Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers His value to this offense can't be matched. 12. Hunt was terrific in Kansas City for his first two seasons, totaling well over 2,100 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. Hes recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and combined for 25 rushing touchdowns the past two seasons. Though he narrowly missed 1,000 yards last year, he chipped in with 50+ receptions out of the backfield for the third straight season. 12:07 left in this one. Which RB enters the season atop the list? In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. Jones is set to be the bell cow in the Green Bay backfield for what seems like the first time in his career. It would not be the same as drafting a RB with the fourth overall pick. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the run game. Now what did they get wrong? 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. Theyll hope Trenton Cannon, Rodney Smith, Reggie Bonnafon and Chuba Hubbard are able to step up. I expect RB26 and RB28 this year with a full year together. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta. Bucs' Brady Was Already Thinking 2021 Hours After Super Bowl LV. Reggie Bonnafon After rushing for more than 1,100 yards in 2018, he topped that with 1,230 in 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. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Tony Brooks-James Say what?! 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. 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 has speed and power, just needs to keep working to find his role. Unthinkable! 4 spot on this list, but his career is currently in limbo. He'll be back in 2022, and James Robinson (his only real competition for . Quarterback: 1-19Running back: 1-49, 80-89Wide receiver/tight end: 1-49, 80-89Offensive line: 50-79Defensive line: 50-79, 90-99Linebacker: 1-59, 90-99Defensive backs: 1-49Kicker/punter: 1-19. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. 24 Year Old Running Backs 2021 In Nfc South | StatMuse The sky is the limit for Jones as the clear No. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions 28. They also look for improved play from their young offensive line to establish their running game and have a more balanced offensive attack. 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. 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. Hoover's not quite as dominant a blocker as Mughelli, but he's been very solid and dependable for a long time. 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. What sets McCaffrey apart isnt that hes a great runner, although he certainly is. If folks watch the game, theyd see that RoJo has some real skills running the ball inside and out with power, cutting and balance. 1. His downfield passing improved immensely in 2020, when he completed 26 passes of 20-plus yards, per Next Gen Stats, while also continuing to be a threat in the run game, with at least eight rushing TDs in each of his first three seasons. Mason Stokke. Two running backs who would be starters on their own in at least 20 other backfields. Ranking 2021 NFC North Running Backs - Sports Illustrated Ive projected a little regression in that stat, but Im expecting more all-purpose yards for Kamara this year. 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. Covers the New Orleans Saints as contributing writer for Saints News Network. Murray is capable of carrying the load for a game or two, and has even made strides at receiver during his time in New Orleans. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Theres even more to do about whether or not running backs matter entering the year. Trenton Cannon I stand by that, but after the CMC gap, Alvin Kamara is in the next tier. Christian McCaffrey Dominating the game's top defensive backs with ease week in and week out, Metcalf is becoming the gold standard at the receiver position. Elliott has now hauled in multiple receiving touchdowns and at least 300 receiving yards in four of his five seasons. He has requested a trade as he, who signed a three-year contract last offseason, would like to be paid more like his fellow running backs on the team. But it remains to be seen, after he's missed time each of the last two seasons, if Freeman can stay on the field. 21. 11. A year without Drew Brees will ultimately be the telling chapter of Kamaras career. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. . . FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis. The competition with Fournette should produce a formidable tandem and best in our division. Young has the talent to rise to the top of this list one day, but he slots in at No. Jeremy Bergman provides five items that he believes should have been handled differently by the "Top 100 Players of 2022" voters. 10 after earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. So far, there are has been a wide array of veterans (and rookies) electing to take advantage of this new rule. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at Your fantasy football league wasnt hosted on Fantrax last season? 4 on this list. #WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/i0xSK7ZDMN. Names like Javonte Williams in Denver, Rhamondre Stevenson in New England, or Jaret Patterson in Washington are likely to surface before too long. 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. