WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The last 14 running backs taken in the first round of the NFL Draft

Pick Overall: 32

What the draft experts were saying: "He doesn't really have tells or tendencies and can alter the rush track when needed, which makes him so unpredictable for defenses. While he can create for himself, he's better off working inside-out as NFL linebackers might be able to outflank him on pure outside runs." - NFL.com

Where they are now: Edwards-Helaire broke out in his rookie debut against The Houston Texans in Week 1, with 131 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. He saw at least 10 carries in each of the Chiefs' next five games and had a career-best 161 rushing yards against The Buffalo Bills in Week 6.

Edwards-Helaire suffered a lower-body injury in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints and missed the final two games of the regular season but returned for the AFC Championship and Super Bowl as the team's leading rusher. He is projected to be Kansas City's top running back going into 2021.

Pick Overall: 24

What the draft experts were saying: "Jacobs' play demeanor may be a bit reckless, but you can't help loving it: he fights for every yard, and then a few more when he's on the ground. It leads you to believe he can round out the question marks in his game, such as his pass-catching upside as a multi-target player." - The Draft Network

Where they are now: Josh Jacobs earned the highest grade of any offensive rookie in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus. He racked up 1,150 rushing yards on 242 carries, adding seven touchdowns, and finished as the 10th-best running back, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

Jacobs followed that up with another impressive season in 2020, with 1,065 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He is one of the most promising young rushers in the NFL going into 2021 and a potential long-term offensive centerpiece for The Raiders.

Pick Overall: 2

What the draft experts were saying: "Every-down running back with the ability to alter the course of an offense and become a face of the franchise-type player. Barkley has the rare ability to create additional yardage through elusiveness, speed, vision and feel for space in the open field." - NFL.com

Where they are now: Barkley lived up to the hype early one, winning Offensive Rookie of The Year in 2018 after breaking the third rookie in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 total yards. However, injuries have limited him each of the last two seasons, and he will be coming off a torn ACL in 2021, looking to prove that he can return to form after a devastating injury.

Pick Overall: 27

What the draft experts were saying: "Volume-carry running back who plays with an active running style that rarely sees him slow his feet. Penny has the short-area foot quickness to create yardage for himself, but he doesn't really have the burst or long speed to be a home run hitter. His motor gives him a chance to be a productive NFL starter, but he may lack the explosiveness to be a great back." - NFL.com

Where they are now: Penny has not lived up to his first-round billing. In his first two NFL seasons, Penny only amassed a combined 789 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. In 2020, Penny spent the first three months of the season on the physically unable to perform list. He returned for the final three games of the season but only averaged 11.3 rushing yards per game and didn't score a single touchdown.

Pick Overall: 31

What the draft experts were saying: "In the 2018 NFL Draft, Michel looks like a late first-round or high second-round pick. Some team sources think that Michel won't make it to their second-round pick and believe that he could go late in Round 1. Contacts at other teams said they think that there is a 50-50 shot of Michel going in the first round." - Walter Football

Where they are now: Michel was a productive running back for the Patriots, eclipsing 900 rushing yards each of his first two years with 13 total touchdowns, but never surpassed James White as the team's top rusher. A quadriceps injury and a stint on the Reserve/COVID-19 list caused him to miss seven games in 2020. He finished the year with just 449 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Pick Overall: 4

What the draft experts were saying: "Of course, it is the brute strength that helps set him apart. Fournette can move the pile between the tackles, and he is a load to bring down once he gets moving. Defenders don't have much luck taking him down one-on-one, especially in the secondary. Cornerbacks and passive safeties may as well not even try to make a play on him." - Sports Illustrated

Where they are now: Fournette eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in two of his first three seasons in Jacksonville but was waived just before the start of the 2020 season after the team failed to trade him. Fournette joined The Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a rotational running back and only racked up 367 rushing yards but did score a touchdown in Super Bowl LV. He re-signed with Tampa Bay for 2021 and will look to make a bigger impact in the regular season.

Pick Overall: 8

What the draft experts were saying: "McCaffrey isn't the biggest of backs for the NFL, so he may not be able to take on a huge number of carries. However, he runs the ball well between the tackles and should quickly turn into a good three-down starter. If McCaffrey goes to a team with a good offensive line, he could make an immediate impact and be a difference-maker." - Walter Football

Where they are now: McCaffrey earned All-Pro nods in his second and third NFL seasons and led the league in total yards in 2019 with 2,392. He signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with Carolina in the 2020 offseason but suffered multiple injuries during the season, which limited his production well below expectations. He is still projected to be a top-five running back heading into 2021.

