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Factoid

Running Back Sweet Spot

Hall and Walker selected in nice area

There were no running backs selected in the first round this year, but there were two drafted in the first half of the second round. Breece Hall went to the Jets at the 36th pick, and Ken Walker went to the Seahawks with the 41st selection. It's a really nice area for running backs to go in these days.

In the last decade, there have been 12 other running backs selected between picks 33-48; the first 16 picks of round two. Those guys have been part of a lot of top fantasy seasons -- almost all of them.

Six of the 12 running backs selected in that area of the draft since 2012 have had at least one top-1o fantasy season (PPR). Five of those six have had two such seasons. Four of the remaining six have had a top-20 season. Two of them (D'Andre Swift and Javonte Williams) seem likely to deliver a top-10 season at some point in their careers; maybe even 2022.

Collectively those 12 players have combined for 55 NFL seasons. They've ranked in the top 20 at their position in just about half of them (27). In the table, top-10 seasons are in bold and top-20 in italics. (Even the misses, T.J. Yeldon and Kerryon Johnson, had top-25 and top-35 seasons, respectively.)

RUNNING BACKS DRAFTED PICKS 33-48, 2012-PRESENT
PkYearPlayerGAttYdsRecYdsTDRk
412021Jonathan Taylor, Ind.17332181140360201
482021Joe Mixon, Cin.16292120542314164
352021Nick Chubb, Cle.14228125920174913
352021D'Andre Swift, Det.1315161762452715
412021Dalvin Cook, Min.13249115934224616
352021Javonte Williams, Den.1720390343316717
452021Derrick Henry, Ten.8219937181541022
382021Ronald Jones, T.B.161014281064462
372021Giovani Bernard, T.B.1285823123373
482021LeVeon Bell, 2TM839101530389
412020Dalvin Cook, Min.14312155744361172
452020Derrick Henry, Ten.16378202719114173
412020Jonathan Taylor, Ind.15232116936299126
352020Nick Chubb, Cle.121901067161501211
352020D'Andre Swift, Det.13114521463571016
382020Ronald Jones, T.B.1419297828165819
372020Giovani Bernard, Cin.1612441647355630
482020Joe Mixon, Cin.611942821138448
482020LeVeon Bell, 2TM118232816138263
432020Kerryon Johnson, Det.165218119187364
362020T.J. Yeldon, Buff.310701221118
452019Derrick Henry, Ten.15303154018206185
412019Dalvin Cook, Min.14250113553519136
352019Nick Chubb, Cle.1629814943627888
482019Joe Mixon, Cin.16278113735287813
482019LeVeon Bell, NYJ1524578966461416
382019Ronald Jones, T.B.1617272431309625
432019Kerryon Johnson, Det.811340310127454
372019Giovani Bernard, Cin.165317030234060
362019T.J. Yeldon, Buff.6176313124089
482018Joe Mixon, Cin.14237116843296910
452018Derrick Henry, Ten.16215105915991216
352018Nick Chubb, Cle.16192996201491017
362018T.J. Yeldon, Jac.1410441455487522
412018Dalvin Cook, Min.1113361540305430
432018Kerryon Johnson, Det.1011864132213433
372018Giovani Bernard, Cin.125621135218352
382018Ronald Jones, T.B.92344733195
482017LeVeon Bell, Pitt.15321129185655112
372017Giovani Bernard, Cin.1610545843389429
482017Joe Mixon, Cin.1417862630287433
452017Derrick Henry, Ten.1617674411136637
362017T.J. Yeldon, Jac.104925330224255
412017Dalvin Cook, Min.4743541190272
482016LeVeon Bell, Pitt.1226112687561693
362016T.J. Yeldon, Jac.1513046550312234
372016Giovani Bernard, Cin.109133739336341
452016Derrick Henry, Ten.1511049013137545
372015Giovani Bernard, Cin.1615473049472218
362015T.J. Yeldon, Jac.1218274036279328
482015LeVeon Bell, Pitt.611355624136349
482014LeVeon Bell, Pitt.16290136183854111
372014Giovani Bernard, Cin.1316868043349718
372013Giovani Bernard, Cin.1617069556514813
482013LeVeon Bell, Pitt.1324486045399815

Both Hall and Walker are joining teams that have credible running backs in place. The Jets have Michael Carter, who had 964 total yards as a rookie. and the Seahawks have Rashaad Penny, the former first-round pick who was one of the most productive backs the second half of last season. Not a given that Hall or Walker starts right away (not out of the question, either). Either way, they'll have a role, and with injuries likely, they'll doubtless start some games.

If recent history is any indication, it won't be long before they're cranking out top-1o or top-20 seasons.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index