Running Back Watch: 5 Rookies that are Flying Up the Depth Chart

We are officially less than three weeks away from “real” NFL games being on our tv screens. After arguably the craziest offseason period in the history of the sport, the league looks much different than it did at the end of last season. One major position that is seeing an overhaul of sorts is the running back spot.

The position continues to lose value across the league, which means that teams will always be looking to add a youthful player to their backfield via the NFL Draft. Given the fact that so few players end up getting a second contract in the NFL, especially at running back, it’s becoming more and more difficult for a ball carrier to stick around through his late-20s.

The top-end players like Christian McCaffery, Derrick Henry, and Dalvin Cook have all transcended the position and in doing so, they received lucrative long-term deals. Even just looking at these three shows why franchises are reluctant to shell out that much cash for such a frugal position. McCaffery and Henry both missed considerable time in 2021, and Cook has missed multiple games in each season of his career.

Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Miles Sanders are three running backs that enter the final season of their rookie deal in 2022. Barkley has had right around a top-ten salary at the position since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2018, so he has less riding on a second contract than others. Jacobs also has first-round money, albeit from the No. 24 spot. Sanders, on the other hand, went in round two and has earned less than his peers in the upcoming free agent class.

Rookie Running Back Watch: 5 Players that are Flying Up the Depth Chart

It makes for an interesting conundrum for teams. Their veteran running backs know the system way better, but the mileage adds up quickly so it is hard to blame front offices for spending their money elsewhere. Barkley, Jacobs, and Sanders are all starting-level running backs in the NFL, but all three will likely be looking for new homes this offseason.

Whether it be as a result of deteriorating health or because of a cheaper option performing on the same level, teams are quick to move off of their running backs these days. Even when they do extend them, it ends up being a deal that is heavily geared in favor of the franchise. It is a smart business move for the team but provides little insurance for the player.

For example, Ezekiel Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He is currently entering year two of the deal, but after the 2022 season, the Cowboys will have the option to cut the star running back for a fraction of his remaining contract. As much of a star as Zeke is in Dallas, the writing is on the wall as far as his future goes.

If this happens to be the case, he will miss out on a massive chunk of that market-setting contract he signed with Dallas a couple of years back. No running back since has even approached the overall money that Elliott signed for. As with any position, it’s always important to look at the structure of the deal, rather than the “total” salary.

A few of the best running backs in the NFL today are still on their initial rookie deals, giving their team great value at the position. Jonathan Taylor will earn ~$2 million in 2022 and is still under contract in 2023 for a similar amount. The Indianapolis Colts nearly made the playoffs squarely on the back of Taylor, making the former Wisconsin Badger one of the best values in all of sports.

Najee Harris is making more than Taylor since he has a newer deal and went off the board in the first round. Still, it is very team-friendly, with the total money over four years coming out to roughly $13 million. The Steelers also will have a fifth-year option that they can choose to exercise if Harris continues his ascension up the ranks. Keeping all of this in mind, it is time to take a look at the NFL as a whole.

There is a handful of rookie running backs that have been forcing their way into reps with the first team so far this offseason. A running back wasn’t selected in round one of the draft, so these deals will all hover around the $1-2 million a year price tag. Rather than paying their current veteran(s), look for the teams to turn over the starting role to these youngsters before the 2022 season ends.

Here are five rookies that have forced the team’s hand and have earned real consideration to supplant the incumbent starter on each respective team.