. Pollard is only going to get better as his role in the offense expands. To qualify, a player will. The former second-overall pick missed three games during 2019, followed up by missing 14 games after tearing his ACL in Week 2 of this past season. Ronald Jones II Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals Would love your thoughts, please comment. Derrick Henry is the undisputed workout king as well as the leagues top stiff-arm threat entering 2021. While Mike Davis played well in McCaffrey's absence last season, no one can really replace CMC. Ekeler is tied to Justin Herbert for what should be the remainder of his career. Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta. 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. Oops. Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. Rodney Smith He really found his groove as the complement to Nick Chubb in Cleveland a season ago, rushing for 921 yards and 9 touchdowns. Despite having a solid season on the ground, Sanders receiving totals did drop drastically. As a team, the Giants scored 17 points or fewer in half of their games. #WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/i0xSK7ZDMN. Today we compare the running games of each team in the NFC South, with the opening of training camp right around the corner. 18. Folks get hung up on statistics and focus more than they should on the pass catching aspect. The Panthers' overall rushing production dropped in 2019 because of the loss of QB Cam Newton and an offensive line that struggled. Antonio Gibson showed tons of promise in his rookie season, and JD McKissic is coming off a career year. 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. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Its an embarrassment of riches, and thats not ideal for fantasy. 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). Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey have been stars since entering the league in 2017, and Devonta Freeman should be healthy after missing much of the 2018 season. 27. 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. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals' No. Disagree. Still, this is McCaffrey's show. Who has the most career 200 receiving yard games? He has terrific vision, amazing balance, incredible speed, and plenty of elusiveness. Jackson is the most electrifying player in the league. Ive projected a little regression in that stat, but Im expecting more all-purpose yards for Kamara this year. Armah comes over from Carolina to be the next Payton fullback and add to New Orleans outstanding special teams. Can he be a regular special teamer? Whether in the backfield or lining up in the slot. If you cough it up and give it to the other team, youre letting everyone down so I mean thats the No. Ashton answer's your questions in this Friday mailbag. saints Latavius Murray Jones is set to be the bell cow in the Green Bay backfield for what seems like the first time in his career. If he falls to you, feel free to take him. 10. His second half of 2019 showed what he could be. It was Thomas and he's solid. This did not stop Barkley from totaling 1,441 yards from scrimmage, 1,003 rushing and 438 receiving, and eight touchdowns. He's still going to get plenty of carries in a ball-control offense and could even get some time at fullback. Perhaps Im being too bearish on Davis outlook, but RB34 for his situation this year doesnt seem out of the question. I would take our 3rd guy (Gio) and likely 2nd guy (Fournette or Rojo) over any other teams backups. Brown is a solid short-yardage back to have on the roster. Are we talking the entire unit as a whole and comparing the sum of their parts? Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals Jul 18, 2020 12:41 PM EDT. What Kamara gives the Saints as a receiver is very difficult to replace. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. This man is the alpha and the omega of fantasy running backs. 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. 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. Prosise Falcons GM takes AtlantaFalcons.com behind the scenes of one of the most important moments for draft prospects at the combine: The formal interview. 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.). 4 spot on this list, but his career is currently in limbo. How do we rank the running backs in the division entering 2020? 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. I dont care what the scoring of your league entails. Stevie Scott, Saints RB Alvin Kamara Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR. The veteran NFL running back has been in the league. No, he's not a true running back. 12:07 left in this one. Akers almost enters the NFL in these rankings above Coleman but not quite. ALVIN KAMARA, SAINTS. Episode 8 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing notable NFL siblings in the players' list between Nos. Then there are RB-friendly systems that will likely see Trey Sermon, Michael Carter, and Kylin Hill as names to know. KeShawn Vaughn Hell consistently break through arm tackles the same as hell run around defenders with impressive elusiveness. A year without Drew Brees will ultimately be the telling chapter of Kamaras career. But if hes healthy, hes a rare breed of balance, strength, and elusiveness. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Fantasy Fallout: With Gavin Lux Out, Could A Sleeper Emerge? The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. Barkleys first two seasons of full health in New York saw him prove to be a home-run threat at every touch. 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. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. If hes healthy for 16 games, Barkleys a virtual lock for 1,200 or more rushing yards and tons of explosive plays. Jeff Demps. 15. NFC South. Though his days as an elite runner may be behind him, Zekes durability and well-rounded ability were on display in 2020. 8 overall draft pick, assets required to get better fast. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. Instead well turn to running backs, where two teams in the division have a star ball carrier, while the other two rely on a committee approach to steer their run game. 