Last year’s NFL season saw numerous spectacular performances by running backs. Rookies like Doug Martin, Alfred Morris and Trent Richardson all emerged as dangerous threats on the ground, with Morris, and Martin, finishing top 10 in the NFL in both total yards and yards per carry (YPC). Explosive back CJ Spiller also made his debut as a consistent starting back for the Buffalo Bills, averaging an amazing six yards per attempt. Meanwhile, usual powerhouse runners like Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, and Arian Foster continued to produce fantastically for their teams, with Peterson only missing the single-season rushing record by eight yards.
This year things are pretty different. Many of 2012’s most impressive running backs have become absolute disappointments through the first half of the 2013 season. Let’s look at a few in depth:
Also the subject of one of the most interesting trades of the season, Trent Richardson is a very good example of one of these currently faltering running backs. Although never boasting extremely impressive numbers, Richardson ran behind a far-from-perfect offensive line in Cleveland during his rookie season last year. After being drafted third overall in the 2012 draft, Richardson played a strong first season; he rushed for almost 1,000 yards, scored 11 touchdowns and averaging 3.6 yards per carry. However in 2013, his stats have been lackluster. Richardson is averaging only 3.0 yards per attempt, and is on pace for over 300 yards less than he finished last year with.
Before receiving a season-ending injury, Doug Martin had also taken a huge step back in 2013 after having one of the more exciting rookie performances in recent memory. The same back who ran for 11 touchdowns and racked up almost 500 yards receiving in 2012 was on pace this year for only 3 TDs and less than 200 receiving yards. Martin’s YPC was also way down from last season, with the sophomore back averaging one whole yard less per carry in the six games that he was able to play this year.
Ray Rice entered 2013 on a four-season streak of 1,000 yard seasons, a period during which he ran for 33 total touchdowns. This year, Rice’s production could not be more the opposite; he currently ranks last in the NFL in yards per attempt (among qualified backs) at 2.5. The three-time Pro-Bowler has also been faltering in the passing game; he is currently on pace for his lowest season total in receiving yards since his rookie year.
As the NFL continues to become more pass-centric, it seems as if many of the league’s remaining excellent running backs are having unforeseen slumps that will in no way encourage teams to continue to commit to the run game. Superstar-backs will always rise as others fall; however, the many disappointments from should-be-studs this year feels like a year of failure for the position in general.