In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. He has been more productive than Darrell Henderson. Behind Sanders, Philadelphia has third-year man Boston Scott and two unproven players in Jason Huntley and Kenneth Gainwell. The reason I dont have him higher is that I had to discount the fact that we dont know who the starting QB will be. Jones is set to be the bell cow in the Green Bay backfield for what seems like the first time in his career. Privacy Policy. An incredibly important aspect of Minnesotas offensive game plan, as Cook goes, so will the Vikings in 2021. With amazing contact balance and tremendous lower body strength, no defender is safe from Barkeys highlight reel. 10. He's down 10 pounds. Which 10 players make up Nos. Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 1-10, Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 11-32. While Mike Davis played well in McCaffrey's absence last season, no one can really replace CMC. Hoover's not quite as dominant a blocker as Mughelli, but he's been very solid and dependable for a long time. The third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely impressive 11 touchdowns. 10 after earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. If you cough it up and give it to the other team, youre letting everyone down so I mean thats the No. And I still really like Vaughn. Let us know in the comments section what you think of our rankings. Which 10 players make up Nos. 26. Although the running back position has become a bit marginalized in recent seasons, the NFC South boasts some of the league's top young backs. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 3. Players ranked 40-11 will be revealed Sunday over the course of three hours -- each one-hour episode unveiling a new set of 10 honorees -- beginning at 4 p.m. Pro Football Network, LLC. This isnt old by any stretch, but its old enough to make me think that if you were truly a starting running back, youd have got your chance to start before this point. Cowboys rumors: No progress towards Leighton Vander Esch deal, Donovan Wilson deal unlikely. Agree. Since entering the league in 2018, Chubb has forced 168 missed tackles, second-most in the NFL behind only Derrick Henry, according to Pro Football Focus. Seven players 25 years old and younger make an appearance in the list, which is voted on by the players themselves, between Nos. The addition of Cam Akers shows the Rams arent sure they can count on Henderson as more than a committee running back. It seems like Tony Pollard will be with the Cowboys at least through 2023. That wont change. Hes recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and combined for 25 rushing touchdowns the past two seasons. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio. But that's not going to last much longer. In his first two seasons, he's recorded 2,518 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns (including the playoffs), evidence that he deserves to be considered among the game's elite, thanks to a combination of his size (6-foot-4, 229 pounds), near-Olympic-caliber speed and confidence. The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. 24. 50-41? Chubb is no stranger to big plays and has scored 30 total touchdowns in just three seasons. He was hurt visually all of last year, and while Im obviously not projecting that this year, his handcuff would be Chubba Hubbard should that happen again. I know everyone is waiting for wide receiver rankings, but well wait to see what happens with Julio Jones first. McKinnon returns for a third season with the 49ers but has yet to play a single snap in the regular season because of injuries. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! The 27-year-old had the most productive season of his career in 2020 with the WFT, rushing for 365 yards and hauling in an impressive 80 catches for 589 yards and two touchdowns. I stand by that, but after the CMC gap, Alvin Kamara is in the next tier. Well see if Atlanta adds anyone before the season, but right now Davis leads a backfield with very little experience or success at the pro level. If hes healthy for 16 games, Barkleys a virtual lock for 1,200 or more rushing yards and tons of explosive plays. Reggie Bonnafon Bernard is easily the most reliable back on the roster thanks to his sure hands and pass protection skills, which should be a huge boost to the Bucs in passing situations. Its usually the hot hand that will get a majority of the carries in a specific game, so its hard to project their totals. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pierre Thomas, New Orleans. Here is my top 10: 1. His production will depend on his usage this coming season. Travis Etienne (JAC): 23 years old, James Robinson (JAC): 23years old. Last year, Kamara rushed for under 1000 yards with under 800 yards receiving. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports. 19. He tallied 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles for Washington's top-five unit last season. Sign up for the Hes totaled 2,692 yards and a whopping 29 touchdowns over the past two seasons while also chipping in with 880 yards out of the backfield. Damien Harris, New England Patriots When hes on the field, theres no disputing that Saquon Barkley is one of the best five running backs in football. Considering that new head coach Arthur Smith hails from Tennessee, where he had Derrick Henry, Leonard Fournette Barkleys first two seasons of full health in New York saw him prove to be a home-run threat at every touch. The sixth-year running back has already recorded 5,860 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns, having produced at least 1,500 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. Who is the best? Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos, 22. Mike Davis Gambling problem? They also look for improved play from their young offensive line to establish their running game and have a more balanced offensive attack. He has speed and power, just needs to keep working to find his role. The back-to-back reigning rushing champion tops the list of best running backs in the NFL. Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020, and were not stopping now. Perhaps Im being too bearish on Davis outlook, but RB34 for his situation this year doesnt seem out of the question. Chase Edmonds . No, he's not a true running back. saints David Montgomery, Chicago Bears An asset in both the run and pass games, Chubb racked up 1,217 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Atlanta Falcons. Theres much to do about the top running backs in the NFL entering the 2021 season. https://cardswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-rb-rankings-nfc-west-chris-carson-raheem-mostert-kenyan-drake/, Cardinals given terrible marks by players on team report card, 4 of 101 best nicknames in NFL history belong to former Cardinals players, One free agent each NFL team should re-sign in 2023, GM, HC searches affected by Cardinals' reputation on compensation, DeAndre Hopkins trade could come before start of free agency, Eagles player takes shot at Jonathan Gannon on social media, Jonathan Gannon 'not sure' if DeAndre Hopkins will play for Cardinals in 2023, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Were anxiously awaiting multiple returns to the field for some of the leagues top running backs, none more so than Christian McCaffrey. 2021 NFL preseason Week 1: What we learned about each NFC team, 2021 NFL preseason Week 1: What we learned about each AFC team, NFL player cuts tracker: Team-by-team roster moves, NFL's 30 best players over 30 entering 2021 season. Oct 6, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (27) runs the ball against New Orleans Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Selecting Texas RB Bijan Robinson at 26 could be a great pick for the Cowboys. The Saints possess a luxury none of their other division rivals to have in the way of a powerful offensive line that takes over games. By all accounts, Elliott has looked great during training camp. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals No. The 24-year-old running back is having one of the most dominant seasons in NFL history, leading the league in rushing yards (988), rushing TDs (13) and rushing yards per game (98.8). Smith had 41 carries and nine catches last season, but didnt really stand out. Antonio Gibson showed tons of promise in his rookie season, and JD McKissic is coming off a career year. What separates McCaffrey from the other dual-threat running backs is his possession of elite-level ground skills. NFL Players By Position - Running Back. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars He kept a lot of hits off Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan last year. Hubbard was a solid mid round choice and could prove to be a capable #2but hes just that right now: an unproven mid-round rookiebasically their version of KeShawn Vaughn last season. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton prefers to use multiple running backs in his offensive system. Cowboys draft 2023: Bijan Robinson should be an exception to not drafting a RB in the first round. Which team has the most wins as home dogs since 2016? For him to step up like that at just 23 years old is a testament . Panthers are per thin. Henry will not go down on first contact and routinely churns out first down after first down if hes not scoring touchdowns. Michael Turner, Atlanta. Though they do it in different ways, one thing is for sure about these top 10 theyre a threat to take it to the house on every play. Jackson is a proven winner, too. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey have been stars since entering the league in 2017, and Devonta Freeman should be healthy after missing much of the 2018 season. I dont entirely know what to make of Mike Davis. Still, this is McCaffrey's show. Nick Chubb is arguably the NFLs most elusive ball carrier. 12. Falcons just have to be careful not to overuse him this year. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills Barkley is essentially a full season removed from participating in live contact. Before we get into the full list of which players are making the change, let's take a quick look at what numbers are now available to specific positions. Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders follow. The drop in the team's rushing production led the Falcons to part ways with Devonta Freeman this offseason and bring in Gurley, whose own production has slipped because of various injuries, leaving a doubt to how much left he has in the tank. Love they guys commitment and work ethic. Say what?! With just 889 career touches, Ekeler does not carry the same risk of slowing down as other similarly-aged running backs. Still, hes certainly proven to be as valuable as any running back in any backfield across the league. 