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 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | Rushing | Receiving | Yards | TD | PPR | Rk |
2002 | • Kenny Watson, Was. | 116-534-1 | 32-253-1 | 787 | 2 | 122.7 | 39 |
2004 | Tony Fisher, G.B. | 65-224-0 | 38-277-2 | 501 | 2 | 104.5 | 38 |
2007 | Earnest Graham, T.B. | 222-898-10 | 49-324-0 | 1222 | 10 | 231.2 | 10 |
2005 | Willie Parker, Pitt. | 255-1202-4 | 18-218-1 | 1420 | 5 | 190.0 | 18 |
2007 | Ryan Grant, G.B. | 188-956-8 | 30-145-0 | 1101 | 8 | 188.1 | 17 |
2005 | • Samkon Gado, G.B. | 143-582-6 | 10-77-1 | 659 | 7 | 117.9 | 37 |
2006 | • Mike Bell, Den. | 157-677-8 | 20-158-0 | 835 | 8 | 151.5 | 31 |
2008 | Fred Jackson, Buff. | 130-571-3 | 37-317-0 | 888 | 3 | 143.8 | 38 |
2008 | Pierre Thomas, N.O. | 129-625-9 | 31-284-3 | 909 | 12 | 193.9 | 19 |
2007 | • Selvin Young, Den. | 140-729-1 | 35-231-0 | 960 | 1 | 137.0 | 34 |
2010 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis, N.E. | 229-1008-13 | 12-85-0 | 1093 | 13 | 199.3 | 19 |
2010 | Mike Tolbert, S.D. | 182-735-11 | 25-216-0 | 951 | 11 | 188.1 | 21 |
2010 | Arian Foster, Hou. | 327-1616-16 | 66-604-2 | 2220 | 18 | 396.0 | 1 |
2010 | Danny Woodhead, 2TM | 97-547-5 | 34-379-1 | 926 | 6 | 162.6 | 25 |
2012 | Marcel Reece, Oak. | 59-271-0 | 52-496-1 | 767 | 1 | 134.7 | 31 |
2014 | Chris Ivory, NYJ | 198-821-6 | 18-123-1 | 944 | 7 | 154.4 | 24 |
2010 | • LeGarrette Blount, T.B. | 201-1007-6 | 5-14-0 | 1021 | 6 | 143.1 | 34 |
2010 | • Keiland Williams, Was. | 65-261-3 | 39-309-2 | 570 | 5 | 126.0 | 39 |
2014 | Matt Asiata, Min. | 164-570-9 | 44-312-1 | 882 | 10 | 196.2 | 14 |
2012 | Joique Bell, Det. | 82-414-3 | 52-485-0 | 899 | 3 | 159.9 | 23 |
2014 | Bobby Rainey, T.B. | 94-406-1 | 33-315-1 | 721 | 2 | 117.1 | 40 |
2014 | C.J. Anderson, Den. | 179-849-8 | 34-324-2 | 1173 | 10 | 211.3 | 11 |
2014 | Benny Cunningham, St.L. | 66-246-3 | 45-352-1 | 598 | 4 | 128.8 | 32 |
2014 | • Branden Oliver, S.D. | 160-582-3 | 36-271-1 | 853 | 4 | 145.3 | 26 |
2019 | Damien Williams, K.C. | 111-498-5 | 30-213-2 | 711 | 7 | 143.1 | 37 |
2017 | Orleans Darkwa, NYG | 171-751-5 | 19-116-0 | 867 | 5 | 137.7 | 36 |
2015 | Charcandrick West, K.C. | 160-634-4 | 20-214-1 | 848 | 5 | 134.8 | 35 |
2014 | • Isaiah Crowell, Cle. | 148-607-8 | 9-87-0 | 694 | 8 | 126.4 | 33 |
2019 | Raheem Mostert, S.F. | 137-772-8 | 14-180-2 | 952 | 10 | 169.2 | 26 |
2015 | • Thomas Rawls, Sea. | 147-830-4 | 9-76-1 | 906 | 5 | 129.6 | 37 |
2020 | J.D. McKissic, Was. | 85-365-1 | 80-589-2 | 954 | 3 | 193.4 | 17 |
2018 | Jalen Richard, Oak. | 55-259-1 | 68-607-0 | 866 | 1 | 160.6 | 29 |
2018 | Peyton Barber, T.B. | 234-871-5 | 20-92-1 | 963 | 6 | 152.3 | 31 |
2016 | • Robert Kelley, Was. | 168-704-6 | 12-82-1 | 786 | 7 | 132.6 | 38 |
2018 | Austin Ekeler, LAC | 106-554-3 | 39-404-3 | 958 | 6 | 170.8 | 25 |
2018 | Matt Breida, S.F. | 153-814-3 | 27-261-2 | 1075 | 5 | 164.5 | 26 |
2018 | • Phillip Lindsay, Den. | 192-1037-9 | 35-241-1 | 1278 | 10 | 222.8 | 13 |
2021 | Darrel Williams, K.C. | 144-558-6 | 47-452-2 | 1010 | 8 | 196.0 | 21 |
2020 | Jeff Wilson, S.F. | 126-600-7 | 13-133-3 | 733 | 10 | 146.3 | 31 |
2020 | Gus Edwards, Balt. | 144-723-6 | 9-129-0 | 852 | 6 | 130.2 | 37 |
2020 | • James Robinson, Jac. | 240-1070-7 | 49-344-3 | 1414 | 10 | 252.4 | 7 |
2023 | Jaylen Warren, Pitt. | 149-784-4 | 61-370-0 | 1154 | 4 | 200.4 | 21 |
—Ian Allan