Kel Dansby , Draft and Fantasy

David Wilson was the breakout player in Week 3 of the preseason for the Giants. With starting RB Ahmad Bradshaw sitting out the game, Wilson made the most of his first start in the NFL.

David rushed for 49 yards on 5 attempts and added 2 receptions for 26 yards. This has lead many fans to call for Wilson as the starting running back over the injury plagued Bradshaw. The Giants’ offense could sure use a dependable ball carrier and highly drafted rookie running backs haven’t fared as poorly as many may think.

Rookie 1st Round Running Backs:

(2011) Mark Ingram – 122 att, 474 yds, 5 tds.

(2010) CJ Spiller – 74 att, 283 yds, 5 tds.

(2010) Ryan Matthews – 158 att, 678 yds, 7 tds.

(2010) Jahvid Best – 171 att,  555 yds,  4 tds.

(2009) Knowshon Moreno – 247 att, 947 yds, 7 tds.

(2009) Donald Brown – 78 att, 281 yds, 3 tds.

(2009) Beanie Wells – 176 att, 793 yds, 7 tds.

(2008) Darren McFadden – 113 att, 499 yds, 4 tds.

(2008) Jonathon Stewart – 184 att, 836 yds, 10 tds.

(2008) Rashard Mendenhall – 19 att, 58 yds, 0 tds.

(2008) Chris Johnson – 251 att, 1,228 yds, 9 tds.

The total yardage isn’t the stat that tells the story for rookie running backs and fans shouldn’t focus on the final yardage totals for the rookies mentioned above. Instead focus on the carries given to these rookies and how their production is directly influenced by their touches.

The Giants’ have made it quite clear that they weren’t happy with being at the bottom of the league in rushing and that the carries would increase. Last season Brandon Jacobs carried the ball 152 times in 14 games for the Giants, while Bradshaw carried the ball 171 times in 12 games. starting tailbacks usually see 240+ touches in a full season, which would give Wilson the most since Chris Johnson’s 251 attempts in 2008. Even 180 carries would set him up to have a season like Beanie Wells or Jonathon Stewart had as rookies. Which is rushing for about 800 yards and 8 touchdowns. Those numbers would have placed him first in yardage and second in rushing TDs on last years squad.

Wilson’s future may depend more on Bradshaw’s health than his actual play on the field, but if he was called upon there are plenty of statistics that show that the Giants would be just fine at the running back position.