14. Since 2019, he's posted a 24-6 regular-season record as a starter and helped the Ravens to three straight postseasons, including his first playoff victory last January. Instead its his pass-catching skills, where he consistently creates separation as a route runner, even from a receiver alignment. FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis. Are we talking the entire unit as a whole and comparing the sum of their parts? To qualify, a player will. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. Ive never been a fumbler. In my view, CMC should always be the first running back off the board. Brown is a solid short-yardage back to have on the roster. The other nine are . Prosise Like, in terms of entire unit, I cant in good faith grade the Panthers #1. Further, the Falcons are going to be bad this year. Has shown flashes in a limited role, but you get the feeling the Falcons are going to watch Turner's carries closely this year and that could mean more for Norwood. So, who are the best wide receivers in football entering the 2022 season? After becoming just the fourth player in league history to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same year, McCaffrey signed a 4-Yr $64 million dollar contract extension this offseason that makes him the highest-paid back in the NFL. A: . Which NFC South team has the best running game heading into the 2020 NFL season? Jeff Demps. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports, https://cardswire.usatoday.com/gallery/ranking-the-nfc-west-running-backs/, Cardinals given terrible marks by players on team report card, 4 of 101 best nicknames in NFL history belong to former Cardinals players, One free agent each NFL team should re-sign in 2023, GM, HC searches affected by Cardinals' reputation on compensation, DeAndre Hopkins trade could come before start of free agency, Eagles player takes shot at Jonathan Gannon on social media, Jonathan Gannon 'not sure' if DeAndre Hopkins will play for Cardinals in 2023, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Grant Gordon takes a look at the players' list by the numbers. If folks watch the game, theyd see that RoJo has some real skills running the ball inside and out with power, cutting and balance. Set it, and forget it. NFC North Starters: Dalvin Cook ( Vikings ), Aaron Jones (. Expect him to be an even bigger part of Tampa Bay's offense in 2022. New Orleans Saints. And you nailed it, RoJo comes back every year improved. To qualify, a player will have to be 25 or younger as of Sept. 9, when the 2021 season is scheduled to kick off. Hes absolutely a first-round draft pick and provided youre not picking one overall, I think you can take him at any pick and nobody will shame you for it. The 2020 Saints have two running backs who could start for most NFL teams, including a three-time Pro Bowler in Alvin Kamara, one of the most dangerous weapons in football. 1. bucs The Panthers' crown jewel. But, when you compare the teams running back groups altogether, theres no question the Cowboys have the best group in the division. FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette sprints to the end zone to score on a 27-yard touchdown run during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against. With just 3 fumbles to his credit, hes also a sure-handed first-down machine for Las Vegas. Dillon is waiting in the wings in the Green Bay running backs room. In 2019, he had his first 1,000-yard season with the Houston Texans but will be second-fiddle to Chris Carson in Seattle, although that should still afford him a decent number of carries in 2020. The WFT's running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. We are looking at overall depth right not starters? Theres even more to do about whether or not running backs matter entering the year. The running back appears to be in great shape, revealing during the Hall of Fame Game last week that he has lost 10lbs in preparation for the upcoming season. The top running backs in the NFL are big names, those that you must watch on Sunday. New Orleans Saints collapse continues on Thanksgiving with fourth straight loss, Tom Brady gets Rob Gronkowski back, Buccaneers back in win column, Saints' Sean Payton defends 'super aggressive' approach after fans boo clock management, Why Saints quarterback Jameis Winston isn't motivated by revenge vs. 20 and 11. Vaughn played just 39 special teams snaps last season. KeShawn Vaughn Jameis at the helm would provide significant upside in both categories. 2. Jeremy Bergman provides five items that he believes should have been handled differently by the "Top 100 Players of 2022" voters. Trenton Cannon Alright, let's get into who is set to sport a new number! Get the comprehensive list of every Running Back for each NFL pro football team. Carolina was held below 100 yards rushing seven times last season and went 2-5 in those contests. He had six 100-yard games last season. Its imperative to note that we havent seen enough from the rookies slated to see action this year. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). bulldozer with underrated open field agility. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. If it were purely up to on-field performance, Dalvin Cook would certainly find himself a bit higher than No. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. 