The Falcons general manager said the organization would not close any doors when working to fill out the quarterback position. 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. 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. 40-31? Saints then Panthers, because of the depth. Mike Davis 27. Hyde returns to the NFC West, having begun his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! The latter question aside, there are plenty of valuable assets in the backfield of every NFL team. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio. Copyright 2019-2023. This man is the alpha and the omega of fantasy running backs. After rushing for more than 1,100 yards in 2018, he topped that with 1,230 in 2019. With just 3 fumbles to his credit, hes also a sure-handed first-down machine for Las Vegas. New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and defensive end Carl Granderson (96) defends on the play at Bank of America Stadium. The guy is a monster off the edge and will be great for a long time. 24. LB Von Miller, . Ranking the running backs in the NFC West | Cards Wire Ekeler is tied to Justin Herbert for what should be the remainder of his career. (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. In 2020, it looks a little different as Todd Gurley and David Johnson are no longer in the division. Jackson is a proven winner, too. Hes 28 years old, and getting his first real shot at being a starting running back for the entire season. Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South | Yardbarker Michael Turner, Atlanta. NFC South . bucs Earlier in this article, I mentioned that theres not another player that will command the percentage of his offense that CMC does. Travis Etienne (JAC): 23 years old, James Robinson (JAC): 23years old. Dec 29, 2019; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs after a reception in the third quarter. Further, Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, and Chris Godwin deserve their fair share of targets too. Mike James. Jackson is the most electrifying player in the league. 11. 'I know that I can't do that': DJ Moore says unsportsmanlike penalty cost Panthers. 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. He really found his groove as the complement to Nick Chubb in Cleveland a season ago, rushing for 921 yards and 9 touchdowns. It seems like Tony Pollard will be with the Cowboys at least through 2023. The Panthers crown jewel. Get the comprehensive list of every Running Back for each NFL pro football team. He has impressed both coaching staffs he has played for immensely. Alvin Kamara is a ridiculously talented RB more than deserving of his place on the list of top running backs. 12. 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. I dont entirely know what to make of Mike Davis. A year without Drew Brees will ultimately be the telling chapter of Kamaras career. Chase Edmonds . He would have easily been a 1000 yard back if not for CoRead more , Youre seeing our RBs the same way I do Dr.D. The NFL's top running backs will take center stage when the 2021 season returns. 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. falcons. 10-1? Which RB enters the season atop the list? 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. It would not be the same as drafting a RB with the fourth overall pick. 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. If Mostert has his way, he might not even begin the season in the division. The guy was a totally different player. Keith Smith Still, hes certainly proven to be as valuable as any running back in any backfield across the league. Michael Carter led film session with running backs as RB coach Taylor 9. Jones is set to be the bell cow in the Green Bay backfield for what seems like the first time in his career. 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. He looked way more confident andRead more , I might give you the Saints as having a better deeper RB room but not the Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. What separates McCaffrey from the other dual-threat running backs is his possession of elite-level ground skills. The third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely . Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast. Who has the best running backs in the NFC East? July 23, 2021 4:45 pm MT. 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. Barkley is essentially a full season removed from participating in live contact. Pollard is only going to get better as his role in the offense expands. His value to this offense can't be matched. It is the quality of the starter that pushes the Bucs ranks down compared to CMC and Kamara. This touchdown run gave Tony Pollard 69 rushing yards on the day. His performance as the No. Young has the talent to rise to the top of this list one day, but he slots in at No. Theyll hope Trenton Cannon, Rodney Smith, Reggie Bonnafon and Chuba Hubbard are able to step up. On this roster, theyre together, and neither has a defined role. If you cough it up and give it to the other team, youre letting everyone down so I mean thats the No. 2. 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. However, he only had one regular season game last year with more than 14 carries. Its imperative to note that we havent seen enough from the rookies slated to see action this year. Carolina was held below 100 yards rushing seven times last season and went 2-5 in those contests. Follow Ledyard on Twitter at @LedyardNFLDraft. The NFC West has some talented running backs in the conference. I dont care what the scoring of your league entails. Falcons just have to be careful not to overuse him this year. