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Factoid

Running receivers

More wide receivers contributing as runners

I notice the teams are using wide receivers more as runners. It’s more common to see them flex into the running back position, and it’s rare to see a game where somebody isn’t handling the ball on a jet sweep or an end-around.

Below see a list showing all wide receivers who’ve accounted for at least 20 fantasy points on rushing plays in the 32-team era (since 2002). Almost half of the players (14 of 31) come from the last five years, including four from the 2022 season.

The two Samuels lead the way. Both Deebo Samuel and Curtis Samuel have regularly lined up as true tailbacks. Deebo in 2021 appeared to be the best running back on San Francisco’s roster.

Christian Watson ran for a couple of touchdowns last year; he looks like he’s going to e one of these guys going forward.

In the chart below, I have the 2022 players in bold. Other players from the last five years are tagged.

RECEIVERS WITH 20-PLUS RUSHING POINTS (since 2002)
YearPlayerAttYardsAvgTDPts
2021• Deebo Samuel, S.F.593656.2884.5
2015Tavon Austin, St.L.524348.4467.4
2011Percy Harvin, Min.523456.6246.5
2016Tyreek Hill, K.C.2426711.1344.7
2009Josh Cribbs, Cle.553816.9144.1
2022Deebo Samuel, S.F.422325.5341.2
2010Brad Smith, NYJ382997.9135.9
2014Tavon Austin, St.L.362246.2234.4
2019• Deebo Samuel, S.F.1415911.4333.9
2013Cordarrelle Patterson, Min.1215813.2333.8
2017Tavon Austin, LAR592704.6133.0
2020• Curtis Samuel, Car.412004.9232.0
2020• Cordarrelle Patterson, Chi.642323.6129.2
2018• Cordarrelle Patterson, N.E.422285.4128.8
2020• Robert Woods, LAR241556.5227.5
2010Jacoby Ford, Oak.1015515.5227.5
2000Peter Warrick, Cin.161489.3226.8
2009Brad Smith, NYJ1820711.5126.7
2014Percy Harvin, Sea.-NYJ332026.1126.2
2022Curtis Samuel, Was.381874.9124.7
2002James Thrash, Phil.181267.0224.6
2020• Tyreek Hill, K.C.131239.5224.3
2017Cordarrelle Patterson, Oak.131219.3224.1
2008Josh Cribbs, Cle.291675.8122.7
2016Tavon Austin, L.A.281595.7121.9
2018• Robert Woods, LAR191578.3121.7
2018• Tyreek Hill, K.C.221516.9121.1
2013Tavon Austin, St.L.915116.8121.1
2022Braxton Berrios, NYJ99110.1221.1
2018• Curtis Samuel, Car.88410.5220.4
2022Christian Watson, G.B.78011.4220.0

—Ian Allan

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