Around the NFL

August 20, 2022

Undrafted rookie running backs

Jaylen Warren trying to stand out

It's tough to make an impact as an undrafted rookie. Job 1 is to simply make an NFL roster after not being one of 250ish players drafted by 32 teams. Job 2 is to climb the depth chart. That's what Jaylen Warren is trying to do in Pittsburgh.

On Warren's behalf, the depth chart behind Najee Harris in Pittsburgh is unremarkable, to be kind. Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland; I think the world has seen about enough of those guys to know they're not going to step into the lineup and start cranking out numbers.

The other plus for Warren is that he's a running back. Players at the position get hurt a lot, and it's a lot more common for undrafted guys to make an impact.

I showed the top performers among undrafted rookie wideouts this century a few days ago. There weren't many, and there wasn't a top-40 performer in the bunch. But there are a lot more example of running backs who have put up significant numbers.

In the last five years alone, two undrafted rookies have rushed for over 1,000 yards, scored 10 TDs, and finished as top-15 fantasy backs (PPR). That includes James Robinson, who had the remarkable 2020 season for Jacksonville. Since 2000, 13 have at least ranked in the top 40 at the position. Seems to be a better than average chance that one undrafted rookie running back will merit rostering in typical leagues, and emerging as a starter at some point.

UNDRAFTED ROOKIE RUNNING BACKS, 2000-PRESENT
Year	Player	G	Att	Run	Avg	No	Rec	TD	Rk
2020	James Robinson, Jac.	14	240	1070	4.5	49	344	10	7
2001	Dominic Rhodes, Ind.	15	233	1104	4.7	34	224	10	12
2018	Phillip Lindsay, Den.	15	192	1037	5.4	35	241	10	13
2014	Branden Oliver, S.D.	14	160	582	3.6	36	271	4	26
2006	Mike Bell, Den.	15	157	677	4.3	20	158	8	31
2014	Isaiah Crowell, Cle.	16	148	607	4.1	9	87	8	33
2010	LeGarrette Blount, T.B.	13	201	1007	5.0	5	14	6	34
2007	Selvin Young, Den.	15	140	729	5.2	35	231	1	34
2015	Thomas Rawls, Sea.	13	147	830	5.7	9	76	5	37
2005	Samkon Gado, G.B.	8	143	582	4.1	10	77	7	37
2016	Robert Kelley, Was.	15	168	704	4.2	12	82	7	38
2010	Keiland Williams, Was.	15	65	261	4.0	39	309	5	39
2002	Kenny Watson, Was.	16	116	534	4.6	32	253	2	39
2016	Jalen Richard, Oak.	16	83	491	5.9	29	194	3	42
2017	Austin Ekeler, LAC	16	47	260	5.5	27	279	5	44
2017	Matt Breida, S.F.	16	105	465	4.4	21	180	3	47
2010	Chris Ivory, N.O.	12	137	716	5.2	1	17	5	47
2017	Corey Clement, Phil.	16	74	321	4.3	10	123	6	51
2012	Shaun Draughn, K.C.	16	59	233	4.0	24	158	2	55
2007	Pierre Thomas, N.O.	12	52	252	4.9	17	151	3	57
2019	Patrick Laird, Mia.	15	62	168	2.7	23	204	1	64
2013	Fozzy Whittaker, 2TM	14	28	79	2.8	21	155	2	67
2008	BenJarvus Green-Ellis, N.E.	9	74	275	3.7	3	37	5	67
2009	Arian Foster, Hou.	6	54	257	4.8	8	93	3	72
2013	Benny Cunningham, St.L.	14	47	261	5.6	6	59	1	74
2014	Damien Williams, Mia.	16	36	122	3.4	21	187	1	75
2012	Brandon Bolden, N.E.	10	56	274	4.9	2	11	2	78
2016	Kenneth Farrow, S.D.	13	60	192	3.2	13	70	0	81
2008	Mike Tolbert, S.D.	13	13	37	2.9	13	171	1	83
2016	Peyton Barber, T.B.	15	55	223	4.1	5	28	1	84
2016	Josh Ferguson, Ind.	16	15	20	1.3	20	136	0	86
2012	Will Johnson, Pitt.	16	2	7	3.5	15	137	1	90
2017	Tion Green, Det.	5	42	165	3.9	2	14	2	91
2001	Nick Goings, Car.	13	66	197	3.0	8	39	0	91
2019	Reggie Bonnafon, Car.	16	16	116	7.3	6	57	1	94
2013	Khiry Robinson, N.O.	10	54	224	4.2	0	0	1	94
2019	Andrew Beck, Den.	16	1	3	3.0	9	90	1	96
2015	Terron Ward, Atl.	13	29	95	3.3	9	73	1	97
2007	LeRon McClain, Balt.	16	8	18	2.3	9	55	1	99
2019	Alec Ingold, Oak.	16	10	17	1.7	6	44	1	100

Warren's not the only undrafted back to generate some interest. Abram Smith in New Orleans is another possibility (although losing a fumble in the preseason opener won't help his chances). There might still be another player to come out of the woodwork.

But Warren is the favorite these days, and was reportedly getting some first-team work at camp this week. Guy we'll be watching this weekend.

--Andy Richardson

Jaylen Warren Abram Smith

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