Fantasy Index

header banner img
OUR FANTASY BASEBALL MAGAZINE IS BACK! PRE-ORDER NOW
Win here.

Around the NFL

Buffalo Bills

LeSean McCoy thinks he can remain effective into his 30s

LeSean McCoy said after practice yesterday that he feels good. He’s 29, but he sees no reason he can’t play until he’s 33. Such claims, of course, are always easier to make when wearing shorts in the offseason.

"I feel the same – I feel young,” McCoy said in an article in the Buffalo News. “I feel about 25. I feel explosive. That's my game -- being explosive, quick. So when that kind of turns, and that leaves, then I'll be in trouble, but for now I feel fine. I can keep doing this until I'm about 33, man."

McCoy turned 29 earlier this month. If he’s still playing at a high level at 31 and 32, he’ll be doing something that few have been able to pull off.

In the past 20 years, only seven running backs have been able to put up top-10 numbers (at their position) when 31 or 32 years old.

In the same 20 years, only 11 other running backs have been able to put up top-20 numbers. An additional 20 backs have at least cracked the top 30. Only one 33-year-old running back has been able to put up top-20 numbers in the last 20 years.

This is using standard fantasy scoring, and I’m looking only at backs OLDER than 30 on opening day. The chart below doesn’t include 30-year-old backs; just guys 31 and up.

RUNNING BACKS OVER 30 YEARS OF AGE
YearPlayerAgeRecRunYardsTDRk
2015DeAngelo Williams, Pitt.323679071,274114
2004Curtis Martin, NYJ312451,6971,942144
2009Thomas Jones, Chi.31581,4021,460146
2009Ricky Williams, Mia.322641,1211,385137
2006Tiki Barber, NYG314651,6622,12757
2000Ricky Watters, Sea.316131,2421,85599
2005Mike Anderson, Den.312121,0141,2261310
2015Frank Gore, Ind.322679671,234711
2013Fred Jackson, Buff.323878901,2771011
2016Frank Gore, Ind.332771,0251,302812
2014Frank Gore, S.F.311111,1061,217517
2010LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ313689141,282617
1999Terry Allen, Wash.311258961,021917
2004Jerome Bettis, Pitt.32469419871318
2007Fred Taylor, Jac.31581,2021,260518
2006Corey Dillon, N.E.311478129591319
2002Garrison Hearst, S.F.313179721,289919
2000Emmitt Smith, Dall.31791,2031,282920
1999Leroy Hoard, Minn.311665557211022
2004Emmitt Smith, Ariz.351059371,042923
2014Fred Jackson, Buff.335015251,026323
2014Steven Jackson, Atl.31148707855624
2006Warrick Dunn, Atl.311701,1401,310524
1997Marcus Allen, K.C.37865055911124
2001Emmitt Smith, Dall.321161,0211,137325
2010Thomas Jones, K.C.321228961,018625
2002Emmitt Smith, Dall.33899751,064526
2003Jerome Bettis, Pitt.3186811897726
2005Stephen Davis, Car.31455495941226
2014Darren Sproles, Phil.31387329716827
2004Marshall Faulk, St.L.313107741,084428
2005Curtis Martin, NYJ32118735853529
2003Garrison Hearst, S.F.32211768979429
2008Kevin Faulk, N.E.32486507993629
2016Darren Sproles, Phil.33427438865430
2007Warrick Dunn, Atl.32238720958430
2002Lamar Smith, Car.31167737904730
2008Sammy Morris, N.E.31161727888730

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index