NFL's Running Backs Are Overrated and Overpaid

Running backs get all the glory and money, but yet the running-back position is the most replaceable and overrated. The difference in NFL running-back production, besides the select few backs, isn’t large enough for certain players to be getting paid so much.

If I was an NFL GM, I would not be spending a lot of money on running backs. Look at the Kansas City Chiefs, for example. Larry Johnson has a salary of $13,300,000 a year, while their backup, Kolby Smith, was just as productive as him last year. The Chiefs could have used that money on other positions, such as offensive linemen, and made their team better.

Every year, there are so many backup running backs that do just as well as, if not better than, their starters. There are very few running backs that are actually irreplaceable.

A good example of this point is Priest Holmes. He had one of the greatest O-lines in the history of the game and had the greatest three-year stretch any running back has ever had. Yet, when he got hurt, his backup, Larry Johnson, showed us that he might have been better than Priest when he ran for 1,750 yards in a season where he only started nine games.

The greatest example of a team that constantly replaces their starting running backs and does not see much of a change in production is the Denver Broncos. Over the last nine years, they have had seven different rushing leaders and six different 1,000-yard rushers.

Leader's, by year: 1999, Terrell Davis; 2000, Olandis Gary; 2001, Mike Anderson; 2002, Clinton Portis; 2003 , Clinton Portis; 2004, Reuben Droughns; 2005, Mike Anderson; 2006, Tatum Bell; 2007, Selvin Young; and 2008?

I never realized that the running backs position was so replaceable until I started playing fantasy football. In fantasy football, every time a starting running back gets injured, you just pick up his backup, and there generally isn’t much of a difference in production.

Let’s look at the first day starting running backs in the NFL from last year, and see which one’s were irreplaceable to their team:

(YPC-Yards per carry, YPR - Yards per reception)

Bears

Starter: Cedric Benson—196 attempts, 3.4 YPC,  674 yards, 4 touchdowns, 17 receptions, 127 yards, 7.2 YPR

Backup: Adrian Peterson—151 attempts, 3.4 YPC, 510 yards, 3 touchdowns, 51 receptions, 420 yards, 8.2 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaced already

Bengals

Starter: Rudi Johnson—170 attempts, 497 rushing yards, 2.9 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 13 receptions, 110 yards, 8.5 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Kenny Watson—178 attempts, 763 rushing yards, 4.3 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 52 receptions, 374 yards, 7.2 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaceable

Bills

Starter: Marshawn Lynch—280 attempts, 1,115 yards, 4.0 YPC, 7 Touchdowns, 18 receptions, 184 yards, 10.2 YPR

Backup: Fred Jackson—58 attempts, 300 yards , 5.2 YPC, 0 Touchdowns, 22 receptions 190 yards, 8.6 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaceable

Broncos

Starter: Travis Henry—167 attempts, 691 yards, 4.1 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 7 receptions, 65 yards, 9.3 YPC

Backup: Selvin Young—140 attempts, 729 yards, 5.2 YPC, 1 touchdown, 35 receptions, 231 yards, 6.6 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Browns

Starter: Jamal Lewis—298 attempts, 1304 yards, 4.4 YPC, 9 touchdowns 30 receptions 248 yards 8.3 YPR, 2 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Jason Wright—60 attempts, 277 yards, 4.6 YPC, 1 touchdown, 24 receptions, 233 yards, 9.7 YPC

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Buccaneers

Starter: Cadillac Williams—54 attempts, 208 yards, 3.9 YPC,  3  touchdowns, 3 receptions 17  yards 5.7 YPR

Backup: Earnest Graham—222 attempts, 898 yards, 4.0 YPC, 10 touchdowns, 49 receptions 324 yards 6.6 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaced already

Cardinals

Starter: Edgerrin James

Advantage: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Verdict: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Chargers

Starter: LaDainian  Tomlinson—315 attempts, 1,474 yards,  4.7 YPC,  15 touchdowns, 60 receptions, 475 yards, 7.9 YPR, 3 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Michael Turner—71 attempts, 316 yards, 4.5 YPC, 1 touchdown, 4 receptions, 16 yards, 4 YPR

Advantage: Starter—because of his knack for getting in the end-zone and his receiving capabilities.

