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Factoid

Runners catching passes

McCaffrey, Thompson on pace for over 150 catches

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
YearPlayer NoYards AvgTD
2018Christian McCaffrey, Car.1601,1767.40
2018Chris Thompson, Wash.1521,2408.28
2018Saquon Barkley, NYG1288166.40
2018Melvin Gordon, LAC1201,1209.316
2018Alvin Kamara, N.O.1201,32011.08
2018Theo Riddick, Det.1124964.40
2014Matt Forte, Chi.1028087.94
2003LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D.1007257.34
2002Charlie Garner, Oak.9194110.34
2007Brian Westbrook, Phil.907718.65
2006Steven Jackson, St.L.908069.03
2006Reggie Bush, N.O.887428.42
2018James White, N.E.8888810.18
2011Darren Sproles, N.O.867108.37
2017LeVeon Bell, Pitt.856557.72
2014LeVeon Bell, Pitt.8385410.33
2017Alvin Kamara, N.O.8182610.25
2017Christian McCaffrey, Car.806518.15
2016David Johnson, Ariz.8087911.04
2015Danny Woodhead, S.D.807559.46
2015Theo Riddick, Det.806978.73
2002Marshall Faulk, St.L.805376.72
2018Javorius Allen, Balt.804085.10
2018James Conner, Pitt.8084010.50

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index