who? It sure wasn?t an elite WR.

People love to point out the RB for KC on the SB roster but look at the WR?s. Why pay $20 mill for a WR??? Who are they paying? The TE.. why? Because he is producing. That is my point. Pay those who produce, not those who have middle of the pack stars simply because they play WR.

Also, if the RB is being phased out don?t hand the ball off 25 times a game. If you continue to use RB?s wt a high clip why can?t they get paid?

Like Faulk said, everyone says RB?s are dinosaurs but they keep running them 20 times a games. There is a blatant imbalance with pay IMO.

You're right that when you have the best QB in the league you don't need good skill players.

But having the best RB in the league doesn't get you very much. While having elite WRs can maybe make your QB look better (like in Miami...in a small sample anyway).

[Northern_Blitz]

Agreed. My argument is RB?s should get paid more in that 7 to 8 year window if they have the production.

Look at what the Jags paid Christian Kirk. Dude never had a 1,000 yard season until his first year in Jacksonville yet he secured a 4/$84 Million contract. WR?s are overpaid and RB?s are underpaid.

I?m sorry but you can?t convince me that type of production is worth so much more because they get hit less. IMO that means they should get paid less due to the length of their careers which would still allow them to make tons of money.

Its ass backwards if you ask me. I?m not saying RB?s deserve to be overpaid either but if you generate 1600 yards and 15 TD?s how in the hell is it worth less because you get hit more often? lmao

But you have to decide to pay them BEFORE you know if they have the production.

And they rarely do.

I think Harris has been a bit above average in years 1 and 2. I think it's very unlikely that he'll end up being elite in year 8. A guy like Chubb would be a much harder decision. I think I'd maybe offer him a big contract with few guarantees. Because I want to be able to cut him when his young backup starts to be the better player (like Pollard and Elliot).

[Steel Maniac]

Now that?s a different argument. I think SF giving up draft stock to pay MC 16 million per shows top end RBs can get paid. Part of the problem is the short shelf life of RBs. 5 year contract and then the tag. Thats whats killing RBs. I heard a suggestion that they should let college RBs leave after their freshman season as a counter to this might be a great idea.

I don't think that solves it. The slanting of rules to favor the passing game has done it more than anything. Making WR seemingly more valuable.

[Northern_Blitz]

local sports radio said RB?s are bitchin on getting screwed, tough luck.

They used the example of FB?s being phased out. I agree. If the RB was being phased out it would be tough cookies but the reality is teams are still using RB?s damn near the same way. Hell, if anything they are asking them to do more by also being WR?s in the passing game.

Yet they want to pay them less.

I get that its a passing league but are teams that overpay for WR?s actually getting a legit ROI???

To be fair, Eddie George had 403 carries one year! RBs don't get asked to do that anymore.

[Northern_Blitz]

and yet, look at all these teams who fail to even make the playoffs let alone a SB.

I can list off over 15 teams that have never had post season success yet this supposed formula works?

The formula that actually works consistently does not have a high paid WR OR a high paid RB on the roster when it comes to super bowls.

However, I think Superbowls are a terrible barometer for who should get paid.

I think these kinds of "won the SB" arguments don't make sense. Except for QB.

Because that's the only position that can transcend the talent of the rest of the team.

I think that RB is becoming a position like C. Where you don't want a weak link, but don't care too much if you have a strong link.

If your center sucks, your whole offense sucks (ask K Green). But you can have a really good offense if you can get an average C in there. You'd like to have Dirt Dawson in there. But Mason Cole is good enough.

I think RBs are kind of the same. Having an elite back isn't the key to winning a championship. But if you're playing Fitz Toussant as your main guy, you'd kind of screwed I think.

[Northern_Blitz]

How did the Fins do with Marino? What's the difference?

All I know is they should fire Shula because then they're sure to win a championship!

[Northern_Blitz]

Better than the Lions with Barry. That is the difference.

The REAL difference is a great QB like Marino without a ring is an anomaly in todays NFL.

Great RBs WITHOUT a ring is the norm.

And I bet Marino would be more likely to win now when QBs are way more protected. I always remember the 6 million dollar man graphic with DM explaining how all of his major joints were broken.

[Northern_Blitz]

Now that?s a different argument. I think SF giving up draft stock to pay MC 16 million per shows top end RBs can get paid. Part of the problem is the short shelf life of RBs. 5 year contract and then the tag. Thats whats killing RBs. I heard a suggestion that they should let college RBs leave after their freshman season as a counter to this might be a great idea.

FWIW, I think we have to remember that Carolina is the one that held the signing bonus.

If I'm reading his contract correctly: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-fran...caffrey-21749/

SF paid him < $1M last season.

And they'll pay him $12M this season (cap hit only $3.5M). He'll get $12M cash for the next three seasons if he finishes the contract I think.

His cap hit goes up to $14M next season. So if he doesn't have another very good year, he'll be easy to cut. Do it post June 1 and they'll have just over $4M of dead cap hit for 2 years.

So, years 1 and 2 with SF were super low cap hits. Then it's pay as you go for years 3 and 4 (with SF).

[NorthCoast]

Now that?s a different argument. I think SF giving up draft stock to pay MC 16 million per shows top end RBs can get paid. Part of the problem is the short shelf life of RBs. 5 year contract and then the tag. Thats whats killing RBs. I heard a suggestion that they should let college RBs leave after their freshman season as a counter to this might be a great idea.

Damn. Eighteen year olds in the NFL against grown ass men.

[feltdizz]

So with any company this is usually how it works. Its not fair. Its not equality. Its reality of the world we live in. Usually the hardest work and longest hours are paid the least. Its all about how easily you are replaced. But I dont think anyone but millionaire NFL RBs and yourself are opining about the lack of fairness.

Now this is a weird post. We are all spending time arguing over millionaires. Let?s not act like we don?t have the maturity to separate ourselves from the debate over NFL players.

[feltdizz]

Now that?s a different argument. I think SF giving up draft stock to pay MC 16 million per shows top end RBs can get paid. Part of the problem is the short shelf life of RBs. 5 year contract and then the tag. Thats whats killing RBs. I heard a suggestion that they should let college RBs leave after their freshman season as a counter to this might be a great idea.

I know McCaffrey got paid. But I also know as soon as he got hurt and they lost games the reaction was ?see, this is why you don?t pay a RB?

yet when Watt got hurt it was ?see, this proves he is worth the money?