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. With coaching staff in place, what's next for Carolina Panthers? His production will depend on his usage this coming season. He may never reach the level of success he saw in his rookie season, but Elliott proves that his place on the roster matters. 12:07 left in this one. 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. 10. Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020, and were not stopping now. In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. He makes mincemeat of defensive backs in space while possessing plenty of straight-line speed to outrun just about anyone on the field. Trenton Cannon He hauled in 33 receptions out of the backfield and scored 5 more touchdowns on the ground than his rookie season. Thats not to say Davis is a slouch, as the veteran filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season in Carolina. Who Is A 27 Year Old Running Back In The Nfc | StatMuse Expect him to be an even bigger part of Tampa Bay's offense in 2022. RB1. His power is perfect complement to Williams' speed. Please enter a valid email and try again. The other nine are . Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South - Sports Illustrated saints 27. 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. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals' No. Like, in terms of entire unit, I cant in good faith grade the Panthers #1. Covers the New Orleans Saints as contributing writer for Saints News Network. It was Thomas and he's solid. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina. 30. Anderson. The second-year man, out of . 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. 28. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. Needing to replenish depth, the Cowboys should look into free agent defensive lineman Arden Key. Akers almost enters the NFL in these rankings above Coleman but not quite. Though he narrowly missed 1,000 yards last year, he chipped in with 50+ receptions out of the backfield for the third straight season. The longtime backfield teammate of Devonta Freeman ran for 800 yards and four touchdowns on 167 carries last season while starting in place of Freeman, who missed all but two games due to injury. Hell turn a routine carry into a long touchdown within the simplest crease in the offensive line. Something went wrong. KeShawn Vaughn Wayne Gallman, a 27-year-old running back, was waived by the NFC South franchise on Saturday afternoon, according to reports. Top 10 players 25 years old and younger entering 2021 NFL season - NFL.com He has been more productive than Darrell Henderson. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. Despite splitting carries in the Packers backfield, Aaron Jones easily lands on any list of top running backs in the NFL. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Chuba Hubbard 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. 2022 NFL offseason: All 32 teams' RB situations ahead of free agency, draft He'll be back in 2022, and James Robinson (his only real competition for . Hes somehow managed to record at least 81 receptions in each of his first four seasons with the Saints while also rushing for 3,340 yards on the ground. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta. The Saints not only have a premier running back in Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara, they also have one of the deepest running back rooms in the league. 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. CMC is absolutely this years RB1. Please check your email for a confirmation. 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. 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. Damien Harris, New England Patriots . //]]> Saints Head Coach Sean Payton prefers to use multiple running backs in his offensive system. 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. His on-field play has been exceptional throughout his career, which is why he's in the No. 1 in Green Bay. 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. I'm projecting a bit here because we don't truly know Ward's role. 29. NFC South. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Im higher on Rojo than most but much will depend on what version of Fournette the Bucs get. But Im thinking 4th or 5th round at best. 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. 20 and 11. 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. 1 running back in 2020. While Gurley looks to recapture the form that made him the NFL's most productive RB just a few seasons ago and Jones looks to establish himself, it appears that 2020 will once again be a battle between Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey for running back supremacy in the NFC South. Matt Brown. Gonzalez recalls matchup with Drake London during his days with Colorado. Fullback Keith Smith has 12 career rushing attempts, but will mostly just contribute as a blocker. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. He is a very good complementary back, something the 49ers have many of. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals No. 1. panthers With amazing contact balance and tremendous lower body strength, no defender is safe from Barkeys highlight reel. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! bulldozer with underrated open field agility. Behind Freeman the Falcons have a lot of different options to work with. Cowboys draft 2023: Bijan Robinson should be an exception to not drafting a RB in the first round. #WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/i0xSK7ZDMN. Atlanta also drafted Qadree Ollison and Marcus Green, further bolstering their depth. Chubb has been an instrumental part of the Browns' new winning culture as a focal point in Kevin Stefanski's offense. Jameis at the helm would provide significant upside in both categories. 