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Factoid

Late-round rookie running backs

Rare to see them even get on the field

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
YearPlayerGGSRushingReceivingPPR
2022Isiah Pacheco, K.C.1711170-830-513-130-037
2017Chris Carson, Sea.4349-208-07-59-186
2016Dwayne Washington, Det.12290-265-110-62-074
2018Justin Jackson, LAC13150-206-215-135-075
STARTS BY RUNNING BACKS PICKED IN 6TH ROUND
YearPlayerGGSRushingReceivingPPR
2021Elijah Mitchell, S.F.1110207-963-519-137-126
2021Demetric Felton, Cle.1627-24-018-181-279
2021Khalil Herbert, Chi.172103-433-214-96-063
2017Elijah McGuire, NYJ16288-315-117-177-162
2022Kevin Harris, N.E.5118-52-10-0-0116
2021Chris Evans, Cin.14117-77-015-151-283
2019Ty Johnson, Det.16163-273-024-109-066
2019Travis Homer, Sea.16118-114-011-56-095
STARTS BY RUNNING BACKS PICKED IN 5TH ROUND
YearPlayerGGSRushingReceivingPPR
2016Jordan Howard, Chi.1513252-1313-629-298-110
2024Tyrone Tracy, NYG1712192-839-538-284-126
2022Tyler Allgeier, Atl.167210-1035-316-139-130
2017Aaron Jones, G.B.12481-448-49-22-063
2018Jaylen Samuels, Pitt.14356-256-026-199-358
2018Jordan Wilkins, Ind.16360-336-116-85-071
2016Wendell Smallwood, Phil.13377-312-16-55-072
2015Karlos Williams, Buff.11393-517-711-96-238
2016DeAndre Washington, Oak.14287-467-217-115-056
2024Audric Estime, Den.13176-310-25-27-068
2021Kenneth Gainwell, Phil.16168-291-533-253-140
2019Ryquell Armstead, Jac.16135-108-014-144-272
2016Paul Perkins, NYG141112-456-015-162-060
2015David Cobb, Ten.7152-146-11--2-0112

—Ian Allan

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