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. The third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely impressive 11 touchdowns. Chase Edmonds . Not saying it shouldnt be factored in, but both Karama and McCaffrey are valued more for their pass receiving prowess than their still good running accomplishments. No one should be surprised to see Mahomes, who barely qualifies for this list with his 26th birthday falling just eight days after the NFL Kickoff Game, in this spot. The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. Which 10 players make up Nos. ALVIN KAMARA, SAINTS. Im anticipating a negative game script with the running game, considering theyll be down in plenty of 4th quarters. 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. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. Pollard is only going to get better as his role in the offense expands. Tony Brooks-James With just 889 career touches, Ekeler does not carry the same risk of slowing down as other similarly-aged running backs. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions 28. Rodney Smith Giovani Bernard This backfield is chaos and I hate it. C.J. Saints then Panthers, because of the depth. I'm projecting a bit here because we don't truly know Ward's role. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 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. Alvin Kamara is a ridiculously talented RB more than deserving of his place on the list of top running backs. Set it, and forget it. ESPN.com NFC North reporter, 2008-2013 . With amazing contact balance and tremendous lower body strength, no defender is safe from Barkeys highlight reel. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams Etienne spent all of 2021 on injured reserve. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! Bucky Brooks has Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski linked to the Falcons in first round, Van Ness and Murphy said they'd be thrilled to play in Atlanta, Wilson vows to make big impact, We also talk about which position the Falcons should take in the first round, Atlanta has tons of salary-cap space and No. Wayne Gallman, a 27-year-old running back, was waived by the NFC South franchise on Saturday afternoon, according to reports. Damien Harris, New England Patriots Metcalf has delivered in every aspect since he walked shirtless into a meeting at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine with the team that would later draft him. Jeff Demps. Atlanta also drafted Qadree Ollison and Marcus Green, further bolstering their depth. Elliott spoke back in July about how not fumbling is his No. For his career, the bruising back out of Ohio State now has 6,384 rushing yards and another 1,957 receiving yards with 56 total touchdowns. They finished RB39 and RB15, respectively, last year. Ranking the NFC East position groups: Running backs . Mason Stokke. 27. 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. Javian Hawkins Oops. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers, XFL Fantasy Football Rankings Week 2: Josh Gordon, Jeff Badet, Max Borghi, and More, Final Fantasy PPR Rankings for the NFL Playoffs: Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, James Cook, and More, NFL All-Time RB Records: Season and Career Leaders, College football Week 6 live reactions, results, and takeaways. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. Garrett is a big reason why the Cleveland Browns' defense has improved in each of the last two seasons, jumping from 30th in total defense in 2018 to 22nd in 2019 to 17th in 2020. Hes recorded 16 total touchdowns on receptions in four seasons and has proven to be an incredibly difficult task to bring down in space. He's a fullback, but he belongs on this list. Ive already ranked the top 100 fantasy running backs in the NFL, but why not break this down by division? 2021 Jones 2021 Thompson 2021 Vaughn 2021 Prentice 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 24 24 24 24 Explore Which team has won the most Super Bowls? Which 10 players make up Nos. KeShawn Vaughn Ronald Jones, the Buccaneers' second-round draft pick in 2018, had a disappointing rookie season and gained just 44 yards and scored one touchdown on 23 carries. 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. 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. He kept a lot of hits off Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan last year. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans. Then there are RB-friendly systems that will likely see Trey Sermon, Michael Carter, and Kylin Hill as names to know. The other nine are . The NFC West has a number of talented running backs. It's that time of year again, when NFL players cast their votes to identify the best in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. Cameron Artis-Payne is back after carrying the ball 19 times for 69 yards and a touchdown last season, and the Panthers added draft pick Jordan Scarlett and former Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield to the position group this offseason. 1 back against the Giants showed he can be good. Brown is a solid short-yardage back to have on the roster. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina. 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. He's still something of a secret to a lot of people. Let's face it: it is easier to trust a star running back on the upswing of his career than one on his last legs. Ollison and Brooks-James have combined for 33 career carries, and Hawkins and Huntley are rookies. 4 on this list. