7 Paths to Climbing the Running Back Depth Chart

4. Rookie Seizes the Job Immediately

Of the eight rookie running backs drafted in the first two days of the 2017 NFL Draft (rounds one through three), four immediately entered the season as the backfield leader: Leonard Fournette (4th overall), Christian McCaffrey (8th), Dalvin Cook (41st), Kareem Hunt (86th).

In each of these instances, it was clear prior to Week 1 that each would have a significant role in the offense. Hunt also inherited a timely injury to presumed challenger Spencer Ware just weeks before the season.

The list of players drafted in the first three rounds also includes Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, James Conner, and D'Onta Foreman. Mixon battled entrenched early-down specialist Jeremy Hill and pass-catching savant Giovani Bernard to eventually take over the productive role in the backfield in Week 5. Kamara earned takeover status in Week 11, as he began a ridiculous end-of-season run that overshadowed a similarly brilliant pace by his teammate, Mark Ingram. D’Onta Foreman appeared on his way to challenging Lamar Miller for the Texans starting job before suffering a season ending injury of his own. James Conner predictably remained behind Bell all season long.

Lesson: Remember the cost of draft equity. Especially at the running back position, if a team invests a top-100 draft pick in a player, they usually intend to place him in a prominent role early.