Another week, another positive Josh Ferguson story. The undrafted rookie running back is pushing to back up Frank Gore in the Colts backfield. Gore is one of the great running backs of the past decade, but he's 33 years old and can't go on forever.
This article talks about Ferguson flashing in training camp. The Colts supposedly considered drafting the youngster as early as the fourth round. He's now competing with Jordan Todman and Robert Turbin behind Gore.
Ferguson rushed for 708 yards in nine games at Illinois last year, while also catching 37 passes for 280 yards. That receiving ability could help him operate as a change of pace early on if he wins the backup job, though he's on the small side at 5-foot-9 and 198 pounds.
Given the Colts running back situation, Ferguson should be on dynasty rosters, and he could end up being the correct handcuff for Gore. Odds are, though, he won't do much as a rookie. This century, only about a handful of undrafted running backs have made an impact in their first seasons. A couple of those guys weren't drafted due to character or off-field concerns.
Undrafted running backs who've made any kind of fantasy impact in their first seasons since 2000 are shown below. Listed are players with over 200 total yards their rookie seasons. Only the top 5 or 6 were truly fantasy relevant -- as rookies, anyway. Certainly several (Arian Foster, Pierre Thomas) went on to have nice careers. Best you can say is that three of the best of those rookies, including Thomas Rawls last season, did it in the last two seasons.
| UNDRAFTED ROOKIE RBS, 2000-PRESENT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Run | Rec | Total | TD |
| 2010 | LeGarrette Blount, Tenn. | 1007 | 14 | 1021 | 6 |
| 2015 | Thomas Rawls, Sea. | 830 | 76 | 906 | 5 |
| 2014 | Branden Oliver, S.D. | 582 | 271 | 853 | 4 |
| 2014 | Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 607 | 87 | 694 | 8 |
| 2005 | Samkon Gado, G.B. | 582 | 77 | 669 | 7 |
| 2007 | Pierre Thomas, N.O. | 252 | 151 | 403 | 2 |
| 2009 | Arian Foster, Hou. | 257 | 93 | 350 | 3 |
| 2008 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis, N.E. | 275 | 37 | 312 | 5 |
| 2014 | Damien Williams, Mia. | 122 | 187 | 309 | 1 |
| 2014 | Juwan Thompson, Den. | 272 | 25 | 297 | 3 |
| 2013 | Khiry Robinson, N.O. | 224 | 0 | 224 | 1 |
| 2004 | Willie Parker, Pitt. | 186 | 16 | 202 | 0 |
--Andy Richardson