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. 7. 40 and 31. He has speed and power, just needs to keep working to find his role. He had just under 700 yards rushing and just under 400 yards receiving. Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds . CMC is absolutely this years RB1. He may never reach the level of success he saw in his rookie season, but Elliott proves that his place on the roster matters. 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. His second . So, who are the best wide receivers in football entering the 2022 season? section: | slug: nfl-jersey-numbers-heres-a-running-list-of-players-who-have-decided-to-make-a-switch-beginning-in-2021 | sport: football | route: article_single.us | Behind Sanders, Philadelphia has third-year man Boston Scott and two unproven players in Jason Huntley and Kenneth Gainwell. The Bucs would love to get him a hat on game days, but right now it feels unlikely to happen on a weekly basis. Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey have been stars . Josh Jacobs has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau in each of his first two seasons with the Raiders. It would not be the same as drafting a RB with the fourth overall pick. He'll be back in 2022, and James Robinson (his only real competition for . (via @Giants) pic.twitter.com/yNFOW1WoZQ. And you nailed it, RoJo comes back every year improved. bucs The top running backs in the NFL are big names, those that you must watch on Sunday. The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. Accurate ranking. 50-41? 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. Dillon is waiting in the wings in the Green Bay running backs room. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. //]]> If folks watch the game, theyd see that RoJo has some real skills running the ball inside and out with power, cutting and balance. Michael Turner, Atlanta. Vaughn played just 39 special teams snaps last season. 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. Needing to replenish depth, the Cowboys should look into free agent defensive lineman Arden Key. 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. He had a brief fumbling problem but is consistent. Fullback Keith Smith has 12 career rushing attempts, but will mostly just contribute as a blocker. Etienne spent all of 2021 on injured reserve. The age listed under each player's name is the age he will be on Sept. 9. He is good but he might not be the same guy in another offense. Last year, Kamara rushed for under 1000 yards with under 800 yards receiving. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. follow. A quality running back is a scarce fantasy asset. 1 back in the second half of last season on their Super Bowl run. Carolina was held below 100 yards rushing seven times last season and went 2-5 in those contests. He also has quads you should google right at this moment. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. The fifth-year back is a very good, not elite pure runner, but an outstanding pass-catcher. Please check your email for a confirmation. 2023 PewterReport.com All Rights Reserved. Simply put, the NFC South is an absolute terror at the running back position, as any opposing defense can readily attest. 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. Gibson also caught 36 passes for 247 yards, bringing his total yards to 1,042 in just 14 games. Young has the talent to rise to the top of this list one day, but he slots in at No. A quality running back is a scarce fantasy asset. Mike James. 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. Saints then Panthers, because of the depth. PewterReport.com prides itself on being the most complete, comprehensive news source covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and delivering inside scoop on the team found nowhere else. 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. The Panthers crown jewel. FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis. 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 third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely impressive 11 touchdowns. 31. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. With just 3 fumbles to his credit, hes also a sure-handed first-down machine for Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina. In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. Barkley is essentially a full season removed from participating in live contact. 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. Ty Montgomery Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. 14. Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas 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. For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. With today's high-flying NFL offenses, it's a golden era for pass catchers. https://cardswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-rb-rankings-nfc-west-chris-carson-raheem-mostert-kenyan-drake/, 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. Which team has the most wins as home dogs since 2016? 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. Further, Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, and Chris Godwin deserve their fair share of targets too. 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. Hes recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and combined for 25 rushing touchdowns the past two seasons. Jackson is a proven winner, too. His performance as the No. 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. But he still can hurt you out of the backfield, at times, as much as any running back in the league. I rank him above Carlos Hyde simply because he is trending up, while Hydes career is on the back end and he will be a backup to Chris Carson. 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. 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. Jeremy Bergman provides five items that he believes should have been handled differently by the "Top 100 Players of 2022" voters. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions 28. 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. 