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Factoid

Second-round running backs

Success rate hasn't been high in initial seasons

Since the move to the eight-division format in 2002, 30 running backs have selected in the second round (including four this year). Only three of those players have been big successes in their first year.

LeVeon Bell should be a full-time running back right away. Montee Ball and Eddie Lacy go to teams with good offenses. And Giovani Bernard was selected earlier than all of those guys.

Everyone has their favorite second-round running backs.

Nowadays, teams don't like using first-round picks on running backs, but the same guys are still being drafted. Those guys who used to go in the first are just now last until the second.

But will any of these guys be any good?

Since the move to 32 teams in 2002, 30 running backs have been selected in the second round. Only three of those guys have put up notable numbers in their first year -- that's using the scoring system of 1 point for every 10 yards and 6 points for touchdowns. Clinton Portis, Maurice Jones-Drew and Matt Forte.

That's it. Maybe you can toss in Julius Jones as a halfsie guy -- he came on late as a rookie with Dallas.

But the success hasn't been high.

On the chart below, yards includes both rushing and receiving. Touchdowns includes all scorers -- run, rec and kick returns.

SECOND-ROUND RUNNING BACKS SINCE 2002
YearYdsTDPts
2002DeShaun Foster000.0
2002Clinton Portis187217289.2
2002Maurice Morris178123.8
2002Ladell Betts461152.1
2004Tatum Bell476365.6
2004Julius Jones9267134.6
2004Greg Jones175335.5
2005J.J. Arrington509262.9
2005Eric Shelton000.0
2006LenDale White304030.4
2006Maurice Jones-Drew137716233.7
2007Kenny Irons000.0
2007Chris Henry172229.2
2007Brandon Jackson397145.7
2008Matt Forte171512243.5
2008Ray Rice727072.7
2009LeSean McCoy 9454118.5
2010Toby Gerhart489154.9
2010Ben Tate000.0
2010Montario Hardesty000.0
2011Ryan Williams000.0
2011Shane Vereen57111.7
2011Mikel Leshoure000.0
2011Daniel Thomas653171.3
2012Isaiah Pead7007.0
2012LaMichael James154015.4
2013Giovani Bernard???
2013LeVeon Bell???
2013Montee Ball???
2013Eddie Lacy???

--Ian Allan

Fantasy Index