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Factoid

Nobody RBs

Count on the unexpected at running back

We’re at the time of year when some lightly regarded camp bodies will be pushing for roster spots. Particularly at running back, where teams don’t like to expose their starters to punishment in preseason games. And if form holds, some of these afterthoughts will not only make the roster but also make an impact.

Playing around with some numbers, I see that 42 running backs since 2002 (about 2 per season) have gone undrafted, and then posted at least one season with top-40 numbers in fantasy leagues (using PPR scoring). Four running backs in the last three years after scored at least 20 touchdowns in a season, and half of them weren’t drafted coming into the league (Raheem Mostert and Austin Ekeler).

Some of these backs will reach the superstar level. Think Ekeler, Arian Foster and James Robinson. LeGarrette Blount and C.J. Anderson went on to start for Super Bowl winners. Jaylen Warren is off to a good start in Pittsburgh.

In the chart below, I’m listing each player only once (otherwise the list would be too large). I’m not showing you the best season by each player. I’m instead showing the first top-40 season. While ranking in the 30s among running backs is hardly league-winning stuff, it’s an indication that a back played well enough that he should have been rostered that season in a typical fantasy league.

There are 42 running backs who’ve done it since the league moved to 32 teams in 2002. Twelve of those players (tagged with dots) not only pulled it off, but did it in their first season.

It serves as a reminder to pay attention in the upcoming preseason games when you see a lightly regarded running back gobbling up yards or popping a few impressive runs. Some of those guys are going to stick around.

FREE AGENT RUNNING BACKS SINCE 2002
YearPlayerRushingReceivingYardsTDPPRRk
2002• Kenny Watson, Was.116-534-132-253-17872122.739
2004Tony Fisher, G.B.65-224-038-277-25012104.538
2007Earnest Graham, T.B.222-898-1049-324-0122210231.210
2005Willie Parker, Pitt.255-1202-418-218-114205190.018
2007Ryan Grant, G.B.188-956-830-145-011018188.117
2005• Samkon Gado, G.B.143-582-610-77-16597117.937
2006• Mike Bell, Den.157-677-820-158-08358151.531
2008Fred Jackson, Buff.130-571-337-317-08883143.838
2008Pierre Thomas, N.O.129-625-931-284-390912193.919
2007• Selvin Young, Den.140-729-135-231-09601137.034
2010BenJarvus Green-Ellis, N.E.229-1008-1312-85-0109313199.319
2010Mike Tolbert, S.D.182-735-1125-216-095111188.121
2010Arian Foster, Hou.327-1616-1666-604-2222018396.01
2010Danny Woodhead, 2TM97-547-534-379-19266162.625
2012Marcel Reece, Oak.59-271-052-496-17671134.731
2014Chris Ivory, NYJ198-821-618-123-19447154.424
2010• LeGarrette Blount, T.B.201-1007-65-14-010216143.134
2010• Keiland Williams, Was.65-261-339-309-25705126.039
2014Matt Asiata, Min.164-570-944-312-188210196.214
2012Joique Bell, Det.82-414-352-485-08993159.923
2014Bobby Rainey, T.B.94-406-133-315-17212117.140
2014C.J. Anderson, Den.179-849-834-324-2117310211.311
2014Benny Cunningham, St.L.66-246-345-352-15984128.832
2014• Branden Oliver, S.D.160-582-336-271-18534145.326
2019Damien Williams, K.C.111-498-530-213-27117143.137
2017Orleans Darkwa, NYG171-751-519-116-08675137.736
2015Charcandrick West, K.C.160-634-420-214-18485134.835
2014• Isaiah Crowell, Cle.148-607-89-87-06948126.433
2019Raheem Mostert, S.F.137-772-814-180-295210169.226
2015• Thomas Rawls, Sea.147-830-49-76-19065129.637
2020J.D. McKissic, Was.85-365-180-589-29543193.417
2018Jalen Richard, Oak.55-259-168-607-08661160.629
2018Peyton Barber, T.B.234-871-520-92-19636152.331
2016• Robert Kelley, Was.168-704-612-82-17867132.638
2018Austin Ekeler, LAC106-554-339-404-39586170.825
2018Matt Breida, S.F.153-814-327-261-210755164.526
2018• Phillip Lindsay, Den.192-1037-935-241-1127810222.813
2021Darrel Williams, K.C.144-558-647-452-210108196.021
2020Jeff Wilson, S.F.126-600-713-133-373310146.331
2020Gus Edwards, Balt.144-723-69-129-08526130.237
2020• James Robinson, Jac.240-1070-749-344-3141410252.47
2023Jaylen Warren, Pitt.149-784-461-370-011544200.421

—Ian Allan

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