Fansided

5 most overpaid running backs in the NFL

By Rucker Haringey

Fantasy Football: MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 23: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Fantasy Football: MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 23: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 9: Jerick McKinnon #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 24-21. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 9: Jerick McKinnon #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 24-21. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

4. Jerick McKinnon

For the record, McKinnnon’s appearance on this list doesn’t have anything to do with the ACL injury that cost him the entire 2018 season. He was massively overpaid the second he signed his free agent contract with the 49ers.

The versatile back was a useful player during his time with the Vikings, but nothing about his play in Minnesota indicated he was worth handing a contract that would make him the 10th highest paid running back in the NFL.

McKinnon is, at best, an adequate runner from the backfield. He only averaged 3.8 yards per carry in his last season with the Vikings. San Francisco’s interest in signing him was primarily designed to help provide Jimmy Garoppolo with a safety valve in the passing game. McKinnon is more dangerous as a receiver, but he still only managed to produce 421 receiving yards on 51 catches in 2017.

In essence, McKinnon is a slightly better version of Riddick. He’s still not dynamic enough to justify his salary. He’s a classic example of a team overpaying for a mediocre player in free agency. His contract isn’t killing the 49ers, but it will continue to hamper their efforts to build a legitimate contender around Garoppolo until it’s done.

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