Fantasy Index

Factoid

Workhorse running backs

Big workloads for running backs are rare

People like to toss around the idea that running backs will carry the ball 20-25 times per game, but that just doesn’t happen often.

In the last 10 years, only three running backs have averaged 25 carries per game. Only one did it while playing in all 16 games – Larry Johnson in 2006.

Only 64 players in the last 10 years have averaged at least 20 carries per season and also started at least half of the games. Only one player did it last year – Zac Stacy of the Rams. St. Louis turned to him a month into the season, and he averaged almost 21 carries in the final 12 games of the season.

RUNNING BACKS AVERAGING 20 CARRIES PER GAME
YearTmPlayerStAttYards
2005K.C.Larry Johnson929.0150.1
2006K.C.Larry Johnson1626.0111.8
2006Sea.Shaun Alexander1025.289.6
2004K.C.Priest Holmes824.5111.5
2004Buff.Willis McGahee1124.196.2
2005Ind.Edgerrin James1524.0100.4
2004Car.Nick Goings823.891.6
2008Atl.Michael Turner1623.5106.2
2004NYJCurtis Martin1623.2106.1
2009Cin.Cedric Benson1323.296.2
2005Sea.Shaun Alexander1623.1117.5
2004N.E.Corey Dillon1523.0109.0
2004Den.Clinton Portis1522.987.7
2008Minn.Adrian Peterson1622.7110.0
2004S.D.LaDainian Tomlinson1522.689.0
2004Cin.Rudi Johnson1622.690.9
2009Tenn.Chris Johnson1622.4125.4
2005NYGTiki Barber1622.3116.3
2004Ind.Edgerrin James1522.2103.3
2004Den.Reuben Droughns1222.1100.8
2004Sea.Shaun Alexander1622.1106.0
2005Wash.Clinton Portis1622.094.8
2012Hou.Arian Foster1621.989.0
2011Oak.Michael Bush921.882.2
2012Minn.Adrian Peterson1621.8131.1
2006S.D.LaDainian Tomlinson1621.8113.4
2006Wash.Ladell Betts821.8103.5
2006St.L.Steven Jackson1621.695.5
2009St.L.Steven Jackson1521.694.4
2007Buff.Marshawn Lynch1321.585.8
2011Jac.Maurice Jones-Drew1621.4100.4
2007Pitt.Willie Parker1521.487.7
2011Hou.Arian Foster1321.494.2
2008Wash.Clinton Portis1621.492.9
2010Jac.Maurice Jones-Drew1421.494.6
2006Cin.Rudi Johnson1621.381.8
2005S.D.LaDainian Tomlinson1621.291.4
2008St.L.Steven Jackson1221.186.8
2005Cin.Rudi Johnson1621.191.1
2006Ind.Edgerrin James1621.172.4
2006Pitt.Willie Parker1621.193.4
2012Wash.Alfred Morris1620.9100.8
2005Chi.Thomas Jones1520.989.0
2005Hou.Domanick Davis1120.988.7
2010Atl.Michael Turner1620.985.7
2005Dall.Julius Jones1220.881.4
2013St.L.Zac Stacy1220.880.8
2005T.B.Cadillac Williams1420.784.1
2009NYJThomas Jones1620.787.6
2010St.L.Steven Jackson1620.677.6
2010Hou.Arian Foster1620.4101.0
2006NYGTiki Barber1620.4103.9
2005Buff.Willis McGahee1620.377.9
2007Wash.Clinton Portis1620.378.9
2007Ariz.Edgerrin James1620.376.4
2010Pitt.Rashard Mendenhall1620.379.6
2006Minn.Chester Taylor1520.281.1
2004Hou.Domanick Davis1520.179.2
2004NYGTiki Barber1620.194.9
2010T.B.LeGarrette Blount1020.1100.7
2006Tenn.Travis Henry1320.191.5
2010Cin.Cedric Benson1620.169.4
2008Cin.Cedric Benson1020.071.1
2004Tenn.Chris Brown1120.097.0

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index