There were five running backs selected in the fourth round back in April. Chase Edmonds (pictured), Nyheim Hines and Kalen Ballage have got some positive press thus far, while Ito Smith and Mark Walton could push for roles with their respective teams. Odds are long for a sizable rookie impact, however.
Looking at fourth-round running backs this century, the odds of a rookie-year impact are slight, long-term contributions somewhat better. A total of five fourth-rounders have finished as top-30 running backs in their rookie seasons (1 point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards, 6 for touchdowns). On Edmonds' behalf, there's been exactly one such back in each of the last four years, with Packer Jamaal Williams managing it in 2017.
Table shows all fourth-rounders this century who have finished in the top-50 among running backs in their rookie seasons. It includes all fourth-rounders who at least put up 100 total yards in their rookie seasons, as well as players who didn't but either went on to have a noteworthy season or two in their careers, or guys who it's too soon to say on. The 2017 fourth-rounders are in bold.
| FOURTH-ROUND RUNNING BACKS, 2000-2017 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Run | Rec | Tot | TD | Rk |
| 2003 | Domanick Davis, Hou. | 1031 | 351 | 1382 | 8 | 15 |
| 2014 | Andre Williams, NYG | 721 | 130 | 851 | 7 | 21 |
| 2015 | Jeremy Langford, Chi. | 537 | 279 | 816 | 7 | 24 |
| 2016 | Devontae Booker, Den. | 612 | 265 | 877 | 5 | 27 |
| 2017 | Jamaal Williams, G.B. | 556 | 262 | 818 | 6 | 29 |
| 2011 | Roy Helu, Wash. | 640 | 379 | 1019 | 3 | 31 |
| 2006 | Leon Washington, NYJ | 650 | 270 | 920 | 4 | 35 |
| 2005 | Marion Barber, Dall. | 538 | 115 | 653 | 5 | 35 |
| 2015 | Javorius Allen, Balt. | 514 | 353 | 867 | 3 | 36 |
| 2003 | Onterrio Smith, Minn. | 579 | 129 | 708 | 5 | 36 |
| 2017 | Samaje Perine, Wash. | 603 | 182 | 785 | 2 | 41 |
| 2001 | Correll Buckhalter, Phil. | 586 | 130 | 716 | 2 | 41 |
| 2017 | Tarik Cohen, Chi. | 370 | 353 | 723 | 3 | 42 |
| 2017 | Marlon Mack, Ind. | 358 | 225 | 583 | 4 | 47 |
| 2011 | Kendall Hunter, S.F. | 473 | 195 | 668 | 2 | 47 |
| 2017 | Wayne Gallman, NYG | 476 | 193 | 669 | 1 | 50 |
| 2008 | Tashard Choice, Dall. | 472 | 185 | 657 | 2 | -- |
| 2004 | Mewelde Moore, Minn. | 379 | 238 | 617 | 0 | -- |
| 2002 | Jonathan Wells, Hou. | 529 | 48 | 577 | 3 | -- |
| 2016 | Kenneth Dixon, Balt. | 382 | 162 | 544 | 3 | -- |
| 2014 | Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 248 | 225 | 473 | 2 | -- |
| 2012 | Robert Turbin, Sea. | 354 | 181 | 435 | 0 | -- |
| 2014 | Lorenzo Taliaferro, Balt. | 292 | 114 | 406 | 4 | -- |
| 2003 | Quentin Griffin, Den. | 345 | 61 | 406 | 0 | -- |
| 2003 | LaBrandon Toefield, Jac. | 212 | 105 | 317 | 3 | -- |
| 2012 | Lamar Miller, Mia. | 250 | 45 | 295 | 1 | -- |
| 2003 | Justin Griffith, Atl. | 168 | 122 | 290 | 2 | -- |
| 2003 | Lee Suggs, Clev. | 289 | 0 | 289 | 2 | -- |
| 2014 | DeAnthony Thomas, K.C. | 113 | 156 | 269 | 2 | -- |
| 2002 | Najeh Davenport, G.B. | 184 | 33 | 217 | 1 | -- |
| 2014 | KaDeem Carey, Chi. | 158 | 57 | 215 | 0 | -- |
| 2010 | Joe McKnight, NYJ | 189 | 20 | 209 | 0 | -- |
| 2013 | Johnathan Franklin, G.B. | 107 | 30 | 137 | 1 | -- |
| 2005 | Brandon Jacobs, NYG | 99 | 0 | 99 | 7 | -- |
| 2015 | Mike Davis, S.F. | 58 | 38 | 96 | 0 | -- |
| 2009 | Mike Goodson, Car. | 49 | 15 | 64 | 0 | -- |
| 2014 | James White, N.E. | 38 | 23 | 61 | 0 | -- |
| 2005 | Darren Sproles, S.D. | 50 | 10 | 60 | 0 | -- |
| 2011 | Bilal Powell, NYJ | 21 | 7 | 28 | 0 | -- |
| 2016 | Tyler Ervin, Hou. | 3 | 18 | 21 | 0 | -- |
| 2017 | Donnel Pumphrey, Phil. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- |
| 2017 | Joe Williams, S.F. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- |
| 2007 | Michael Bush, Oak. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- |
| 2001 | Rudi Johnson, Cin. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- |
There have been some credible fourth-round picks, even among the players who did nothing as rookies. Devonta Freeman, most notably, and also Lamar Miller, Darren Sproles and Bilal Powell. But not a lot of stars over the years, and probably not enough rookie performers to get too optimistic about the likes of Hines or Edmonds.
--Andy Richardson