The Speed Back archetype for Running Back is easily the most popular archetype for Running Backs, with 21 of the league’s 50 active RBs being this particular archetype (42% of the total), compared to 11 Receiving Backs (22%), 11 Power Backs (22%), and 7 Fullbacks (14%). In addition, since switching to DDSPF21, there have been 11 active RBs that have surpassed 1,000 TPE, and 8 of which are the Speed Back archetype.
The reasoning for this imbalance is that Speed Back, due to their higher speed attribute cap as well as their access to a third speed-boosting trait while the other archetypes are capped at two a piece, simply are the best-performing archetype. To illustrate this imbalance, We took the Season 31 and Season 32 preseason files, and created player imports that makes every Running Back a maxed out version of the same archetype. Once imported, we simulated a number of seasons and compiled the stats. The reasoning behind this method of testing was to be as scheme, offensive line, and opposing defense agnostic.
A comparison of the base builds is below:
![[Image: unknown.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/760203295070486581/921057656930725888/unknown.png)
Difference between Speed and the other archetypes:
![[Image: unknown.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/760203295070486581/921057727093035079/unknown.png)
As shown through the second chart, a full maxed out Speed Back performs significantly better in almost every category (over 20% higher rate of R20 and a staggering 50% higher rate of R40), while not measuring up in only two categories - they fumble more and have a slightly lower catch rate. These small trade-offs are insignificant when taking into account the benefits of 100 speed.
Goal: Rebalance the entire Running Back position through slight tweaks to attributes (very minor) and remove access to a third trait from Speed Back, while giving Receiving and Power Backs access to a third, in order to close the gap at a high level.
CHANGES
Speed Back
Strength Max: 65 -> 70
Agility Max: 85 -> 90
Intelligence Max: 70 -> 80
Hands Max: 70 -> 75
Height: 5’10 -> 5’9
Available Traits: Raw Talent | Athlete | Role Model
Removed: Scat Back
Power Back
Intelligence Max: 75 -> 80
Pass Blocking Max: 50 -> 40
Run Blocking Max: 50 -> 40
Height: 74 -> 71
Weight: 245 -> 240
Available Traits: Raw Talent | Athlete | Scat Back | Role Model
Receiving Back
Strength Max: 70 -> 80
Height: 5’11 -> 6’0
Weight: 215 -> 205
Available Traits: Raw Talent | Athlete | Scat Back | Role Model
Rebalancing Test Results
After working through different build versions for the different archetypes, we tested maxed-out builds using the same method listed above and compiled the data into a spreadsheet. The results came out much more even across the board:
![[Image: unknown.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/777089799265452062/918863048456949851/unknown.png)
Yard per Carry per Game
![[Image: unknown.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/777089799265452062/918863109484060742/unknown.png)
As you can see from the above tables, these changes not only make the Receiving and Power archetypes more competitive with Speed, they also make for a little bit more uniqueness within the position as a whole. Speed Backs are still the big play runners, as they have the highest percentage of long rushing and receiving plays (Run20/40, Rec20/40 in the above), but they lag behind in catching and fumble ever so slightly more. Power Backs are going to be your classic ground and pound type runners. They have a lower chance of making those explosive plays, but they have the consistency on the ground that the others lack. They can catch the ball reliably, but they are not targeted as much in the passing game as the other two. Receiving Backs are competent runners that can go for big plays, but where they make their mark is as receivers where they not only have the best success at catching the ball, but also are targeted most often while running routes.
Final Thoughts
The initial findings of these tests show that the minor tweaks to these archetypes can bring them closer to each other in performance. We acknowledge that those players who have favored the Speed Back might see this as a nerf to their performance, but in no way is that our intent. We wanted to simply make it so that users feel like they have the ability to pick whichever archetype they want and still be competitive and not feel like they need to play a specific one to be a useful player or have a chance at being nominated for awards.
The reasoning for this imbalance is that Speed Back, due to their higher speed attribute cap as well as their access to a third speed-boosting trait while the other archetypes are capped at two a piece, simply are the best-performing archetype. To illustrate this imbalance, We took the Season 31 and Season 32 preseason files, and created player imports that makes every Running Back a maxed out version of the same archetype. Once imported, we simulated a number of seasons and compiled the stats. The reasoning behind this method of testing was to be as scheme, offensive line, and opposing defense agnostic.
A comparison of the base builds is below:
Difference between Speed and the other archetypes:
As shown through the second chart, a full maxed out Speed Back performs significantly better in almost every category (over 20% higher rate of R20 and a staggering 50% higher rate of R40), while not measuring up in only two categories - they fumble more and have a slightly lower catch rate. These small trade-offs are insignificant when taking into account the benefits of 100 speed.
Goal: Rebalance the entire Running Back position through slight tweaks to attributes (very minor) and remove access to a third trait from Speed Back, while giving Receiving and Power Backs access to a third, in order to close the gap at a high level.
CHANGES
Speed Back
Strength Max: 65 -> 70
Agility Max: 85 -> 90
Intelligence Max: 70 -> 80
Hands Max: 70 -> 75
Height: 5’10 -> 5’9
Available Traits: Raw Talent | Athlete | Role Model
Removed: Scat Back
Power Back
Intelligence Max: 75 -> 80
Pass Blocking Max: 50 -> 40
Run Blocking Max: 50 -> 40
Height: 74 -> 71
Weight: 245 -> 240
Available Traits: Raw Talent | Athlete | Scat Back | Role Model
Receiving Back
Strength Max: 70 -> 80
Height: 5’11 -> 6’0
Weight: 215 -> 205
Available Traits: Raw Talent | Athlete | Scat Back | Role Model
Rebalancing Test Results
After working through different build versions for the different archetypes, we tested maxed-out builds using the same method listed above and compiled the data into a spreadsheet. The results came out much more even across the board:
Yard per Carry per Game
As you can see from the above tables, these changes not only make the Receiving and Power archetypes more competitive with Speed, they also make for a little bit more uniqueness within the position as a whole. Speed Backs are still the big play runners, as they have the highest percentage of long rushing and receiving plays (Run20/40, Rec20/40 in the above), but they lag behind in catching and fumble ever so slightly more. Power Backs are going to be your classic ground and pound type runners. They have a lower chance of making those explosive plays, but they have the consistency on the ground that the others lack. They can catch the ball reliably, but they are not targeted as much in the passing game as the other two. Receiving Backs are competent runners that can go for big plays, but where they make their mark is as receivers where they not only have the best success at catching the ball, but also are targeted most often while running routes.
Final Thoughts
The initial findings of these tests show that the minor tweaks to these archetypes can bring them closer to each other in performance. We acknowledge that those players who have favored the Speed Back might see this as a nerf to their performance, but in no way is that our intent. We wanted to simply make it so that users feel like they have the ability to pick whichever archetype they want and still be competitive and not feel like they need to play a specific one to be a useful player or have a chance at being nominated for awards.
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