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

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