It wasn't an exciting class of rookie running backs. Only one, Josh Jacobs, was selected in the top 50 picks. Miles Sanders was the only second-rounder, quite a drop from a year ago (when four were selected in that round). What should be expected from Sanders as a rookie?

Since 2000, there have been 46 other running backs selected in the second round of the draft. About a third (15) have been relevant fantasy players in their first seasons, which I'll define as over 800 total yards as a rookie. That includes two members of last year's class, Nick Chubb and Kerryon Johnson. The other two flopped, either because they got hurt (Derrius Guice) or because they actually flopped (Ronald Jones).

Ten of those 46 players (22 percent) went over 1,000 total yards, with several big stars: Portis, Forte, Lacy, MJD. 1,300-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns. Sanders will be something else if he can approach that group.

2ND-ROUND RUNNING BACKS, 2000-PRESENT
YearPkPlayerRunRecTotTD
200251Clinton Portis, Den.1508364187217
200844Matt Forte, Chi.1238477171512
201361Eddie Lacy, G.B.1178257143511
200660Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.941436137716
200138Anthony Thomas, Chi.118317813617
201455Jeremy Hill, Cin.112421513399
201348LeVeon Bell, Pitt.86039912598
201337Giovani Bernard, Cin.69551412098
201835Nick Chubb, Clev.996149114510
201536T.J. Yeldon, Jac.74027910193
200953LeSean McCoy, Phil.6373089454
200443Julius Jones, Dall.8191079267
201748Joe Mixon, Cin.6262879134
200158Travis Henry, Buff.7291799084
201843Kerryon Johnson, Det.6412138544
201554Ameer Abdullah, Det.5971837803
200855Ray Rice, Balt.4542737270
201358Montee Ball, Den.5591457044
201454Bishop Sankey, Tenn.5691337022
201162Daniel Thomas, Mia.581726531
201645Derrick Henry, Tenn.4901376275
200544J.J. Arrington, Ariz.3701395092
201051Toby Gerhart, Minn.3221674891
200441Tatum Bell, Den.396804763
200256Ladell Betts, Wash.3071544611
201741Dalvin Cook, Minn.354904442
201457Carlos Hyde, S.F.333684014
200763Brandon Jackson, G.B.2671303971
200149LaMont Jordan, NYJ292443362
200645LenDale White, Tenn.244603040
200254Maurice Morris, Sea.153251781
200455Greg Jones, Jac.162131753
200750Chris Henry, Tenn.119531722
201261LaMichael James, S.F.125291540
201362Christine Michael, Sea.790790
201838Ronald Jones, T.B.4433771
201250Isaiah Pead, St.L.5416700
201156Shane Vereen, N.E.570571
201859Derrius Guice, Wash.0000
201138Ryan Williams, Ariz.0000
201157Mikel Leshoure, Det.0000
201058Ben Tate, Hou.0000
201059Montario Hardesty, Clev.0000
200749Kenny Irons, Cin.0000
200554Eric Shelton, Car.0000
200234DeShaun Foster, Car.0000

Sanders was a very good college player for Penn State last year, following Saquon Barkley. I've gone back and forth on him, watching his games. Sometimes he looks great, with a similar running style. At other times he doesn't look nearly as natural with the ball, particularly as a receiver -- he has the role, but not the comfort level.

Philadelphia has favored a committee in recent years, but that doesn't bother me too much. They haven't had a complete back in that timeframe, and they've had problems keeping guys healthy. Jordan Howard isn't very good; Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement and Josh Adams aren't either. If Sanders picks up the offense quickly, and if his "good" college plays are the real player, he won't leave the field very much.

Forced to choose, I suspect Sanders will be Kerryon Johnson as a rookie. Starting out in a committee, but gradually emerging as the best back. I'm not sure you can trust him as a starter early in the season, but he could be a viable No. 3 running back who pays off by November.

--Andy Richardson