FanNation

Ok so I kind of stole this idea from DJTG_2010 when I saw his 2003 QBs blog, but I thought it was a really cool and interesting idea so I did my own.  Don't hate me DJ.  I chose a random year (2002) and a random skill position (RB) and checked up on how all of the RBs drafted in the 2002 draft were doing.

There were 21 running backs chosen in the 2002 draft, and I was able to track down something for 20 of them.

Round 1:

#16: William Green, Browns.  46 games, 568 attempts, 2109 yards, 3.7 YPC, 9 TDs.  The very defintion of a backup running back.  Average at best, definitely not a 1st round pick, but not a bust.

#18: T. J. Duckett, Falcons (now on Lions).  65 G, 590 Att., 2307 Yds, 3.9 YPC, 33 TDs.  Longtime backup to Warrick Dunn.  Used mostly in goal line situations.  Another back that wasn't particularly a bust, but not a 1st round pick by any means.

Round 2:

#34 (overall): DeShaun Foster, Panthers.  47 G, 604 Att, 2460 Yds, 4.1 YPC, 7 TDs.  Stuck in the RB carosel that is the Panthers running game.  Missed 12 games in 2003 to injury.  Has shown great potential, and perhaps a change of scenery would be best for him.  Not a bust - yet.

#51: Clinton Portis, Broncos (now with Redskins).  68 G, 1385 Att, 6453 Yds, 4.7 YPC, 52 TDs.  Probably the best RB to come out of this draft.  Traded to the Redskins for CB Champ Bailey.  Missed 8 games in 2006 to injury.  3 1500+ yard seasons.

#54: Maurice Morris, Seahawks.  74 G, 332 Att, 1410 Yds, 4.2 YPC, 1 TD.  Consummate backup to Shaun Alexander in Seattle.  Rarely used, but performs adequately when called upon.

#56: Ladell Betts, Redskins.  64 G, 566 Att, 2425 Yds, 4.3 YPC, 9 TDs.  Backup to Cliton Portis in Washington.  Breakout season in 2006, when Portis went down to injury, rushing for 1100+ yards.  With Portis, forms one of the more potent 2 RB tandems in the NFL.

Round 3:

#91: Brian Westbrook, Eagles.  Rushing: 70 G, 736 Att, 3452 Yds, 4.7 YPC, 20 TDs.  Recieving: 257 Rec, 2436 Yds, 9.5 YPC, 18 TDs.  Perhaps the best dual threat in the NFL.  Often ignored at RB in Andy Reid's offense, but utilized to great success as a reciever out of the backfield.

Round 4:

#99: Jonathan Wells, Texans.  60 G, 374 Att, 1167 yds, 3.1 YPC, 10 TDs.  Buried in the depth chart in Houston since arriving in 2002.  Rarely used.

#119: Travis Stephens, Buccaneers.  No stats.  Never played a down in an NFL uniform.  Out of the league by 2004.

#135: Najeh Davenport, Packers (now with Steelers).  52 G, 277 Att, 1289 yds, 4.7 YPC, 8 TDs.  Adequate backup to Ahman Green in GB before signing with Pittsburgh last offseason.  Has shown flashes of brilliance.

Round 5:

#166: Verron Haynes, Steelers.  60 G, 174 Att, 738 Yds, 4.2 YPC, 3 TDs.  Longtime backup stuck deep in the depth chart in Pittsburgh.  Currently out of a job.

Round 6:

#185: Josh Scobey, Cardinals (now with Bills).  27 G, 27 Att, 89 Yds, 3.3 Ypc, 0 TDs.  Not the kicker for the Jaguars.  No rushing attemps since 2004, but has seen action as a return man.

#197: Larry Ned, Raiders.  No stats.  Never saw action in an NFL game, but was caught in 2005 stealing a laptop from the Arizona Cardinals' practice facility shortly after signing with the team.

#199: Adrian Peterson, Bears.  61 G, 133 Att, 622 Yds, 4.7 YPC, 5 TDs.  Buried behind Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones in the past, but with the departure of Jones is poised to see enhanced action this season as backup to Benson. 

#204: Brian Allen, Colts.  No stats.  I truly can't find a single thing about Brian Allen other than that he was drafted by the Colts here.  Does anyone know anything?

#207: Chester Taylor, Ravens (now with Vikings).  77 G, 676 Att, 2815 Yds, 4.2 YPC, 10 TDs.  Stuggled for years behind Jamal Lewis in Baltimore, before breaking out in 2006 in his Vikings debut.  The best late round pick in this draft.

Round 7:

#214: Luke Staley, Lions.  No stats. Never saw action in the NFL after suffering a career ending knee injury in training camp.  Doak Walker Award (best college RB) winner at BYU.

#237: Antwoine Womack, Patriots.  No stats.  No NFL experience.  Spent 2003 and 2004 with the Patriots, and then 2005 with the Giants, and is currently out of the league.

#241: Leonard Henry, Dolphins.  6 G, 46 Att, 141 Yds, 3.1 YPC, 0 TDs.  Out of the league.

#251: Jarrett Ferguson, Bills.  No stats.  Out of NFL after 1 season.

#257: Rock Cartwright, Redskins.  76 G, 144 Att, 647 Yds, 4.5 YPC, 6 TDs.  Currently 3rd string in Washington behind Portis and Betts (both 2002 draft picks.)  Only 7th round RB pick still in league.

There it is.  All 21 RB picks, minus Brian Allen.  Sorry its so long.  I will periodically be doing these whenever I feel like it, or whenever I'm bored.