PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 21: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants walks off the field after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 38-7 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The NFL Draft is just days away, so I decided to look back at who the first RB was taken in every draft since 2015 and rank them on their performance
2024: Jonathon Brooks
Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (24) cuts on a run play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
He missed most of last season with injuries, so it has yet to be determined how things will play out.
2023: Bijan Robinson
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) Bijan Robinson poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
He is one of the best RBs in the league and continues to get better.
2022: Breece Hall
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 09: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets runs against Jerome Baker #55 of the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Edward Diller/Getty Images)
He has shown flashes of brilliance, but has been held back by a bad Jets team.
2021: Najee Harris
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 10: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field on October 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
He was solid in his years in Pittsburgh, and now moves on to the Chargers.
2020: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Feb 7, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Although he was part of Super Bowl wins, CEH never lived up to the hype.
2019: Josh Jacobs
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during their NFL game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 17, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
He was a beast for the Raiders and is with the Packers, too.
2018: Saquon Barkley
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
He is the best RB in the NFL right now.
2017: Leonard Fournette
Foxboro, MA, Jan 21, 2018 – Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles handing off to running back Leonard Fournette in the first quarter. The New England Patriots vs Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship at a Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon. [The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach]
He was good with the Jags and good with the Bucs as well.
2016: Ezekiel Elliott
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys takes a knee in the end zone before the Cowboys played the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
He was one of the best in the early stages of his career, but hit a wall and looks to be pretty washed up.
2015: Todd Gurley
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams scores a 35 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Although his career was short, he was as good as it gets in the early part of it.
