This appears like the only department without a star-level factor at running back. LeVeon Bell was that man … but that was three years earlier. He remained the entire 2018 season and was exceptionally inadequate last year. A few of that can be attributed to the teams bad offending line and quarterback play, however he likewise appeared to have actually lost a step, and the Jets felt highly adequate to bring in some competition this year, in the kind of Gore and Lamical Perine..
New England appears likely to base its offense around the run game, but Cam Newton will probably be their most reliable rush. Michel was running in quicksand all of last season. Harris could not get off the bench behind Michel last year.
Howards last really efficient season was his rookie year, and he brings practically absolutely nothing in the passing game. Singletary looked excellent in restricted action last season and appeared like he must have ended up being the full-time back, however its clear the Bills dont want to make him a true function person.
The role of the running back is quickly changing. Its not as crucial as it when was to have the one, singular man who can do everything, but its still crucial that each group gets what it needs out of the position.
Certainly, not all backs are equivalent. Some people are just more efficient than others.
A quick note prior to we get to the rankings: we offered more weight to backs that play the most snaps (since obviously), but likewise provided deference to passing-game contributions over hurrying ability to break ties, due to the fact that passing has a far greater impact than working on both offensive effectiveness and a teams ability to win.
8. AFC East.
Devin Singletary, Zack Moss (Bills), Jordan Howard, Matt Breida (Dolphins), Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris (Patriots), LeVeon Bell, Frank Gore (Jets).
7. NFC West.
Kenyan Drake, Chase Edmonds (Cardinals), Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown (Rams), Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde (Seahawks), Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jeffrey Wilson, Jerick McKinnon (49ers).
Drake looked wonderful in Arizona last season. However he likewise rinsed from among the worst rosters in the league. Its totally possible that we can credit much of his success to Kliff Kingsburys spread-field offense, which managed him some of the largest running lanes in the league. He dealt with eight-plus protectors in the box on only 8.82 percent of his runs last season, per NFL.coms NextGen Stats, the fifth-lowest rate in the NFL. Still, he needs to be afforded likewise wide lanes in 2020, and Edmonds looked almost as excellent as Drake when offered a shot to tote the rock last season..
Neither Henderson nor Brown revealed enough last season to offer the Rams much self-confidence in them, as evidenced by the truth that they felt the requirement to use their first draft choice on another running back in Akers..
This division might be higher on the list if I felt positive that the Texans would make Duke Johnson their lead back. Duke is among the most effective backs in the league, however he has actually somehow gotten pigeonholed as a third-down guy regardless of having respectable size and being the all-time leader in hurrying at the University of Miami. Alas, Bill OBrien is among the people who has pigeonholed him, and it promises theyll try to require the ball to David Johnson, who was stuck in mud for much of last year. We have not seen the superstar version of David Johnson given that 2016. Thats a long time earlier..
Mack has actually looked great as the lead back for the past couple seasons, but hes also had a hard time with numerous injuries. He should be the lead man by mid-season, if not earlier.
When healthy, Dalvin Cook is one of the finest running backs in the league..
USATSI.
5. NFC North.
David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen (Bears), Kerryon Johnson, DAndre Swift (Lions), Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Jamaal Williams (Packers), Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison (Vikings).
Hes clearly been the best back on the lineup for several years, however 2 various coaches have actually withstood giving him the full-time job. And the second of those coaches just brought in a 3rd running back to share snaps with him. The Lions are similarly unwilling to offer their lead function to Kerryon Johnson, but the distinction is that Johnson hasnt been nearly as reliable as Jones.
Dalvin Cook finally remained healthy last season, and regained the super star talent he revealed prior to tearing his ACL as a rookie. Hes a home-run threat as a runner and likewise a fantastic pass-catcher, making him an ideal fit for what modern NFL teams require out of their backs. Mattison looked simply great spelling Cook on minimal snaps last season, and while the Vikes would certainly prefer Cooks holdout not last all that long, they could feel fine about Mattison, Mike Boone, and Ameer Abdullah as a backup strategy..
Montgomery was one of the least effective backs in the league last season. The very same goes for Cohen, whose average catch took a trip roughly negative-37 backyards last year.
Carson is among the most powerful runners in the league. Hes a broken take on maker and last season he stepped up his passing-game contributions. He cant stop fumbling, and the Seahawks brought in like 4 more running backs (consisting of Hyde) over the past few years. Its even possible that Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas might consider there. On the other hand, the 49ers have a bunch of guys they can plug in and find success. The real star there is the system. Thats why Mostert and Breida have actually been their most efficient backs even though they paid Coleman and McKinnon big money.
6. AFC South.
David Johnson, Duke Johnson (Texans), Marlon Mack, Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines (Colts), Leonard Fournette, Ryquell Armstead (Jaguars), Derrick Henry (Titans).
He runs over and through everyone in front of him. He doesnt contribute much as a receiver, but if the Titans get a lead, they can lean on him to end quite much any video game.
4. AFC West.
Melvin Gordon, Philip Lindsay, Royce Freeman (Broncos), Damien Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs), Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson (Chargers), Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, Lynn Bowden (Raiders).
