First Round Running Backs

[Galian Beast]

This is a list of first round running backs Since Adrian Peterson. Have their been flops? Absolutely. I think something we need to key on is that sometimes positions are weak in certain years, and probably don't really have a player that should be drafted in the first round, but because they're the best of their class they get drafted early. Happens at every position, running back isn't unique here. And I believe there was a major drought of elite runners in college football for a while.

Adrian Peterson
Marshawn Lynch
Darren McFadden
Jonathan Stewart
Felix Jones
Rashard Mendenhall
Chris Johnson
Knowshon Moreno
Donald Brown
Beanie Wells
CJ Spiller
Ryan Mathews
Jahvid Best
Mark Ingram
Trent Richardson
Doug Martin
David Wilson
Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon


I think what you'll find is that most of them really did have the talent to varying degrees, but many of them probably shouldn't have been drafted where they were. Many weren't successful because of where they went though. They either were drafted by teams that were no good, already had running backs, or were expected to run in an RBBC.

I challenge you to find me in this Adrian Peterson era, many 1st round running backs that were as accomplished and healthy as Ezekiel Elliott. I'm talking about rushing yards and touchdowns. Only a few players with that kind of prestige and production have been considered busts. You look at McFadden and it is almost certainly a result of where he was drafted. Trent Richardson had no business being drafted that early.

Many of these running backs were never going to be bell cows. CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram, Felix Jones...

 

[Cowboy06]

it certainly seems like EE will have a great year if he stays healthy. However, I find that I am more curious about the 6th round running back. Can he spell EE or even get some quality runs behind that OL? What happens if we want both in the backfield at the same time and they both produce....does that make him valuable trade bait in a year or two? Just asking...

I like the post.

 

[mattjames2010]

We're not just talking about first round RBs, we are talking about top 5. There is a big difference.

How did the top 5 RBs do since 2001?

 

[DTown214]

Thats good info to know but keep in mind that the only ones on that list that compared to Zeke's hype coming into the draft were Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden, and Todd Gurley. Peterson and Gurley might be this generation's Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders. And if let's say we drafted McFadden and put him into the same situation Zeke is about to be in, he'd probably be looking like a future hall of famer by now.

 

[JBS]

Most of them suck is what you will find

 

[Shinaoi]

Yeah there's only four on that list that would be considered 1st round type talents after the fact.

 

[LocimusPrime]

This is a list of first round running backs Since Adrian Peterson. Have their been flops? Absolutely. I think something we need to key on is that sometimes positions are weak in certain years, and probably don't really have a player that should be drafted in the first round, but because they're the best of their class they get drafted early. Happens at every position, running back isn't unique here. And I believe there was a major drought of elite runners in college football for a while.

Adrian Peterson
Marshawn Lynch
Darren McFadden
Jonathan Stewart
Felix Jones
Rashard Mendenhall
Chris Johnson
Knowshon Moreno
Donald Brown
Beanie Wells
CJ Spiller
Ryan Mathews
Jahvid Best
Mark Ingram
Trent Richardson
Doug Martin
David Wilson
Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon


I think what you'll find is that most of them really did have the talent to varying degrees, but many of them probably shouldn't have been drafted where they were. Many weren't successful because of where they went though. They either were drafted by teams that were no good, already had running backs, or were expected to run in an RBBC.

I challenge you to find me in this Adrian Peterson era, many 1st round running backs that were as accomplished and healthy as Ezekiel Elliott. I'm talking about rushing yards and touchdowns. Only a few players with that kind of prestige and production have been considered busts. You look at McFadden and it is almost certainly a result of where he was drafted. Trent Richardson had no business being drafted that early.

Many of these running backs were never going to be bell cows. CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram, Felix Jones...

Good info....man that's a terrible list of first round running backs. Ouch. Most of those teams got swindled. Oh I think Giovanni Bernard was a 1st rd pick as well. If you look at the two drafts before AD/AP you got guys like: Ronnie Brown, Cedric Williams, Cadillac williams, Reggie bush, Laurence Maroney, Joseph Addai, and DeAngelo Williams

With all that being said, go Zeke. We need him to be successful.

 

[JoeKing]

Most of them suck is what you will find

...and Zeke is no exception. He's an overrated waste of a 4th overall pick.

 

[speedkilz88]

Thats good info to know but keep in mind that the only ones on that list that compared to Zeke's hype coming into the draft were Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden, and Todd Gurley. Peterson and Gurley might be this generation's Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders. And if let's say we drafted McFadden and put him into the same situation Zeke is about to be in, he'd probably be looking like a future hall of famer by now.

Do you mean Zeke & Gurley?

 

[DTown214]

...and Zeke is no exception. He's an overrated waste of a 4th overall pick.

ok then you're not allowed to root for him this season

 

[JBS]

...and Zeke is no exception. He's an overrated waste of a 4th overall pick.

Unfortunately the draft only had 3 good players

It's really just bad luck that they all happened to go 1-2-3...

What can ya do?

Maybe next year's draft will have more good players

 

[JoeKing]

ok then you're not allowed to root for him this season

Me rooting for him is the only chance he's got.

 

[DTown214]

Do you mean Zeke & Gurley?

Well no I meant Peterson, even though there's a big gap age-wise. But my point was that Peterson and Gurley both had a ton of hype coming out of college (like Elliott) and AP has had a great career and Gurley certainly looks to be on track to.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's not just QB's that bust in the first round.

 

[Vinnie2u]

It's not just QB's that bust in the first round.

Bust has no prejudice.

 

[erod]

Look how one-dimensional most of that list is.

Elliott is far more complete.

 

[JBell]

Many of these running backs were never going to be bell cows. CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram, Felix Jones...

Ingram is nothing like Spiller or Felix. The latter two are scatbacks.

Ingram drew Emmitt comparisons coming out of Bama and absolutely was viewed as a "bell cow" RB.

He's a solid starting RB who just hasn't been able to stay healthy.

 

[Shinaoi]

Look how one-dimensional most of that list is.

Elliott is far more complete.

It's true. Even when we drafed Felix jones, I didn't expect him to be great. I was happy to add another dimension to the offense, but in no way did he have what Elliot has in a complete game.

 

[mattjames2010]

It's not just QB's that bust in the first round.

Except every year that an RB was taken in the top 5 since 2001 and became a bust, there was an RB or two that went on to have good careers taken in the later rounds. Usually, if the QBs at the top of draft bust, that's it for the draft class.

 

[Risen Star]

The only backs I'd take over Elliott on that list are Peterson and Gurley. This is why I don't really care about the track record because I don't think Elliott is your typical 1st round RB.