Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. Accurate ranking. Ranking the NFC South running backs - NFC South- ESPN Hes recorded 43 scores on the ground and another 15 through the air, proving to be a touchdown machine in the Saints offense. Gambling problem? With Tom Brady's retirement, what's next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at quarterback? The soon-to-be 26-year-old, who requested a trade earlier this offseason, is at Texans camp -- practicing sparingly -- while allegations of sexual assault and harassment made in the 22 lawsuits filed against the quarterback remain under investigation. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars [CDATA[ 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. Saints won, 31-17. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Ranking NFL divisions by running backs: Christian McCaffrey, Alvin 32. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at The veteran NFL running back has been in the league. His greatest attribute might be his ability to make defenders miss. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos, 22. 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. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Still, hes certainly proven to be as valuable as any running back in any backfield across the league. C.J. 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. His second half of 2019 showed what he could be. If it were purely up to on-field performance, Dalvin Cook would certainly find himself a bit higher than No. Damien Harris, New England Patriots Sign up for the Cards Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. It seems like Tony Pollard will be with the Cowboys at least through 2023. FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis. Elliott has now hauled in multiple receiving touchdowns and at least 300 receiving yards in four of his five seasons. Reggie Bush, New Orleans. Pro Football Network, LLC. I aim to find value at other positions like WR and QB because if I miss on a bet at those positions, I can always trade one of my RBs for a roster weakness during the season. They also look for improved play from their young offensive line to establish their running game and have a more balanced offensive attack. 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. Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South. The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. Derrick Henry is the undisputed workout king as well as the leagues top stiff-arm threat entering 2021. Jeff Demps. Names like Javonte Williams in Denver, Rhamondre Stevenson in New England, or Jaret Patterson in Washington are likely to surface before too long. Cowboys draft 2023: Bijan Robinson should be an exception to not drafting a RB in the first round. 4. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta. 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. Devontae Booker had a decent year as the backup in Las Vegas last season, but the fact of the matter is Barkleys ability to stay on the field will determine how successful their run game is. (Note: This list only reflects players taking advantage of the new rule change and not a number swap that would have previously been permitted). When hes on the field, theres no disputing that Saquon Barkley is one of the best five running backs in football. But I think he's going to be the primary ball carrier in an offense that runs often. The fifth-year back is a very good, not elite pure runner, but an outstanding pass-catcher. Troymaine Pope. 5. Theres even more to do about whether or not running backs matter entering the year. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. 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. The WFT's running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. 1 back against the Giants showed he can be good. John Raine, Falcons RB Mike Davis Photo by: USA Today. 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. He still finished RB2 for the year because he had 21 total TDs. 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). Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South | Yardbarker 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. 20. Outside of the QB position (specifically Lamar Jackson), theres not a player in the league that will command a larger percentage of their teams offense than CMC. With amazing contact balance and tremendous lower body strength, no defender is safe from Barkeys highlight reel. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina. They finished RB39 and RB15, respectively, last year. Sign up for the Alex Armah But it remains to be seen, after he's missed time each of the last two seasons, if Freeman can stay on the field. Ty Montgomery 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. 3. The Panthers' crown jewel. Check out all the features Fantrax has to offer, and we think youll be singing a different tune for next season. With that in mind, NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew provides his own ranking of the league's top 10 players 25 and younger heading into the 2021 regular season. He has impressed both coaching staffs he has played for immensely. I expect RB26 and RB28 this year with a full year together. The Panthers' overall rushing production dropped in 2019 because of the loss of QB Cam Newton and an offensive line that struggled. He had just under 700 yards rushing and just under 400 yards receiving. New Orleans has had just three seasons with a 1,000-Yd back during Payton's 14-Yr tenure with the team, yet are still perennially in the top half of the league in rushing. A: . Chubb is no stranger to big plays and has scored 30 total touchdowns in just three seasons. Ranking the running backs in the NFC West | Cards Wire Tony Brooks-James Jeremy Bergman provides five items that he believes should have been handled differently by the "Top 100 Players of 2022" voters. It is the quality of the starter that pushes the Bucs ranks down compared to CMC and Kamara. 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. Dillon is waiting in the wings in the Green Bay running backs room. Michael Carter led film session with running backs as RB coach Taylor Embree and wife welcomed baby . To qualify, a player will. Please check your email for a confirmation. If folks watch the game, theyd see that RoJo has some real skills running the ball inside and out with power, cutting and balance. The Falcons general manager said the organization would not close any doors when working to fill out the quarterback position. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton prefers to use multiple running backs in his offensive system. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. 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. Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com. (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. Vaughn played just 39 special teams snaps last season. falcons. That wont change. This backfield is chaos and I hate it. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the run game. Your email address will not be published. His power is perfect complement to Williams' speed. To go from barely average regular season play to elite in the playoffs was one of the weirdest things Ive seen in my time watching football. Smith had 41 carries and nine catches last season, but didnt really stand out. A leaky offensive line and an abysmal rushing game have left the Buccaneers with a one-dimensional attack over the last two seasons, allowing opponents to pressure now-former QB, Jameis Winston, into additional turnovers. 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. 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. Mike Davis 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. Further, the Falcons are going to be bad 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. Instead its his pass-catching skills, where he consistently creates separation as a route runner, even from a receiver alignment. Which 10 players make up Nos. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. panthers Its for this reason that my favorite strategy is to draft a running back with my first 4 picksregardless of league style (redraft, dynasty, etc.). Can he be a regular special teamer? 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