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 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Pick | Player | NFL Team | Result |
2012 | 3 | Trent Richardson | Browns | Bust |
2012 | 31 | Doug Martin | Buccaneers | Strong rookie season; disappointment since |
2012 | 32 | David Wilson | Giants | Retired due to neck injury |
2011 | 28 | Mark Ingram | Saints | Three poor seasons; contract-year breakout |
2010 | 9 | C.J. Spiller | Bills | Disappointment; committee back |
2010 | 12 | Ryan Mathews | Chargers | Disappointment; has struggled with injuries |
2010 | 30 | Jahvid Best | Lions | Retired due to concussion history |
2009 | 12 | Knowshon Moreno | Broncos | Up-and-down career; generally a disappointment |
2009 | 27 | Donald Brown | Colts | Disappointment |
2009 | 31 | Beanie Wells | Cardinals | Disappointment |
2008 | 4 | Darren McFadden | Raiders | Disappointment; has struggled with injuries |
2008 | 13 | Jonathan Stewart | Panthers | Stuck in committee; has struggled with injuries |
2008 | 22 | Felix Jones | Cowboys | Bust |
2008 | 23 | Rashard Mendenhall | Steelers | Decent starter for Pittsburgh |
2008 | 24 | Chris Johnson | Titans | Great running back |
--Andy Richardson