RB Analysis

Running backs are a contentious topic in the draft. Spending a first-round pick on a running back is hard to justify for teams that simply need a reliable offensive weapon as half of all third-round running backs will play in at least 60 games and record at least 3,000 yards from scrimmage in the first five years. Starters are found at every level, and the average running back drafted on Day 2 will have the aforementioned 3,000 yards while also having at least one season at over a thousand total yards. An average of one running back per year will be drafted on Day 3 and still have multiple seasons with at least a thousand yards. 

Almost regardless of the metric used, running backs are going to be “replaceable” in the second through fourth round with far less compromise than other offensive skills positions. However, fans of the featured back can take solace in the fact that while nearly half of first-round running backs fail to become regular starters, the overall average performance for first-round backs remains high. What is really true is simply that there is less of a fall-off at the position than for other roles on the field.