#WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/i0xSK7ZDMN. 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. 14. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. RB1. Accurate ranking. The Cowboys head coach made some comments about the offense that deserve a closer look as they seemed to have been misinterpreted. (Note: This list only reflects players taking advantage of the new rule change and not a number swap that would have previously been permitted). However, in 13 games he only managed to get 39 carries. 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. 15. Edmonds will be the unquestioned No. To qualify, a player will have to be 25 or younger as of Sept. 9, when the 2021 season is scheduled to kick off. @EzekielElliott's ready to go in 2021. : @ProFootballHOF Game on FOX pic.twitter.com/5UU3CkoIro. 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. 18. 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. For the newest installment of Fantraxs fantasy running back depth charts series, were going to delve into the NFC South. 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. I dont entirely know what to make of Mike Davis. 32. Its taken him a couple seasons, but hes our best pure runner. Expect him to be an even bigger part of Tampa Bay's . 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. 1. The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. Falcons ask Richardson who's faster, him or Kyle Pitts. It's for this reason that my favorite strategy is to draft a running back with my first 4 picksregardless of league style (redraft . Alright, let's get into who is set to sport a new number! The Panthers hope Hubbard, a fourth-round pick, can become their eventual replacement for Davis. Which team had the most players ranked? 10-1? 8. Who has the most career 200 receiving yard games? 20-11? 4. Reggie Bush, New Orleans. Unfortunately for Barkley, since playing in all 16 games during his rookie year in 2018, hes had some trouble staying on the field. 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. CMC is absolutely this years RB1. With such a talented defense and a quarterback prone to turnovers, Washington likely will rely heavily on their running game this year to carry the load for their offense. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Drake has yet to put together a great full season, but will get his chance as the Cardinals No. If folks watch the game, theyd see that RoJo has some real skills running the ball inside and out with power, cutting and balance. A year without Drew Brees will ultimately be the telling chapter of Kamaras career. 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. They finished RB39 and RB15, respectively, last year. 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. Sign up for the Cards Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Though he narrowly missed 1,000 yards last year, he chipped in with 50+ receptions out of the backfield for the third straight season. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. Rodney Smith 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. He had a brief fumbling problem but is consistent. He looked way more confident andRead more , I might give you the Saints as having a better deeper RB room but not the Panthers. ET. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team Hes absolutely a first-round draft pick and provided youre not picking one overall, I think you can take him at any pick and nobody will shame you for it. Im anticipating a negative game script with the running game, considering theyll be down in plenty of 4th quarters. The Panthers' overall rushing production dropped in 2019 because of the loss of QB Cam Newton and an offensive line that struggled. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos, 22. Quarterback: 1-19 Running back: 1-49,. 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. Mason Stokke. Privacy Policy. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. 17. 1 thing thats my focus this year is protecting the ball.. Having a player like Chubb in the backfield makes life a lot easier for Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense. An incredibly important aspect of Minnesotas offensive game plan, as Cook goes, so will the Vikings in 2021. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. This did not stop Barkley from totaling 1,441 yards from scrimmage, 1,003 rushing and 438 receiving, and eight touchdowns. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina. 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. Kamara gained 1,592 combined yards last season and scored 18 touchdowns. 1 running back in 2020. Its an embarrassment of riches, and thats not ideal for fantasy. Selecting Texas RB Bijan Robinson at 26 could be a great pick for the Cowboys. He might not lead the division in rushing because of the addition of Hyde, but he enters the season as the best of the West. Trenton Cannon Are we talking the entire unit as a whole and comparing the sum of their parts? 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. 1 running back in 2020. And you nailed it, RoJo comes back every year improved. The addition of Cam Akers shows the Rams arent sure they can count on Henderson as more than a committee running back. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. 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. That's his 10th on the year and it is 27-16 #WashingtonFootball up on the Cowboys in Dallas. Chuba Hubbard Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Who is a 27 year old running back in the nfc? Washingtons running back group is versatile, fairly young, and productive. 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. They also look for improved play from their young offensive line to establish their running game and have a more balanced offensive attack. Its a big offseason for the former third-round pick, and Vaughn should get plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the preseason. 