Quote:There's no hard and fast pattern, but there have been so many first round busts at RB in years when rounds 2-4 yielded quality backs, that many are hesitant to jump on a RB in the top ten. 

 

2014:

Bishop Sankey in the 1st round (edit: Sankey was pick #54 overall - no backs taken in the first that year)

 

* DeVonta Freeman and James White in the 4th Round.

 

2013 :

No first round back.

2nd round: Giovanni Bernard, LeVeon Bell, Eddie Lacy

6th round:Andre Ellington , Spencer Ware

 

2012: 

Trent Richardson in the first round. Doug Martin at pick #31.

 

3rd round: Bernard Pierce

4th Round:  Lamar Miller , Robert Turbin

6th round: Alfred Morris

 

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The point is that good backs are indeed there for the taking in mid rounds  -- so you better be damn sure about a guy being a superstar to take him top five when you could likely get a good one in the next three rounds. 

 

It's not automatic that you'll land a mid-round gem of course, but it's clearly do-able.