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. McCaffrey was both the Panthers' leading rusher and receiver in 2018, gaining 1,965 total offensive yards and scoring 13 combined touchdowns. . A lot of people like to make it sound as if the Saints didn't have a featured back last year. The 2 rookies to keep am eye on are Javian Hawkins-Atlanta and Chuba Hubbard-Carolina. Which 10 players make up Nos. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers Below we rank the running backs from the NFC West, starting with the best. 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. Thats an absurd number. 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. Privacy Policy. 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 other nine are . Chubb has been an instrumental part of the Browns' new winning culture as a focal point in Kevin Stefanski's offense. Falcons just have to be careful not to overuse him this year. Its imperative to note that we havent seen enough from the rookies slated to see action this year. 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. Hes totaled 2,692 yards and a whopping 29 touchdowns over the past two seasons while also chipping in with 880 yards out of the backfield. Copyright 2019-2023. [CDATA[ Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills The NFC West has a number of talented running backs. 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. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars He caught just 28 passes for 197 yards and failed to score a touchdown through the air. 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. When hes on the field, theres no disputing that Saquon Barkley is one of the best five running backs in football. 40 and 31. Shouldnt both be equally important? The Panthers hope Hubbard, a fourth-round pick, can become their eventual replacement for Davis. 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. His production will depend on his usage this coming season. Tevin Coleman's departure was one of the few key losses in free agency for the Falcons. Carolina Panthers. With Tom Brady back, can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make another Super Bowl run? His PFF rushing grade improved dramatically from his rookie year, jumping from a 59.1 all the way up to a 75.3. He tallied 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles for Washington's top-five unit last season. They also add an underrated balance to their lethal offense with an effective running game that keeps defenses off balance. With just 889 career touches, Ekeler does not carry the same risk of slowing down as other similarly-aged running backs. Which 10 players make up Nos. 29. Episode 9 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing the highest-ranked undrafted player in the players' list between Nos. 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. 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. Carolina Panthers Christian McCaffrey Chuba Hubbard Trenton Cannon Reggie Bonnafon Spencer Brown Rodney Smith Mikey Daniel Darius Clark Mason Stokke This is it. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds rank? He's going to be a dynamo in Matt Rhule's offense, helping Sam Darnold make a leap in 2021. 26. He has been more productive than Darrell Henderson. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. In 2020, it looks a little different as Todd Gurley and David Johnson are no longer in the division. Though he narrowly missed 1,000 yards last year, he chipped in with 50+ receptions out of the backfield for the third straight season. He kept a lot of hits off Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan last year. We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. This is it. 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. Spencer Brown 'I know that I can't do that': DJ Moore says unsportsmanlike penalty cost Panthers. The drop in the team's rushing production led the Falcons to part ways with Devonta Freeman this offseason and bring in Gurley, whose own production has slipped because of various injuries, leaving a doubt to how much left he has in the tank. Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. A lot has changed since the end of the 2020 season, when Watson led the league in passing yards (4,823). Which RB enters the season atop the list? 30 and 21. Seattle won 28-26. @JdMckissic for 6 #SEAvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/dVGuOjCtKR. It feels wrong to rank a 27-year-old running back this high, but Austin Ekeler is not your typical older RB. The Cowboys head coach made some comments about the offense that deserve a closer look as they seemed to have been misinterpreted. An asset in both the run and pass games, Chubb racked up 1,217 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Its a big offseason for the former third-round pick, and Vaughn should get plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the preseason. Expect more usage from the powerful Latavius Murray after his second offseason in the team's system along with a big rebound in performance from Alvin Kamara. 11. Names like Javonte Williams in Denver, Rhamondre Stevenson in New England, or Jaret Patterson in Washington are likely to surface before too long. 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. The addition of Cam Akers shows the Rams arent sure they can count on Henderson as more than a committee running back. He's 37-8 since becoming the Chiefs' starting quarterback in 2018 (most wins by a QB in the NFL over that span), and he ranks first in many passing metrics among QBs with a minimum of 100 pass attempts since '18. Falcons ask Richardson who's faster, him or Kyle Pitts. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. 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. He hauled in 33 receptions out of the backfield and scored 5 more touchdowns on the ground than his rookie season. Follow Ledyard on Twitter at @LedyardNFLDraft. Elliott spoke back in July about how not fumbling is his No. 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. At just 24 years old, Barkley is just getting started. NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2022" -- voted on by the players themselves -- comes to a conclusion on Sunday night.