Verdict: Irreplaceable

Chiefs

Starter: Larry Johnson—158 attempts, 559 yards, 3.5 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 30 receptions, 186 yards, 6.2 YPC, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Kolby Smith—112 attempts, 407 yards, 3.6 YPC,  2 touchdowns, 22 receptions, 148 yards, 6.7 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Colts

Starter: Joseph Addai—261 attempts, 1,072 yards, 4.1 YPC, 12 touchdowns, 41 receptions, 364 yards, 8.9 YPC, 3 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Kenton Keith - 121 attempts, 533 yards, 4.4 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 13 receptions, 77 yards, 5.9 YPC, 1 receiving touchdown

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Cowboys

Starter: Julius Jones—164 attempts, 588 yards, 3.6 YPC, 2 touchdowns,  23 receptions, 203 yards, 8.8 YPR

Backup: Marion Barber—204 attempts, 975 yards, 4.8 YPC, 10 touchdowns,  44 receptions, 282 yards, 6.4 YPR, 2 receiving touchdowns

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Dolphins

Starter: Ronnie Brown—119 attempts, 602 yard, 5.1 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 39 receptions, 389 yards, 10.0 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Jesse Chatman—128 attempts, 515 yards, 4.0 YPC, 1 touchdown, 27 receptions, 161 yards, 6.0 YPR

Advantage: Starter

Verdict: Irreplaceable

Eagles

Starter: Brian Westbrook—278 attempts, 1,333 yard, 4.8 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 90 receptions, 771 yards, 8.6 YPR, 5 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Correll Buckhalter—62 attempts, 313 yards, 5.0 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 12 receptions, 87 yards, 7.3 YPR

Advantage: Starter—because of Westbrook’s receiving capabilities.

Verdict: Irreplaceable

49ers

Starter: Frank Gore—260 attempts, 1102 yards, 4,2 YPC, 5 touchdowns, 53 receptions, 436 yards, 8.2 YPR.

Advantage: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Verdict: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Falcons

Starter: Warrick Dunn—227 attempts, 720 yards, 3.2 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 37 receptions, 238 yards, 6.4 YPR

Backup: Jerious Norwood—103 attempts, 613 yards, 6.0 YPC, 1 touchdown, 28 receptions, 277 yards, 9.9 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Giants

Starter: Brandon Jacobs—202 attempts, 1,009 yards, 5.0 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 174 yards, 7.6 YPR, 2 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Derrick Ward—125 attempts, 602 yards, 4.8 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 26 receptions, 179 yards, 6.9 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Jaguars

Starter: Fred Taylor—223 attempts, 1,202 yards, 5.4 YPC, 5 touchdowns, 9 receptions, 58 yards, 6.4 YPR

Backup: Maurice Jones Drew - 167 attempts, 768 yards, 4.6 YPC, 9 touchdowns, 40 receptions, 407 yards, 10.2 YPR

Advantage: Nobody—because what Drew lacks in running compared to Taylor, he makes up for with his receiving capabilities.

Verdict: Replaceable

Jets

Starter: Thomas Jones—310 attempts, 1,119 yards, 3.6 YPC, 1 touchdown, 28 receptions, 217 yards, 7.8 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Leon Washington—71 attempts, 353 yards, 5.0 YPC, 36 receptions, 213 yards, 5.9 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaceable

Lions

Starter: Kevin Jones—153 attempts, 581 yards, 3.8 YPC, 8 touchdowns, 33 receptions, 199 yards, 6.0 YPR

Backup: T.J Duckett—65 attempts, 335 yards, 5.2 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 4 receptions, 54 yards, 13.5 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Packers

Starter: Brandon Jackson—75 attempts, 267 yards, 3.6 YPC, 1 touchdown, 16 receptions 130 yards 8.1 YPR

Backup: Ryan Grant—188 attempts, 956 yards, 5.1 YPC, 8 touchdowns, 30 receptions, 145 yards, 4.8 YPC

Advantage: Back up

Verdict: Replaced already

Panthers

Starter: DeShaun Foster—247 attempts, 876 yards, 3.5 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 25 receptions, 182 yards, 7.3 YPR

Backup: DeAngelo Williams—144 attempts, 717 yards, 5.0 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 175 yards, 7.6 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Patriots

Starter: Laurence Maroney—185 attempts, 835 yards, 4.5 YPC, 6 touchdowns, 4 receptions, 116 yards, 29.0 YPC

Backup: Sammy Morris—85 attempts, 384 yards, 4.53 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 6 receptions, 35 yards, 5.8 YPC

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Raiders

Starter: LaMont Jordan—144 attempts, 549 yards, 3.8 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 28 receptions, 247 yards, 8.8 YPC