2021 NFC West running back rankings - Cards Wire Hoover's not quite as dominant a blocker as Mughelli, but he's been very solid and dependable for a long time. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina. Even with an injury-shortened season, McCaffrey has recorded 3,145 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 2,672 receiving yards, and 16 receiving touchdowns in just four years. If hes healthy for 16 games, Barkleys a virtual lock for 1,200 or more rushing yards and tons of explosive plays. Hunt was terrific in Kansas City for his first two seasons, totaling well over 2,100 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. That's his 10th on the year and it is 27-16 #WashingtonFootball up on the Cowboys in Dallas. Unfortunately for Barkley, since playing in all 16 games during his rookie year in 2018, hes had some trouble staying on the field. 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.). Pretty fair rankings. 40 and 31. Oops. Which 10 players make up Nos. Its a big offseason for the former third-round pick, and Vaughn should get plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the preseason. Agree. He's still something of a secret to a lot of people. He now will share carries with Carlos Hyde but should still be the Seahawks main runner and biggest producer. The 2 rookies to keep am eye on are Javian Hawkins-Atlanta and Chuba Hubbard-Carolina. And I still really like Vaughn. The Cowboys may wind up losing two key defenders this offseason. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. (Note: This list only reflects players taking advantage of the new rule change and not a number swap that would have previously been permitted). Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs 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. Also, I watched a good amount of Hawkins at Louisville and I think hes a very capable back that could eat into Davis 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. Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK, Sign up for the Cards Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. In his first two seasons, he's recorded 2,518 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns (including the playoffs), evidence that he deserves to be considered among the game's elite, thanks to a combination of his size (6-foot-4, 229 pounds), near-Olympic-caliber speed and confidence. If folks watch the game, theyd see that RoJo has some real skills running the ball inside and out with power, cutting and balance. Smith had 41 carries and nine catches last season, but didnt really stand out. GO HEAD, @saquon!159 Total Yards, 2 Touchdowns, and a souvenir for a fan in the 1st half! Which NFC South team has the best running game heading into the 2020 NFL season? I never like these RB unit rankings because are we weighting the guys in the unit differently? Im anticipating a negative game script with the running game, considering theyll be down in plenty of 4th quarters. Say what?! 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. Ollison and Brooks-James have combined for 33 career carries, and Hawkins and Huntley are rookies. When hes on the field, theres no disputing that Saquon Barkley is one of the best five running backs in football. 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. The WFT's running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. Further, the Falcons are going to be bad this year. Hes recorded 16 total touchdowns on receptions in four seasons and has proven to be an incredibly difficult task to bring down in space. As long as Jackson is on the field, Baltimore will have a chance. A lot of people like to make it sound as if the Saints didn't have a featured back last year. 3. Theres even more to do about whether or not running backs matter entering the year. Ranking the NFC South's running back groups: All-purpose stars lead the way Running Back Rankings: The 32 best NFL running backs heading into 2021 Mostert became the 49ers No. 32. He would have ranked second on this list. 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. McCaffrey is the only running back in NFL history to record back-to-back seasons with at least 100 catches from 2018 to 2019. The Panthers' overall rushing production dropped in 2019 because of the loss of QB Cam Newton and an offensive line that struggled. 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. The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. Sanders got off to a slow start, but still finished with some decent numbers. David Carr enlists the help of his brother, Raiders QB Derek Carr, to provide their ranking of the five best active NFL brother duos heading into the 2022 season. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). He rushed for 772 yards on a whopping 5.6 yards per attempt last season. What sets McCaffrey apart isnt that hes a great runner, although he certainly is. 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. He had six 100-yard games last season. 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. Chubb is no stranger to big plays and has scored 30 total touchdowns in just three seasons. The rebuilding of Panthers' offensive success will once again rely on his abilities in 2020. Panthers are per thin. An elusive rusher, Hunt is perhaps even better through the air and after the catch. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears Says he's the toughest matchup he had in college. Washington pairs Gibson with JD McKissic, one of the better backup running backs in the league. 