Current HOF RBs

JeremyNick · 07-18-2023, 08:25 AM

With how offense has evolved into a pass heavy game, the current anger from RBs and Union Dood’s and decreasing draft capital being spent on RBs - it got me thinking about the recent and current crop of RBs.

Who currently would you consider to be a HOF level RB? Someone who has played since 2016? It seems that the biggest issue with “devaluing” is the reality that few RBs anymore survive with a HOF level career past their first contract.

The only one I can currently think of is Derrick Henry. I thought Lev Bell was in that trajectory but he went right off the cliff. I don’t think anyone else even has a strong case as being on a HOF path.

MiamiMarlinsFan · 07-18-2023, 08:37 AM

I agree with Henry, I think he’s a HOF Lock. I also think Nick Chubb is on a HOF path… but no lock at this point by any stretch.

JaxSportsHub · 07-18-2023, 08:37 AM

Current?
King Henry is a lock.
Thats the end of the list unless Adrian Peterson tries again to hop out of retirement.

JeremyNick · 07-18-2023, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

I agree with Henry, I think he’s a HOF Lock. I also think Nick Chubb is on a HOF path… but no lock at this point by any stretch.

Chubb was another one I thought about, but he’s never led the league in rushing and he’s never had a first team All Pro selection and one 2nd Team selection, so what would his HOF resume be at this point?

jplarson · 07-18-2023, 08:50 AM

Since 2016? Hmm, I think you're right about Henry. I think he probably makes it in with 1-2 more Derrick Henry level seasons or has a career playoff game as a signature moment.

Other RBs.... yeah, it's tough. Maybe Nick Chubb? I like his stats and relative age. Depends on where Ezekiel Elliott lands and if he can keep doing Zeke things there. His career numbers look good so far, he's 2nd to Henry for active leaders in yards and TDs. There's a chance for Alvin Kamara assuming voters aren't looking for the traditional numbers a RB outputs.

I too feel the pain of Bell failing straight off. He was fun to watch and one of my favorite cards I own is of him.

MiamiMarlinsFan · 07-18-2023, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

Chubb was another one I thought about, but he’s never led the league in rushing and he’s never had a first team All Pro selection and one 2nd Team selection, so what would his HOF resume be at this point?

Consistency. Game-to-game dominance.

But yeah, I don’t think he’s currently a HOFer. I just think he’s the closets of any current, non-Henry, RB to the Hall. The Hall has some dubious selections at the RB position already. It doesn’t always take too much. Also, Henry himself had a slow start to his career.

Grid · 07-18-2023, 09:03 AM

The Hall now hates RB's just as much as the teams hate paying them. 5 RB's got in, over the past 15 years. 8 to 20 players go in each year, but only 4 times in 15, did a class have a back.

Hall of Fame class by year...

2023, no running backs.
2022, no running backs.
2021, no running backs.
2020, log jam year where they let 20 players in. Edgerrin James was the only RB.
2019, no running backs.
2018, no running backs.
2017 both Tomlinson and TD got in.
2016, no running backs.
2015, Bettis got in.
2014, no running backs.
2013, no running backs.
2012, no running backs.
2011, no running backs.
2010, only Emmitt got in
2009, no running backs.
2008, no running backs.

JeremyNick · 07-18-2023, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Consistency. Game-to-game dominance.

But yeah, I don’t think he’s currently a HOFer. I just think he’s the closets of any current, non-Henry, RB to the Hall. The Hall has some dubious selections at the RB position already. It doesn’t always take too much. Also, Henry himself had a slow start to his career.

Chubb isn’t Henry. Henry’s slow start was misuse, to me the biggest concern I have with Chubb beyond his lack of actual accomplishments is his high level of use. He seems durable enough but I would guess he’s going to be another RB that hits ~30 and dies right off.

mike1498 · 07-18-2023, 09:04 AM

Adrian Peterson
Frank Gore (I guess)(I wouldn't put him in but based on what Grid showed I feel like you have to now)
Marshawn Lynch???

packman80 · 07-18-2023, 09:06 AM

Outside of Henry who is probably on the downslide of his career there are no more dominate RB. Seems that 1,100 or 1,200 yard season could be the norm for RB as we see more passing and more tandem use of RB. Think it's going to be hard for RB in the future to have 10K+ career yards.

Boo · 07-18-2023, 09:08 AM

After Henry it is no one right now. McCaffrey has as good a chance as anyone else IF HE STAYS HEALTHY (which likely won't happen). If he can replicate last year for the next 4 years (until he's 31) he'll be closing in or passing Faulk for most receiving yards by a RB and pushing 8k rushing yards. I don't know if that gets him in or not.

JeremyNick · 07-18-2023, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike1498

Adrian Peterson
Frank Gore (I guess)(I wouldn't put him in but based on what Grid showed I feel like you have to now)
Marshawn Lynch???