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. Thats an absurd number. Gonzalez recalls matchup with Drake London during his days with Colorado. Theres even more to do about whether or not running backs matter entering the year. 1 in Green Bay. The NFL's top running backs will take center stage when the 2021 season returns. Ted Cottrell, Rudy Redmond and Lee Calland talk about their time as professional football players, activism and life after the game ends, The former Falcons linebacker founded the Crockett Foundation in 2002. Mikey Daniel Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast. Hunt was terrific in Kansas City for his first two seasons, totaling well over 2,100 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. Carolina was held below 100 yards rushing seven times last season and went 2-5 in those contests. Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey have been stars . . After rushing for more than 1,100 yards in 2018, he topped that with 1,230 in 2019. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Alvin Kamara has gotten plenty of attention during his first two seasons with the Saints, but Christian McCaffrey has been every bit as impressive in his first two years in Carolina. With Tom Brady's retirement, what's next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at quarterback? They were held below 100 yards rushing in just four games last season, losing 2, and compliment their 1-2 running back punch with the versatility and unpredictability of backup quarterback Taysom Hill. Qadree Ollison Kamara, a 3rd-round pick from Tennessee in the 2017 draft, beat out McCaffrey for 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and is a vital part of the New Orleans offense. The latter question aside, there are plenty of valuable assets in the backfield of every NFL team. The third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely . Derrick Ward, Tampa Bay. Travis Etienne (JAC): 23 years old, James Robinson (JAC): 23years old. July 23, 2021 4:45 pm MT. Despite having the seventh-worst rushing offense in football last season, according to Pro Football Focus, Eagles running back Miles Sanders had a solid season. 23. 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. Ito Smith carried the ball 90 times for 315 yards and four scores during his rookie season, and Brian Hill ran wild in a Week 16 game against the Panthers, gaining 115 yards on just eight carries. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio. @EzekielElliott's ready to go in 2021. : @ProFootballHOF Game on FOX pic.twitter.com/5UU3CkoIro. If it were purely up to on-field performance, Dalvin Cook would certainly find himself a bit higher than No. Grant Gordon takes a look at the players' list by the numbers. 2021 Fantasy Running Back Depth Charts: NFC South 28. Washingtons running back group is versatile, fairly young, and productive. Though he took a step backward in terms of average yards per carry in Year 2, Jacobs added more dynamics to his game in 2020. If you cough it up and give it to the other team, youre letting everyone down so I mean thats the No. 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. I dont care what the scoring of your league entails. Follow Ledyard on Twitter at @LedyardNFLDraft. Episode 8 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing notable NFL siblings in the players' list between Nos. he's on pace for a career high in rushing yards at an age when most running backs are nearing their final days in the . Kenyan Drake, Cardinals. A: . Top 10 players 25 years old and younger entering 2021 NFL season - NFL.com 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. The former fourth-round pick showed some really good signs last season, rushing for 435 yards and scoring four touchdowns. 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. The Cowboys get to pair Elliott with one of the better backup running backs in football in Tony Pollard. Anderson. The NFC West has some talented running backs in the conference. Between his durability and the Cardinals running scheme that gives him open spaces to run, he might end up leading the NFC West in rushing. Kamara gained 1,592 combined yards last season and scored 18 touchdowns. 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. With an added dynamic out of the backfield, the trend of top backs being well-rounded continues. NFC South. Whether in the backfield or lining up in the slot. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To qualify, a player will. Hell consistently break through arm tackles the same as hell run around defenders with impressive elusiveness. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. . When you carry the ball, you kind of carry the whole hope of the whole team, organization and fan base. Expect more usage from the powerful Latavius Murray after his second offseason in the team's system along with a big rebound in performance from Alvin Kamara. What sets McCaffrey apart isnt that hes a great runner, although he certainly is. The team could be hoping for a breakout year with Jones, but the combination of him and Barber isn't too frightening. Its fair to question if this drop in pass-catching production was more due to the instability and poor play at the quarterback position rather than Sanders individual production. Episode 9 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing the highest-ranked undrafted player in the players' list between Nos. Last 25 NFL MVPs - Touchdown Wire Agree. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles It's that time of year again, when NFL players cast their votes to identify the best in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. Its imperative to note that we havent seen enough from the rookies slated to see action this year. That wont change. The guy is a monster off the edge and will be great for a long time. Pollard made some explosive plays just like the one shown below. Buccaneers; . 13. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. The players have spoken. For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. follow. Chubb has been an instrumental part of the Browns' new winning culture as a focal point in Kevin Stefanski's offense. Its taken him a couple seasons, but hes our best pure runner. His greatest attribute might be his ability to make defenders miss. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks Chubb is no stranger to big plays and has scored 30 total touchdowns in just three seasons. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. 8. Every Thursday until the season begins, Ill be going through each position group in the NFC South, ranking them by team from fourth to first. Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. But, when you compare the teams running back groups altogether, theres no question the Cowboys have the best group in the division. The sky is the limit for Jones as the clear No. . Scott has been around the league since 2018 and has had some production, five rushing TDs in 2019 and 374 rushing yards in 2020, but isnt going to scare a defense. . Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) is tackled by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kurt Coleman (29) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A surprisingly large player for his size at 59, 208, Jones lowers the boom just the same as hell skirt by second-level defenders with speed. However, in 13 games he only managed to get 39 carries. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. 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. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos, 22. Kamara was able to produce nearly 800 rushing yards despite missing three games but his touchdowns and receiving yardage both fell off from the previous two years because he was hampered by knee and ankle injuries. bucs 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. 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. While Mike Davis played well in McCaffrey's absence last season, no one can really replace CMC. His production will depend on his usage this coming season. Losing Mark Ingram in free agency will certainly be felt next season, but the Saints' decision to add Latavius Murray, who gained 578 yards and scored six touchdowns on 140 carries with the Vikings last season, will help mitigate that. 24 Year Old Running Backs 2021 In Nfc South | StatMuse Ronald Jones was 24 years old in the NFC South in 2021. Mike Davis Falcons just have to be careful not to overuse him this year. Instead well turn to running backs, where two teams in the division have a star ball carrier, while the other two rely on a committee approach to steer their run game. 50 percent of the Panthers offensive plays went through him the prior season and when a player starts getting injuries from overuse, they generally don stop or go away. 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. 15. Still, this is McCaffrey's show. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers His performance as the No. Michael Turner, Atlanta. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. McCaffrey is the only running back in NFL history to record back-to-back seasons with at least 100 catches from 2018 to 2019. 2:23 pm ET, Jerry Jones believes Cowboys can keep Zeke and Pollard, NFL combine measurements for DBs: Full list of results, Jerry Jones believes Prescott can progress like Brady, NFL combine 2023 results tracker: Top performances, NFL combine 2023: Winners and losers from DB workouts, Report: Pollard to get franchise tag if deal isn't done, Tracking NFL players who switched jersey numbers, NFL combine: Winners and losers from DB workouts, Mock Draft: Panthers, Colts trade up for QBs, Rodgers' trade value, logistics, best fit, Top QB in draft: I definitely don't want to play for 1 team, Jerry Jones: Dak can get better with age like Brady, Report: Daniel Jones actually wants more than $45M per, Ex-Patriots star McGinest facing 8 years in prison, Jerry Jones: Cowboys can find way to keep both RBs. It would not be the same as drafting a RB with the fourth overall pick. 27. Arizona Cardinals Top RBs under contract for 2022: Eno Benjamin Key free agents: James Conner (UFA), Chase Edmonds (UFA), Jonathan Ward (ERFA) Conner was a revelation in the desert, racking up 18. Hyde returns to the NFC West, having begun his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. In my view, CMC should always be the first running back off the board. Falcons GM takes AtlantaFalcons.com behind the scenes of one of the most important moments for draft prospects at the combine: The formal interview. 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. By all accounts, Elliott has looked great during training camp. Saints won, 31-17. Seattle won 28-26. NFL Players By Position - Running Back. TEMPE, ARIZONA - JUNE 02: Runningback James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals participates in an, TEMPE, ARIZONA - JUNE 02: Runningback James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals participates in an off-season workout at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on June 02, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. The 2019 third-round pick was an intriguing player entering the NFL and ideally would have been more impactful, especially when Todd Gurleys knee became an issue. But Im thinking 4th or 5th round at best. Ranking NFL divisions by running backs: Christian McCaffrey, Alvin 6. Instead its his pass-catching skills, where he consistently creates separation as a route runner, even from a receiver alignment. The former second-overall pick missed three games during 2019, followed up by missing 14 games after tearing his ACL in Week 2 of this past season. But that's not going to last much longer. Tampa Bays top four running backs are as locked in as any teams, but finding a real role for Vaughn when the season begins remains a mystery. Ty Montgomery Kamara had his stats hindered when Taysom Hill was QB, as he would vulture TDs and take carries away from Alvin. