I think this is overblown. There is this myth that you can find good multi threat backs in late rounds because of guys like Chris Carson.
For every Carson there are 30 no marks that never did a thing in the league.
This is the 2021 running back class. Outside of Elijah Mitchell who has really done anything outside the Top 3? Stevenson is just starting to contribute as a runner and I like Khalil Herbert but he only proves the point. or every Herbert there are 20 scrubs.
2021 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 24 | Najee Harris | Steelers | Alabama |
| 2 | 1 | 25 | 25 | Travis Etienne | Jaguars | Clemson |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 35 | Javonte Williams | Broncos | North Carolina |
| 4 | 3 | 24 | 88 | Trey Sermon | 49ers | Ohio State |
| 5 | 4 | 2 | 107 | Michael Carter | Jets | North Carolina |
| 6 | 4 | 14 | 119 | Kene Nwangwu | Vikings | Iowa State |
| 7 | 4 | 15 | 120 | Rhamondre Stevenson | Patriots | Oklahoma |
| 8 | 4 | 21 | 126 | Chuba Hubbard | Panthers | Oklahoma State |
| 9 | 5 | 6 | 150 | Kenneth Gainwell | Eagles | Memphis |
| 10 | 5 | 40 | 184 | Ben Mason | Ravens | Michigan |
| 11 | 6 | 10 | 194 | Elijah Mitchell | 49ers | Louisiana-Lafayette |
| 12 | 6 | 12 | 196 | Gary Brightwell | Giants | Arizona |
| 13 | 6 | 14 | 198 | Larry Rountree | Chargers | Missouri |
| 14 | 6 | 18 | 202 | Chris Evans | Bengals | Michigan |
| 15 | 6 | 27 | 211 | Demetric Felton | Browns | UCLA |
| 16 | 6 | 33 | 217 | Khalil Herbert | Bears | Virginia Tech |
| 17 | 7 | 5 | 233 | Jake Funk | Rams | Maryland |
| 18 | 7 | 17 | 244 | Gerrid Doaks | Dolphins | Cincinnati |
| 19 | 7 | 29 | 256 | Kylin Hill | Packers | Mississippi State |
| 20 | 7 | 30 | 257 | Jermar Jefferson | Lions | Oregon State |
I'm looking at all recent drafts and the chances of finding a good dual threat RB in later rounds is slim to none. Of ALL the running backs drafted there is Tony Pollard in round 4 of 2019. Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt and James Conner round 3 and Chris Carson round 7 of 2017. Kenyan Drake in 2016. David Johnson 2015.
It happens, but it's rare. You really have to pick no later than round 2 to have a decent shot.