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. 2. To qualify, a player will. He is a very good complementary back, something the 49ers have many of. Who is the best? That's his 10th on the year and it is 27-16 #WashingtonFootball up on the Cowboys in Dallas. He makes mincemeat of defensive backs in space while possessing plenty of straight-line speed to outrun just about anyone on the field. Hes 28 years old, and getting his first real shot at being a starting running back for the entire season. Michael Turner, Atlanta. 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. 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. Chase Edmonds . Which team has the most wins as home dogs since 2016? 4 spot on this list, but his career is currently in limbo. 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Which team had the most players ranked? The Cowboys head coach made some comments about the offense that deserve a closer look as they seemed to have been misinterpreted. Players ranked 40-11 will be revealed Sunday over the course of three hours -- each one-hour episode unveiling a new set of 10 honorees -- beginning at 4 p.m. What sets McCaffrey apart isnt that hes a great runner, although he certainly is. . Has shown flashes in a limited role, but you get the feeling the Falcons are going to watch Turner's carries closely this year and that could mean more for Norwood. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers For him to step up like that at just 23 years old is a testament . The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. No, he's not a true running back. Dillon is waiting in the wings in the Green Bay running backs room. The players have spoken. 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. Alex Armah A quality running back is a scarce fantasy asset.
2021 Fantasy Running Back Depth Charts: NFC South The best NFL player at every age, from 21-44 - ESPN Who has the best running backs in the NFC East? Derrick Ward, Tampa Bay. Which NFC South team has the best running game heading into the 2020 NFL season? Davis impressed as McCaffreys backup last year, but now there is limited depth in Carolina. 20 and 11. Please enter a valid email and try again. panthers The Cowboys get to pair Elliott with one of the better backup running backs in football in Tony Pollard. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals 28. 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). 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 Players By Position - Running Back. For the newest installment of Fantraxs fantasy running back depth charts series, were going to delve into the NFC South. 2. Young has the talent to rise to the top of this list one day, but he slots in at No. Bucs' Brady Was Already Thinking 2021 Hours After Super Bowl LV. 1 thing thats my focus this year is protecting the ball.. 40-31? Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Its a big offseason for the former third-round pick, and Vaughn should get plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the preseason. For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. Josh Jacobs has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau in each of his first two seasons with the Raiders. Im anticipating a negative game script with the running game, considering theyll be down in plenty of 4th quarters. It would not be the same as drafting a RB with the fourth overall pick.
Top 15 Dynasty Running Back Rankings 2022: Jonathan Taylor, Javonte 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. With an added dynamic out of the backfield, the trend of top backs being well-rounded continues. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 1-10, Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 11-32. He had six 100-yard games last season. 5. But Im thinking 4th or 5th round at best. 27 years old. The former second-round pick rushed for 867 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and scored six touchdowns on the ground. 13.
