Fred Jackson Released by Buffalo: An Homage to the Most Underrated Back of the Last Decade

Fred Jackson spent the first eight years of his NFL career in Buffalo, but the 34-year old running back was just released by the team. While he may not be the biggest name in the game, he is a unique story, and one that should be celebrated. He is also arguably the most underrated running back of the last decade.

Jackson didn’t travel the most common path to the NFL. He was considered undersized coming out of high school, and played for tiny Division III Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He’s one of only two players from Coe College (mascot–the Kohawks) to ever appear in a NFL game; Carey Bender appeared in one game back in 1996.

After college, he played in the Indoor Football League, with the Sioux City Bandits. He had a stint in the NFL Europa League with the Rhein Fire in 2006, leading the team in rushing.

He made his debut in the NFL in 2007, signing with the Bills. Of course, Buffalo had just drafted a 21-year old rookie named Marshawn Lynch in the first round. Playing with, behind, and sometimes ahead of a first round pick was a common theme of Jackson’s career. It’s also why he shows up as the most underrated back of the last decade.

Last year, when I used fantasy “average draft position” data to find the most underrated and overrated backs compared to results, it was Jackson who came out near the top over the last 15 years. Only Tiki Barber and LaDainian Tomlinson, two big name backs, came out ahead, and a portion of their value came before Jackson got his chance. Since I wrote that, all Jackson did at age 33 was again top 1,000 yards from scrimmage (while being valued as the 38th best RB entering the season).

How did that rank? It’s 13th all-time for a running back age 33 or older. Twelve of the 14 other top seasons were turned in by players who are enshrined in Canton (John Riggins, John Henry Johnson, Marcus Allen, Franco Harris, Emmitt Smith, and Joe Perry). For eight years, Fred Jackson played along with first round picks, played at an age when many running backs were in decline, and never really was considered “the man.” Nevertheless, he amassed 8,286 yards from scrimmage, 12th most over that span. (For comparison, 2006 2nd overall pick Reggie Bush has 7,647 yards from scrimmage over that time period).

For all running backs in NFL History, he has the 28th most yards from scrimmage at age 26 or later, which is more than Jerome Bettis and only 300 behind Roger Craig, both of whom also played to age 33.

It’s not a surprise that a 34-year-old running back would be released. Jackson prevailed against the odds for so long, which is the only thing that made it a surprise here. No one’s gonna think of Fred Jackson among the best backs in the game, but every time his number was called over the last eight years, he produced. Congratulations on a great and unique career, Mr. Jackson.