First-round running backs Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon were both up over 7.0 yards per carry in their final college seasons, an impressive performance. But based on the last 20 years of first-rounders, it doesn't necessarily say much about whether they'll be great pros or not.
Since 1995, there have been 57 running backs drafted in the first round. Scrolling through the names, it appears there have been just as many hits from the backs over 6.0 yards per carry as ones under that total. The bottom group of backs in that regard (Deuce McAllister, Shaun Alexander, Jamal Lewis and Steven Jackson) all turned out pretty well. Some of the best (Felix Jones, Ki-Jana Carter, Lawrence Phillips) certainly wouldn't be drafted in the first round again.
We're on board with both rookies being good backs, but those college numbers don't necessarily mean much. Lots of backs turned out just fine with ordinary rushing performances in college.
First-rounders from the last 20 years, sorted by yards per carry their final year of college, are presented below.
FIRST-ROUND RUNNING BACKS, 1995-PRESENT | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Pick | Player | Team | Att | Yards | YPC |
2008 | 22 | Felix Jones | Cowboys | 133 | 1162 | 8.7 |
2006 | 2 | Reggie Bush | Saints | 200 | 1740 | 8.7 |
1995 | 1 | Ki-Jana Carter | Bengals | 198 | 1539 | 7.8 |
2003 | 27 | Larry Johnson | Kansas City | 271 | 2087 | 7.7 |
2015 | 15 | Melvin Gordon | Chargers | 343 | 2587 | 7.5 |
1996 | 6 | Lawrence Phillips | Rams | 96 | 712 | 7.4 |
2015 | 10 | Todd Gurley | Rams | 123 | 911 | 7.4 |
1995 | 21 | Rashaan Salaam | Bears | 298 | 2055 | 6.9 |
2010 | 12 | Ryan Mathews | Chargers | 276 | 1808 | 6.6 |
2008 | 23 | Rashard Mendenhall | Steelers | 262 | 1681 | 6.4 |
2006 | 27 | DeAngelo Williams | Panthers | 310 | 1964 | 6.3 |
2000 | 31 | Trung Canidate | Rams | 253 | 1602 | 6.3 |
1997 | 12 | Warrick Dunn | Buccaneers | 189 | 1179 | 6.2 |
2003 | 23 | Willis McGahee | Bills | 282 | 1753 | 6.2 |
1996 | 8 | Tim Biakabutuka | Panthers | 279 | 1724 | 6.2 |
2008 | 13 | Jonathan Stewart | Panthers | 280 | 1722 | 6.2 |
2010 | 30 | Jahvid Best | Lions | 141 | 867 | 6.1 |
1997 | 23 | Antowain Smith | Bills | 202 | 1239 | 6.1 |
2007 | 12 | Marshawn Lynch | Bills | 223 | 1356 | 6.1 |
2000 | 11 | Ron Dayne | Giants | 303 | 1834 | 6.1 |
1995 | 19 | James Stewart | Jaguars | 170 | 1028 | 6.0 |
1998 | 9 | Fred Taylor | Jaguars | 214 | 1292 | 6.0 |
2008 | 24 | Chris Johnson | Titans | 236 | 1423 | 6.0 |
1996 | 14 | Eddie George | Oilers | 303 | 1826 | 6.0 |
1998 | 5 | Curtis Enis | Bears | 228 | 1363 | 6.0 |
2005 | 2 | Ronnie Brown | Dolphins | 153 | 913 | 6.0 |
2012 | 3 | Trent Richardson | Browns | 283 | 1679 | 5.9 |
2012 | 32 | David Wilson | Giants | 290 | 1709 | 5.9 |
1999 | 5 | Ricky Williams | Saints | 361 | 2124 | 5.9 |
2002 | 16 | William Green | Browns | 265 | 1559 | 5.9 |
2004 | 30 | Kevin Jones | Lions | 281 | 1647 | 5.9 |
1999 | 4 | Edgerrin James | Colts | 242 | 1416 | 5.9 |
2001 | 5 | LaDainian Tomlinson | Chargers | 369 | 2158 | 5.8 |
2009 | 31 | Beanie Wells | Cardinals | 207 | 1197 | 5.8 |
2009 | 27 | Donald Brown | Colts | 367 | 2083 | 5.7 |
2008 | 4 | Darren McFadden | Raiders | 325 | 1830 | 5.6 |
2005 | 4 | Cedric Benson | Bears | 326 | 1834 | 5.6 |
2010 | 9 | C.J. Spiller | Bills | 216 | 1212 | 5.6 |
2009 | 12 | Knowshon Moreno | Broncos | 250 | 1400 | 5.6 |
2011 | 28 | Mark Ingram | Saints | 158 | 875 | 5.5 |
1998 | 18 | Robert Edwards | Patriots | 165 | 908 | 5.5 |
1995 | 18 | Napoleon Kaufman | Raiders | 253 | 1390 | 5.5 |
1995 | 17 | Tyrone Wheatley | Giants | 194 | 1064 | 5.5 |
2001 | 27 | Michael Bennett | Vikings | 294 | 1598 | 5.4 |
2000 | 7 | Thomas Jones | Cardinals | 334 | 1798 | 5.4 |
2007 | 7 | Adrian Peterson | Vikings | 188 | 1012 | 5.4 |
2002 | 18 | T.J. Duckett | Falcons | 236 | 1236 | 5.2 |
2006 | 21 | Laurence Maroney | Patriots | 281 | 1464 | 5.2 |
1998 | 29 | John Avery | Dolphins | 166 | 862 | 5.2 |
2004 | 26 | Chris Perry | Bengals | 338 | 1674 | 5.0 |
2012 | 31 | Doug Martin | Buccaneers | 263 | 1299 | 4.9 |
2005 | 5 | Cadillac Williams | Bucs | 239 | 1165 | 4.9 |
2006 | 30 | Joseph Addai | Colts | 187 | 911 | 4.9 |
2001 | 23 | Deuce McAllister | Saints | 159 | 767 | 4.8 |
2000 | 19 | Shaun Alexander | Seahawks | 302 | 1383 | 4.6 |
2000 | 5 | Jamal Lewis | Ravens | 182 | 817 | 4.5 |
2004 | 24 | Steven Jackson | Rams | 350 | 1545 | 4.4 |
--Andy Richardson