4 on this list. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. However, he has yet to play a full 16 games for the Vikings and has missed 23 career games in his first four seasons with a variety of injuries. Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. Spencer Brown The team could be hoping for a breakout year with Jones, but the combination of him and Barber isn't too frightening. Our resident cover man, Jason McCourty, ranks his top 10. Everyone will remember his 29-carry, 220-yard performance in the playoffs, but he will still be a member of the running back committee in Kyle Shanahans offense. 1 back against the Giants showed he can be good. falcons. panthers AS you noted, McCafferty was injured most of last season and I believe his imjuries were attributable to overuse. Between the Panthers, Falcons, Saints, and the Bucs, the NFC South has a plethora (SAT word for yall) of backfield candidates to use in your lineups. Christian McCaffrey A year without Drew Brees will ultimately be the telling chapter of Kamaras career. 30. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a08d096c4d28c133811168daadc5e888" );document.getElementById("fe53143262").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. #WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/i0xSK7ZDMN. Seattle won 28-26. Montgomery has ideal traits for a Sean Payton offense, while Washington has flashed a few times in his career, and is a key special teamer. He rushed for 772 yards on a whopping 5.6 yards per attempt last season. Chubb has been an instrumental part of the Browns' new winning culture as a focal point in Kevin Stefanski's offense. ALVIN KAMARA, SAINTS. Ty Montgomery I rank him above Carlos Hyde simply because he is trending up, while Hydes career is on the back end and he will be a backup to Chris Carson. Giovani Bernard Though his days as an elite runner may be behind him, Zekes durability and well-rounded ability were on display in 2020. 10-1? 4 spot on this list, but his career is currently in limbo. They finished RB39 and RB15, respectively, last year. His value to this offense can't be matched. Etienne spent all of 2021 on injured reserve. Ive projected a little regression in that stat, but Im expecting more all-purpose yards for Kamara this year. He may never reach the level of success he saw in his rookie season, but Elliott proves that his place on the roster matters. Carolina's offense is almost solely on the shoulders of McCaffrey, who may be the only back in the league more versatile than the Saints Kamara. Nelson might miss the start of the 2021 regular season as he recovers from foot surgery, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a three-time first-team All-Pro. For the newest installment of Fantraxs fantasy running back depth charts series, were going to delve into the NFC South. Home | Ranking The NFC South: Running Backs. Allen made huge jumps in his on-field production, confidence and command of the offense last season. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts The Buccaneers were held below 100 yards rushing in eight games last season but hope for the maturity of former 2nd round pick Jones and this years addition of 3rd round sleeper Vaughan, both power backs with good open-field speed. 18. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. Thats not to say Davis is a slouch, as the veteran filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season in Carolina. Elliott has now hauled in multiple receiving touchdowns and at least 300 receiving yards in four of his five seasons. The guy was a totally different player. Carolina Panthers Christian McCaffrey Chuba Hubbard Trenton Cannon Reggie Bonnafon Spencer Brown Rodney Smith Mikey Daniel Darius Clark Mason Stokke This is it. Who is a 27 year old running back in the nfc? The Panthers hope Hubbard, a fourth-round pick, can become their eventual replacement for Davis. He's a fullback, but he belongs on this list. [CDATA[ Though he narrowly missed 1,000 yards last year, he chipped in with 50+ receptions out of the backfield for the third straight season. Alex Armah Tony Brooks-James But I think he's going to be the primary ball carrier in an offense that runs often. Among the 12 backs who made our top 10 list, based on ties, Michael Turner (29), Steven Jackson (27) and Frank Gore (27) rank as the old men. All Rights Reserved. Hyde returns to the NFC West, having begun his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. Please enter a valid email and try again. At just 24 years old, Barkley is just getting started. I dont care what the scoring of your league entails. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens Who is the best? He also provides an excellent floor because even if the game script isnt favoring the run game, CMC will get plenty of targets through the air. He might not lead the division in rushing because of the addition of Hyde, but he enters the season as the best of the West. Mikey Daniel Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay. We should expect him to build off his rookie production, given what we've already seen this preseason. Ashton answer's your questions in this Friday mailbag. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. . 4. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 1 running back in 2020. This touchdown run gave Tony Pollard 69 rushing yards on the day. //