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Factoid

Not so fast on Stacy

Too early to expect much from Zac Stacy

There's some interest in Zac Stacy, who might win the starting tailback job in St. Louis. But probably better to take a wait-and-see attitude. The success rate hasn't been very high with fifth-round running backs.

In the April draft, six running backs were selected in the fifth round, and a pair of them are generating some fantasy interest -- Zac Stacy and Denard Robinson.

Another three are also getting kicked around (selected in some drafts): Stepfan Taylor, Joseph Randle and Mike Gillislee.

But historically, it's very unusual to see a running back selected in the fifth round do much of anything -- especially in his first year.

In the previous 10 drafts, 28 running backs were selected in the fifth round. Of that group, only two played well enough to merit being on a fantasy roster in their first year. Tim Hightower and Vick Ballard. Three others had some success later in their careers -- Michael Turner, Ryan Torain and Jerome Harrison. And by "some success", I'm saying they were good enough at some point that they would be on a fantasy roster in the vast majority of leagues. Torain and Harrison were never superstars.

So probably best to take a wait-and-see attitude with Stacy and the others. When we see them do anything in a preseason game, then we can start thinking about them as anything other than maybe a last-round gamble pick.

FIFTH-ROUND RUNNING BACKS
YearTeam
2002Jarrod BaxterTexans
2002Kyle JohnsonPanthers
2002Verron HaynesSteelers
2003Chris DavisSeahawks
2004Michael TurnerChargers
2004Mike KarneySaints
2004Thomas TapehEagles
2005Damien NashTitans
2005Justin GreenRavens
2006Jerome HarrisonBrowns
2006David KirtmanSeahawks
2007Kolby SmithChiefs
2008Ryan TorainBroncos
2008Jerome FeltonLions
2008Tim HightowerCardinals
2008Owen SchmittSeahawks
2008Marcus ThomasChargers
2009Frank SummersSteelers
2009Javon RingerTitans
2009Quinn JohnsonPackers
2010John ConnerJets
2011Johnny WhiteBills
2011Anthony ShermanCardinals
2011Jacquizz RodgersFalcons
2011Dion LewisEagles
2012Chris RaineySteelers
2012Vick BallardColts
2012Bradie EwingFalcons
2013Denard Robinson Jaguars
2013Stepfan Taylor Cardinals
2013Joseph Randle Cowboys
2013Chris Thompson Redskins
2013Zac Stacy Rams
2013Mike Gillislee Dolphins

--Ian Allan

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