I didn’t say you don’t have to prepare for him lol a RB who forces a team to stack the box opens things up for an offense. It brings more value than a RB who can catch the ball out of the backfield. There are less RB’s who force teams to stack the box than there are pass catching backs. That’s where the value comes in.
Completely subjective standpoint.
I think there are less RB capable of doing what CMC did or DJ did the year he got paid than there’s are backs that force a D to stack a box.
For some examples, since 2000:
David Johnson’s payday was from his 2016 season, 1239/ 16 TD and 80/879/4.
Total yards - 2118 and 20 TD
-His 20 TD is #5 behind 2x priest Holmes(02’, 03’), 2x Marshall faulk(00’, 01’)
-His 879 receiving yards is #4, CMC (19’), Charlie’s Garner (02’) and technically Austin ekeler who only rushed for 500(19’)
-#11 to have 80 catches and at least 200+ carries, faulk x3, CMC x2, Forte, LT, Steven jackson, Barkley, Westbrook, L. Bell
-#18 in 2000+ Offensive yards by split of at least 500 receiving. 3x faulk, 2x LT, 2x Holmes, CMC, CJ, Tiki, Steven jackson, edge, demarco Murray, Ahman green, Arian Foster, L Bell, Larry Johnson, deuce, and McCoy.
That said pretty limited group he’s compared with and of the other names listed, they are almost exclusively top league backs that earned big paychecks and more.
I’d say the percentages of success outside injury (which played a part) the cards were justified in his payday.
Needles to say, most of these backs don’t need a stacked box but definately need specific game plans to stop.