23. He's anchored the Colts' offensive line -- one of the NFL's premier units since Nelson was drafted -- having allowed a measly three sacks in as many seasons, per PFF. 40-31? 17. Of course, with Alvin Kamara still around it doesn't much matter who the No. Latavius Murray Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Still, hes certainly proven to be as valuable as any running back in any backfield across the league. Keith Smith Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 15. He was hurt visually all of last year, and while Im obviously not projecting that this year, his handcuff would be Chubba Hubbard should that happen again. The 2019 NFL MVP is a nightmare for defenses as a phenomenal rusher and improving passer, and we should see him make a leap in the passing game with more weapons around him in 2021. Davis finished the year with career highs in snaps, carries (165), yards (642), touchdowns (six) catches (59), receiving yards (373) and receiving touchdowns (two). 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. 32. The third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely . Michael Turner, Atlanta. 13. Michael Carter led film session with running backs as RB coach Taylor Embree and wife welcomed baby . Oops. 2021 Jones 2021 Thompson 2021 Vaughn 2021 Prentice 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 24 24 24 24 Explore Which team has won the most Super Bowls? His second half of 2019 showed what he could be. In terms of the entire units right now, I take theRead more . Needing to replenish depth, the Cowboys should look into free agent defensive lineman Arden Key. Touchdown Antonio Gibson! Falcons ask Richardson who's faster, him or Kyle Pitts. Hunt was terrific in Kansas City for his first two seasons, totaling well over 2,100 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. Derrick Henry is the undisputed workout king as well as the leagues top stiff-arm threat entering 2021. Dillon is waiting in the wings in the Green Bay running backs room. Bucs' Brady Was Already Thinking 2021 Hours After Super Bowl LV. 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. The NFC West has some talented running backs in the conference. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 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. Gonzalez recalls matchup with Drake London during his days with Colorado. Below we rank the running backs from the NFC West, starting with the best. 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. What everybody is missing from Mike McCarthys recent comments about the Cowboys offense, Kellen Moore. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. Fournette had an attitude change after his chatRead more . You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Carolina's main loss behind McCaffrey was veteran back C.J. He's still something of a secret to a lot of people. The Panthers' overall rushing production dropped in 2019 because of the loss of QB Cam Newton and an offensive line that struggled. [CDATA[ The Falcons general manager said the organization would not close any doors when working to fill out the quarterback position. Damien Harris, New England Patriots His on-field play has been exceptional throughout his career, which is why he's in the No. 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. 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. panthers The Buccaneers had the worst rushing attack in the division last year, averaging 95.2 yards per game, which were the fourth-fewest among all NFL teams. Im anticipating a negative game script with the running game, considering theyll be down in plenty of 4th quarters. Antonio Gibson showed tons of promise in his rookie season, and JD McKissic is coming off a career year. 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. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay. Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds . 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 just 889 career touches, Ekeler does not carry the same risk of slowing down as other similarly-aged running backs. He was a very good back at Florida State, producing when he was the only real offensive threat. Thats not to say Davis is a slouch, as the veteran filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season in Carolina. 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. 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. Young has the talent to rise to the top of this list one day, but he slots in at No. 27. 8. No, he's not a true running back. FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis. Though he took a step backward in terms of average yards per carry in Year 2, Jacobs added more dynamics to his game in 2020. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Every Thursday until the season begins, Ill be going through each position group in the NFC South, ranking them by team from fourth to first. Top 5 Running Backs Under 25 (2022 Fantasy Football) He threatens opposing defenses not only out of the backfield but also when lining up both from the slot and outside as a receiver. saints July 23, 2021 4:45 pm MT. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions 28. His 643 rushing yards in eight games put him on a pace for nearly 1,300 yards. Mikey Daniel With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com. 10-1? Covers the New Orleans Saints as contributing writer for Saints News Network. The third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely impressive 11 touchdowns. This did not stop Barkley from totaling 1,441 yards from scrimmage, 1,003 rushing and 438 receiving, and eight touchdowns. Carolina Panthers Christian McCaffrey Chuba Hubbard Trenton Cannon Reggie Bonnafon Spencer Brown Rodney Smith Mikey Daniel Darius Clark Mason Stokke This is it. 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. Who is a 27 year old running back in the nfc? Selecting Texas RB Bijan Robinson at 26 could be a great pick for the Cowboys. However, he only had one regular season game last year with more than 14 carries. Mike James. South Florida: Johnson, David: New Orleans Saints: Northern Iowa . Freeman should be back healthy for 2019, and the Falcons are a better team with him on the field. Power Rankings: Top 10 NFL running backs - AFC South- ESPN 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. That wont change. Im higher on Rojo than most but much will depend on what version of Fournette the Bucs get. Qadree Ollison 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. . But Im thinking 4th or 5th round at best. Jameis at the helm would provide significant upside in both categories. 1 focus is this season. Michael Smith. For his career, the bruising back out of Ohio State now has 6,384 rushing yards and another 1,957 receiving yards with 56 total touchdowns. With an added dynamic out of the backfield, the trend of top backs being well-rounded continues. 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. The veteran NFL running back has been in the league. 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. 20. 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. Wayne Gallman, a 27-year-old running back, was waived by the NFC South franchise on Saturday afternoon, according to reports. #WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/i0xSK7ZDMN. Like, in terms of entire unit, I cant in good faith grade the Panthers #1. Behind Sanders, Philadelphia has third-year man Boston Scott and two unproven players in Jason Huntley and Kenneth Gainwell. NFL Players By Position - Running Back. But it remains to be seen, after he's missed time each of the last two seasons, if Freeman can stay on the field. The NFC West has a number of talented running backs. 