Assessing the Franchise Potential of Every Rookie RB

Forget the prospects of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill. Everyone wants to know if they'll be franchise quarterbacks in today's pass-happy NFL. 

But what about the running backs of the 2012 draft class? 

Sure, to some, running backs aren't nearly as important as they used to be. But they're still integral facets of most NFL offenses. 

Which guys have feature back potential?

Feature Back Potential: Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson's NFL premiere was far from what the Cleveland Browns expected: 19 carries for 39 yards. Yikes. 

Still, there's reason to be excited about Richardson's prospects if you're a Browns fan. He's is recovering from a knee injury and likely isn't 100 percent. When he's fully back, Richardson will be a punishing workhorse. 

Just wait.

His natural ability, collegiate experience and production will make him a viable NFL feature back. He's faster than people give him credit for, but he'll never be a home-run hitter like Adrian Peterson. However, Richardson is a between-the-tacklers grinder who'll lay the wood on cornerbacks and even some linebackers for a long time. 

When he plays in a game in which Brandon Weeden doesn't throw four interceptions, he'll be given closer to 30 carries and should get into a better rhythm. 

The only true worry with T-Rich is the recurrence of injuries. 

Feature Back Potential: Doug Martin

Doug Martin was touted as a versatile feature back in the Ray Rice mold. 

That's about right. 

At 5'9'' and 215 pounds, he has a Rice-esque build, and in college, he was the jack-of-all-trades. He was the team's workhorse runner, he caught passes and he even returned kickoffs. 

Martin was integral in the Buccaneers' Week 1 victory over the trendy Carolina Panthers, carrying the ball 24 times for 95 yards while reeling in four passes for 23 yards. 

Get accustomed to that type of stat line for the former Boise State Bronco. 

Upon re-watching some of his carries against the Panthers, it's evident that Martin will be a tough customer, a guy not easily brought to the turf. 

He runs extremely hard and possesses deceptive agility to evade defenders if need be. 

He is a player with immense feature back potential. 

Feature Back Potential: Bernard Pierce

Ray Rice is the man in Baltimore. He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage in 2011. He signed a multi-year extension prior to the regular season. 

He's the feature back for the foreseeable future. 

That doesn't mean there isn't another guy with feature back potential on the roster, though. 

The 6'0'', 218-pound Bernard Pierce, Baltimore's second-round pick in the 2012 draft, has what it takes to be a productive complement to Rice and theoretically take over as the Ravens' top running back option in time. 

While he isn't an truly explosive, Pierce is decisive as a runner. He hits the hole hard and doesn't dance—something that often allows pursuing defenders to make plays closer to the line of scrimmage in the NFL. 

He is a bit raw, but Pierce's, size, underrated speed and straight-forward style of running the football could lead to a fine career, even if it starts in Rice's shadow. 

Feature Back Potential: David Wilson

David Wilson was another rookie RB who didn't exactly "wow" anyone. He carried the ball twice for four yards and fumbled in Week 1. 

But be patient with Wilson. He possesses the necessary natural physical tools to become a feature back in the future. 

With him, think C.J. Spiller. 

While Spiller still has to fully prove himself, he's improved tremendously over his last few games. 

Wilson's equally, if not more athletically gifted, with a great burst and the ability to make violent jump cuts. 

If he learns to be patient himself and set up blocks like Spiller has, Wilson undeniably has feature back potential.

The Giants don't operate a run-heavy offense, and Ahmad Bradshaw is in front of him, but in time, Wilson could be the go-to guy for Big Blue.

Sleepers

Isaiah Pead

Pead didn't receive a carry in the Rams' season-opener against the Lions, but give him time to acclimate to the professional game. 

In college, he was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry in a more traditional feature back role in the Cincinnati Bearcats offense. 

With Steven Jackson at the twilight of his career, someone will have to step up in St. Louis.

Robert Turbin

With Marshawn Lynch nursing a back injury, everyone wanted to jump on Turbin in their fantasy leagues. As it turned out out, Lynch was fine and received 21 carries to Turbin's two. 

At 5'10'' and 222 pounds, the Utah State alum has the ideal size to become a feature back, and his powerful running style could potentially lead to a productive career in Seattle. 

Alfred Morris

Morris already has won the starting job in Washington...for now. We know how Mike Shanahan loves to cycle through his running backs and play the "hot hand."

The sixth-rounder from Florida Atlantic isn't spectacular in any one area, but there's not much to go off after one game. At 5'10'' and 213 pounds, he has good size and should be a fine goal-line back for the Redskins. 

Sub-Package

Chris Rainey

Rainey will factor into the Steelers' game plan in 2012 as a nice change of pace to Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman and eventually Rashard Mendenhall. 

He was a gadget player in college, and Pittsburgh drafted him to use him in the same capacity in the future. 

At 5'9'' and 180 pounds, he simply doesn't have the build to be a feature back and doesn't have much experience running between the tackles. 

LaMichael James

LaMichael James was inactive for the 49ers' season opener, and he currently sits behind a solid stable of runners in San Francisco: Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon. 

James is small, but he has good vision, lateral cutting ability and deceptive speed. 

It may be a while before he gets an opportunity, but running behind an agile and powerful 49ers offensive line could yield some production from the former Oregon Duck. 

Lamar Miller

Like James, Miller was a healthy scratch in Week 1. He was drafted as a redshirt sophomore, so clearly he's a bit raw and is still learning the nuances of the running back position, especially how to be a good one at the professional level. 

He has good acceleration and athleticism, but he isn't an overly punishing runner, so he doesn't offer a different running style to that of Reggie Bush or Daniel Thomas. However, that doesn't mean he won't be utilized in the long run.

Michael Smith

Smith, Robert Turbin's backup at Utah State, is the Buccaneers' No. 3 running back. He returned three kicks in Week 1. 

He's built solidly at 5'9'' and 205 pounds, and his low center of gravity could help him in the future. 

Expect him to eventually be the change of pace to Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount in Tampa Bay. 

Long Shots (In Order)

Ronnie Hillman

Burst is there. Needs to get healthy. Quickly. 

Daryl Richardson

Already ahead of Pead in St. Louis. 

Vick Ballard

No. 2 in Indianapolis, could be RB of the future.  

Cyrus Gray 

Not overly explosive, but a smart runner.

Bryce Brown

It would help if the Eagles were more dedicated to the run.  

Terrance Ganaway

Potential Steven Jackson replacement. Long way to go.  

Chris Polk

Needs to pass Brown first.