In the ever-evolving world of the NFL, offensive strategies are in a constant state of flux, with trends rising and falling as teams look for the next edge.
Recently, the pendulum has swung back toward a more traditional style: power football. After years dominated by up-tempo, pass-heavy offenses, a shift is underway as offenses are once again reverting to bigger, stronger, and more physical, skill-position personnel.
And Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft target Ashton Jeanty wants in.
“I think there was a period of time where there was just kind of a low (in value) at the position,” Jeanty said this week at the NFL Scouting Combine. “But those guys, they’ve been doing special deals and showing if you have a special player at running back, it can really enhance your offense.”
For years, the NFL was ruled by light, fast offenses designed to exploit bigger defenses with tempo and space. The trend was clear: speed and quickness reigned supreme.
Offenses built purely for speed rather than raw strength forced defensive coordinators to respond by fielding faster, more agile players to counteract the quick, spread-out formations. Hybrid defenders, capable of both rushing the passer and covering the field in space, became a necessity.
This adjustment allowed defenses to contain the growing power offenses, but only for a short time. As the game continued to evolve, another shift was brewing—one that would tilt the scale back in favor of power football once more.
Fast-forward to recent history and take the dynasty-of-the-decade Chiefs for example. Patrick Mahomes in 2023 had his worst passer rating of his career and by far the worst touchdown-interception ratio. Yet they still won their second consecutive super bowl. Their formula? Defense, a physical 7th round running back who warmly welcomed contact and ball control.
They were at the forefront of high-powered offenses who depended on high average depths of target and vertical explosion reverting back to a much more physical style.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman wasn't far behind though. He saw the vision over a two-year span, invested tremendous amounts of resources into revolutionizing their defense, and then hit copy-paste by securing Saquon Barkley. He was the eraser. Whatever ability Jalen Hurts lacked as a progressive passer over the middle of the field, Saquon more than made up for.
And now along come backs with value and backs with bulk.
It’s not just about durability; bigger backs can surely sustain a heavier workload. But this change goes beyond pure physicality. It’s an overall shift in philosophy and scheme.
This is a heavyweight-caliber shift that the forward-thinking Brian Schottenheimer - the new coach of the Dallas Cowboys - will surely be aware of when they're on the clock at pick No. 12 ... staring directly at Ashton Jeanty. ... who is here declaring his value.
