A story over the weekend that Titans' 2022 fourth-round running back Hassan Haskins has been arrested on domestic violence charges. We'll see how that shakes out, but Tennessee had already hedged its bets on that pick by selecting Tyjae Spears in the third round this year. It got me wondering on the hit rate for running backs drafted in those rounds.
This year, there were four running backs selected in the third round and one in the fourth. None of them is likely stepping into a starting job, but all could carve out significant early roles. Speedy Devon Achane should be part of a committee in Miami. Roschon Johnson could do the same -- maybe start at some point -- in Chicago. Tank Bigsby looks like a No. 2 in Jacksonville, while Kendre Miller (pictured) is intriguing in New Orleans, given the likelihood of an Alvin Kamara suspension. And Spears in Tennessee could essentially be handed the No. 2 job, particularly in light of Haskins' arrest.
In the last 10 years, there have been 75 running backs selected in the third or fourth rounds, making 2023 a fairly typical year. The hit rate on those players is just so-so.
Of those 75 players, exactly a third (25) has had at least one t0p-25 season in PPR leagues. Just under half (34 of 75) have yet to put up a season where they ranked in the top 40 among running backs.
At least 2022 was a pretty good year for those players. Three different former fourth-rounders (Rhamondre Stevenson, Tony Pollard and Jamaal Williams) ranked in the top 12 among running backs. A couple of 2022 rookies (Dameon Pierce and Rachaad White) finished in the top 35, and those guys and Brian Robinson all look like starters and possible top 30 backs in 2023. Perhaps Miller (if part of a tandem in New Orleans) or Johnson can do the same this season.
Table shows the best seasons from third and fourth-round running backs selected in the last 10 years. Players whose best seasons were in 2022 are in bold.
| 3RD/4TH-ROUND RUNNING BACKS, BEST SEASONS (2013-2022) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rd | Rook | Best | Player | Run | No | Rec | TD | PPR |
| 3 | 2017 | 2020 | Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 932 | 83 | 756 | 21 | 1 |
| 3 | 2015 | 2016 | David Johnson, Ariz. | 1239 | 80 | 879 | 20 | 1 |
| 4 | 2014 | 2015 | Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 1056 | 73 | 578 | 14 | 1 |
| 3 | 2019 | 2020 | David Montgomery, Chi. | 1070 | 54 | 438 | 10 | 4 |
| 3 | 2017 | 2017 | Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 1327 | 53 | 455 | 11 | 4 |
| 3 | 2017 | 2021 | James Conner, Ariz. | 752 | 37 | 375 | 18 | 5 |
| 4 | 2014 | 2018 | James White, N.E. | 425 | 87 | 751 | 12 | 7 |
| 3 | 2020 | 2021 | Antonio Gibson, Was. | 1037 | 42 | 294 | 10 | 8 |
| 4 | 2021 | 2022 | Rhamondre Stevenson, N.E. | 1040 | 69 | 421 | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | 2019 | 2022 | Tony Pollard, Dall. | 1007 | 39 | 371 | 12 | 9 |
| 3 | 2015 | 2017 | Duke Johnson, Cle. | 348 | 74 | 693 | 7 | 11 |
| 4 | 2017 | 2018 | Tarik Cohen, Chi. | 444 | 71 | 725 | 8 | 11 |
| 4 | 2017 | 2022 | Jamaal Williams, Det. | 1066 | 12 | 73 | 17 | 12 |
| 4 | 2015 | 2020 | Mike Davis, Car. | 642 | 59 | 373 | 8 | 12 |
| 3 | 2019 | 2021 | Damien Harris, N.E. | 929 | 18 | 132 | 15 | 14 |
| 3 | 2016 | 2018 | Kenyan Drake, Mia. | 535 | 53 | 477 | 9 | 14 |
| 3 | 2014 | 2015 | Charles Sims, T.B. | 529 | 51 | 561 | 4 | 16 |
| 3 | 2014 | 2017 | Jerick McKinnon, Min. | 570 | 51 | 421 | 5 | 17 |
| 3 | 2015 | 2018 | Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 800 | 32 | 276 | 9 | 18 |
| 4 | 2018 | 2020 | Nyheim Hines, Ind. | 380 | 63 | 482 | 7 | 18 |
| 3 | 2019 | 2021 | Devin Singletary, Buff. | 870 | 40 | 228 | 8 | 20 |
| 4 | 2017 | 2018 | Marlon Mack, Ind. | 908 | 17 | 103 | 10 | 20 |
| 3 | 2014 | 2016 | Terrance West, Balt. | 774 | 34 | 236 | 6 | 23 |
