Fantasy Index

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

Around the NFL

Phillip Lindsay

Denver uncovers another undrafted rookie back

The NFL Draft is coming up, but it's worth remembering that every so often some pretty good players come along that weren't even drafted. The Broncos found a running back after the draft last year in Phillip Lindsay, who went on to be the first undrafted offensive rookie selected to the Pro Bowl.

It's rare that undrafted rookie running backs put up meaningful numbers. Since 2000, only 14 such players have rushed for even 400 yards. What's interesting is that Lindsay is the third of those backs who did it for Denver. Fantasy teams probably remember Mike Bell. Maybe not the other recent Bronco, Selvin Young.

UNDRAFTED ROOKIE RUNNING BACKS, 2000-PRESENT (400-PLUS YARDS)
YearPlayerAttYdsNoRecTotTD
2001Dominic Rhodes, Ind.233110434224132810
2018Phillip Lindsay, Den.192103735241127810
2010LeGarrette Blount, T.B.201100751410216
2015Thomas Rawls, Sea.1478309769065
2007Selvin Young, Den.140729352319601
2018Gus Edwards, Balt.1377182207382
2016Rob Kelley, Wash.16870412827867
2006Mike Bell, Den.157677201588358
2014Isaiah Crowell, Clev.1486079876948
2014Branden Oliver, S.D.160582362718534
2005Samkon Gado, G.B.14358210776697
2018Josh Adams, Phil.1205117585693
2016Jalen Richard, Oak.83491291946853
2017Matt Breida, S.F.105465211806453

Note that three of those 400-yard rushers came last year, with Lindsay joined by Gus Edwards and Josh Adams. The previous 18 years, there were only 11. So maybe it's the start of a trend.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index