NFL

7 Backup Running Backs Who Might Be Better Than the Starter

Brandon Gdula  —  @gdula13 Jul 15th, 2015
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Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons

Tevin Coleman is the only rookie to make this particular list because we're only looking at NEP scores, but that should be telling.

Devonta Freeman was so inefficient last year that I'd be doing this list a disservice not to include the rookie running back.

Last season, Freeman racked up a dismal Rushing NEP of -18.80 despite running the ball only 65 times. Since and including 2000, only two running backs have lost more points on 75 or fewer carries: Lamar Gordon (-19.42 on 65 carries in 2002) and Correll Buckhalter (-20.09 on 59 carries in 2010).

Freeman's Success Rate (24.62%) is the absolute worst mark among 776 seasons since and including 2000 during which a running back carried the ball at least 65 times.

We can't rule out Freeman just yet, of course, but his 2014 season was one of the worst in the past 15 seasons.

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