The Homer in me says yes, but I think I would seriously consider alternatives in this day and age. Without knowing the state of the football I'm not sure, but it isn't out of the realm of possibilities.
I can't agree. I think people have gotten caught up in the media narrative. How good would Seattle have been this year without Marshawn Lynch?
After the QB, there's not another position that has a bigger impact on wins and losses than a great/elite HB. Guys like Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, and LaDainian Tomlinson showed the ability to elevate teams to achieve far more than they should have been capable. Marshall Faulk elevated our team.
I would pay prime Faulk $12 million a year without blinking. Especially in today's NFL. If anything, a HB that can function as an elite runner AND pass catcher has only become more valuable.
It's true that average HBs are replaceable. There are so many effective HBs that come out that you can easily trade out middle of the pack runners without much drop off. But the good HBs aren't easily replaceable. And the great/elite runners aren't replaceable at all...until you find another great/elite runner...which do not come around that often.
Honestly, look at this Viking team and tell me that's a 10 win team:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2012.htm
Adrian Peterson put that team on his back and carried them to 10 wins. You swap Peterson out for an average HB and that's a 5 win team at best.
The WR position gets a lot of love and I'm certainly not here to devalue it either but do you think a WR could elevate a team like that?
IMO, no chance in hell. Look at 2012 Calvin Johnson:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2012.htm
Broke the receiving yardage record and played ridiculous football but still wasn't enough to elevate his team.
Don't underestimate the impact that great/elite HBs have on the game. Marshall Faulk didn't just change the game with his running ability and receiving ability...he changed the game by simply being on the field...especially with his ability to block.
Keep this in mind...the Vikings finished 14th in 2012 and 2013 in points scored mainly with Christian Ponder at QB(and some Matt Cassel mixed in) and Bill Musgrave at OC. This year, they finished 20th in points scored with Teddy Bridgewater(who is far superior to either of those guys) at QB and Norv Turner at OC. With a better QB and OC, they dropped 6 spots...why? Adrian Peterson was suspended for 15 games.