NFL Draft 2012: Do You Really Need to Take a Running Back Early?

[2010chiefs]

The NFL has morphed into a passing league over the last few years, with Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady leading the charge. This season, three QBs passed for over 5,000 yards, and three tossed 45 or more TD passes. (Only two QBs have topped 40 TD passes in the last decade – Manning in 2004, Brady in 2007.) Which leads me to this question about the 2012 NFL draft: Despite a strong RB group, should you really burn a high pick on a running back?
* In 2011, 3 WRs were drafted before the first RB was taken.
* From 2009-2011, here are the RBs taken in the first round: Knowshon Moreno (Denver), Donald Brown (Indianapolis), Beanie Wells (Arizona), CJ Spiller (Buffalo), Ryan Mathews (San Diego), Jahvid Best (Detroit), and Mark Ingram (New Orleans).
* You know what the last three NFL rushing champs have in common? They all missed the playoffs.
* No running back in the top five for yardage the last two years was drafted in the first round.
And before we get to the 2012 crop of RBs, check this out:
Every RB who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2011 and where they were drafted (I know 1,000 yards is arbitrary, but so is 1,100 or 1,200):
Maurice Jones-Drew, 2nd round 60th overall 2006
Ray Rice, 2nd round, 55th overall in 2008
Michael Turner, 5th round, 154th overall in 2004
LeSean McCoy, 2nd round, 53rd overall in 2009
Arian Foster, undrafted
Frank Gore 3rd round, 65th overall in 2005
Marshawn Lynch, 1st round, 12th overall in 2007
Willis McGahee, 1st round, 23rd overall in 2003
Steven Jackson, 1st round, 24th overall in 2004
Ryan Mathews, 1st round, 12th overall in 2010
Reggie Bush, 1st round, 2nd overall in 2006
Cedric Benson, 1st round, 4th overall in 2005
Shonn Greene, 3rd round, 65th overall in 2009
Chris Johnson, 1st round, 24th overall in 2008
Beanie Wells, 1st round, 31st overall in 2009
Every RB who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2010
Arian Foster
Jamaal Charles, 3rd round, 73rd overall in 2008
Michael Turner
Chris Johnson
Maurice Jones-Drew
Adrian Peterson, 1st round, 7th overall in 2007
Rashard Mendenhall, 1st round, 23rd overall in 2008
Steven Jackson
Ahmad Bradshaw 7th round, 250th overall in 2007
Ray Rice
Peyton Hillis CLE, 7th round, 227th overall in 2008
Darren McFadden, 1st round, 4th overall in 2008
Cedric Benson, 1st round, 4th overall in 2005
LeSean McCoy
Matt Forte, 2nd round, 44th overall in 2008
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, undrafted
LeGarrette Blount, undrafted
Every RB who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2009
Chris Johnson
Steven Jackson
Thomas Jones, 1st round, 7th overall in 2000
Maurice Jones-Drew
Adrian Peterson
Ray Rice
Ryan Grant, undrafted
Cedric Benson
Jonathan Stewart, 1st round, 13th overall in 2008
Ricky Williams, 1st round, 5th overall in 1999
Frank Gore
Jamaal Charles
DeAngelo Williams, 1st round, 27th overall in 2006
Rashard Mendenhall
Fred Jackson, undrafted
I love Alabama’s Trent Richardson as much as the next guy – I’ve had him top 10 in all three mock drafts – but with these figures in mind, do you really need to take him in the Top 5 or 10 or even 20? Given recent history, it doesn’t seem to make sense to grab a RB too early. My guess – with four months before the draft – is that there will be a run on the strong 2012 RB class starting in the second round, and maybe extend to the third. Here are a few guys you’ll be hearing about at next month’s combine (with best-case scenario NFL comp in parens):
Lamar Miller, Miami, 5-11, 215, 4.42 40 time (MJD)
David Wilson, Virginia Tech, 5-10, 205, 4.42 40 time (LeSean McCoy)
Doug Martin, Boise State, 5-9, 210, 4.48 40 time (Ray Rice)
Chris Polk, Washington, 5-11, 220, 4.48 40 time (Matt Forte)
Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati, 5-10, 200, 4.42 40 time (Jamaal Charles)

[okikcfan]

offense, offense, offense!

[dbolan]

Charles won't be 100%. Get Richardson. He is a beast with great hands as well.

Seems the biggest issue has not been "which" pick we have but "who" we chose with the picks. Talent evaluation is the break down.

Get another O-Lineman. Whatever but as much talent that is out there in FA and considering the money we have, there should not be ANY problem at all with filling our voids this off-season. No excuses, imho.

[Xanathol]

We don't need defense in the early rounds. All we need is depth, which can be found much later.

I have to respectfully disagree. When Berry is healthy, he'll be terrific, but I'm not impressed with his counterpart. Until Houston produces, OLD would still be on the list for me, as is NT in regards to Powe. DJ works out in the middle, but he could use better help as well.

I like an OL and Trent is the only RB I'd consider. I think WR is going to be ok without Cassel at QB and you don't take a TE @ 12. QB @ 12... I dunno - interesting to see who's there and I'm not a fan of RG3.

[Three7s]

I have to respectfully disagree. When Berry is healthy, he'll be terrific, but I'm not impressed with his counterpart. Until Houston produces, OLD would still be on the list for me, as is NT in regards to Powe. DJ works out in the middle, but he could use better help as well.

I like an OL and Trent is the only RB I'd consider. I think WR is going to be ok without Cassel at QB and you don't take a TE @ 12. QB @ 12... I dunno - interesting to see who's there and I'm not a fan of RG3.

Until Houston produces? Did you not even watch the last 5 games of the season? As for Lewis, he had no help from Sabby Pissthebeddy, so that's a little unfair to him. I agree about NT, but if we can get Soliai from Miami, that should be good enough.

[Xanathol]

Until Houston produces? Did you not even watch the last 5 games of the season? As for Lewis, he had no help from Sabby Pissthebeddy, so that's a little unfair to him. I agree about NT, but if we can get Soliai from Miami, that should be good enough.

Houston had 7, 4, 4, 2, 7 tackles respectively and 3, 1, 0, 0, 1.5 sacks. The 3 sack game was vs the Bears - a team tied 5th for giving up the most sacks this season @ 49 - with Caleb Hanie at QB and Matt Forte out. For as much grief as Tyson gets, he had 4 tackles and a sackthis game... So given the choice to take Upshaw or put all my eggs in the Houston basket,I'd take Upshaw.

[N TX Dave]

Read this artical that talks about 5 reasons why we should draft TR in the first. I tend to agree with you guys about a RB in the first but this makes a good case why we should.

[dbolan]

Read this artical that talks about 5 reasons why we should draft TR in the first. I tend to agree with you guys about a RB in the first but this makes a good case why we should.

Amen and AMEN!

[ChiefsFanTilDeath83]

Robert Griffin III anyone?

[Ryfo18]

Robert Griffin III anyone?

He'll cost an arm and a leg to trade up to the #2 spot (from 11/12) to get.

[nigeriannightmare]

He'll cost an arm and a leg to trade up to the #2 spot (from 11/12) to get.

Unless bowe is part of a draft day trade, he will warrant a first round pick bowe plus our first pick for stl first pick i dont know how the math works but that wouldnt be an arm and a leg maybe just a leg but id love to have rgiii.

Alas this is the chiefs we gonna trade down and build the right 53 which im all for but wheres the excitement in that.