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks An injury decreased his role late in the season and in the postseason but he still averaged 4.0 yards per carry and rushed for 544 yards. Let us know in the comments section what you think of our rankings. Mikey Daniel What separates McCaffrey from the other dual-threat running backs is his possession of elite-level ground skills. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. Sign up for the 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. McCaffrey is the only running back in NFL history to record back-to-back seasons with at least 100 catches from 2018 to 2019. 40 and 31. What everybody is missing from Mike McCarthys recent comments about the Cowboys offense, Kellen Moore. 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. 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. Disagree. Episode 7 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing two productive QB-pass catcher combos in the players' list between Nos. 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. He is good but he might not be the same guy in another offense. Anderson. 6. For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. But if hes healthy, hes a rare breed of balance, strength, and elusiveness. 30-21? Like, in terms of entire unit, I cant in good faith grade the Panthers #1. McKinnon returns for a third season with the 49ers but has yet to play a single snap in the regular season because of injuries. Earlier in this article, I mentioned that theres not another player that will command the percentage of his offense that CMC does. NFL jersey numbers: Here's a running list of players who have decided 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. Etienne spent all of 2021 on injured reserve. Edmonds will be the unquestioned No. He looked way more confident andRead more , I might give you the Saints as having a better deeper RB room but not the Panthers. 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. He's going to be a dynamo in Matt Rhule's offense, helping Sam Darnold make a leap in 2021. But Kamara is the prize of the group. While Mike Davis played well in McCaffrey's absence last season, no one can really replace CMC. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Grant Gordon takes a look at the players' list by the numbers. By all accounts, Elliott has looked great during training camp. 1 in Green Bay. Cowboys draft 2023: Bijan Robinson should be an exception to not drafting a RB in the first round. The Panthers' overall rushing production dropped in 2019 because of the loss of QB Cam Newton and an offensive line that struggled. He's still something of a secret to a lot of people. This man is the alpha and the omega of fantasy running backs. Perhaps Im being too bearish on Davis outlook, but RB34 for his situation this year doesnt seem out of the question. It is the quality of the starter that pushes the Bucs ranks down compared to CMC and Kamara. He's down 10 pounds. 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. Latavius Murray When you carry the ball, you kind of carry the whole hope of the whole team, organization and fan base. Fantasy Fallout: With Gavin Lux Out, Could A Sleeper Emerge? Which team had the most players ranked? Hes 28 years old, and getting his first real shot at being a starting running back for the entire season. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Ranking NFL divisions by running backs: Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Mike James. 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. NFC West. His second . 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. Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast. Tevin Coleman's departure was one of the few key losses in free agency for the Falcons. Bruce Arians has already said that Fournette and Jones will battle it out for the starting job in camp, but both will play a lot when the season begins. His second half of 2019 showed what he could be. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. Chubb has been an instrumental part of the Browns' new winning culture as a focal point in Kevin Stefanski's offense. Jacobs is a skilled runner in space, losing very little speed through his breaks. 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. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals No. Copyright 2019-2023. 40-31? An elusive rusher, Hunt is perhaps even better through the air and after the catch. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 23. He has impressed both coaching staffs he has played for immensely. 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. Further, Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, and Chris Godwin deserve their fair share of targets too. The players have spoken. With the start of the 2021 NFL regular season less than a month away, we take a stab at ranking the NFC East position groups. This did not stop Barkley from totaling 1,441 yards from scrimmage, 1,003 rushing and 438 receiving, and eight touchdowns. Theres much to do about the top running backs in the NFL entering the 2021 season. Chase Edmonds . 3. Its an embarrassment of riches, and thats not ideal for fantasy. Dec 29, 2019; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs after a reception in the third quarter. 2. Your email address will not be published. In his last fully healthy season (2019), the Panthers' running back led the league in touches (403) and scrimmage yards (2,392, third-most in NFL history) and tied for first in scrimmage TDs (19). Michael Carter led film session with running backs as RB coach Taylor The addition of Cam Akers shows the Rams arent sure they can count on Henderson as more than a committee running back. New Orleans Saints.