McCaffrey, Kamara & Cook: Resetting the NFL running back market

Earlier this offseason, Christian McCaffrey agreed to a four year contract that was worth $64 million dollars with a whopping $16 million guaranteed. In today’s NFL, that might be a tough pill to swallow. However, if this offseason has taught us anything you pay the man for what he is worth regardless of position. As of today, two more RB’S got their big payday, Alvin Kamara of the Saints and Dalvin Cook of the Vikings, each scoring five year contracts with their respected teams. Why the big change of heart as just last week Kamara was close to a hold out and Cook was thinking he might get the franchise tag next year? Sometimes teams have to know when to pony up for the good of the franchise.

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ALVIN KAMARA GOOD KARMA

Alvin Kamara was drafted in the third round (67th overall) in the 2017 draft by the New Orleans Saints. As talented as he was when he played his college ball in Tennessee the true knock on him was he never managed to be the full time starter with the Volunteers. When he got drafted by the Saints he would have to split carries with former Saints running back Mark Ingram. Even with the split duties Kamara was still talented and respected by his peers and the press. In his rookie year, he was able to secure NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as well as being voted #20 on the NFL’S Top 100 in 2017. The next year, he would be named the starter due to Ingram being suspended the first four games and again having another successful year tying the franchise record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season (14), but he would have a total of 18 touchdowns all together. In 2019, he would finally be named the starter after Mark Ingram decided to join the Ravens in free agency. It was Kamara’s time to shine and even though he would miss two games due to injury he would still have a respectable season finishing with 797 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with 81 receptions and 533 yards. He was still a pivotal piece to the Saints offense overall as in just three years he has had 2,408 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns, 243 receptions, 2,068 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns along with 585 return yards with one return touchdown. It was no secret Kamara wanted a new contract, but it was just up to the Saints to come up with those numbers and as of today Kamara signed a five year deal that is worth $75 million with $15 million guaranteed. The ultimate risk in the 2017 draft is now a key piece moving forward with the New Orleans Saints.

DALVIN COOK THE PROOF OF SECOND CHANCES

Coming out of FSU, Dalvin Cook had the potential, but with off-the-field problems, prior arrests, character concerns, and a history of shoulder injuries his stock took a fall leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft. Although he did not have to wait as long as his fellow classmate Alvin Kamara, as Cook was drafted in the second round (41st) overall by the Minnesota Vikings, he already had one of the biggest shoes to fill in just his rookie year as he had to win over the fans. In just his first game in his rookie debut, he broke the rushing record debut with 127 yards, a record previously held by Adrian Peterson. Just as quickly as fans loved him they would miss him because after just four games he would land on injured reserve. He would come back in 2018 playing in just 11 games where he rushed for 615 yards with 2 touchdowns to go along with 40 receptions, 305 yards, and 2 Touchdowns. In 2019, he finally rushed over 1,000 yards finishing with 1,135 yards and a whopping 13 rushing touchdowns, to go with 53 receptions and 519 yards. Heading into the 2020 season Cook did not know if he would get a contract extension or get tagged. Well, he no longer has that worry as he just signed a five year $63 million extension to go with a $15.5 signing bonus. The man who once had so many personal problems will now be a problem for defenses around the NFL.

How 2017 was the year of the revival of the RB

Leonard Fournette was the first RB selected and is now playing for the Buccaneers. The RB Class of 2017 saved the position from not getting the respect it deserves with names like Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt, James Conner, Tarik Cohen, Marlon Mack, Aaron Jones, and Chris Carson. The Running Backs drafted in the 2017 draft class will go down as one of the greatest position draft classes of all time, not only because of their play but because of their importance to their team. Also, the effect of how they change the narrative to draft RB’S in the higher rounds once again.