The value of running backs both in terms of draft position and second contract have been under increasing scrutiny in recent seasons. One year after there were two running backs selected in the top-12, there were no running backs selected in the first round in 2024.

1999
Edgerrin James (No. 4, Colts)
Ricky Williams (No. 5, Saints)

2000
Jamal Lewis (No. 5, Ravens)
Thomas Jones (No. 7, Cardinals)
Ron Dayne (No. 11, Giants)
Shaun Alexander (No. 19, Seahawks)
Trung Candidate (No. 31, Rams)

2001
LaDainian Tomlinson (No. 5, Chargers)
Deuce McAllister (No. 23, Saints)
Michael Bennett (No. 27, Vikings)

2002
William Green (No. 16, Browns)
T.J. Duckett (No. 18, Falcons)

2003
Willis McGahee (No. 23, Bills)
Larry Johnson (No. 27, Chiefs)

2004
Steven Jackson (No. 24, Rams)
Chris Perry (No. 26, Bengals)
Kevin Jones (No. 30, Lions)

2005
Ronnie Brown (No. 2, Dolphins)
Cedric Benson (No. 4, Bears)
Cadillac Williams (No. 5, Buccaneers)

2006
Reggie Bush (No. 2, Saints)

2007
Adrian Peterson (No. 7, Vikings)
Marshawn Lynch (No. 12, Bills)

2008
Darren McFadden (No. 4, Raiders)
Jonathan Stewart (No. 13, Panthers)
Felix Jones (No. 22, Cowboys)
Rashard Mendenhall (No. 23, Steelers)
Chris Johnson (No. 24, Titans)

2009
Knowshon Moreno (No. 12, Broncos)
Donald Brown (No. 27, Colts)
Beanie Wells (No. 31, Cardinals)

2010
C.J. Spiller (No. 9, Bills)
Ryan Mathews (No. 12, Chargers)
Jahvid Best (No. 30, Lions)

2011
Mark Ingram (No. 28, Saints)

2012 
Trent Richardson (No. 3, Browns)
Doug Martin (No. 31, Buccaneers)
David Wilson (No. 32, Giants)

2013
None

2014
None

2015
Todd Gurley (No. 10, Rams)
Melvin Gordon (No. 15, Chargers)

2016
Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4, Cowboys)

2017
Leonard Fournette (No. 4, Jaguars)
Christian McCaffrey (No. 8, Panthers)

2018
Saquon Barkley (No. 2, Giants)
Rashaad Penny (No. 27, Seahawks)
Sony Michel (No. 31, Patriots)

2019
Josh Jacobs (No. 24, Raiders)

2020
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (No. 32, Chiefs)

2021
Najee Harris (No. 24, Steelers)
Travis Etienne (No. 25, Jaguars)

2022
None

2023
Bijan Robinson (No. 8, Falcons)
Jammer Gibbs (No. 12, Lions)

First Round RBs Selected By Team Since 1999

Arizona Cardinals: 2

Atlanta Falcons: 2

Baltimore Ravens: 1

Buffalo Bills: 3

Carolina Panthers: 2

Chicago Bears: 1

Cincinnati Bengals: 1

Cleveland Browns: 2

Dallas Cowboys: 2

Denver Broncos: 1

Detroit Lions: 3

Green Bay Packers: 0

Houston Texans: 0

Indianapolis Colts: 2

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2

Kansas City Chiefs: 2

Las Vegas Raiders: 2

Los Angeles Chargers: 3

Los Angeles Rams: 3

Miami Dolphins: 1

Minnesota Vikings: 2

New England Patriots: 1

New Orleans Saints: 4

New York Giants: 3

New York Jets: 0

Philadelphia Eagles: 0

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2

San Francisco 49ers: 0

Seattle Seahawks: 2

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2

Tennessee Titans: 1

Washington Commanders: 0