INDIANAPOLIS – The evolution of the NFL Draft, and to a greater extent the league itself, has seen one position "devalued" over the years.
Take a look at Seattle and they might beg to differ with such a statement.
Yes, an elite running back is a tremendous asset, still, in the 2014 age of the NFL.
How teams go about obtaining those runners has taken a seismic shift though recently.
A running back has not been drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft in the last two years. In 2014, a running back wasn't taken until pick No. 55 (compare that to 9 receivers taken in the first 54 picks).
From 2009-2012, 10 running backs were chosen in the opening round. Just six of those came between spots 27-32.
It's not as if running backs' talent has decreased over the years.
A combination of more pass happy offenses, along with the attrition at the running back position, has contributed to ball carriers having to wait extra long come draft time.
But as the early mock drafts have started to trickle out in 2015, running backs might not go empty handed in Thursday night's first round.
"This running back class is one of the best in the last 10 years both because it has quality up top and depth throughout," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock told USA TODAY Sports.
Several mock drafts have right around three running backs going in the first round.
The Colts have talked about the need for an improved running game in 2015, hence some mocks pairing a first round running back in slot No. 29.
Names like Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) and Todd Gurley (Georgia) have been around the Colts range late in round one.
Big Ten fans know Gordon very well. He was the Heisman runner-up in 2014, rushing for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Gordon's name in mock drafts has been as high as the late teens.
Built in more of a power mold, Gurley is recovering from a November ACL injury. Gurley averaged an impressive 6.4 yards per carry in his three seasons in the SEC.
Of course, with so much talent at the top end of the running back board, that means quality backs will inevitably fall to the mid-rounds.
It's a predicament the Colts could face come the wee hours of April 30.
If Gordon or Gurley are still on the board at pick No. 29, will their talent be too much for the Colts to pass up?
