Fantasy Index

Factoid

Jay Ajayi

Unheralded 200-yard rushers have become the norm

Jay Ajayi became the season’s first 200-yard rusher on Sunday, going for 204 yards against the Steelers. And following recent form, he did so as a relatively unheralded back – a guy who’s probably bounced off and on some waiver wires.

This isn’t new.

In the past 10 years, there have been 41 200-yard rushers. Well over half of those rushers (26) are players who didn’t rank in the top 20 at their position the previous year. That’s using standard scoring.

Only 7 of the 41 are backs who were top-10 guys the previous year.

Running back, most certainly, is a position of change.

On the list presented here, the seven top-10 backs (from the previous year) are in bold. The 26 who came from outside the top 20 have a black ball.

200-YARD RUSHERS SINCE 2006
YearPlayerOppAttYardsAvgTD
2006Willie Parker, Pitt.N.O.222139.72
2006• Frank Gore, S.F.Sea.242128.80
2006Shaun Alexander, Sea.G.B.402015.00
2006Willie Parker, Pitt.Clev.322237.01
2006Tiki Barber, NYGat Wash.2323410.23
2007Jamal Lewis, Clev.Cin.272168.01
2007• Adrian Peterson, Min.at Chi.2022411.23
2007• Adrian Peterson, Min.S.D.302969.93
2008• Michael Turner, Atl.Det.2222010.02
2008• Derrick Ward, NYGCar.1521514.30
2008• Michael Turner, Atl.St.L.252088.31
2009Frank Gore, S.F.Sea.1620712.92
2009Thomas Jones, NYJBuff.222109.51
2009Chris Johnson, Tenn.Jac.242289.52
2009• Jerome Harrison, Clev.at K.C.342868.43
2009• Jonathan Stewart, Car.at NYG282067.41
2009• Jamaal Charles, K.C.at Den.2525910.42
2009• Fred Jackson, Buff.Ind.332126.40
2010• Arian Foster, Hou.Ind.332317.03
2011Matt Forte, Chi.Car.252058.21
2011• DeMarco Murray, Dall.St.L.2525310.11
2011• Beanie Wells, Ariz.at St.L.272288.41
2011Ray Rice, Balt.at Clev.292047.01
2011• Reggie Bush, Mia.at Buff.252038.11
2012• Jamaal Charles, K.C.at N.O.332337.11
2012Ahmad Bradshaw, NYGClev.302006.71
2012• Doug Martin, T.B.at Oak.2525110.04
2012Adrian Peterson, Min.at G.B.2121010.01
2012Adrian Peterson, Min.at St.L.242128.81
2012• Jamaal Charles, K.C.Ind.2222610.31
2012• DeAngelo Williams, Car.at N.O.2121010.02
2012• Alfred Morris, Wash.Dall.332006.13
2013• Knowshon Moreno, Den.at N.E.372246.11
2013Adrian Peterson, Min.Chi.352116.00
2013• LeSean McCoy, Phil.Det.292177.52
2014LeVeon Bell, Pitt.at Tenn.332046.21
2014• Jonas Gray, N.E.at Ind.372015.44
2015• Adrian Peterson, Min.at Oak.262037.81
2015• Thomas Rawls, Sea.S.F.302097.01
2015• Doug Martin, T.B.at Phil.272358.70
2016• Jay Ajayi, Mia.Pitt.252048.22

—Ian Allan

5 Reader Comments:

BOB MCKINLAY

Casselberry, FL
2016-10-17T19:21:57Z
I am sure only 15% of FF owners had Ajayi in lineups! I wish I had him.

Any other #2 RBs you think could slip into a starting roll and even amass 100 yards? I have Hightower and Smallwood on my bench.

BEN HOGEVOLL

Siletz, OR
2016-10-17T23:12:34Z
Bob I think Gillslee will soon be more involved in for Buffalo..McCoy cant keep up the pace for long.It almost happened Sunday,McCoy went down with knee injury but returned.

Jane Williams

Wooster, OH
2016-10-17T23:48:40Z
So should I dump Foster?

Adam Bjork

Waunakee, WI
2016-10-18T01:52:30Z
Of these unheralded guys that break out with big games. How many go on to have top 10 seasons? The names on this list are great backs!!
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