I wouldn’t consider any of those guys current, even though the tail ens of their careers went through the 2016 date.

AP I’m should get in. Gore and Lynch have a long shot, but probably not.

mike1498 · 07-18-2023, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

I wouldn’t consider any of those guys current, even though the tail ens of their careers went through the 2016 date.

AP I’m should get in. Gore and Lynch have a long shot, but probably not.

I guess I get how that didn't answer the question but I feel it's hard to determine HOF careers from 2016-current.

7 years is a lot in the nfl but not really enough years to have the accolades to confidently say someone is likely HOF unless you're Mahomes/Derek Henry level. Which I feel applies to every position.

But you do have a point about there not being many RBs in the pipeline for the HOF

MiamiMarlinsFan · 07-18-2023, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

Chubb isn’t Henry. Henry’s slow start was misuse, to me the biggest concern I have with Chubb beyond his lack of actual accomplishments is his high level of use. He seems durable enough but I would guess he’s going to be another RB that hits ~30 and dies right off.

That’s the most likely outcome. But if you don’t feel good about Chubb’s chances, there can’t be any RB you feel good about besides Henry, right?

TheFrenzy · 07-18-2023, 09:19 AM

Bijan Robinson.

Book it.

JeremyNick · 07-18-2023, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

That’s the most likely outcome. But if you don’t feel good about Chubb’s chances, there can’t be any RB you feel good about besides Henry, right?

Yeah I mean I struggle to make an actual case for Chubb being on track, so who else can I say will make it when he is clearly one of the best in the league and very consistent. Two significant knee injuries, 27 years old and no major accomplishments. There are just no guys that I think “man he will have a career”.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

Bijan Robinson.

Book it.

Was waiting for this.

Above the Rim · 07-18-2023, 09:23 AM

It was often painful to watch Derrick Henry operate behind one of the statistically worst offensive lines last year. He did his best, somehow got over 1,500 yards. But oh, my, what could have been with a decent OL. I hope the changes the Titans made in OL this off season can help Henry get back to regular highlight film stature.

Scottish Punk · 07-18-2023, 09:51 AM

Jonathan Taylor has had a pretty good start. A good season this year will get him at 5k for four years. The other two that have any chance (outside of Chubb) is Cook and McCaffery. They both need to put together a few more big statistical years though to clear the pack from everybody else.

TheFrenzy · 07-18-2023, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

Was waiting for this.

He’s going to reinvent the position!

majestik101 · 07-18-2023, 10:44 AM

Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb are the only two currently playing that have any real chance...

Josh Jacobs may have an outside shot if he has a few more seasons like 2022 but that's a big If.

packman80 · 07-18-2023, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majestik101

Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb are the only two currently playing that have any real chance...

Josh Jacobs may have an outside shot if he has a few more seasons like 2022 but that's a big If.

I see Jacobs having zero chance of getting in.

packman80 · 07-18-2023, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

I wouldn’t consider any of those guys current, even though the tail ens of their careers went through the 2016 date.

AP I’m should get in. Gore and Lynch have a long shot, but probably not.

I think Gore gets in he's top 5 all time in rushing. IMO better then Edgerrin James who got in.

JeremyNick · 07-18-2023, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packman80

I think Gore gets in he's top 5 all time in rushing. IMO better then Edgerrin James who got in.

I give him about a 5% chance.

He has numbers and nothing else.

tjforce · 07-18-2023, 11:03 AM

Chubb's case right now is that he has the 3rd highest Yards Per Carry average for any running back in NFL history.

What's holding his back is not enough yards or TDs. He has 6,341 yards.

Jim Brown and Barry Sanders are the only 2 running backs to average at least 5.0 yard per carry and rush for over 10,000 yards. If 3 seasons from now Chubb can join them on that list, then the discussion starts.

MiamiMarlinsFan · 07-18-2023, 11:20 AM

CMc would have had a very solid case if it wasn’t for the constant injuries. Too many future voters will have been burned by him on their fantasy teams to vote for him.

07-18-2023, 08:25 AM	#1
JeremyNick Banned Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 22,801	Current HOF RBs With how offense has evolved into a pass heavy game, the current anger from RBs and Union Dood’s and decreasing draft capital being spent on RBs - it got me thinking about the recent and current crop of RBs. Who currently would you consider to be a HOF level RB? Someone who has played since 2016? It seems that the biggest issue with “devaluing” is the reality that few RBs anymore survive with a HOF level career past their first contract. The only one I can currently think of is Derrick Henry. I thought Lev Bell was in that trajectory but he went right off the cliff. I don’t think anyone else even has a strong case as being on a HOF path.

