Chicago Bears: What does history tell us about converted running backs?

Past examples in NFL history:

It gets a bit more intriguing to see how converted running backs have developed in the past. Denard Robinson is perhaps the most comparable; in 2013, he was listed as a wide receiver without having never caught a pass. And that came after a saga in which he spent the entire offseason in the running back room. He spent the season toggling between receiver, back, and returner over the next few seasons before a new position emerged: out of the NFL.

Eric Metcalf could be another player that comes to mind. He began his career as a running back, before making a seamless adjustment to wide receiver once he joined the Falcons. It’s the opposite of Patterson, but it speaks to how skillful, do-it-all talents can succeed in any situation.

In the very distant past, players of Patterson’s caliber were much more successful as focal points. Two Hall of Famers, Lenny Moore and Ollie Matson comes to mind. Moore, who played with Johnny Unitas, transformed between tailback and flanker. Matson, a former Chicago Cardinal, was used as a wide receiver before observers questioned if he would be of better use as a running back. Their arrival presented a seminal moment for today’s NFL, but Patterson may never get the usage of those guys.

Some other players worth mentioning: Antwaan Randle-El, Terrelle Pryor, Hines Ward, Julian Edelman, Matt Jones and of course the Bears very own Devin Hester.