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Factoid

Recent first-round running backs

It's been three years since a running back was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, a combination of teams' gradual devaluing of the position in a pass-dominated league and a perceived lack of elite talent at the position. Georgia's Todd Gurley, who's drawn comparisons to Marshawn Lynch and Jamal Lewis, among others, was supposed to change all that.

But Gurley tore his ACL in November, and this week wouldn't let doctors at the combine examine his surgically repaired knee. Teams aren't necessarily terribly concerned; Lewis himself also tore an ACL in college and went on to have a strong NFL career. But it's the kind of issue which might keep him from being selected in the first round come April.

Maybe the other element at play is that first-round running backs haven't done very well in recent years. Not that they're the only position to disappoint, of course, but look how running backs selected in the first round since 2008 have fared. Of that group (15 total backs), how many would be selected in the first round again? One or two? Only Chris Johnson looks like a definite. Small wonder teams aren't eager to make another player at the position their top pick.

FIRST-ROUND RUNNING BACKS, 2008-PRESENT
YearPickPlayerNFL TeamResult
20123Trent RichardsonBrownsBust
201231Doug MartinBuccaneersStrong rookie season; disappointment since
201232David WilsonGiantsRetired due to neck injury
201128Mark IngramSaintsThree poor seasons; contract-year breakout
20109C.J. SpillerBillsDisappointment; committee back
201012Ryan MathewsChargersDisappointment; has struggled with injuries
201030Jahvid BestLionsRetired due to concussion history
200912Knowshon Moreno BroncosUp-and-down career; generally a disappointment
200927Donald Brown ColtsDisappointment
200931Beanie Wells CardinalsDisappointment
20084Darren McFaddenRaidersDisappointment; has struggled with injuries
200813Jonathan StewartPanthersStuck in committee; has struggled with injuries
200822Felix JonesCowboysBust
200823Rashard MendenhallSteelersDecent starter for Pittsburgh
200824Chris JohnsonTitansGreat running back

--Andy Richardson

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