The last couple seasons haven't lived up to the standards of the past as they relate to rookie running backs being able to produce immediately. 2011 saw Mark Ingram, Ryan Williams, Shane Vereen and Mikel Leshoure, the top four backs selected in that years draft, struggle making an immediate impact.
2010 wasn't much different either. C. J. Spiller, Jahvid Best and Ryan Mathews weren't anything to write home about.
One common theme was the ability of mid-round guys being able to step up and make immediate impact. Last season saw DeMarco Murray and Roy Helu Jr produce the most of any rookie running backs. They were selected in the third and fourth round respectively.
Which brings me to this season. Alfred Morris, from Florida Atlantic, was the 11th running back off the board and 173rd overall selection when the Washington Redskins picked him up in the sixth round. Not only is Morris the top rookie running back, he has put up RB1 numbers through the first seven weeks of the 2012 NFL season.
Meanwhile, the likes of David Wilson and LaMichael James (yet to be active in 2012), who were selected in the first two rounds, have yet to make impacts.
As you will see with the table below, not many rookie running backs have made impacts thus far this season. But the ones' that have continue to show why it does make sense to gamble on youngsters at this position when drawing up your fantasy draft board.
| Player | Team | Rush Yards | AVG | Total Yards | TD | Points |
| Alfred Morris | Washington | 658 | 4.8 | 693 | 5 | 93 |
| Trent Richardson | Cleveland | 348 | 3.4 | 547 | 5 | 76 |
| Doug Martin | Tampa Bay | 408 | 4.1 | 553 | 2 | 62 |
All three of the running backs here are, at a minimum, RB2 options. Morris is second in the NFL in rushing, just one whole yard behind Arian Foster. He is seventh in average fantasy points and second in rushing touchdowns. It goes without saying that the Skins' rookie is a RB1 option already.
Meanwhile, Richardson, who is currently banged up, has struggled getting large chunks of yardage on the ground. He is averaging just 3.4 yards per attempt. However, the 2012 top 10 pick is on pace to put up nearly 1,300 total yards and 11 touchdowns. Expect Richardson to improve his statistics as Brandon Weeden continues to progress as a quarterback. In short, teams aren't going to be able to stack eight in the box against the talented young running back moving forward.
One of my biggest disappointments thus far this season is Doug Martin. I fully expected him to put up RB1 type numbers, about 1,600 yards and double digit touchdowns. Through the first six games of the season, Martin has struggled a great deal with providing consistent fantasy points. That being said, the Boise State product is still on pace for nearly 1,500 total yards. It is the two touchdowns through six games that has me concerned.