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Factoid

Top-5 running backs

Fournette will make immediate fantasy impact

The Jaguars selected LSU's Leonard Fournette at No. 4 overall last night, and most likely they'll make him their featured ballcarrier right away. Teams don't select running backs that early to groom them behind a veteran.

Over the last 20 years, there have been a dozen other running backs selected in the top 5 of the NFL draft. Eight of those backs had at least 200 carries in their rookie seasons, nine went over 1,000 total yards, and half went over 1,300. Nearly half (five) scored at least 9 TDs.

Christian McCaffrey went just four picks later, and maybe he'll also have a strong rookie season -- maybe a higher floor in PPR leagues, since he should be a part of the passing game right away. But Fournette looks like a very safe choice to be a big part of the offense as a rookie. The kind of back fantasy owners can think about selecting in the top 10 at his position.

RBS SELECTED IN TOP 5, ROOKIE SEASONS (1998-2017)
YearPkPlayerAttRunNoRecTotTD
20174Leonard Fournette, Jac.??????
20164Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.322163132363199416
20123Trent Richardson, Clev.26795051367131712
20084Darren McFadden, Oak.113499292857844
20062Reggie Bush, N.O.1555658874213079
20052Ronnie Brown, Mia.2079073223211395
20054Cedric Benson, Chi.67272132750
20055Cadillac Williams, T.B.2901178208112596
20015LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D.339123659367160310
20005Jamal Lewis, Balt.30913642729616606
19994Edgerrin James, Ind.369155362586213917
19995Ricky Williams, N.O.2538842817210562
19985Curtis Enis, Chi.1334976205170

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index