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. He tallied 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles for Washington's top-five unit last season. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports. Episode 8 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing notable NFL siblings in the players' list between Nos. 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. Follow Ledyard on Twitter at @LedyardNFLDraft. The latter question aside, there are plenty of valuable assets in the backfield of every NFL team. Pairing him with a rejuvenated Elliott is going to give the Cowboys not only the best running back group in the NFC East this season, but potentially one of the best groups in all of football. His work may be diminishing in the passing game with Kareem Hunts emergence, but that may play to his real strength of punishing first and second-level defenders on the ground. 2 back is. His PFF rushing grade improved dramatically from his rookie year, jumping from a 59.1 all the way up to a 75.3. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. 1 in Green Bay. 2 back in Arizona this season behind Kenyan Drake. Which RB enters the season atop the list? . McCaffrey was both the Panthers' leading rusher and receiver in 2018, gaining 1,965 total offensive yards and scoring 13 combined touchdowns. 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. 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. Needing to replenish depth, the Cowboys should look into free agent defensive lineman Arden Key. Which team has the most wins as home dogs since 2016? Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds rank? 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. 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. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. 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. Between the Panthers, Falcons, Saints, and the Bucs, the NFC South has a plethora (SAT word for y'all) of backfield candidates to use in your lineups. Kamara gained 1,592 combined yards last season and scored 18 touchdowns. 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. Of course, with Alvin Kamara still around it doesn't much matter who the No. Antonio Gibson showed tons of promise in his rookie season, and JD McKissic is coming off a career year. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. CMC is absolutely this years RB1. 12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has terrific vision, amazing balance, incredible speed, and plenty of elusiveness. 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. 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. His on-field play has been exceptional throughout his career, which is why he's in the No. For him to step up like that at just 23 years old is a testament . Freeman should be back healthy for 2019, and the Falcons are a better team with him on the field. 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. The addition of Cam Akers shows the Rams arent sure they can count on Henderson as more than a committee running back. Ekeler is tied to Justin Herbert for what should be the remainder of his career. 1 running back in 2020. 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. What sets McCaffrey apart isnt that hes a great runner, although he certainly is. Stevie Scott, Saints RB Alvin Kamara Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR. Pollard made some explosive plays just like the one shown below. If hes healthy for 16 games, Barkleys a virtual lock for 1,200 or more rushing yards and tons of explosive plays. 40-31? window.__mirage2 = {petok:"i3qTWjOb77Y_2FA32To_S3YkBupgZWPCJqJ_QqFFyr0-1800-0"}; With Tom Brady back, can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make another Super Bowl run? 27. The former fourth-round pick showed some really good signs last season, rushing for 435 yards and scoring four touchdowns. Mike Davis The Panthers crown jewel. A lot has changed since the end of the 2020 season, when Watson led the league in passing yards (4,823). The NFL's top running backs will take center stage when the 2021 season returns. Here is my top 10: 1. Names like Javonte Williams in Denver, Rhamondre Stevenson in New England, or Jaret Patterson in Washington are likely to surface before too long. Until then, however, weve only seen enough from one rookie running back to crack the top 32 in the NFL entering the season. However, in 13 games he only managed to get 39 carries. 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. Qadree Ollison Fullback Keith Smith has 12 career rushing attempts, but will mostly just contribute as a blocker. 7. With such a talented defense and a quarterback prone to turnovers, Washington likely will rely heavily on their running game this year to carry the load for their offense. The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. And I still really like Vaughn. 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. The highest non-starter on this list, Kareem Hunt packs half of the punch for the leagues top RB duo in Cleveland. We should expect him to build off his rookie production, given what we've already seen this preseason. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals 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. But it remains to be seen, after he's missed time each of the last two seasons, if Freeman can stay on the field. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! falcons. Thats an absurd number. Ive already ranked the top 100 fantasy running backs in the NFL, but why not break this down by division? 1 focus is this season. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. If you cough it up and give it to the other team, youre letting everyone down so I mean thats the No. 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. 20 and 11. The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. Folks get hung up on statistics and focus more than they should on the pass catching aspect. //]]> He'll be back in 2022, and James Robinson (his only real competition for . Troymaine Pope. Then there are RB-friendly systems that will likely see Trey Sermon, Michael Carter, and Kylin Hill as names to know. 50-41? Washingtons running back group is versatile, fairly young, and productive. You can almost guarantee a youngster will step up this season that isnt on our preseason list of top running backs. 2. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Tampa Bay may not have a star in their room, but theyve been the smartest team in the South for allocating less resources to the least valuable position on the field. Travis Etienne (JAC): 23 years old, James Robinson (JAC): 23years old. Akers almost enters the NFL in these rankings above Coleman but not quite. Atlanta hopes to limit Gurley's touches by finally getting a full season from Ito Smith, a promising power back who has been plagued by injury over his first two seasons. 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. 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. Tampa Bay hopes to provide newly signed and six-time Super Bowl champion QB Tom Brady with better support, and Brady has needed a productive rushing attack and stout offensive line as his play has dropped off in recent seasons. The WFT's running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. He very well could be the starter in 2021. He's anchored the Colts' offensive line -- one of the NFL's premier units since Nelson was drafted -- having allowed a measly three sacks in as many seasons, per PFF. Hes coming off one of the worst injuries in sports, so well just have to wait if the star running back will be able to stay on the field in 2021. FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis. 24. Ranking the running backs in the NFC West | Cards Wire Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020, and were not stopping now. The WFTs running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. 40 and 31. Washington pairs Gibson with JD McKissic, one of the better backup running backs in the league. . 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. Jackson is a proven winner, too. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. We are looking at overall depth right not starters? bucs . Ranking the NFC South Running Backs - Cat Scratch Reader With Tom Brady's retirement, what's next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at quarterback? South Florida: Johnson, David: New Orleans Saints: Northern Iowa . Episode 9 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing the highest-ranked undrafted player in the players' list between Nos. Matt Brown. Atlanta has been held to less than 100 yards rushing in 22 of their last 32 games, including 12 games last season. 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. 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. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team Love they guys commitment and work ethic. Ty Montgomery 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. Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. He's going to be a dynamo in Matt Rhule's offense, helping Sam Darnold make a leap in 2021. Last 25 NFL MVPs - Touchdown Wire Rodney Smith Panthers are per thin. 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. 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!