Top 10 players 25 years old and younger entering 2021 NFL season - NFL.com What everybody is missing from Mike McCarthys recent comments about the Cowboys offense, Kellen Moore. Hell turn a routine carry into a long touchdown within the simplest crease in the offensive line. Anderson. With amazing contact balance and tremendous lower body strength, no defender is safe from Barkeys highlight reel. Mostert became the 49ers No. 18. Theres much to do about the top running backs in the NFL entering the 2021 season. follow. Despite splitting carries in the Packers backfield, Aaron Jones easily lands on any list of top running backs in the NFL. If it were purely up to on-field performance, Dalvin Cook would certainly find himself a bit higher than No. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The NFL's top running backs will take center stage when the 2021 season returns. 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. Barkleys first two seasons of full health in New York saw him prove to be a home-run threat at every touch. It's for this reason that my favorite strategy is to draft a running back with my first 4 picksregardless of league style (redraft . Its taken him a couple seasons, but hes our best pure runner. Aside from the addition of Andre Ellington and the loss of JacQuizz Rodgers this offseason, Tampa Bay has pretty much stood pat at the position. 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. 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. The latter question aside, there are plenty of valuable assets in the backfield of every NFL team. A year without Drew Brees will ultimately be the telling chapter of Kamaras career. Thats not to say Davis is a slouch, as the veteran filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season in Carolina. Mike Davis was RB18 last year splitting carries with Todd Gurley. John Raine, Falcons RB Mike Davis Photo by: USA Today. With just 3 fumbles to his credit, hes also a sure-handed first-down machine for Las Vegas. In my view, CMC should always be the first running back off the board. Alvin Kamara 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. 31. Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders Among the 12 backs who made our top 10 list, based on ties, Michael Turner (29), Steven Jackson (27) and Frank Gore (27) rank as the old men. Below we rank the running backs from the NFC West, starting with the best. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Hell consistently break through arm tackles the same as hell run around defenders with impressive elusiveness. He was a very good back at Florida State, producing when he was the only real offensive threat. 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). To qualify, a player will have to be 25 or younger as of Sept. 9, when the 2021 season is scheduled to kick off. The highest non-starter on this list, Kareem Hunt packs half of the punch for the leagues top RB duo in Cleveland. The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. 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. 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. NFC South . RB1. Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast. Jackson is a proven winner, too. Says he's the toughest matchup he had in college. 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. NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2021" continues Sunday, Aug. 22. He's still going to get plenty of carries in a ball-control offense and could even get some time at fullback. 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. The back-to-back reigning rushing champion tops the list of best running backs in the NFL. Ive projected a little regression in that stat, but Im expecting more all-purpose yards for Kamara this year. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans. Freeman should be back healthy for 2019, and the Falcons are a better team with him on the field. 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. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. falcons. Those people should review Fournettes passing stats with the Jags. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the run game. Which 10 players make up Nos. KeShawn Vaughn 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. 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. Considering that new head coach Arthur Smith hails from Tennessee, where he had Derrick Henry, Leonard Fournette Listen to the latest from Cards Wires Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. The Cowboys may wind up losing two key defenders this offseason. Washingtons running back group is versatile, fairly young, and productive. 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. 29.
Ranking 2021 NFC North Running Backs - Sports Illustrated Which team boasts three representatives? Chuba Hubbard Allen made huge jumps in his on-field production, confidence and command of the offense last season. Alright, let's get into who is set to sport a new number! At just 24 years old, Barkley is just getting started. Mason Stokke. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. Derrick Henry is the undisputed workout king as well as the leagues top stiff-arm threat entering 2021. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 14. But if hes healthy, hes a rare breed of balance, strength, and elusiveness. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports. 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. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars Which 10 players make up Nos. The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. Something went wrong. Were anxiously awaiting multiple returns to the field for some of the leagues top running backs, none more so than Christian McCaffrey. 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. A lot of people like to make it sound as if the Saints didn't have a featured back last year. 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. He rushed for 772 yards on a whopping 5.6 yards per attempt last season. When you carry the ball, you kind of carry the whole hope of the whole team, organization and fan base. Jackson is the most electrifying player in the league. Its not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. I expect RB26 and RB28 this year with a full year together. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta. 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. 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. Buccaneers, Alvin Kamara reaches milestone while helping Saints stop Seahawks, Loss of Christian McCaffrey, Jaycee Horn overshadows Panthers' 3-0 start, Former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen says son's heart 'reaching its end', Carolina Panthers NFL draft picks 2021: Analysis for every selection, Former New York Giants safety could play key role for Bucs in Super Bowl 2021, Ex-Jets coach Todd Bowles goes from green to greener pastures with Bucs, Tom Brady's success with Buccaneers sparks mixed reaction in New England, Previously covered NFC South for ESPN.com, Covered Panthers for The Charlotte Observer from 1999-2008, Began journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990. New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and defensive end Carl Granderson (96) defends on the play at Bank of America Stadium. 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. 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. Mike Davis Henry will not go down on first contact and routinely churns out first down after first down if hes not scoring touchdowns.