Around the NFL

September 20, 2022

Jordan Mason time?

Mitchell, TDP injuries move undrafted rookie up

It took almost no time at all for Elijah Mitchell to get hurt, and now we hear that third-round rookie Tyrion Davis-Price has a high ankle sprain. Another year, another war of attrition in the San Francisco backfield, which will perhaps give Jordan Mason a shot.

Jeff Wilson is the starter, but San Francisco likes to work in a No. 2. I suppose they'll promote Marlon Mack from the practice squad. But until I hear differently, Mason is the No. 2, and should get to show what he can do this week.

There's another undrafted rookie with a backup role these days, Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh. He hasn't been a factor yet, but Najee Harris tends to take a beating, so eventually Warren may get his chance. As might Mason, who drew praise in August, making the team over last year's third-rounder Trey Sermon.

It's a position where undrafted guys have been known to make an impact. 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.

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

Seems to be a better than average chance that some undrafted rookie running back will emerge as a starter at some point. Maybe that guy will be Mason.

--Andy Richardson

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