Ian Allan
Yesterday, I noted that wide receivers have become more popular in the NFL draft.
On the flip side, fewer teams are using premium draft picks on running backs. That’s become a position that teams fill either via free agency or with later-round choices.
I pulled up a few numbers on this to illustrate the point:
1970s: 36 running backs selected with top-20 picks.
1980s: 34 running backs selected with top-20 picks.
1990s: 23 running backs selected with top-20 picks.
last decade: 16 running backs selected with top-20 picks.
Teams have figured out (or decided) that it’s not necessary to use those coveted draft slots on running backs.
Below is the rundown, in chronological order, of the running backs that have been selected with top-20 picks in the last 10 drafts:
2000 5 Jamal Lewis, Ravens (5)
2000 7 Thomas Jones, Cardinals (7)
2000 11 Ron Dayne, Giants (11)
2000 19 Shaun Alexander, Seahawks (19)
2001 5 LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (5)
2002 16 William Green, Browns (16)
2002 18 T.J. Duckett, Falcons (18)
2005 2 Ronnie Brown, Dolphins (2)
2005 4 Cedric Benson, Bears (4)
2005 5 Cadillac Williams, Bucs (5)
2006 2 Reggie Bush, Saints (2)
2007 7 Adrian Peterson, Vikings (7)
2007 12 Marshawn Lynch, Bills (12)
2008 4 Darren McFadden, Raiders (4)
2008 13 Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (13)
2009 12 Knowshon Moreno, Broncos (12)
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