Justifying a Running Back in the Top 5

Here is a list of the RBs taken in the top 5 since 1982.

Current or Future Hall of Famers
Eric Dickerson
Barry Sanders
Marshall Faulk
LaDainian Tomlinson
Edgerrin James

Solid, occasional Pro Bowlers
Curt Warner
Garrison Hearst
Ricky Williams
Jamal Lewis

Busts
Alonzo Highsmith
Brent Fullwood
Blair Thomas
Curtis Enis
Ki-Jana Carter

Jury still out
Ronnie Brown
Cedric Benson
Carnell Williams
Reggie Bush

That breaks down like this:

5/18 = Hall of Fame
4/18 = Solid with Pro Bowl seasons
5/18 = Complete bust (3/5 from Penn State)
4/18 = Jury is still out, but look solid

Considering that the four recent top 5 RBs look to be solid or better, that makes 13/18 (72%) worthy of the draft pick. Considering Cleveland's pathetic running game since they returned to the NFL in 1999, drafting a difference-maker at the running back position could be the shot in the arm the team needs. Coupled with an offensive line bolstered by free agent acquisition Eric Steinbach, the addition of a threat at RB would help make life much easier on the eventual quarterback and his receiving weapons.

Is Adrian Peterson as talented as the 9 backs listed above who are considered "solid" or Hall of Famers? I think so.

Will Peterson be durable enough to achieve that status? The jury will be out on that for a few years.