Late-round rookie running backs in NFL Draft proving to be better than expected
Every once in a while, you mine a late-round gem in the NFL Draft, or shortly after. They fall, the slip, they land perfectly for you. Kyle Monangai of the Chicago Bears, as an example.
Straight baller taken in R7 of the 2025 NFL Draft. So the unicorn does exist. But most late-round rookie running backs are depth.
Some are one injury away from relevance. Yet there are a few others that are sitting behind depth charts that are so thin they can smell snaps before August ends. MORE: Predicting where remaining NFL free agents will sign The cleanest path is always the same – unclear RB2, unreliable RB3, and a coaching staff that will play whoever protects the quarterback and the football.
That’s how late-round backs become real. Here’s a quick list of guys who have viable paths to useful time in 2026. Noah Whittington, Texans (UDFA, Oregon) Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon running back Noah Whittington (RB21) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images Houston’s backfield isn’t deep, so Whittington doesn’t need to win a job outright. The kid has the tools, too – legit burst and contact balance with receiving ability. He’s not a plodder, but rather a one-cut accelerator who can turn a crease into 12 yards and stay on the field on passing downs.