May 7, 2021
Running backs have been so devalued over the last 10 years in the NFL that a general manager can spark criticism for trading up five spots to draft one in the second round even one whom many analysts had graded as the No. 1 prospect at his position in North Carolina s Javonte Williams.
The former UNC star forced a total of 76 missed tackles on runs last season, per Pro Football Focus, and that ability to pick up yards after contact prompted Denver Broncos GM George Paton to orchestrate a trade-up with Atlanta to select Williams with the No. 35 pick in last week s NFL draft.
The Denver Broncos somewhat surprisingly drafted running back Javonte Williams on Friday with the No. 35 pick in the second round, leaving fantasy players wondering how he'll fare in his new home.
Kevin Sabitus/Associated Press
In today s age of football, it is a win for the running back position to see two players picked in the first round of the NFL draft.
That was the case Thursday in the opening round of the 2021 draft when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Alabama s Najee Harris with the No. 24 pick and the Jacksonville Jaguars picked Clemson s Travis Etienne with the No. 25 pick.
It didn t take long for another running back to come off the board Friday when the Denver Broncos selected North Carolina s Javonte Williams with the third pick of the second round.
That s when the momentum ended, as no other running back came off the board until the San Francisco 49ers took Ohio State s Trey Sermon with the No. 88 overall pick in the middle of the third round.