In this article, we went back to 2016 to review the last seven seasons to see who are the best NFL play-callers for rookie running backs. We did this by looking at how many running backs in their rookie season scored 10, 12, and 14 PPR PPG in their first year in the NFL.
Next, we factored in how many running backs were drafted by those teams over that timeframe to get a view of the percentage of rookie running backs that became factors in their first season.
Finally, not all play-callers have years of experience as an offensive coordinator, so for this study, we took some years where they were position coaches to get additional years for the analysis.
The Best NFL Play-Callers for Rookie Running Backs
| Team | Total RBs Drafted | 14 PPR PPG | 14 PPR PPG % | 12 PPR PPG | 12 PPR PPG % | 10 PPR PPG | 10 PPR PPG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB | 8 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 13% | 2 | 25% |
| CHI | 7 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 1 | 14% |
| MIN | 7 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| LAR | 6 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| DET | 6 | 1 | 17% | 1 | 17% | 1 | 17% |
| CAR | 5 | 1 | 20% | 1 | 20% | 2 | 40% |
| SEA | 5 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 20% | 1 | 20% |
| LVR | 5 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 1 | 20% |
| KC | 4 | 1 | 25% | 2 | 50% | 2 | 50% |
| WAS | 4 | 1 | 25% | 2 | 50% | 2 | 50% |
| BUF | 4 | 1 | 25% | 2 | 50% | 2 | 50% |
| PHI | 4 | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% | 2 | 50% |
| ARI | 4 | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% |
| CLE | 4 | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% |
| HOU | 4 | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% |
| SF | 4 | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% |
| NYJ | 4 | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% |
| JAX | 4 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 25% | 1 | 25% |
| ATL | 4 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| TEN | 4 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| CIN | 4 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| DEN | 3 | 1 | 33% | 1 | 33% | 1 | 33% |
| MIA | 3 | 1 | 33% | 1 | 33% | 1 | 33% |
| NO | 3 | 1 | 33% | 1 | 33% | 1 | 33% |
| DAL | 3 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 1 | 33% |
| NE | 3 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| GB | 3 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| IND | 3 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| LAC | 3 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| PIT | 2 | 1 | 50% | 1 | 50% | 1 | 50% |
| NYG | 2 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% | 1 | 50% |
| BAL | 2 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| NFL Average | 4.1 | 0.5 | 11.5% | 0.7 | 16.8% | 0.9 | 21.4% |
Table Summary:
Total RBs Drafted – The number of running backs who were drafted by the team the play-caller was on from 2016-2022
14 PPR PPG – This shows the number of rookie running backs under who play-caller who had at least 14 PPR PPG their rookie year
14 PPR PPG % – This shows the percentage of rookie running backs under who play-caller who had at least 14 PPR PPG their rookie year vs. the total running backs drafted from 2016-2022
12 PPR PPG – This shows the number of rookie running backs under that play-caller who had at least 12 PPR PPG their rookie year
12 PPR PPG % – This shows the percentage of rookie running backs under that play-caller who had at least 12 PPR PPG their rookie year vs. the total running backs drafted from 2016-2022
10 PPR PPG – This shows the number of rookie running backs under who play-caller who had at least 10 PPR PPG their rookie year
10 PPR PPG % – This shows the percentage of rookie running backs under who play-caller who had at least 10 PPR PPG their rookie year vs. the total running backs drafted from 2016-2022
Team: Chicago Bears
Rookie Running Back: Roschon Johnson
Redraft Buy or Sell: Sell
Luke Getsy has been a part of a coaching staff that drafted a ridiculous seven running backs since 2016. The only rookie running back during that stretch to crack 10 PPR PPG was Jamaal Williams back in 2017. This most likely means it’s a two-headed race between Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman in 2023.
 
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Rookie Running Back: Zach Charbonnet
Redraft Buy or Sell: Sell
The Seahawks drafting Zach Charbonnet in the second round has left many of us questioning Kenneth Walker’s value in 2023. Based on offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s history with rookie running backs, we shouldn’t. If you need more confidence in Walker, just remember the Seahawks used a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny in 2018 and ended up giving Chris Carson 247 carries that season.
Team: Detroit Lions
Rookie Running Back: Jahmyr Gibbs
Redraft Buy or Sell: BUY
The percentage of running backs under Ben Johnson hitting for fantasy isn’t great. However, once you factor in the types of running backs who hit under this coaching staff as a whole, they do have a type. Not only did D’Andre Swift finish as a top 20 back in 2020, but previously Alvin Kamara struck gold for the Saints while Dan Campbell was assistant head coach in 2017. Jahmyr Gibbs should be featured in the passing game, similar to Swift and Kamara.Â
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Rookie Running Back: DeWayne McBride
Redraft Buy or Sell: Sell
The release of Dalvin Cook has opened the depth chart behind potential starter Alexander Mattison in 2023. Based on the historical production of rookies under Kevin O’Connell, it makes more sense to take a late-round flyer on Ty Chandler vs. DeWayne McBride. Chandler does have the better draft capital and is a 90th percentile speed and 40-yard dash score, according to Player Profiler.
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Rookie Running Back: Chase Brown
Redraft Buy or Sell: Sell
There is still a minor chance that Joe Mixon is cut this off-season, but that would leave the Bengals extremely thin at running back. If Mixon stays on the roster, the likelihood that Chase Brown poses a real threat to his workload is minimal. Head Coach Zac Taylor has never had a rookie running back crack double-digit fantasy points in a season. This makes Mixon an extreme value heading into 2023.
Sources: Razzball.com, PFF.com, FFToday, Pro Football Reference, Ourlads, Player Profiler, and Spotrac
