T-15. *Jahvid Best
Sixteen running backs were taken in the first round this decade. Jahvid Best was one of two to have his career cut short. The Lions’ first-round pick in 2010 suffered multiple concussions and was forced to retire after two seasons.
T-15. *David Wilson
The Giants drafted David Wilson out of Virginia Tech in 2012. He suffered spinal stinosis five weeks into the 2013 season and was forced to leave football because he risked further neck injuries if he continued to play.
14. Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson went third overall to Cleveland in 2012. After a stellar rookie season, he was dealt to Indianapolis the following year. Richardson’s career fell apart and he was been on through multiple leagues since.
13. C.J. Spiller
The hope Buffalo had for Clemson’s C.J. Spiller was he would be a versatile threat. He wound up playing for five teams, with each having the same belief. Spiller never lived up to the billing of someone drafted ninth overall in 2010.
12. Ryan Mathews
Ryan Mathews was drafted 12th by the Chargers in 2010. He had an up-and-down career, often derailed by injury. In seven seasons, he played a full 16 games once. Matthews also played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
11. Doug Martin
Doug Martin was drafted by Tampa Bay 31st overall in 2012 out of Boise State. It was boom or bust for Martin, who had a pair of 1,400-yard seasons as a Buc. The other years were less than 500 yards. He was injured on multiple occasions and also sat out due to an NFL mandated suspension.
10. Rashaad Penny
Rashaad Penny came to the Seahawks from San Diego State in 2018. He rushed for 400 yards as a rookie in a backfield by committee in Seattle. However, he has seen less action as a second-year RB, playing behind Chris Carson.
9. Josh Jacobs
Drafted out of Alabama 24th overall, Josh Jacobs is off to a fast start as the Raiders’ bell-cow running back. He’s broken the 100-yard mark twice and had another game of 99 yards rushing. It is early but his future appears bright.
8. Leonard Fournette
The Jaguars took Leonard Fournette fourth overall out of LSU in 2017. He had a strong rookie season, troubled second season and appears to be back in the groove this year. Easily could move up this list if he continues to play as he is this season.
7. Sony Michel
Sony Michel earned a Super Bowl ring as a rookie with the New England Patriots. The rookie from Georgia rushed for almost 1,000 yards while playing in 13 games last season. He’s given Tom Brady a dynamic runner out of the backfield in New England.
6. Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon came to the Chargers from Wisconsin. A dual threat RB, he has had one season of more than 1,000 yards on the ground. He set himself back in 2019 by holding out through the early part of the season. Gordon has not shown his talents thus far as the Chargers are slumping.
5. Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram was drafted 28th overall by New Orleans after winning a Heisman Trophy at Alabama. He had a great run as a Saint, rushing for more than 6,000 yards. He’s off to a strong start in Baltimore, too.
4. Todd Gurley
Todd Gurley could have been higher on this list. However, a troublesome knee has stifled his impact in the Rams’ offense. Still, the RB taken from Georgia in 2015 with the 10th pick has had three 1,000-yard seasons rushing and is a great threat catching passes out of the backfield.
3. Saquon Barkley
There was much criticism for the New York Giants when they passed on Sam Darnold to take Saquon Barkley second overall out of Penn State in 2018. The critics were silenced as Barkley had an incredible rookie season. He’s been hurt in 2019. That does not diminish the generational talents he has displayed.
2. Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey has been brilliant since being chosen eighth overall by the Panthers in 2017. A threat whether carrying the ball or catching passes, the former Stanford star has been excellent with Carolina.
1. Ezekiel Elliott
The Dallas Cowboys were hoping for a franchise running back when they drafted Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall out of Ohio State in 2016. They got exactly that. He has won multiple rushing titles and is a dynamic threat. If Elliott stays out of trouble, he could be on his way to another place in Ohio … Canton.
