Number "1" , ratio: Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be running backs. The brutal hits and short careers were traditionally mitigated by Heisman Trophies, No.

Now all but the cream of the tailback crop get shunned, slighted and ultimately signed to contracts on par with kickers and punters. The best opportunity afforded the rushing champion is battling Darren McFadden for playing time in Oakland.

The only active player with six consecutive 1,yard rushing seasons has attracted nary a nibble on the trade market. The workhorse back who carried the Patriots ' offense down the stretch last season will find himself fortunate to caddy for Le'Veon Bell if his Friday visit with the Steelers goes well.

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Premier college prospects are entering a league that has dramatically devalued running backs since the dawn of the 21st century. Over the past eight NFL Draft s, there have been as many running backs selected in the top five picks as there were in alone. Last year's draft class was the first since not to include a first-round running back. Don't be surprised if the position is shut out of the first round again in May.

It starts with the influx of spread offenses at the college level and continues with the NFL's ever-growing trend toward the pass and away from the run. After that it's a crapshoot to get a Colleges are not producing stud runners because the emphasis is now on dual-threat quarterbacks operating out of the spread.

By the time running backs reach the NFL, they are already limited to specific offensive sets, making it easier for teams like the Patriots to utilize a handful of backs -- each with a customized role.

When teams finally break down and pull the trigger on a high-profile prospect, they're too often left holding the bag with an underwhelming Trent Richardson or Mark Ingram while watching two second-rounders, a third-rounder and a sixth-rounder lead the end-of-season rushing list.

It's hard to blame NFL teams for refusing to throw big money at a multi-chambered backfield even if the superpower Seahawks and 49ers operate the run-heaviest offenses in the league.

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