In today’s NFL, which is more of a wide open and pass-happy league, teams do not value running backs like they did back in the days of Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith.
The days of taking a running back in the first 10 picks of an NFL Draft are almost gone, while taking one in the first round is becoming less and less desirable. NFL teams feel as if they can draft a top of the line running back to fit their needs in the second or third round on most occasions.
However, former Clemson running back Travis Etienne thinks that might be a mistake for NFL teams who are thinking about passing on him in the first round.