Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. Like, in terms of entire unit, I cant in good faith grade the Panthers #1. @EzekielElliott's ready to go in 2021. : @ProFootballHOF Game on FOX pic.twitter.com/5UU3CkoIro. 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. 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. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. The highest non-starter on this list, Kareem Hunt packs half of the punch for the leagues top RB duo in Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. 50 percent of the Panthers offensive plays went through him the prior season and when a player starts getting injuries from overuse, they generally don stop or go away. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. (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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. follow. So far, there are has been a wide array of veterans (and rookies) electing to take advantage of this new rule. With an added dynamic out of the backfield, the trend of top backs being well-rounded continues. Its imperative to note that we havent seen enough from the rookies slated to see action this year. 40 and 31. He kept a lot of hits off Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan last year. 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. He threatens opposing defenses not only out of the backfield but also when lining up both from the slot and outside as a receiver. The latter question aside, there are plenty of valuable assets in the backfield of every NFL team. The age listed under each player's name is the age he will be on Sept. 9. Antonio Gibson showed tons of promise in his rookie season, and JD McKissic is coming off a career year. 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. 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. Of course, with Alvin Kamara still around it doesn't much matter who the No. At just 24 years old, Barkley is just getting started. 30 and 21. Episode 8 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing notable NFL siblings in the players' list between Nos. But it remains to be seen, after he's missed time each of the last two seasons, if Freeman can stay on the field. Bucky Brooks has Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski linked to the Falcons in first round, Van Ness and Murphy said they'd be thrilled to play in Atlanta, Wilson vows to make big impact, We also talk about which position the Falcons should take in the first round, Atlanta has tons of salary-cap space and No. Javian Hawkins Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. On this roster, theyre together, and neither has a defined role. Which 10 players make up Nos. Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 1-10, Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 11-32. Wayne Gallman, a 27-year-old running back, was waived by the NFC South franchise on Saturday afternoon, according to reports. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. Alex Armah He was a very good back at Florida State, producing when he was the only real offensive threat. 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. Carolina Panthers Christian McCaffrey Chuba Hubbard Trenton Cannon Reggie Bonnafon Spencer Brown Rodney Smith Mikey Daniel Darius Clark Mason Stokke This is it. Follow Ledyard on Twitter at @LedyardNFLDraft. Perhaps Im being too bearish on Davis outlook, but RB34 for his situation this year doesnt seem out of the question. 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. Ollison and Brooks-James have combined for 33 career carries, and Hawkins and Huntley are rookies. Having a player like Chubb in the backfield makes life a lot easier for Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense. Elliott spoke back in July about how not fumbling is his No. 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. With just 3 fumbles to his credit, hes also a sure-handed first-down machine for Las Vegas. 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. He would have ranked second on this list. 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. He barely played in three games a season ago and still scored 6 total touchdowns. Today, we start by taking a look at the running backs. Reggie Bonnafon 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. Ill be honest. Davis finished the year with career highs in snaps, carries (165), yards (642), touchdowns (six) catches (59), receiving yards (373) and receiving touchdowns (two). Jon Ledyard is PewterReport.com's newest Bucs beat writer and has experience covering the Pittsburgh Steelers as a beat writer and analyzing the NFL Draft for several draft websites, including The Draft Network. Michael Turner, Atlanta. Ashton answer's your questions in this Friday mailbag. Were anxiously awaiting multiple returns to the field for some of the leagues top running backs, none more so than Christian McCaffrey. He's coming off a season in which he had 12 sacks, 18 QB hits and four forced fumbles while notching seven turnovers caused by pressure (most in the NFL), according to Next Gen Stats. [CDATA[ 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. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans. 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. Episode 9 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing the highest-ranked undrafted player in the players' list between Nos. Get the comprehensive list of every Running Back for each NFL pro football team. His greatest attribute might be his ability to make defenders miss. Vaughn played just 39 special teams snaps last season. Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams 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. Carolina's main loss behind McCaffrey was veteran back C.J. 9. The back-to-back reigning rushing champion tops the list of best running backs in the NFL. 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. I dont care what the scoring of your league entails. 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.). Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders He hauled in 33 receptions out of the backfield and scored 5 more touchdowns on the ground than his rookie season. He now will share carries with Carlos Hyde but should still be the Seahawks main runner and biggest producer. KeShawn Vaughn 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. Ive projected a little regression in that stat, but Im expecting more all-purpose yards for Kamara this year. Cooks 2019-2020 stretch is among the best two-year stretch of RB performance weve seen in recent memory. The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. Tony Jones Jerious Norwood, Atlanta. Christian McCaffrey Alvin Kamara Not bad for a guy who has bounced around the league for six seasons. He's a fullback, but he belongs on this list. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears The players have spoken. 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. (via @Giants) pic.twitter.com/yNFOW1WoZQ. 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. Saints won, 31-17. He has been more productive than Darrell Henderson. 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. Steven Jackson . 17. Covers the New Orleans Saints as contributing writer for Saints News Network. 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. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the run game. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. NFC South . 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). July 23, 2021 4:45 pm MT. He makes mincemeat of defensive backs in space while possessing plenty of straight-line speed to outrun just about anyone on the field. 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. Falcons ask Richardson who's faster, him or Kyle Pitts. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 16. It seems like Tony Pollard will be with the Cowboys at least through 2023. Number one fumbling the ball, Elliott said when asked what his No. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. McCaffrey has averaged 135.2 scrimmage yards per game since 2018 (most in the NFL over that span), and I don't see that figure dropping when he takes the field in September. Troymaine Pope. 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. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. He looked way more confident andRead more , I might give you the Saints as having a better deeper RB room but not the Panthers. 2 back in Arizona this season behind Kenyan Drake. Michael Smith. Continuing my NFC South position group rankings, I've dug into each team's current crop of running backs to determine how they stack up. Jones is set to be the bell cow in the Green Bay backfield for what seems like the first time in his career. Brown is a solid short-yardage back to have on the roster. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals' No. Jameis at the helm would provide significant upside in both categories. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions 28. 24. 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. I never like these RB unit rankings because are we weighting the guys in the unit differently? Please check your email for a confirmation. 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. 18. It would not be the same as drafting a RB with the fourth overall pick. 10. To qualify, a player will have to be 25 or younger as of Sept. 9, when the 2021 season is scheduled to kick off. 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. Shouldnt both be equally important? Theyll hope Trenton Cannon, Rodney Smith, Reggie Bonnafon and Chuba Hubbard are able to step up. John Raine, Falcons RB Mike Davis Photo by: USA Today. Mostert became the 49ers No. Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds rank? Says he's the toughest matchup he had in college. 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. He's still something of a secret to a lot of people. 13. McCaffrey was both the Panthers' leading rusher and receiver in 2018, gaining 1,965 total offensive yards and scoring 13 combined touchdowns. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. falcons. . 2023 PewterReport.com All Rights Reserved. Carolina Panthers. Darius Clark The NFC West has some talented running backs in the conference. It feels wrong to rank a 27-year-old running back this high, but Austin Ekeler is not your typical older RB. But, when you compare the teams running back groups altogether, theres no question the Cowboys have the best group in the division. 40-31? 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. 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 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs Its not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. To qualify, a player will. Chase Edmonds . Say what?! James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis, 2021 Fantasy Running Back Depth Charts: NFC South, Top 500 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings, Fantasy 101: How to Play Rotisserie Baseball, 2023 Fantasy Baseball Position Eligibility, Fantasy EPL 101 How to Play Draft Premier League, 2023 Fantasy Baseball: Points Leagues Sleepers Hitters, Canadian Baseball Prospects and Team Canada World Baseball Classic Roster. Ty Montgomery 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. Behind Freeman the Falcons have a lot of different options to work with. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams This man is the alpha and the omega of fantasy running backs. 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. During Barkleys last extended action in 2019, he was able to have an extremely productive season despite being a part of one of the worst offenses in the NFL. 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. He really found his groove as the complement to Nick Chubb in Cleveland a season ago, rushing for 921 yards and 9 touchdowns. The other nine are 25 or younger. Which 10 players make up Nos. Two running backs who would be starters on their own in at least 20 other backfields. New Orleans Saints collapse continues on Thanksgiving with fourth straight loss, Tom Brady gets Rob Gronkowski back, Buccaneers back in win column, Saints' Sean Payton defends 'super aggressive' approach after fans boo clock management, Why Saints quarterback Jameis Winston isn't motivated by revenge vs. He had a brief fumbling problem but is consistent. 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. Needing to replenish depth, the Cowboys should look into free agent defensive lineman Arden Key. Cameron Artis-Payne is back after carrying the ball 19 times for 69 yards and a touchdown last season, and the Panthers added draft pick Jordan Scarlett and former Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield to the position group this offseason. Atlanta to tack on more money to their cap savings in 2023 with the release of the veteran quarterback. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio. 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. This touchdown run gave Tony Pollard 69 rushing yards on the day. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Ive never been a fumbler. 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. NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2022" -- voted on by the players themselves -- comes to a conclusion on Sunday night.