I always get nervous selecting running backs from lousy teams – like James Conner, Cam Akers and Rachaad White this year. Those guys are starters who should get plenty of touches, but can they overcome the crappy situations around them?

Conner (pictured) in particular. Arizona is currently favored to lose in all 17 of its games. They’ve got two against the Rams and a game against the Texans; that should allow them to avoid becoming the first 0-17 franchise. But they don’t seem like they’ll be scoring often or spending much time in the red zone.

With these three backs (along with Dameon Pierce) all being similarly placed on my board, I looked at the comp numbers some. They’re not as dire as I expected.

In the 32-team era, there have been 42 teams that have failed to win more than 3 games. (I think it’s fair to say Arizona won’t win more than 3 games, and we might also decide to stick that label on Tampa Bay before opening day – Rams and Texans, probably a little higher.) Of those 42 teams, 18 had a running back who finished with top-20 numbers. Another nine had a back who ranked in the top 30.

So in general, you have backs like these – Akers, White, Conner – I think it can be fair to have them coming in around 20th on your board (if there are qualities about the player you like).

In the chart below, you’re seeing the most productive running back of each of those 42 teams. Four teams had a second back who also finished with top-40 stats (using PPR scoring), and I also included those four players, tagging them with black dots.

BEST RUNNING BACKS FROM AWFUL TEAMS
YearPlayerW-LRunRecTotTDPPRRk
2020James Robinson, Jac.1-151070344141410252.47
2009Steven Jackson, St.L.1-15141632217384248.88
2018David Johnson, Ariz.3-13940446138610250.69
2012Jamaal Charles, K.C.2-14150923617456245.59
2016Jordan Howard, Chi.3-13131329816117232.110
2011Steven Jackson, St.L.2-14114533314786225.810
2017Duke Johnson, Cle.0-1634869310417220.111
2006Kevin Jones, Det.3-1368952012098229.912
2019Joe Mixon, Cin.2-14113728714248225.413
2016Isaiah Crowell, Cle.1-1595231912717209.114
2008Steven Jackson, St.L.2-14104237914218230.115
2011Adrian Peterson, Min.3-13970139110913206.915
2005Domanick Williams, Hou.2-1497633713136206.315
2007Steven Jackson, St.L.3-13100227112736205.415
2002Corey Dillon, Cin.2-14131129816097245.916
2008Kevin Smith, Det.0-1697628612628213.217
2016Carlos Hyde, S.F.2-1498816311519198.118
2013Alfred Morris, Was.3-1312757813537186.320
2002James Stewart, Det.3-13102133313546217.421
2009Kevin Smith, Det.2-1474741511625187.221
2007Ronnie Brown, Mia.1-156023899915170.123
2022David Montgomery, Chi.3-1480131611176181.724
2004Kevan Barlow, S.F.2-1482221210347180.424
2021James Robinson, Jac.3-147672229898177.924
2015Duke Johnson, Cle.3-133795349132164.324
2009Cadillac Williams, T.B.3-1382321710407174.026
2013Ben Tate, Hou.2-147711409114149.130
2019Adrian Peterson, Was.3-1389814210405151.032
2016• Duke Johnson, Cle.1-153585148721146.232
2017• Isaiah Crowell, Cle.0-1685318210352145.532
2015• Isaiah Crowell, Cle.3-137061828885137.833
2016T.J. Yeldon, Jac.3-134653127772139.734
2017Orleans Darkwa, NYG3-137511168675137.736
2014Darren McFadden, Oak.3-135342127462122.636
2010Mike Goodson, Car.2-144523107623134.238
2011Donald Brown, Ind.2-14645867315119.138
2014Denard Robinson, Jac.3-135821247064117.638
2011• Toby Gerhart, Min.3-135311907214119.139
2008Larry Johnson, K.C.2-14874749485141.040
2014Bobby Rainey, T.B.2-144063157212117.140
2014Bishop Sankey, Ten.2-145691337022100.244
2005Antowain Smith, N.O.3-13659467053100.545
2015Antonio Andrews, Ten.3-135201746943114.546
2020Frank Gore, NYJ2-14653897422102.246
2006Justin Fargas, Oak.2-1465991750194.048
2012Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.2-1441486500276.054

—Ian Allan