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. Ranking the NFC South Running Backs - Cat Scratch Reader Troymaine Pope. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton prefers to use multiple running backs in his offensive system. A year without Drew Brees will ultimately be the telling chapter of Kamaras career. After rushing for more than 1,100 yards in 2018, he topped that with 1,230 in 2019. For him to step up like that at just 23 years old is a testament . This is it. Love they guys commitment and work ethic. Nelson might miss the start of the 2021 regular season as he recovers from foot surgery, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a three-time first-team All-Pro. Cowboys free agency 2023: Defensive lineman Arden Key provides versatility at a discount. The NFL's top running backs will take center stage when the 2021 season returns. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the 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. Here is my top 10: 1. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. His greatest attribute might be his ability to make defenders miss. 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. A: . 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. Disagree. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams 28. Atlanta to tack on more money to their cap savings in 2023 with the release of the veteran quarterback. Spencer Brown Mostert became the 49ers No. 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. Stevie Scott, Saints RB Alvin Kamara Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. 1. 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. But, when you compare the teams running back groups altogether, theres no question the Cowboys have the best group in the division. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! He tallied 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles for Washington's top-five unit last season. Michael Turner, Atlanta. Saints then Panthers, because of the depth. 1 in Green Bay. Having a player like Chubb in the backfield makes life a lot easier for Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense. 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. 2020 NFC South Running Backs Preview - Sports Illustrated New Orleans The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. Darius Clark Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams Please enter a valid email and try again. Mike Davis was RB18 last year splitting carries with Todd Gurley. Fantasy Fallout: With Gavin Lux Out, Could A Sleeper Emerge? With Tom Brady back, can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make another Super Bowl run? Which 10 players make up Nos. Who Is A 27 Year Old Running Back In The Nfc | StatMuse NFC South Bucs Falcons Panthers Saints NFC West Cardinals 49ers Rams Seahawks Colleges ACC Clemson UNC Big Ten Iowa Michigan Michigan St. Nebraska Ohio St. Penn St. Rutgers Wisconsin Big 12. The other nine are 25 or younger. @EzekielElliott's ready to go in 2021. : @ProFootballHOF Game on FOX pic.twitter.com/5UU3CkoIro. 7. 2021 Fantasy Tight End Depth Charts: NFC South, Free Agent Tight End Predictions for 2023, Superflex Dynasty Rankings: 2023 Offseason Update, Dynasty Football Rankings: 2023 Offseason Update, Free Agent Wide Receiver Predictions for 2023. 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 | Theyll hope Trenton Cannon, Rodney Smith, Reggie Bonnafon and Chuba Hubbard are able to step up. Says he's the toughest matchup he had in college. The competition with Fournette should produce a formidable tandem and best in our division. . Two running backs who would be starters on their own in at least 20 other backfields. The guy is a monster off the edge and will be great for a long time. 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. It would not be the same as drafting a RB with the fourth overall pick. 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. ET. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Agree. 12. 2021 NFC West running back rankings - Cards Wire Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at 2. Ill be honest. Which 10 players make up Nos. 24 Year Old Running Backs 2021 In Nfc South | StatMuse Ronald Jones was 24 years old in the NFC South in 2021. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs Also, I watched a good amount of Hawkins at Louisville and I think hes a very capable back that could eat into Davis carries. (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/hIRCqWUuda. Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. He caught just 28 passes for 197 yards and failed to score a touchdown through the air. Cooks 2019-2020 stretch is among the best two-year stretch of RB performance weve seen in recent memory. 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). 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. Steven Jackson . For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. (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. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals No. Ezekiel Elliott is coming off the worst season of his career, but the sixth-year pro seems well on his way to a huge bounce-back season. He also has quads you should google right at this moment. Odds & lines subject to change. 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. Ranking The NFC South: Running Backs - Pewter Report In 2019, he had his first 1,000-yard season with the Houston Texans but will be second-fiddle to Chris Carson in Seattle, although that should still afford him a decent number of carries in 2020. Hes recorded 16 total touchdowns on receptions in four seasons and has proven to be an incredibly difficult task to bring down in space. Ranking the running backs in the NFC West | Cards Wire Hoover's not quite as dominant a blocker as Mughelli, but he's been very solid and dependable for a long time. Kenyan Drake, Cardinals. Kamara had his stats hindered when Taysom Hill was QB, as he would vulture TDs and take carries away from Alvin. Last 25 NFL MVPs - Touchdown Wire And I still really like Vaughn. Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds rank? Unfortunately for Barkley, since playing in all 16 games during his rookie year in 2018, hes had some trouble staying on the field. Despite splitting carries in the Packers backfield, Aaron Jones easily lands on any list of top running backs in the NFL. He has terrific vision, amazing balance, incredible speed, and plenty of elusiveness. Chubb is no stranger to big plays and has scored 30 total touchdowns in just three seasons. Rodney Smith 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. Something went wrong. He kept a lot of hits off Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan last year. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals . Listen to the latest from Cards Wires Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. In my view, CMC should always be the first running back off the board. NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2021" continues Sunday, Aug. 22. Pollard is only going to get better as his role in the offense expands. Hes 28 years old, and getting his first real shot at being a starting running back for the entire season. Ashton answer's your questions in this Friday mailbag. Christian McCaffrey 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. Falcons just have to be careful not to overuse him this year. Simply put, the NFC South is an absolute terror at the running back position, as any opposing defense can readily attest. The Panthers' crown jewel. He would have ranked second on this list. Falcons Released Veteran Running Back On Saturday He's a fullback, but he belongs on this list. His second . Give him 325 carries and he'll give you 1,500 yards.