Revenge of the Birds
There have been plenty of running backs taken in the first round of the NFL draft over the history of the league. That’s an easy declaration.
There are fewer who have been named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. And that percentage gets even smaller for a rookie running back who has made the Pro Bowl.
RELATED: JEREMIYAH LOVE SCOUTING REPORT
The list is minuscule when you seek out how many rookie RBs also become the league MVP in their first season. Let’s see, Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns in 1957, and….. Yeah, pretty exclusive club.
For every Barry Sanders, Franco Harris, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, Paul Hornung, Earl Campbell, Charley Trippi, O.J. Simpson, Saquon Barkley, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Eric Dickerson, or John Riggins taken in the first round, there is a William Green, Harvey Unga, C.J. Spiller, Sony Michel, Bishop Sankey, Curtis Enis, Tommy Vardell, George Rogers, or Clint Jones ready to tell the tale of how running backs taken in Round 1 are hit or miss.
Editor’s note: While Rogers had a decent career after being taken with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 1981 NFL draft, right behind, the New York Football Giants drafted Lawrence Taylor. Ouch.
For a rookie running back to be named to the Pro Bowl in his first year in the league is very remarkable.
Consider the All-Rookie Team. They are looking for only one set of players: guys who have just completed their rookie season. Plus, they name two guys at RB, which adds to the odds. So, depending on how many rookie RBs make rosters in any given year, the percentages of being voted to this prestigious team are pretty good.
A total of 13 running backs were selected in the 2026 NFL draft. There is the same number of undrafted rookie running backs who have been signed to training camp rosters. How many of each kind will stick on the main roster will be determined in late August. Some that become waived will then be signed to team practice squads.
Jeremiyah Love is this year’s big fish. He was taken third overall by the Arizona Cardinals and is projected to become the starting RB for Arizona this year. The Cardinals’ running back room is absolutely busting at the seams with free agent signee Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, Bam Knight, Trey Benson, and Corey Kiner.
Love had 18 touchdowns last year for Notre Dame, plus rushed for 1,372 yards. He started 27 games in his final three seasons with 25 TDs in his last two years. Great receiver, above-average blocker, and exceptional moves with 4.36 speed. High character guy. In high school, he was a sprinter and in football, was voted the “Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year” as well as MaxPreps “Missouri High School Football Player of the Year.”
He will become the workhorse for Arizona. Home run speed with outstanding balance. Very patient runner with good vision and natural ball-tracking...
