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Running backs aren't top NFL draft picks anymore

By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A running back stands a good chance at being a first-round selection at some point Thursday night in the NFL draft. If so, what was once an annual occurrence will become an occasion for celebrating.

After all, it has been three years since it last happened.

In today’s pass-happy NFL, running backs have become a devalued commodity. They do not command first-round attention like they used to and often are vastly overshadowed on draft day by all the wide receivers who have become statistical stars in spread offenses.

What’s more, running backs tend to have short shelf lives with the teams that do draft them.