| 4 | 2015 | 2017 | Javorius Allen, Balt. | 591 | 46 | 250 | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | 2022 | 2022 | Dameon Pierce, Hou. | 939 | 30 | 165 | 5 | 25 |
| 4 | 2018 | 2020 | Chase Edmonds, Ariz. | 448 | 53 | 402 | 5 | 26 |
| 3 | 2019 | 2021 | Darrell Henderson, LAR | 688 | 29 | 176 | 8 | 27 |
| 4 | 2014 | 2014 | Andre Williams, NYG | 721 | 18 | 130 | 7 | 27 |
| 4 | 2016 | 2016 | Devontae Booker, Den. | 612 | 31 | 265 | 5 | 29 |
| 4 | 2021 | 2021 | Michael Carter, NYJ | 639 | 36 | 325 | 4 | 29 |
| 3 | 2014 | 2014 | Tre Mason, St.L. | 765 | 16 | 148 | 5 | 30 |
| 4 | 2015 | 2015 | Jeremy Langford, Chi. | 537 | 22 | 279 | 7 | 30 |
| 3 | 2015 | 2016 | Ty Montgomery, G.B. | 457 | 44 | 348 | 3 | 33 |
| 4 | 2017 | 2020 | Wayne Gallman, NYG | 682 | 21 | 114 | 6 | 33 |
| 3 | 2013 | 2014 | Knile Davis, K.C. | 463 | 16 | 147 | 8 | 34 |
| 3 | 2022 | 2022 | Rachaad White, T.B. | 481 | 50 | 290 | 3 | 35 |
| 4 | 2021 | 2021 | Chuba Hubbard, Car. | 612 | 25 | 174 | 6 | 36 |
| 4 | 2017 | 2022 | Samaje Perine, Cin. | 394 | 38 | 287 | 6 | 36 |
| 3 | 2019 | 2021 | Alexander Mattison, Min. | 491 | 32 | 228 | 4 | 37 |
| 3 | 2017 | 2022 | D'Onta Foreman, Car. | 914 | 5 | 26 | 5 | 38 |
| 3 | 2018 | 2019 | Royce Freeman, Den. | 496 | 43 | 256 | 4 | 38 |
| 3 | 2015 | 2015 | Matt Jones, Was. | 490 | 19 | 304 | 4 | 41 |
| 3 | 2022 | 2022 | Brian Robinson, Was. | 797 | 9 | 60 | 3 | 43 |
| 4 | 2016 | 2016 | Kenneth Dixon, Balt. | 382 | 30 | 162 | 3 | 47 |
| 3 | 2020 | 2020 | Zack Moss, Buff. | 481 | 14 | 95 | 5 | 49 |
| 4 | 2018 | 2018 | Ito Smith, Atl. | 315 | 27 | 152 | 4 | 50 |
| 4 | 2018 | 2020 | Kalen Ballage, 2TM | 303 | 29 | 166 | 3 | 52 |
| 4 | 2013 | 2015 | Kyle Juszczyk, Balt. | 3 | 41 | 321 | 4 | 52 |
| 4 | 2020 | 2020 | Joshua Kelley, LAC | 354 | 23 | 148 | 2 | 58 |
| 4 | 2019 | 2020 | Benny Snell, Pitt. | 368 | 10 | 61 | 4 | 61 |
| 4 | 2014 | 2014 | Lorenzo Taliaferro, Balt. | 292 | 8 | 114 | 4 | 65 |
| 3 | 2016 | 2016 | C.J. Prosise, Sea. | 172 | 17 | 208 | 1 | 67 |
| 4 | 2020 | 2021 | DeeJay Dallas, Sea. | 138 | 21 | 133 | 2 | 71 |
| 4 | 2019 | 2019 | Justice Hill, Balt. | 225 | 8 | 70 | 2 | 77 |
| 4 | 2020 | 2020 | LaMical Perine, | 232 | 11 | 63 | 2 | 77 |
| 4 | 2018 | 2019 | Mark Walton, Mia. | 201 | 15 | 89 | 0 | 80 |
| 4 | 2014 | 2015 | KaDeem Carey, Chi. | 159 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 86 |
| 3 | 2020 | 2021 | KeShawn Vaughn, T.B. | 180 | 4 | 26 | 2 | 90 |
| 4 | 2022 | 2022 | Pierre Strong, N.E. | 100 | 7 | 42 | 1 | 94 |
| 4 | 2022 | 2022 | Hassan Haskins, Ten. | 93 | 11 | 57 | 0 | 96 |
| 4 | 2016 | 2020 | Tyler Ervin, G.B. | 67 | 11 | 84 | 0 | 96 |
| 3 | 2021 | 2021 | Trey Sermon, S.F. | 167 | 3 | 26 | 1 | 99 |
| 4 | 2020 | 2020 | Anthony McFarland, Pitt. | 113 | 6 | 54 | 0 | 102 |
| 4 | 2013 | 2013 | Johnathan Franklin, G.B. | 107 | 4 | 30 | 1 | 104 |
| 4 | 2021 | 2021 | Kene Nwangwu, Min. | 61 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 105 |
| 4 | 2015 | 2015 | Jalston Fowler, Ten. | 13 | 5 | 44 | 2 | 110 |
| 3 | 2020 | 2022 | Darrynton Evans, Chi. | 64 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 118 |
| 3 | 2022 | 2022 | Tyrion Davis-Price, S.F. | 99 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 |
| 3 | 2014 | 2014 | Dri Archer, Pitt. | 40 | 7 | 23 | 0 | 124 |
| 4 | 2022 | 2022 | Isaiah Spiller, LAC | 41 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 126 |
| 4 | 2022 | 2022 | Zamir White, L.V. | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 |
| 4 | 2019 | 2019 | Bryce Love, Was. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 999 |
| 4 | 2017 | 2017 | Donnel Pumphrey, Phil. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 999 |
| 4 | 2017 | 2017 | Joe Williams, S.F. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 999 |
| 4 | 2013 | 2013 | Marcus Lattimore, S.F. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 999 |
--Andy Richardson