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. In terms of the entire units right now, I take theRead more . Freeman should be back healthy for 2019, and the Falcons are a better team with him on the field. He's still going to get plenty of carries in a ball-control offense and could even get some time at fullback. The Bucs would love to get him a hat on game days, but right now it feels unlikely to happen on a weekly basis. 2. Its usually the hot hand that will get a majority of the carries in a specific game, so its hard to project their totals. Spencer Brown The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Having a player like Chubb in the backfield makes life a lot easier for Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense. Prosise NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2022" -- voted on by the players themselves -- comes to a conclusion on Sunday night. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 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. 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! They finished RB39 and RB15, respectively, last year. 25. Despite having a solid season on the ground, Sanders receiving totals did drop drastically. Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals 1. Caleb Huntley Atlanta has been held to less than 100 yards rushing in 22 of their last 32 games, including 12 games last season. 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. Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams Falcons GM takes AtlantaFalcons.com behind the scenes of one of the most important moments for draft prospects at the combine: The formal interview. He also has quads you should google right at this moment. The Cowboys get to pair Elliott with one of the better backup running backs in football in Tony Pollard. Kamara had his stats hindered when Taysom Hill was QB, as he would vulture TDs and take carries away from Alvin. I know everyone is waiting for wide receiver rankings, but well wait to see what happens with Julio Jones first. Your email address will not be published. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. 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). Are we talking the entire unit as a whole and comparing the sum of their parts? Bucs' Brady Was Already Thinking 2021 Hours After Super Bowl LV. Pro Football Network, LLC. Coleman returns to the 49ers as part of their running back committee. 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. You could argue that if you individually compare Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott, Barkley is the better runner. Names like Javonte Williams in Denver, Rhamondre Stevenson in New England, or Jaret Patterson in Washington are likely to surface before too long. Simply put, the NFC South is an absolute terror at the running back position, as any opposing defense can readily attest. 1 running back in 2020. 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 . 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. They also add an underrated balance to their lethal offense with an effective running game that keeps defenses off balance. Atlanta to tack on more money to their cap savings in 2023 with the release of the veteran quarterback. The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. 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. This did not stop Barkley from totaling 1,441 yards from scrimmage, 1,003 rushing and 438 receiving, and eight touchdowns. He tallied 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles for Washington's top-five unit last season. Dwayne Washington also returns to the Saints' backfield after carrying the ball 27 times for 154 yards last season. Stevie Scott, Saints RB Alvin Kamara Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR. Until then, however, weve only seen enough from one rookie running back to crack the top 32 in the NFL entering the season. Latavius Murray 4 on this list. Its not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. Darius Clark The top running backs in the NFL are big names, those that you must watch on Sunday. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"i3qTWjOb77Y_2FA32To_S3YkBupgZWPCJqJ_QqFFyr0-1800-0"}; Odds & lines subject to change. 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. Which 10 players make up Nos. DAndre Swift, Detroit Lions Fresh off signing a new contract, Allen will be well on his way to becoming one of the great quarterbacks of his era if he continues on this trajectory. Alright, let's get into who is set to sport a new number! Elliott spoke back in July about how not fumbling is his No. While Mike Davis played well in McCaffrey's absence last season, no one can really replace CMC. Jacobs is a skilled runner in space, losing very little speed through his breaks. Troymaine Pope. 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. ET. He kept a lot of hits off Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan last year. 26. 17. New Orleans can win games with a historically efficient passing attack, a much-improved defense, or a playmaking special teams squad. The NFL voted this offseason to relax its restrictions on what number positional players can wear and folks are wasting no time calling dibs on a new look heading into 2021. 2020 NFC South Running Backs Preview - Sports Illustrated New Orleans Its an embarrassment of riches, and thats not ideal for fantasy. NFC West. 1 back against the Giants showed he can be good. The players have spoken. The combination of Kamara, Murray and Washington gives New Orleans a pretty complete backfield trio.