{"id":89069,"date":"2020-06-01T14:32:20","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T18:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=89069"},"modified":"2021-03-18T21:23:49","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T01:23:49","slug":"fantasy-football-one-hit-wonders-part-ii-running-back-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/06\/01\/fantasy-football-one-hit-wonders-part-ii-running-back-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Football One-Hit Wonders: Part II – Running Back Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re back for part II of the Fantasy Football One-Hit Wonders series and today we are looking at the running back position. If you missed part I and want to check out which quarterbacks are the biggest fantasy football one-hit wonders, you can do so here<\/a>. With the violent nature and short lifespan of the running back position, there are a lot of guys to choose from. That being said, let\u2019s take a look at the running backs that just missed the cut of becoming the top fantasy football one-hit wonders of all time.<\/p>\n

Running Back Fantasy Football One-Hit Wonders<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Honorable Mentions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Justin Forsett<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

2014 Stats: <\/em><\/strong>235 att \u2013 1,266 rush yds \u2013 8 rush TD \u2013 44 rec \u2013 263 rec yds \u2013 0 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

2014 Fantasy Ranks: <\/em><\/strong>RB: 8 \/ Overall: 15<\/em><\/p>\n

Dalton Hilliard<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

1989 Stats: <\/em><\/strong>344 att \u2013 1,262 rush yds \u2013 13 rush TD \u2013 52 rec \u2013 514 rec yds \u2013 5 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

1989 Fantasy Ranks: <\/em><\/strong>RB: 1 \/ Overall: 1<\/em><\/p>\n

Ladell Betts<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

2006 Stats: <\/em><\/strong>245 att \u2013 1,154 rush yds \u2013 4 rush TD \u2013 53 rec \u2013 445 rec yds \u2013 1 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

2006 Fantasy Ranks: <\/em><\/strong>RB: 10 \/ Overall: 35<\/em><\/p>\n

Barry Foster<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

1992 Stats: <\/em><\/strong>390 att \u2013 1,690 rush yds \u2013 11 rush TD \u2013 36 rec \u2013 344 rec yds \u2013 0 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

1992 Fantasy Ranks: <\/em><\/strong>RB: 3 \/ Overall: 3<\/em><\/p>\n

Trent Richardson<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

2012 Stats:<\/em><\/strong> 267 att \u2013 950 rush yds \u2013 11 rush TD \u2013 51 rec \u2013 367 rec yds \u2013 1 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

2012 Fantasy Ranks:<\/em><\/strong> RB: 9 \/ Overall: 17<\/em><\/p>\n

Napoleon Kaufman<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

1997 Stats:<\/em><\/strong> 272 att \u2013 1,294 rush yds \u2013 6 rush TD \u2013 40 rec \u2013 403 rec yds \u2013 2 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

1997 Fantasy Ranks: <\/em><\/strong>RB: 5 \/ Overall: 8<\/em><\/p>\n

The Top Five<\/strong><\/h3>\n

5. Robert Edwards<\/a><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

Drafted 18th<\/sup> overall in 1998 by the New England Patriots<\/a>, Robert Edwards<\/strong> came into the NFL with a bang! He scored a touchdown in six straight games to start his career, a record that still stands to this day. He finished his rookie season strong as well finishing with over 1,400 total yards and 12 total touchdowns. Everything took a turn for the worst at the rookie flag football game during Pro Bowl week when Edwards suffered a devastating injury to his left knee. Not only did he completely tear his ACL, MCL, and PCL, but also partially tore his LCL, suffered major nerve damage, and sliced an artery in his leg. The injury was so severe that Edwards almost needed his leg amputated below the knee and was told he may never walk again.<\/p>\n

Miraculously, Edwards was able to return to the NFL but it wasn\u2019t until 2002 and spent most of the year in a part-time role as a third-down back for the Miami Dolphins<\/a>. He was able to score a rushing and receiving touchdown in his first game back but was ultimately released at the end of the season. He did receive the Halas Award in regards to his significant comeback.<\/p>\n

Looking back it\u2019s incredible that Edwards was even drafted as high as he was considering the path of his college career. He started his career as a cornerback and switched to running back in his sophomore season. Edwards dealt with troubled knees and other injuries his entire college career as he never finished a full season healthy. It goes to show how much the game and draft philosophy has changed in the last 20 years, as he would never be a first-round pick today.<\/p>\n

Edwards comes in at number five on this list as he was almost a fantasy football one-hit wonder in the truest sense, however, I couldn\u2019t move him higher as a fantasy football one-hit wonder as he only has one other NFL season to his name. Due to the injury, his 217 fantasy points during his rookie year accounted for more than 86% of his career fantasy points and was his only season above an RB69 finish.<\/p>\n

1998 Stats<\/em><\/strong>: 291 att \u2013 1,115 rush yds \u2013 9 rush TD \u2013 35 rec \u2013 331 rec yds \u2013 3 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

1998 Fantasy Ranks<\/em><\/strong>: RB: 9 \/ Overall: 13<\/em><\/p>\n

4. Ickey Woods<\/a><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

From one injury-shortened career to another, Ickey Woods<\/a> <\/strong>became a rookie sensation for the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> for both his play on the field and his \u201cIckey Shuffle\u201d dance that he performed after each touchdown. After being drafted 31st overall, he set the franchise rookie records for rushing yards (1,066) and rushing touchdowns (15), the touchdown number still standing to this day. Woods also led the NFL in yards per carry (5.3) and helped lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance, a game in which they lost but Woods was the game\u2019s leading rusher (79).<\/p>\n

Heading into the 1989 season with tons of promise, Woods’ season was pretty much over before it started when he tore his ACL in his left knee in the second week of the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>. By the time he returned in the middle of the 1990 season, he wasn\u2019t the same and was relegated to a backup role. Woods then suffered an injury to his right knee in 1991 and retired at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