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions 2020 NFC South Running Backs Preview - Sports Illustrated New Orleans Copyright 2019-2023. Seven players 25 years old and younger make an appearance in the list, which is voted on by the players themselves, between Nos. Tevin Coleman's departure was one of the few key losses in free agency for the Falcons. Here is my top 10: 1. AS you noted, McCafferty was injured most of last season and I believe his imjuries were attributable to overuse. The guy was a totally different player. Atlanta has been held to less than 100 yards rushing in 22 of their last 32 games, including 12 games last season. Bucs' Brady Was Already Thinking 2021 Hours After Super Bowl LV. They also look for improved play from their young offensive line to establish their running game and have a more balanced offensive attack. Dec 29, 2019; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs after a reception in the third quarter. It's for this reason that my favorite strategy is to draft a running back with my first 4 picksregardless of league style (redraft . 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. He's down 10 pounds. Caleb Huntley 20-11? It's that time of year again, when NFL players cast their votes to identify the best in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. His production has resulted in two Super Bowl appearances (one win), a league MVP award in 2018 and a contract extension worth nearly half a billion dollars. 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. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Selecting Texas RB Bijan Robinson at 26 could be a great pick for the Cowboys. With today's high-flying NFL offenses, it's a golden era for pass catchers. Sign up for the The highly-anticipated return of Saquon Barkley to the field in 2021 should refamiliarize the general fan with one of the most talented all-around backs in the league. At 28 years old, Davis will be entering an NFL season as a teams feature back for the first time in his career. It is important to note that Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers will not be on the list, as he tore his Achilles and will not play this coming season. He's still going to get plenty of carries in a ball-control offense and could even get some time at fullback. His 643 rushing yards in eight games put him on a pace for nearly 1,300 yards. Theres much to do about the top running backs in the NFL entering the 2021 season. 1. Love they guys commitment and work ethic. Pro Football Network, LLC. He hauled in 33 receptions out of the backfield and scored 5 more touchdowns on the ground than his rookie season. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. Ronald Jones II Darius Clark He is good but he might not be the same guy in another offense. 1 running back in 2020. Your fantasy football league wasnt hosted on Fantrax last season? Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. Who was the top rookie? It feels wrong to rank a 27-year-old running back this high, but Austin Ekeler is not your typical older RB. This did not stop Barkley from totaling 1,441 yards from scrimmage, 1,003 rushing and 438 receiving, and eight touchdowns. He very well could be the starter in 2021. A daily roundup of all your Dallas Cowboys news from Blogging The Boys, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Blogging The Boys, a Dallas Cowboys fan community, Ranking the NFC East position groups: Running backs, Report: Cowboys prepared to place franchise tag on Tony Pollard if no deal reached by Tuesday. Ranking the NFC South Running Backs - Cat Scratch Reader RB1. If folks watch the game, theyd see that RoJo has some real skills running the ball inside and out with power, cutting and balance. They did. Which 10 players make up Nos. With big additions to the defensive front, including Jadeveon Clowney, don't be surprised if Garrett comes close to or breaks Michael Strahan's single-season sack record in 2021. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images), Sep 15, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (20) runs on a, Sep 15, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (20) runs on a thirty seven yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Smith had 41 carries and nine catches last season, but didnt really stand out. 25. All Rights Reserved. Atlanta Falcons. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Davis impressed as McCaffreys backup last year, but now there is limited depth in Carolina. Cowboys free agency 2023: Defensive lineman Arden Key provides versatility at a discount. Alex Armah The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. Christian McCaffrey As far as the Bucs are concerned I expect RoJo tp come back year more improved just as he has every year. He had six 100-yard games last season. With just 3 fumbles to his credit, hes also a sure-handed first-down machine for Las Vegas. He was a mere 4 yards away from 1,000 yards in his rookie season, but more impressively, has averaged 5.2 yards per carry for his entire career. Accurate ranking. Still, hes certainly proven to be as valuable as any running back in any backfield across the league. That's his 10th on the year and it is 27-16 #WashingtonFootball up on the Cowboys in Dallas. And I still really like Vaughn. Thats not to say Davis is a slouch, as the veteran filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season in Carolina. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. Sign up for the Cards Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning.