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Factoid

Saquon Barkley

Running backs selected early often debut strong

Saquon Barkley sputtered on many of his carries against the Jaguars, but he also had a cool 68-yard touchdown run, helping him go over 100 yards in his debut. It was a reminder that a lot of running backs selected early in the draft tend to deliver breakout performances in their first NFL starts. And a lot of the ones that don't, never really put it together.

This century, there have been 16 running backs selected with top 10 picks. Half of them have gone over 100 yards (or close to it) in their first NFL start. The only one of those players that didn't go on to have a solid (or Hall of Fame) career was Cadillac Williams, and his was ruined by injury.

RBS DRAFTED IN TOP 10, FIRST START (2000-PRESENT)
YearPkPlayerRunRecTotTD
20077Adrian Peterson, Minn.103601631
201510Todd Gurley, St.L.146151610
20055Cadillac Williams, T.B.14801481
20182Saquon Barkley, NYG106221281
20015LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D.113121252
20174Leonard Fournette, Jac.100241241
20062Reggie Bush, N.O.67521190
20005Jamal Lewis, Balt.7622980
20178Christian McCaffrey, Car.4738850
20052Ronnie Brown, Mia.574610
20084Darren McFadden, Oak.4611570
20164Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.511521
20123Trent Richardson, Clev.395440
20007Thomas Jones, Ariz.1618340
20109C.J. Spiller, Buff.68140
20054Cedric Benson, Chi.100100

Among the backs falling short are some players who at least stuck around in the league for a while, plus a couple who it's too soon to say on (Elliott, McCaffrey). But it's mostly guys who definitely didn't live up to expectations, guys like McFadden and Spiller. The great ones have tended to show it right away. Positive sign, I think, for Barkley.

--Andy Richardson

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