To use Or not to use Rear Stone/Mud Deflectors

[sick472]

Aside from originality concerns...

Wouldn't a good set of mud flaps behind the rear tires serve the same purpose, if not better than the stock deflectors that live above the bumper brackets?

I will be putting mud flaps (potentially over sized for extra protection) on the old truck as I live on a, sometimes soupy, gravel road and like the idea of less places for crud to accumulate. The abstinence of these deflectors would also make it easier to hose out the what does get past the mud flaps and thrown up in the bumper and rear-most bed sill area.

Am I missing something here or am I thinking in good order?

The deflectors just don't seem to do much.