Fantasy Index

Factoid

The risk of coveted running backs

Success rate has been low with top-5 draft picks

Every couple of years, there's a running back with the size, speed and playmaking skill to merit being drafted in the first round. Can't-miss guys, we call them -- but most of them do.

This Trent Richardson trade is a reminder that drafting running backs is a tricky business. It’s not easy to tell if you’re getting the next Adrian Peterson or the next Curtis Enis.

Even the guys selected really high can flame out – or at least fall well short of expectations.

Since 1990, 15 running running backs have been selected with top-5 picks. By our count, only four of those teams ended up being happy with those choices – only four would ever in a zillion years pick the same guy in hindsight.

1990 Blair Thomas, Jets
Never ran for 800 yards in a season.

1993 Garrison Hearst, Cardinals
Hardly played his first two years because of knee problems. Best seasons came for division-rival 49ers.

1994 Marshall Faulk, Colts
Hall of Famer. He was great.

1995 Ki-Jana Carter, Bengals
Tore his ACL in the preseason before ever starting a game. Never ran for 500 in a season.

1998 Curtis Enis, Bears
Like Thomas and Carter, played his college ball at Penn State. Like those guys, had no pro success.

1999 Edgerrin James, Colts
Great player. Hall of Fame candidate.

1999 Ricky Williams, Saints
Had two ordinary 1,000-yard seasons for New Orleans. His mega-season came after he was traded to Miami.

2000 Jamal Lewis, Ravens
Won a Super Bowl. Seven 1,000-yard seasons. Went for 2,066 in 2003. No regrets.

2001 LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
A carbon copy of Walter Payton. Will be in the Hall of Fame.

2005 Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
Sneaked over 1,000 yards once. Ordinary guy.

2005 Cedric Benson, Bears
Grinder with limited speed and some off-field issues. Never had 700 yards with the Bears. Three 1,000-yard seasons with Cincinnati.

2005 Cadillac Williams, Bucs
A good rookie season, but then he tailed off and then he got hurt.

2006 Reggie Bush, Saints
Never ran for 600 yards for New Orleans. Nice pass catcher, but Saints have gotten a lot more out of Darren Sproles in that role.

2008 Darren McFadden, Raiders
Flashes some talent, but too many injuries and not much pop between the tackles.

2012 Trent Richardson, Browns
Averaged under 4.0 yards per carry in 12 of 17 games for Cleveland.

-- Ian Allan

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