More running backs are getting more involved in passing games this year. Not just grabbing a few dumpoff balls – these guys are featured weapons. You send the wide receivers downfield, then let a fast, quick receiver-like running back work against a linebacker underneath. That can be tough to stop.
Russ in Minnesota pointed out yesterday that it seems like more running backs are catching more passes, so I ran the numbers.
In the 32-team era (since 2002) 15 running backs have caught at least 80 passes in a season. With an eighth of this season in the books, nine running backs are on pace to catch 80-plus.
Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley were the headliners last week, catching 14 passes. No running back all of last year caught 14 passes in a game. And Chris Thompson (pictured) is right there with those guys. With Alex Smith preferring to take the shorter, safer passes underneath, Thompson will continue to be a huge part (perhaps the No. 1 weapon) in Washington’s passing game.
Here are the numbers (and for the 2018 players, you're seeing their current numbers projected out over 16 games).
RUNNING BACKS WITH 80-PLUS CATCHES | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | No | Yards | Avg | TD |
2018 | Christian McCaffrey, Car. | 160 | 1,176 | 7.4 | 0 |
2018 | Chris Thompson, Wash. | 152 | 1,240 | 8.2 | 8 |
2018 | Saquon Barkley, NYG | 128 | 816 | 6.4 | 0 |
2018 | Melvin Gordon, LAC | 120 | 1,120 | 9.3 | 16 |
2018 | Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 120 | 1,320 | 11.0 | 8 |
2018 | Theo Riddick, Det. | 112 | 496 | 4.4 | 0 |
2014 | Matt Forte, Chi. | 102 | 808 | 7.9 | 4 |
2003 | LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D. | 100 | 725 | 7.3 | 4 |
2002 | Charlie Garner, Oak. | 91 | 941 | 10.3 | 4 |
2007 | Brian Westbrook, Phil. | 90 | 771 | 8.6 | 5 |
2006 | Steven Jackson, St.L. | 90 | 806 | 9.0 | 3 |
2006 | Reggie Bush, N.O. | 88 | 742 | 8.4 | 2 |
2018 | James White, N.E. | 88 | 888 | 10.1 | 8 |
2011 | Darren Sproles, N.O. | 86 | 710 | 8.3 | 7 |
2017 | LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 85 | 655 | 7.7 | 2 |
2014 | LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 83 | 854 | 10.3 | 3 |
2017 | Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 81 | 826 | 10.2 | 5 |
2017 | Christian McCaffrey, Car. | 80 | 651 | 8.1 | 5 |
2016 | David Johnson, Ariz. | 80 | 879 | 11.0 | 4 |
2015 | Danny Woodhead, S.D. | 80 | 755 | 9.4 | 6 |
2015 | Theo Riddick, Det. | 80 | 697 | 8.7 | 3 |
2002 | Marshall Faulk, St.L. | 80 | 537 | 6.7 | 2 |
2018 | Javorius Allen, Balt. | 80 | 408 | 5.1 | 0 |
2018 | James Conner, Pitt. | 80 | 840 | 10.5 | 0 |
—Ian Allan