This is the Lay-Round Podcast with your host, JJ Zacharyse.

What's up everyone, it's JJ Zacharyse and the editor-in-chief over at numberfire.com

and this is episode 122 of the Lay-Round Podcast.

One of many shows that are part of the numberfire podcast network.

Thanks for tuning in.

I made a thread on Twitter on Tuesday about the value of a running back target versus

the value of a wide receiver and tight end target in today's NFL.

The basic conclusion is that running back production through the air on a per target basis

has been about half as effective as what you've seen from tight ends and wide receivers.

And this is with real football, not fantasy football.

This isn't to say that there's no value in having a good pass-catching back.

There is when comparing good ones to replacement level ones.

But it does show us that teams shouldn't necessarily pepper running backs in the passing

game.

Actually, I should rephrase that.

It's not that they shouldn't pepper running backs with targets.

It's that the current way teams are targeting running backs isn't as effective as it

is with wide receivers and tight ends.

If I phrase that any differently, I'm basically saying that NFL coaches are being optimal,

and we know that's not the case.

The Twitter thread, and I'm sorry for filling your timelines with it, was greeted with great

conversation from smart people.

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