07-18-2023, 09:04 AM	#9
mike1498 Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Baltimore Posts: 7,448 college_beer_money	Adrian Peterson Frank Gore (I guess)(I wouldn't put him in but based on what Grid showed I feel like you have to now) Marshawn Lynch??? __________________ Check out my cards! https://www.instagram.com/college_beer_money/

07-18-2023, 09:08 AM	#11
Boo Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: PA Posts: 55,860 klay22	After Henry it is no one right now. McCaffrey has as good a chance as anyone else IF HE STAYS HEALTHY (which likely won't happen). If he can replicate last year for the next 4 years (until he's 31) he'll be closing in or passing Faulk for most receiving yards by a RB and pushing 8k rushing yards. I don't know if that gets him in or not. __________________ I have found that flicking through a few threads on my smartphone is a great way to pass some time while "stocking the pond."Hairy 6/7/12 “ I feel you, brother. Welcome to East Berlin, circa 1963.” Hairy 5/9/20

07-18-2023, 10:44 AM	#20
majestik101 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Socially Distanced Posts: 43,187 majestik101	Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb are the only two currently playing that have any real chance... Josh Jacobs may have an outside shot if he has a few more seasons like 2022 but that's a big If. __________________ "Watson alone sells for over $20" https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1182760

07-18-2023, 11:03 AM	#24
tjforce Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 23,272	Chubb's case right now is that he has the 3rd highest Yards Per Carry average for any running back in NFL history. What's holding his back is not enough yards or TDs. He has 6,341 yards. Jim Brown and Barry Sanders are the only 2 running backs to average at least 5.0 yard per carry and rush for over 10,000 yards. If 3 seasons from now Chubb can join them on that list, then the discussion starts. __________________ "Whether you like it or not, learn to love it, because it’s the best thing going. Wooooo!"

07-18-2023, 08:37 AM	#2
MiamiMarlinsFan Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Florida Posts: 13,542	I agree with Henry, I think he’s a HOF Lock. I also think Nick Chubb is on a HOF path… but no lock at this point by any stretch.

07-18-2023, 08:37 AM	#3
JaxSportsHub Member Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 188 JaxSportsHub	Current? King Henry is a lock. Thats the end of the list unless Adrian Peterson tries again to hop out of retirement.

07-18-2023, 08:50 AM	#5
jplarson Banned Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 15,578	Since 2016? Hmm, I think you're right about Henry. I think he probably makes it in with 1-2 more Derrick Henry level seasons or has a career playoff game as a signature moment. Other RBs.... yeah, it's tough. Maybe Nick Chubb? I like his stats and relative age. Depends on where Ezekiel Elliott lands and if he can keep doing Zeke things there. His career numbers look good so far, he's 2nd to Henry for active leaders in yards and TDs. There's a chance for Alvin Kamara assuming voters aren't looking for the traditional numbers a RB outputs. I too feel the pain of Bell failing straight off. He was fun to watch and one of my favorite cards I own is of him.

07-18-2023, 09:03 AM	#7
Grid Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 12,984 Gridiron-Gladiators	The Hall now hates RB's just as much as the teams hate paying them. 5 RB's got in, over the past 15 years. 8 to 20 players go in each year, but only 4 times in 15, did a class have a back. Hall of Fame class by year... 2023, no running backs. 2022, no running backs. 2021, no running backs. 2020, log jam year where they let 20 players in. Edgerrin James was the only RB. 2019, no running backs. 2018, no running backs. 2017 both Tomlinson and TD got in. 2016, no running backs. 2015, Bettis got in. 2014, no running backs. 2013, no running backs. 2012, no running backs. 2011, no running backs. 2010, only Emmitt got in 2009, no running backs. 2008, no running backs.

07-18-2023, 09:06 AM	#10
packman80 Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 17,050	Outside of Henry who is probably on the downslide of his career there are no more dominate RB. Seems that 1,100 or 1,200 yard season could be the norm for RB as we see more passing and more tandem use of RB. Think it's going to be hard for RB in the future to have 10K+ career yards.

07-18-2023, 09:19 AM	#15
TheFrenzy Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Texan in AZ Posts: 44,115	Bijan Robinson. Book it.

07-18-2023, 09:23 AM	#17
Above the Rim Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 743	It was often painful to watch Derrick Henry operate behind one of the statistically worst offensive lines last year. He did his best, somehow got over 1,500 yards. But oh, my, what could have been with a decent OL. I hope the changes the Titans made in OL this off season can help Henry get back to regular highlight film stature.

07-18-2023, 09:51 AM	#18
Scottish Punk Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 9,646 scottishpunk	Jonathan Taylor has had a pretty good start. A good season this year will get him at 5k for four years. The other two that have any chance (outside of Chubb) is Cook and McCaffery. They both need to put together a few more big statistical years though to clear the pack from everybody else.

07-18-2023, 11:20 AM	#25
MiamiMarlinsFan Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Florida Posts: 13,542	CMc would have had a very solid case if it wasn’t for the constant injuries. Too many future voters will have been burned by him on their fantasy teams to vote for him.