Backup: Justin Fargas—222 attempts, 1009 yards, 4.5 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 188 yards, 8.2 YPR

Advantage: Back up

Verdict: Replaced Already

Rams

Starter: Steven Jackson—237 attempts, 1,002 yards, 4.2 YPC, 5 touchdowns, 38 receptions, 271 yards, 7.1 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Brian Leonard—86 attempts, 303 yards, 3.5 YPC, 30 receptions, 183 yards, 6.1 YPR

Advantage: Starter

Verdict: Irreplaceable

Ravens

Starter: Willis McGahee—294 attempts, 1,207 yards, 4.1 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 43 receptions, 231 yards, 5.4 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Musa Smith—75 attempts, 264 yards, 3.5 YPC, 2 touchdowns, 27 receptions, 192 yards, 7.1 YPR

Advantage: Starter

Verdict: Irreplaceable

Redskins

Starter: Clinton Portis—325 attempts, 1,262 yards, 3.9 YPC, 11 touchdowns, 47 receptions 389 yards 8.3 YPR

Backup: Ladell Betts—93 attempts, 335 yards, 3.6 YPC, 1 touchdown, 21 receptions, 174 yards 8.3 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Saints

Starter: Reggie Bush—157 attempts, 581 yards, 3.7 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 73 receptions, 417 yards, 5.7 YPR, 2 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Aaron Stecker—115 attempts, 448 yards, 3.9 YPC, 5 touchdowns 62 receptions, 211 yards, 5.9 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Seahawks

Starter: Shaun Alexander—207 attempts, 716 yards, 3.5 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 14 receptions, 76 yards, 5.4 YPR

Backup: Maurice Morris—140 attempts, 628 yards, 4.5 YPR, 4 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 213 yards, 9.3 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Steelers

Starter: Willie Parker—321 attempts, 1316 yards, 4.1 YPC, 2 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 164 yards, 7.1 YPC

Backup: Najeh Davenport—107 attempts, 499 yards, 4.7 YPC, 5 touchdowns, 18 receptions, 184 yards, 10.2 YPR, 2 receiving touchdowns

Advantage: Back up

Verdict: Replaceable

Texans

Starter: Ahman Green—70 attempts, 260 yards, 3.7 YPC, 2 touchdowns, 14 receptions, 123 yards, 8.8 YPR

Backup: Ron Dayne—194 attempts, 773 yards, 4.0 YPC, 6 touchdowns, 17 receptions, 112 yards, 6.6 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Titans

Starter: LenDale White—303 attempts, 1,110 yards, 3.7 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 20 receptions, 114 yards, 5.7 YPR

Backup: Chris Brown—102 attempts 462 yards 4.5 YPC 5 touchdowns 19 receptions 128 yards 6.7 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaceable

Vikings

Starter: Chester Taylor—157 attempts, 844 yards, 5.4 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 29 receptions, 281 yards, 9.7 YPC

Backup: Adrian Peterson—238 attempts, 1,341 yards, 5.6 YPC, 12 touchdowns, 19 receptions, 268 yards, 14.1 YPR, 1 touchdown

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

After researching and analyzing these statistics, I found that 25 out of the 32 opening-day starting NFL running backs were replaceable with running backs on their own team.

I concluded that 11 backups outperformed their starters, with 14 performing as well as their starters. I also found out that 12 opening-day starters have been replaced already. 

Overall, I only found five opening-day starters last year that were irreplaceable to their teams. These five are: LaDainian Tomlinson, Steven Jackson, Brian Westbrook, Ronnie Brown, and Willis McGahee.

It’s definitely not a coincidence that these are the five. If I told you to guess the five beforehand, you would have probably guessed at least three of them.

Although I believe that these stats are relevant, you have to keep in mind that this is not an exact science. These statistics don’t show if the back was playing with injury, was a short-yardage back or a third-down back, the difference in workload and fatigue between the two players, what defenses the running back played against, how the running back was being played, and other key points.

However, these statistics have to be considered relevant, due to the fact that not only are there so many backups with as good as or better statistics than their starters, there are also many backups with a similar amount of attempts as their starters, with as or more productive statistics than their starters.

From these statistics, People can see that most running backs in the NFL are replaceable and many shouldn’t even be starters. I believe that NFL running backs should not be paid or drafted as high as they currently are, considering there isn’t enough of a production differential between most running backs.