2012 NFL Draft "All Bust" List-Running Backs

By:  Bobby Shores

While working on the 2012 "All Bust" List I decided I could do an entire article on just the running back position, so I did. It's not that I necessarily think the running backs will be a bust, I just don't think they have the value anymore. Not only are relative unknowns having tremendous impact on the league, the NFL has also shifted to a "running back by committee approach", meaning touches, yards, touchdowns all go down and the overall impact of a single player continues to decline.

Before you read this, you should read the 2011 "All Bust" List so you know I'm legit and also check out the first 3 articles of Draft Busts already out there this year (1st is here, 2nd is here, 3rd is here)

1st Round Running Backs-Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, & David Wilson - Before I get ripped endlessly for this one, I'm not saying that these running backs will end up like Ki-Jana Carter or Lawrence Phillips, in fact Trent Richardson will probably end up as one of the best RB's in the league along with Wilson if he can fix his fumbling problem, while Martin will be a solid, just not spectacular RB. My reason for putting these guys up here is that the devaluation of the running back in the NFL means that not even a pre-blown out knee Adrian Peterson is worth a 1st round pick in my opinion.

He benched 475lbs & coaches wouldnt let him try more

Not only is the running game as irrelevant as its ever been, teams and fantasy owners are discovering that relative unknowns and unheralded veterans and rookies are seemingly taking the league by storm each and every year. Not only do running back's transition from college to the professional level easier than most (if not all) other positions, I believe that the offensive line, passing game, and play calls have more to do with their success than pure talent.

     -Trent Richardson-RB-Browns(1st Round) - I like, not love Richardson as an all-around back and believe he can and will be successful at the NFL level; unfortunately I believe his accomplishments will be overshadowed by the state of the Browns franchise, both current and future. I have massive respect for Browns fans, and I found out what happens when you anger them by objectively and honestly evaluating their former QB Colt McCoy who has been forgotten (and most of those guys that attacked me on Twitter are now grateful that Colt is no longer their QB) now that Weeden is the next savior.

My problem is that when you look at the teams in their division, and the potential for rapid wear down on Richardson, that by the time the Browns are ready to compete in the playoffs, Richardson will be worn out. I want the Browns to do well, I think their starving fan base deserves it, but for some reason that team is cursed, and it's only exagerated by the teams draft strategy which seems to always fail.

Better learn not to fumble

     -David Wilson-RB-Giants - Wilson was lucky enough to be drafted by a team that will be able to use him more effectively than the other 1st round backs. Not only will he not be required to carry the load or be the focal point, he will be forced to hold onto the ball or lose the limited opportunities he will have as the Giants are fairly deep on the offensive side of the ball. Yes, Wilson has a major fumbling problem and he put the pigskin on the ground 7 times his final year at Virginia Tech, and that is unacceptable at the NFL level. Since he won't be required to carry the load for the offense, he should be able to contribute on special teams, where he excelled in college on kick returns.

One thing I like about this pick is that he is very similar to Ahmad Bradshaw, the incumbent Giants running back. Most people say that you need a "change of pace" back, someone with a different running style than the main ball carrier, you know like having a power back and quick scat back. Me? No, I like having 2 running backs that are similar, why make your offense learn how to block for more than one type of back? It doesn't make sense, have them master blocking for 1 type of runner.

Martin just being average

     -Doug Martin-RB-Buccaneers - This has nothing to do with my pure hatred of everything Boise State. Yes, I do think they are the perennial over ranked team in college football every single year. They schedule one real team to play most years, and they do it early in the season when everyone is still working out the kinks in their game, and then they coast the rest of the year playing teams that wouldn't even make the playoffs in Texas High School football. It's easy for them to "get up" for one big game a year, while most teams in the title hunt have to get up for every game they play, especially in the SEC. Luckily they always blow one of those "gimme" games and take themselves out of the title game talk, unfortunately they still remain highly ranked taking a spot from a deserving team. Now to get onto Martin.

Martin will probably be called upon to do more for the Buccaneers than Wilson as they only have LeGarrette Blount who is a 1-trick pony, but i don't think he does anything spectacular. He will put up good, but not great numbers, and his value will be seen more as a safety valve for quarterback Josh Freeman while also buying him more time by picking up the blitzes. While he will see a lot of action, he will not put up the jaw dropping numbers expected of a first round running back, and that is why he will under perform according to the precedent set by 1st round picks.

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