Rookie Running Back Rankings - NFL Week 6

It's been a pretty solid year for rookie running backs through the first six weeks of the NFL season. Nobody has really pulled away from the field, but a few guys are looking like they have a chance to do so if they get more of a workload in the coming weeks.

Karlos Williams has been easily the most productive player among those that are getting a relatively heavy workload thus far. David Johnson has had his touches limited, but he's been explosive when he's gotten those opportunities. Thomas Rawls looked like lower grade Marshawn Lynch while filling in for Lynch as the Seahawks starter. Matt Jones hasn't been able to take over the Redskins' starting job in some part due to injuries and also game script giving more time to their third down back. Tevin Coleman has missed time with injury and has lost his starting job to Devonta Freeman, but he has still looked excellent when given the chance. Todd Gurley is the only true bell cow back in this class and he looks like he'll make up for somewhat lacking efficiency with sheer volume of carries.

Melvin Gordon is fourth in rushing yards thanks to getting a ton of opportunity, but he's been unable to turn that opportunity into any kind of value. He is by far the least productive rookie running back and he's falling further than further from the rest of the pack. Hopefully, he'll find a way to right himself and start to bring at least replacement level production going forward.