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Factoid

Ezekiel Elliott

Rookie year even better than you might have guessed

It's not news that Ezekiel Elliott had a great year. But with 1,994 total yards and 16 TDs, his year wasn't only great -- it was the best by any rookie running back this century.

I ran the numbers of the top fantasy rookies since 2000, using a scoring system of 1 point for every 10 rushing or receiving yards and 6 points for all touchdowns. Elliott was better than all the other rookies over that time period. The only other back that came close was Clinton Portis.

Taking a quick peek back into the previous century, you only have to dip in a couple of years to find a back who was better (Edgerrin James, with 2,139 total yards and 17 TDs). Interestingly enough, he was also selected at No. 4 overall in 1999.

The top 50 rookie running backs since 2000, sorted by fantasy points, are shown below. Also faring well on the list from last year is Jordan Howard (2016 rookies are in bold).

FANTASY POINTS BY ROOKIE RBS, 2000-PRESENT
PlayerRunRecTotTDFF PTS
Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.1631363199416295.4
Clinton Portis, Den.1508364187217289.2
Doug Martin, T.B.1454472192612264.6
Mike Anderson, Den.1487169164615254.6
Alfred Morris, Wash.161377169013247.0
Matt Forte, Chi.1238477171512243.5
Adrian Peterson, Minn.1341268160913238.9
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.941436137716233.7
Steve Slaton, Hou.1282377165910225.9
LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D.1236367160310220.3
Eddie Lacy, G.B.1178257143511209.5
Chris Johnson, Tenn.1228260148810208.8
Trent Richardson, Clev.950367131712203.7
Jordan Howard, Chi.131329816117203.1
Jamal Lewis, Balt.136429616606202.0
Dominic Rhodes, Ind.1104224132810192.8
Todd Gurley, St.L.1106188129410189.4
Joseph Addai, Ind.108132514068188.6
Jeremy Hill, Cin.112421513399187.9
Domanick Davis, Hou.103135113828186.2
Reggie Bush, N.O.56574213079184.7
David Johnson, Ariz.581457103813181.8
Anthony Thomas, Chi.118317813617178.1
Kevin Smith, Det.97628612628174.2
LeVeon Bell, Pitt.86039912598173.9
Marshawn Lynch, Buff.111518412997171.9
Knowshon Moreno, Den.94721311609170.0
Giovani Bernard, Cin.69551412098168.9
Kevin Jones, Det.113318013136167.3
Cadillac Williams, T.B.11788112596161.9
Zac Stacy, St.L.97314111148159.4
Jonathan Stewart, Car.8364788310148.3
Ronnie Brown, Mia.90723211395143.9
Jahvid Best, Det.55548710326139.2
LeGarrette Blount, Tenn.10071410216138.1
William Green, Clev.88711310006136.0
Laurence Maroney, N.E.7451949397135.9
Beanie Wells, Ariz.7931439367135.6
Julius Jones, Dall.8191079267134.6
Andre Williams, NYG7211308517127.1
Andre Ellington, Ariz.65237110234126.3
Ryan Mathews, S.D.6781458237124.3
Jeremy Langford, Chi.5372798167123.6
Tim Hightower, Ariz.39923763610123.6
Tre Mason, St.L.7651489135121.3
Rob Kelley, Wash.704827867120.6
Thomas Rawls, Sea.830769065120.6
DeMarco Murray, Dall.89718310802120.0
T.J. Yeldon, Jac.74027910193119.9

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index