VOD Not Available
This video is not available.
Follow me … don’t cost nothin’ @PeteFiutak The last ten first round running backs were all disappointments in various ways with three who aren’t in the
April 21, 2015Follow me … don’t cost nothin’ @PeteFiutak
The last ten first round running backs were all disappointments in various ways with three who aren’t in the league anymore, five who are on different teams than the ones that drafted them, and just two who are still with their original squads. The key word: underwhelming.
If you’re wondering why NFL teams are staying away from running backs in the first round, here you go.
2012 – Trent Richardson, Alabama, 3rd overall pick by Cleveland
After a nice rookie season for Cleveland with 950 yards and 11 touchdowns, he averaged a mere three yards per carry, was traded to Indianapolis, and became an afterthought. Even though he was hardly worth the No. 3 pick, he has hasn’t been a total bust, rushing for 2,032 career yards with 16 touchdowns and caught 113 passes for 912 yards and two scores.
2012 – Doug Martin, Boise State, 31st overall pick by Tampa Bay
One of just two first round running back draft picks since 2009 to still be with the team that drafted him. But here’s the problem – he hasn’t been able to stay healthy with 18 appearances in two years after breaking onto the scene with a 1,454-yard, 11 touchdown rookie season.
2012 – David Wilson, Virginia Tech, 32nd overall pick by the New York Giants
He started just six games, making a name for himself more as a kickoff returner, rushing for 504 career yards and scoring five times before having to retire due to neck injury concerns.
2011 – Mark Ingram, Alabama, 28th overall pick by New Orleans
He’s been fine, not special with 2,426 career yards with 20 touchdowns. He’s coming off his best season as a pro with 964 yards and nine scores, but he’s just a decent starting running back. So far, nothing more.
2010 – C.J. Spiller, Clemson , 9th overall pick by Buffalo
He was explosive at times when he was healthy for the Bills, highlighted by a 1,244-yard, six touchdown 2012 season. Overall, he disappointed because he couldn’t stay on the field with a 3,321-yard, 12 rushing touchdown era with 158 catches for 1,195 yards and six scores. He only started 36 times in five years before going to New Orleans.
2010 – Ryan Mathews, Fresno State, 12th overall pick by San Diego
There were moments, rushing for 1,029 yards and six scores in 2011 and coming up with 1,255 yards and six scores in 2013, but he was always banged up starting 53 times in five years. A decent receiver, too, he made 146 grabs for 1,110 yards for the Chargers, but he was just too unreliable overall. Now he’s a Philadelphia Eagle.
2010– Jahvid Best, California, 30th overall pick by Detroit
He started just 15 games and ran for 945 yards and six touchdowns – while catching 85 passes for 774 yards and three scores – before having to retire with concussion problems.
2009 – Knowshon Moreno, Georgia, 12th overall pick by Denver
A massive disappointment for three seasons after a promising 947-yard, seven-score rookie year, he blew up in Denver’s 2013 run to the Super Bowl with 1,038 yards and the touchdowns to go along with 60 catches for 548 yards and three scores. He moved on to Miami, tore his ACL after three games, and now will have to fight to get back in the mix.
2009 – Donald Brown, Connecticut, 27th overall pick by Indianapolis
It didn’t work. He wasn’t a total disaster for the Colts, but he started just 20 games before going off to San Diego and doing next to nothing last season rushing for 223 yards. A rotation back, he amassed 2,600 yards and 16 scores, and caught 112 passes, in his six years.
2009 – Beanie Wells, Ohio State, 31st overall pick by Arizona
A banged up flash in the pan, he started just twice in his first two seasons before running for 1,047 yards and ten touchdowns in 2011. Just when it looked like his career was going to blow up, he had a turf toe problem and was eventually released. He tried to catch on with Baltimore in 2013, but he tore his ACL and now is out of the league.