The Running Back Depth Alert has gone from green to orange. Kevin Faulk’s ACL tear immediately creating an urgent need for another capable running back. Signing former New York Jets WR/RB Danny Woodhead is for more than just espionage now.
New England got a fourth round pick from Denver in exchange for Laurence Maroney and a sixth round pick last week. With Faulk done for the season and if Fred Taylor continues to nurse a bad toe, the need for a workhorse will be obvious when the 2010 Draft rolls around.
Unless the Patriots get lucky with a rookie free agent (Javarris James was signed from the practice squad to the active roster) or they make a trade by the trade deadline (It’s rumored Buffalo’s Marshawn Lynch is available, but he comes with baggage; New York Giants’ Brandon Jacobs allegedly asked for a trade), snagging a ball carrier in the amateur draft seems likely.
Hopefully the Pats take the need seriously and select a ball carrier in the first two rounds. For now, just for fun, let’s speculate about using what New England got for Maroney to select his replacement. Disregarding Bill Belichick’s preference for what he wants from a running back (about 5’10-5’11 210-230 lbs), here’s a look at what’s possible out of a fourth round running back by looking at RBs selected in the fourth round in the past 10 drafts (not including 2010). The bad news: just four had at least one 1,000-yard season:
0-3 years: Mike Goodson, 2009; Tony Fiamentta, 2009; Andre Brown, 2009; Gartrell Johnson, 2009; Antonio Pittman, 2007; Dwayne Wright, 2007; Garret Mills, 2006; P.J. Daniels, 2006; Ciatrick Fason, 2005; Cedric Cobbs, 2004; Onterrio Smith, 2003; Quentin Griffin, 2003; Travis Stephens, 2002; Jamar Martin, 2002; George Layne, 2001; Curtis Keaton, 2000; Frank Moreau, 2000; Deon Dyer, 2000; Manuel Wright, 2005
3 or more unproductive: Lee Suggs, 2003; LaBrandon Toefield, 2003; Omar Easy, 2002
Productive: Tashard Choice, 2008, Michael Bush, 2008, LeRon McClain, 2007, Leon Washington, 2006, Marion Barber, 2005; Brandon Jacobs, 2005; Alvin Pearman, 2005; Darren Sproles, 2005; Mewelde Moore, 2004; Artose Pinner, 2003; Domanick Williams, 2003; Jeremi Johnson, 2003; Justin Griffin, 2003; Jonathan Wells, 2002; Najeh Davenport, 2002; Rudi Johnson, 2001; Moran Norris, 2001; Correll Buckhalter, 2001
Italic – 1,000-yard season
Bold – Pro Bowler
For a more in-depth look at the significance of Kevin Faulk's injury, follow the link.
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