The way this season is unfolding, I’m thinking that next year I might just pretty much ignore running backs in the first three-four rounds. What is the point, after all, if the bust rate is so high? Doesn’t it make more sense to load up on the franchise-type pass catchers like Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski and whatnot, knowing that the running back position will need to be addressed and managed during the season anyway.
But tons and tons of busts in there.
So from a team-building approach, it seems to make some sense to really nail down the givens at the other positions, then just stock up on as many second- and third-string running backs as you can find. It’s a certainty that many of those guys will become viable players at some point.
NO. 1 RUNNING BACKS ENTERING THE SEASON
Andre Ellington, Ariz.: Got hurt and lost job to Chris Johnson.
Tevin Coleman, Atl.: Good for five quarters, then got hurt and lost job to Devonta Freeman.
Justin Forsett, Balt.: Under 70 rushing yards in all but two games. Out for the year with a broken arm.
LeSean McCoy, Buff.: Underperformed early then sat out two games with a hamstring injury. Has been playing well recently.
Jonathan Stewart, Car.: Has been plagued by injuries during his career but this year has been one of the few backs who’s stayed healthy. Averaged 76 rushing yards in 11 games, with 5 TDs. Not a factor as a receiver.
Matt Forte, Chi.: Played pretty well for seven games before hurting his knee. Looks like he’ll split time with Jeremy Langford the rest of the way.
Jeremy Hill, Cin.: Has been outperformed by teammate Giovani Bernard. Might be out of shape. But at least has punched in 8 TDs.
Isaiah Crowell, Clev.: Has stayed healthy all year but hasn’t made much of an impact.
Joseph Randle, Dall.: Cowboys cut him. Arrested at a casino last week.
C.J. Anderson, Den.: Lost starting job to Ronnie Hillman.
Ameer Abdullah, Det.: Shifty back with big-play ability but has done very little. Starting to play a little more recently, but hasn’t made much of an impact.
Eddie Lacy, G.B.: He’s had problems with fumbles, he had an ankle injury early in the year and at times it’s looked like he’s out of shape. The Packers at times have move James Starks ahead of him.
Arian Foster, Hou.: Out for the year with an Achilles injury.
Frank Gore, Ind.: As with Jonathan Stewart, one of the first backs you would have guessed would have gotten hurt but has been able to stay healthy. Is averaging 63 rushing and 18 receiving yards, with 4 TDs.
T.J. Yeldon, Jac.: Sort of decent rookie year. Two games over 70 rushing yards and 2 TDs all year.
Jamaal Charles, K.C.: Out for the year after five games.
Lamar Miller, Mia.: A mixture of good and ho-hum games. Averaging 57 rushing and 33 receiving yards, with 6 TDs in a four-game burst.
Adrian Peterson, Minn.: Has met expectations. Averaging 101 rushing yards, with 6 TDs in 10 games.
LeGarrette Blount, N.E.: He’s performed as expected. Averaging 63 rushing yards, with 6 TDs in nine games. Not a factor as a pass catcher.
Mark Ingram, N.O.: Probably a little better than expected. Averaging 66 rushing and 34 receiving yards, with 5 TDs in 10 games.
Rashad Jennings, NYG: Not much of an impact in a crowded backfield on a team that doesn’t run the ball well.
Chris Ivory, NYJ: Two games over 140 yards and two others over 90, but a physical runner who takes a pounding and wears down. Not much of a pass catcher. Has scored 7 TDs in nine games – has exceeded expectations but probably won’t be a great factor the rest of the way.
Latavius Murray, Oak.: Has fallen short of expectations a bit, averaging 70 rushing and 13 receiving yards, with 4 TDs in 10 games.
DeMarco Murray, Phil.: Has fallen well short of expectations, averaging 54 rushing and 30 receiving yards, with 5 TDs in 10 games.
LeVeon Bell, Pitt.: Played in only six games.
Melvin Gordon, S.D.: Has struggled all year. No touchdowns, and Danny Wooodhead has been their best back.
Marshawn Lynch, Sea.: Has missed three games and now will be out for a month following a sports hernia surgery. He has one 100-yard game; Thomas Rawls has three.
Carlos Hyde, S.F.: Great opener against the Vikings, but that was about it. Has been down for three games with a stress fracture in his foot.
Todd Gurley, St.L.: Didn’t start until Week 4 and has been a dynamic franchise back since that time. One of the few who has outperformed his draft position.
Doug Martin, T.B.: Has played pretty well, averaging 94 rushing and 19 receiving yards, with four games over 100. Went for 235 at Philadelphia. But has scored touchdowns in only two of 10 games.
Bishop Sankey, Tenn.: Not even one of the top three running backs on his own team.
Alfred Morris, Wash.: Has slipped into a time-share with Matt Jones and Chris Thompson. Not a factor as a pass catcher and hasn’t caught a touchdown all year.