The running backs in the 2014 NFL Draft class were not valued very heavily for two reasons: running backs are becoming increasingly disposable and this class had no definitive standouts. Bishop Sankey and Carlos Hyde led the crop of talent, but Sankey was the first taken by the Tennessee Titans with the 54th pick.
With running backs going so long, it’s hard to envision too many of them starting on Week 1. Teams drafting running backs in this draft just happened to have comparable or better options in house. Systems are relying closer to two- and three-running backs units nowadays, so these rookies will see some of the load, but not all.
By process of elimination, backs like Hyde, Andre Williams, Jeremy Hill and Tre Mason are not being prepped to be starters this season, or even in the near future.
Hyde will run alongside San Fracicsco 49ers legend Frank Gore and Marcus Lattimore, while Williams will fight Rashad Jennings and David Wilson, and Hill (Cincinnati Bengals) and Mason (St. Louis Rams) will have Giovani Bernard and Zac Stacy to compete with, respectively.
With such competition in the backfield, these rookies will have a hard time racking up strong numbers. Very few backs in this class will get the opportunity that Sankey will in Tennessee.
Sankey enters a running back unit devoid of former standout Chris Johnson, who ran for 2,006 yards in a career year in 2009. The hole that Johnson left needs to be filled and Sankey will get the chance to try to carry the Titans offense.
However, he will have to share carries with Shonn Greene, who ran for just 295 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games last season. Greene was brought in to complement Johnson’s speed and agility, but he will now have to fight Sankey, who does not draw comparisons to Johnson.
With two running backs that share the same strength and downhill running style, one may emerge as the primary back. Sankey, who ran 4.49-second 40-yard dash, is faster than Greene (4.65) and can hit seams relatively well.
Another factor that may help Sankey’s chances at a primary role is the fact that Greene averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last season. With an already weak offensive line, the Titans may look to Sankey, who ran for 5.7 yards per carry. Yes, the college game is significantly different than the NFL, but if Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt can get Sankey’s abilities to transfer to the pro game, the Titans will have a quality run game.
If Sankey is successful, he’ll find the end zone. At Washington in 2013, Sankey ran for 23 touchdowns. That’s impressive in itself, but what makes this stat even more telling is the fact that Sankey found the end zone in all of the Huskies’ 15 games. His consistent knack for scoring touchdowns will proves useful for a Titans rushing game that already ranked seventh in the league in touchdowns.
Dark Horses
If Sankey does not deliver in Tennessee, there are a few late-round choices that could surprise fans with strong seasons.
Devonta Freeman leads that pack, with his impressive 5.9 yards per carry number for the National Champion Florida State Seminoles. In Atlanta, Freeman currently sits behind Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers. However, an injury or a simply impressive preseason could boost Freeman’s stock.
Another interesting pick that could see production is Terrance West, a third round pick by the Cleveland Browns. Yes, the Browns picked up Ben Tate in the offseason, but the team’s confidence in Tate fell in question when it moved up into the third round to take West. The running backs will share carries, but West’s ability to evade defenders and find the end zone could propel him to more carries.