Pick Overall: 4

What the draft experts were saying: "In years gone by—when running back was one of the league's most important positions—Ezekiel Elliott would be seen as one of the marquee names in the draft. Now, with most backfield jobs held by committee, he may slip in the draft because he doesn't have the most spectacular pure-running skills. Make no mistake though, Elliott is one of the best available players in this draft, and can step in and carry an offense from day one." - Pro Football Focus

Where they are now: Elliott led the league in rushing yards in two of his first three NFL seasons and led the league in yards per game each of his first three. He's become one of the league's most popular players and signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension with Dallas in 2019. However, Elliott did show a decline in 2020 with a career-worst year in terms of rushing production.

Pick Overall: 10

What the draft experts were saying: "Todd Gurley can do it all. He's big, fast, agile, can catch the ball and even scored as a kick returner. Coming out of a running back factory, Gurley broke Georgia freshman records with 17 rushing touchdowns and tied Herschel Walker as the only freshman to rush for over 1,000 yards. He was productive every year he was on the field, beating defenses with speed and power." - Bleacher Report

Where they are now: Gurley helped spark the turnaround for The Rams following their move to Los Angeles in 2016, as he earned back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods in 2017 and 2018, lading the league in rushing touchdowns both years. But after a down year in 2019, The Rams didn't think his services were worth his four-year, $60 million deal and released him. Gurley was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 but is currently a free agent.

Pick Overall: 15

What the draft experts were saying: "With his skill set, Gordon should be a starter as a rookie and quickly develop into a three-down feature back. He is a rare physical talent with good size and elite speed. Following a great junior season, Gordon is worthy of being a first-round pick and could become a Pro Bowler quickly in his NFL career." - Walter Football

Where they are now: Gordon made two Pro Bowls for The Chargers in 2016 and 2018. He's only eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards once, but he's eclipsed 1,000 total yards and double-digit touchdowns four out of the last five seasons. Gordon signed with the division-rival Denver Broncos in 2020 on a two-year $16 million deal and is only under contract for one more season.

Pick Overall: 3

What the draft experts were saying: "Richardson is viewed by many as the top prospect at his position because of his ability on the football field. He has a unique blend of size and power to go along with an abusing running style. While these characteristics contribute to his sky-high stock, they are not the only ones." - Bleacher Report

Where they are now: After a fine rookie season in 2012 in which he rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns, Richardson was traded during the 2013 season to the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson spent one more year with The Colts and then the next two seasons on practice squads before being forced to play in the CFL for two years and the AAF for one year in 2019.

In February, Richardson signed with the Caudillos de Chihuahua of the Mexican football league Futbol Americano de Mexico.

Pick Overall: 31

What the draft experts were saying: "Martin is outstanding attacking the outside and more than capable with his strength to run inside. Overall, Martin has the talents to be a productive professional in the NFL and would be great in a dual backfield roll." - SB Nation

Where they are now: Doug Martin was a Pro Bowler his rookie year in 2012 and then again in 2015 when he had the best year of his career as a first-team All-Pro. Martin fell off a cliff after 2015, rushing for just 827 combined yards over the next two seasons in Tampa Bay. Martin had a better season with The Raiders in 2018 with 723 rushing yards, but it was the last of his career.

Pick Overall: 32

What the draft experts were saying: "Most have projected him to be a second-rounder, and he is in the running to be the second running back selected. There is a possibility that he will sneak into the first round. One serious negative that could prevent him from being a first-rounder is ball security. He had seven fumbles in his one season as a starter." - Walter Football

Where they are now: Wilson shined his rookie season in New York and even set The Giants' franchise record for all-purpose yards in a single game with 327 all-purpose yards in a 52-27 win over the New Orleans Saints. However, Wilson suffered a career-ending neck injury the following season against The Philadelphia Eagles and had to retire after just 21 career games. Wilson currently produces his own independent music on Soundcloud.

Pick Overall: 28

What the draft experts were saying: "There really isn't much else Ingram can do to improve his game outside of his pass protection. He needs to have another strong season as a junior to ensure his first-round status. He carries a first-round grade on my board to start 2010 and he will likely go between picks 11 and 25 in the 2011 NFL Draft." - Walter Football

Where they are now: Ingram has achieved something very few running backs have before as he's extended his NFL career beyond a decade. After eight years in New Orleans and two years with The Baltimore Ravens, Ingram has amassed 9,219 total yards and 72 total touchdowns, which ranks among the most of any active players in the league. He will get the chance to add to that total this year as well, as he signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with The Houston Texans for 2021.