Based on my latest mock draft, the streak of seven consecutive drafts with at least one first-round running back will end in 2022.
Over the past six drafts, some of the talented Day 2 running backs include Jonathan Taylor, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb, Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon and Alvin Kamara, among others. In fact, many of those running backs selected in the second or third round have turned out to be better NFL players than their first-round counterparts within the same draft classes.
Multiple first-round running backs have been selected in five drafts over the past decade, including last year with Najee Harris and Travis Etienne. That said, last year’s draft tied 2016’s decade-low with only four running backs selected through the first three rounds.