Like Edwards, Woods\u2019 rookie year was his only year of fantasy relevance but the similarities don\u2019t end there. Both scored 217 fantasy points and both were the 13th overall player in fantasy during their rookie years. Woods ranked slightly higher among the running back position however and had a slightly longer career, albeit none of which was fantasy relevant, which is why I gave Woods the edge. His 217 fantasy points accounted for more than 61 percent of his career points. He finished RB97, RB46, and RB81 the rest of his career, making his rookie year RB6 finish a true fantasy football one-hit-wonder.<\/p>\n

1988 Stats<\/em><\/strong>: 203 att \u2013 1,066 rush yds \u2013 15 rush TD \u2013 21 rec \u2013 199 rec yds \u2013 0 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

1988 Fantasy Ranks<\/em><\/strong>: RB: 6 \/ Overall: 13<\/em><\/p>\n

3. LaMont Jordan<\/a><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

Drafted 49th<\/sup> overall in 2001 by the New York Jets<\/a>, Jordan spent his first four seasons as a backup to Curtis Martin<\/a><\/strong> before signing with the Oakland Raiders<\/a> in 2005.<\/p>\n

Jordan, now a starter with the Raiders, had a massive breakout season in 2005 with nearly 1,600 total yards and 11 total touchdowns in only 14 games. Perhaps the most surprising part of his breakout was the involvement in the passing game as he led all running backs in receptions. Jordan racked up 70 receptions despite only having 50 COMBINED through his first four years with the Jets. Even though he was in a backup role, that\u2019s a shocking increase. The following year, Jordan was on a much worse pace before tearing his MCL about halfway through the season and he was never the same since.<\/p>\n

Jordan\u2019s 1,025 rushing yards and 70 receptions in 2005 were the only time he finished above 550 rushing yards and 28 receptions. His 227 points accounted for one-third of his career fantasy points and his next best total in any season was 98 points. 2005 turned out to be the only finish better than RB40 in his career and the only year he was even better than a replacement-level player allowing him to finish as one of the best fantasy football one-hit wonders of all time.<\/p>\n

2005 Stats<\/em><\/strong>: 272 att \u2013 1,025 rush yds \u2013 9 rush TD \u2013 70 rec \u2013 563 rec yds \u2013 2 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

2005 Fantasy Ranks<\/em><\/strong>: RB: 8 \/ Overall: 12<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Steve Slaton<\/a><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

At West Virginia, Steve Slaton<\/strong> formed a dynamic playmaking duo with quarterback Pat White<\/a><\/strong>. He immediately brought that explosiveness to the NFL after being drafted 89th overall by the Houston Texans<\/a> in 2008. Slaton stepped right in and had an incredible rookie season finishing with over 1,600 total yards and 10 total touchdowns.<\/p>\n

In the off-season, Slaton decided to bulk up a bit by putting on more than 15 pounds to his frame in preparation for an expanded role with more goal-line work. That plan ultimately backfired as he looked as though he lost a step and was far less effective in his sophomore year, so much so that he was called out publicly by coach Gary Kubiak<\/a><\/strong> and subsequently benched soon thereafter, never to regain a starting role again. Less than a month later he was placed on the injured reserve and he only spent one more season with Houston before being released.<\/p>\n

Nearly 60 percent of Slaton\u2019s career production and fantasy points came in his rookie year. He scored 226 fantasy points his rookie year, 127 points in his Sophomore year, and then 10 and 15 the next two years before finishing his career in the CFL. The RB6 finish of his rookie year was his only finish better than RB32 and his only year better than replacement level allowing him to finish as the second-best fantasy football one-hit-wonder.<\/p>\n

2008 Stats<\/em><\/strong>: 268 att \u2013 1,282 rush yds \u2013 9 rush TD \u2013 50 rec \u2013 377 rec yds \u2013 1 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

2008 Fantasy Ranks<\/em><\/strong>: RB: 6 \/ Overall: 12<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Peyton Hillis<\/a><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

This one really hits home as a Cleveland Browns<\/a> fan as we can never just have nice things. Hillis\u2019 breakout is the most out-of-nowhere breakout of anyone on this list. After being drafted 227th overall in 2008, he spent the first two years as a fullback and backup running back for the Denver Broncos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hillis signed with the\u00a0Browns in 2010 and split reps evenly in the preseason with Jerome Harrison<\/a><\/strong> and James Davis<\/a><\/strong>. Hillis didn\u2019t even start the year as the starter but after both Harrison and Davis were injured early on, he was named the starter and never looked back, turning in a monster year with over 1,600 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. Hillis even got the honor of gracing the Madden cover. Whether it was the \u201cMadden Curse\u201d or general ineffectiveness, Hillis struggled which led to the Browns never even offering him a contract when his was up, despite his willingness to take a hometown discount.<\/p>\n

Despite playing seven seasons in the NFL, nearly half of Hillis\u2019 production came in that magical 2010 season. He scored 244 fantasy points that season and was the second-best running back in fantasy and the second-best player in the entire NFL in fantasy. Outside of 2010, he was never able to score more than 90 fantasy points in any other year, never finished better than RB40, and was below replacement level making him the biggest fantasy football one-hit wonder of all time at the running back position.<\/p>\n

2010 Stats<\/em><\/strong>: 270 att \u2013 1,177 rush yds \u2013 11 rush TD \u2013 61 rec \u2013 477 rec yds \u2013 2 rec TD<\/em><\/p>\n

2010 Fantasy Ranks<\/em><\/strong>: RB: 2 \/ Overall: 2<\/em><\/p>\n

Stay tuned for part three of this series when I take a look at the biggest fantasy football one-hit wonders at the wide receiver position.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>