It’s A Matter of When, Not If, the St. Louis Rams Draft a Running Back

Since taking the head coaching job for the St. Louis Rams in 2012, Jeff Fisher has taken at least one running back in each year’s NFL draft.

Last year, to the surprise of many, he drafted Auburn running back Tre Mason with the fourth pick in the 3rd round [75 overall].  He quickly became the team’s go-to rusher, carrying the ball 179 times for 765 over the course of 12 games.

In 2013, Fisher and Co. traded two sixth round picks to move up into the fifth round [160 overall] to take Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy.  Stacy didn’t start the year as the team’s rusher, but finished extremely strong, totaling 973 yards and 7 touchdowns in 14 games.

In 2012, Fisher’s first year as head coach in St. Louis, he took two.  He selected Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead in the 2nd round [50 overall], and Abilene Christian product Daryl Richardson in the 7th round [252 overall].

In 2011 Fisher took a break from coaching.  In 2010, his final season with the Titans, he didn’t select one.  A rarity. 

Fisher’s history of taking a running back in the first seven rounds of the NFL draft make it extremely plausible to think the he could be taking another one in just over three weeks time.

2009

5th round [173 overall] - Javon Ringer, Michigan State

2008

1st round [24 overall] - Chris Johnson, East Carolina

2007

2nd round [50 overall] - Chris Henry, Arizona

2006

2nd round [45 overall] - LenDale White, USC
7th round [246 overall] - Quinton Ganther, Utah

2005

5th round [142 overall] - Damien Nash, Missouri

2004

6th round [191 overall] - Troy Fleming, Tennessee
7th round [241 overall] - Sean McHugh, Penn State

2003

3rd round [93 overall] - Chris Brown, Colorado

2002

None

2001

6th round [192 overall] - Dan Alexander, Nebraska

2000

7th round [213 overall] - Mike Green, Houston

*  Average draft selection of running back:  143 [early 5th round]