Gordon has actually not been a particularly efficient runner. Hes stopped working to leading 3.9 yards per carry in 4 of his 5 seasons, and hes been substantially below-average in Football Outsiders success rate in 3 of his five seasons. Nevertheless, hes been a valuable pass-catcher, chipping in with approximately 45 catches for 375 lawns and two ratings while playing just 13 games per season. Lindsay took a step backwards last season, but he was still extremely efficient as both a runner and pass-catcher. Freeman seems likely to be a non-factor when everybodys healthy, but at least provides an element of depth..
As a previous third-down back, hes fully equipped to pass block and get out on routes, and he can take benefit of lighter boxes Kansas City typically deals with. Edwards-Helaire is just as great a fit.
Ingram showed to be an outstanding fit along with Lamar Jackson, with his north-south running style playing well off of the quarterbacks speed and ability to threaten the edge. Edwards is a lot more of a downhill runner than Ingram, and has actually done extremely well in his restricted chances. Hill wasnt far more than a device guy in 2015, but hes a wonderful professional athlete and a much better pass-game factor than Baltimores other backs. If the Ravens do turn the backfield over to just one person eventually, however, its likely to be Dobbins, who is the most well-rounded of the bunch..
Mixon removed down the stretch of last season, topping 135 backyards on the ground in three of the last 4 video games. With an improved offending line and much better quarterback play, he ought to be managed more room to run in 2020. Bernard has actually constantly been an effective No. 2 alternative, and hell remain just that behind Mixon. Conner has had some injury issues, however hes a two-way risk who can handle the bell-cow role when totally healthy. Samuels is more of a hybrid player, however McFarland ought to supply a decent amount of playmaking in what will most likely be a minimal role throughout his novice year..
The Browns, meanwhile, probably have the finest one-two punch in the league. Chubb may be the best pure runner of the ball in the NFL, and hes an underrated pass-catcher. Hunt was one of the very best backs in the league in his own right before getting dropped by the Chiefs, and after returning from his suspension last season he appeared like one of the NFLs finest pass-catching options out of the backfield.
Two of the NFLs best running backs live in the NFC East..
USATSI.
1. NFC East.
Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard (Cowboys), Saquon Barkley (Giants), Miles Sanders, Boston Scott (Eagles), Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Antonio Gibson (Washington).
The NFC East has two of the 5 finest backs in the league, with Elliott and Barkley. It has another person who looks practically all set to sign up with that group, with Sanders, who looked every bit of a three-down back last season while amounting to 1,327 lawns and six goals scored on 229 touches..
Pollard led the NFL in evasive score last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and emerged as an exceptional pass-catcher and tackle-breaking maker who produced a ton of huge plays. Scott might be small in stature, but he was fantastic in limited action last year.
Hes an overall no as a pass-catcher but on a team so dedicated to the run, hes a reputable option to be able to turn to. Clearly, Washington would choose Guice remain on the field and become something resembling The Guy at some point, however whether hell be able to is an open question.
Singletary looked excellent in limited action last season and seemed like he must have ended up being the full-time back, however its clear the Bills dont want to make him a real feature person. Jacobs had a strong novice season and seems like the kind of man who might be a full-time function back, but the Raiders seldom provided him passing-game work last year, preferring instead to lean on Richard in those situations, and then revealed Bowden as a running back at the draft, despite the fact that he played wide receiver and quarterback at Kentucky. Vaughn was not as strong a possibility as some of the other early-round running back chooses, however must have a decent possibility to overtake Jones as the lead back in this offense. Hill wasnt much more than a gadget guy last year, however hes a great professional athlete and a better pass-game contributor than Baltimores other backs. Hunt was one of the finest backs in the league in his own right before getting dropped by the Chiefs, and after returning from his suspension last season he looked like one of the NFLs best pass-catching choices out of the backfield.
Todd Gurley, Ito Smith (Falcons), Christian McCaffrey (Panthers), Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray (Saints), Ronald Jones, KeShawn Vaughn, Dare Ogunbawale (Buccaneers).
The NFC South is house to the finest running back in the game right now, in Christian McCaffrey. The Saints have a strong No. 2 choice behind Kamara in Murray, who looked wonderful as the lead guy when Kamara went down with an injury last year.
Gurley was more efficient last year than the typical perception would have you believe, however his knee looks like a ticking time bomb and the only reason he was more reliable than the understanding is since the perception is that he was unplayable. Smith has yet to profit from his restricted chances and seems not likely to be prepared to enter the lead function if Gurley has problem with injuries once again..
Vaughn was not as strong a possibility as some of the other early-round running back picks, however need to have a decent possibility to overtake Jones as the lead back in this offense. He worked as the teams pass-catching back last year, and need to do the exact same in 2020.
2. AFC North.
Mark Ingram, JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill (Ravens), Joe Mixon, Giovani Bernard (Bengals), Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt (Browns), James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland (Steelers).
Ekeler is one of the best pass-catching backs in the league, and hes finally getting a shot as something looking like the No. 1 man. Jacobs had a strong rookie season and appears like the kind of guy who could be a full-time feature back, but the Raiders hardly ever gave him passing-game work last year, preferring instead to lean on Richard in those scenarios, and then announced Bowden as a running back at the draft, regardless of the fact that he played large receiver and quarterback at Kentucky.
3. NFC South.
