I have some interest in some of these rookie running backs selected late in the draft. I can see Devin Neal (pictured) starting some games for the Saints, and I have an eye on Kyle Monangai in Chicago. They’re getting dropped in good situations.
But at the same time, it’s rare to see late-round running backs do much of anything in their first year.
In the last 10 years, there’s been one running back selected in the last round who’s done much of anything as a rookie: Isiah Pacheco. All other seventh-round running backs combined have started only six games.
It’s not a lot different in the sixth round. There’s been Elijah Mitchell (who now, oddly, is on the same roster as Pacheco); ran for 963 yards for the 49ers. But all other sixth-round running backs combined have started only 10 games in the last 10 years (as rookies).
There’s been a touch more production in the fifth round, with Jordan Howard and Tyrone Tracy both starting at least a dozen games and Tyler Allgeier starting seven.
In general with these late-round rookie running backs, probably best to see them do something on the field before throwing anything more than a last-round pick at them. It’s tough to break in at the position.
STARTS BY RUNNING BACKS PICKED IN 7TH ROUND | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | G | GS | Rushing | Receiving | PPR |
2022 | Isiah Pacheco, K.C. | 17 | 11 | 170-830-5 | 13-130-0 | 37 |
2017 | Chris Carson, Sea. | 4 | 3 | 49-208-0 | 7-59-1 | 86 |
2016 | Dwayne Washington, Det. | 12 | 2 | 90-265-1 | 10-62-0 | 74 |
2018 | Justin Jackson, LAC | 13 | 1 | 50-206-2 | 15-135-0 | 75 |
STARTS BY RUNNING BACKS PICKED IN 6TH ROUND | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | G | GS | Rushing | Receiving | PPR |
2021 | Elijah Mitchell, S.F. | 11 | 10 | 207-963-5 | 19-137-1 | 26 |
2021 | Demetric Felton, Cle. | 16 | 2 | 7-24-0 | 18-181-2 | 79 |
2021 | Khalil Herbert, Chi. | 17 | 2 | 103-433-2 | 14-96-0 | 63 |
2017 | Elijah McGuire, NYJ | 16 | 2 | 88-315-1 | 17-177-1 | 62 |
2022 | Kevin Harris, N.E. | 5 | 1 | 18-52-1 | 0-0-0 | 116 |
2021 | Chris Evans, Cin. | 14 | 1 | 17-77-0 | 15-151-2 | 83 |
2019 | Ty Johnson, Det. | 16 | 1 | 63-273-0 | 24-109-0 | 66 |
2019 | Travis Homer, Sea. | 16 | 1 | 18-114-0 | 11-56-0 | 95 |
STARTS BY RUNNING BACKS PICKED IN 5TH ROUND | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | G | GS | Rushing | Receiving | PPR |
2016 | Jordan Howard, Chi. | 15 | 13 | 252-1313-6 | 29-298-1 | 10 |
2024 | Tyrone Tracy, NYG | 17 | 12 | 192-839-5 | 38-284-1 | 26 |
2022 | Tyler Allgeier, Atl. | 16 | 7 | 210-1035-3 | 16-139-1 | 30 |
2017 | Aaron Jones, G.B. | 12 | 4 | 81-448-4 | 9-22-0 | 63 |
2018 | Jaylen Samuels, Pitt. | 14 | 3 | 56-256-0 | 26-199-3 | 58 |
2018 | Jordan Wilkins, Ind. | 16 | 3 | 60-336-1 | 16-85-0 | 71 |
2016 | Wendell Smallwood, Phil. | 13 | 3 | 77-312-1 | 6-55-0 | 72 |
2015 | Karlos Williams, Buff. | 11 | 3 | 93-517-7 | 11-96-2 | 38 |
2016 | DeAndre Washington, Oak. | 14 | 2 | 87-467-2 | 17-115-0 | 56 |
2024 | Audric Estime, Den. | 13 | 1 | 76-310-2 | 5-27-0 | 68 |
2021 | Kenneth Gainwell, Phil. | 16 | 1 | 68-291-5 | 33-253-1 | 40 |
2019 | Ryquell Armstead, Jac. | 16 | 1 | 35-108-0 | 14-144-2 | 72 |
2016 | Paul Perkins, NYG | 14 | 1 | 112-456-0 | 15-162-0 | 60 |
2015 | David Cobb, Ten. | 7 | 1 | 52-146-1 | 1--2-0 | 112 |
—Ian Allan