2:23 pm ET, Jerry Jones believes Cowboys can keep Zeke and Pollard, NFL combine measurements for DBs: Full list of results, Jerry Jones believes Prescott can progress like Brady, NFL combine 2023 results tracker: Top performances, NFL combine 2023: Winners and losers from DB workouts, Report: Pollard to get franchise tag if deal isn't done, Tracking NFL players who switched jersey numbers, NFL combine: Winners and losers from DB workouts, Mock Draft: Panthers, Colts trade up for QBs, Rodgers' trade value, logistics, best fit, Top QB in draft: I definitely don't want to play for 1 team, Jerry Jones: Dak can get better with age like Brady, Report: Daniel Jones actually wants more than $45M per, Ex-Patriots star McGinest facing 8 years in prison, Jerry Jones: Cowboys can find way to keep both RBs. Keith Smith Though his days as an elite runner may be behind him, Zekes durability and well-rounded ability were on display in 2020. Michael Carter led film session with running backs as RB coach Taylor Embree and wife welcomed baby . So far, there are has been a wide array of veterans (and rookies) electing to take advantage of this new rule. 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. Mike Davis Hes recorded 16 total touchdowns on receptions in four seasons and has proven to be an incredibly difficult task to bring down in space. 4 on this list. 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. The second-year man, out of . 20 and 11. However, he only had one regular season game last year with more than 14 carries. Reggie Bonnafon Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports. Cowboys free agency 2023: Defensive lineman Arden Key provides versatility at a discount. DAndre Swift, Detroit Lions Akers will likely become the Rams top running back as a rookie. 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. But Kamara is the prize of the group. Damien Harris, New England Patriots NFC West. 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. He would have ranked second on this list. 1. Last year, Kamara rushed for under 1000 yards with under 800 yards receiving. 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. NFC South. 3. Two running backs who would be starters on their own in at least 20 other backfields. 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. 24 Year Old Running Backs 2021 In Nfc South | StatMuse Ronald Jones was 24 years old in the NFC South in 2021. The Bucs would love to get him a hat on game days, but right now it feels unlikely to happen on a weekly basis. 11. ALVIN KAMARA, SAINTS. Let us know in the comments section what you think of our rankings. Now entering the final year of his contract, Kamara is expected to command somewhere between McCaffrey's deal and the 4-Yr $50M deal signed by RB Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans this week. A quality running back is a scarce fantasy asset. Alvin Kamara Unthinkable! Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. He's still going to get plenty of carries in a ball-control offense and could even get some time at fullback. 28. He had six 100-yard games last season. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. This man is the alpha and the omega of fantasy running backs. The Falcons general manager said the organization would not close any doors when working to fill out the quarterback position. The combination of Kamara, Murray and Washington gives New Orleans a pretty complete backfield trio. The NFC West has a number of talented running backs. 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. Jameis at the helm would provide significant upside in both categories. Number one fumbling the ball, Elliott said when asked what his No. With that in mind, Michael Robinson provides his ranking of the top 10 active undrafted players heading into the 2022 season. NFC South . (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/hIRCqWUuda. I stand by that, but after the CMC gap, Alvin Kamara is in the next tier. Carolina claims the top spot in the division at running back, provided Christian McCaffrey stays healthy this season. Cowboys draft 2023: Bijan Robinson should be an exception to not drafting a RB in the first round. 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. Which team boasts three representatives? Young has the talent to rise to the top of this list one day, but he slots in at No. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the run game. 2 back is. Bucs' Brady Was Already Thinking 2021 Hours After Super Bowl LV. Armah comes over from Carolina to be the next Payton fullback and add to New Orleans outstanding special teams. Davis impressed as McCaffreys backup last year, but now there is limited depth in Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports. Chase Edmonds . Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals I expect RB26 and RB28 this year with a full year together. Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams 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. 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. Dwayne Washington also returns to the Saints' backfield after carrying the ball 27 times for 154 yards last season. He has requested a trade as he, who signed a three-year contract last offseason, would like to be paid more like his fellow running backs on the team. The guy was a totally different player. 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 an added dynamic out of the backfield, the trend of top backs being well-rounded continues. Then there are RB-friendly systems that will likely see Trey Sermon, Michael Carter, and Kylin Hill as names to know. 2023 PewterReport.com All Rights Reserved. Seattle won 28-26. Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas Chubb is no stranger to big plays and has scored 30 total touchdowns in just three seasons. 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 . What Kamara gives the Saints as a receiver is very difficult to replace. Jackson is a proven winner, too. As long as Jackson is on the field, Baltimore will have a chance. 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. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton prefers to use multiple running backs in his offensive system. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. His power is perfect complement to Williams' speed. Derrick Ward, Tampa Bay. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. We are looking at overall depth right not starters? He kept a lot of hits off Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan last year. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. Atlanta Falcons. The other nine are 25 or younger. 26. Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. I dont care what the scoring of your league entails. 2. Our resident cover man, Jason McCourty, ranks his top 10. But, when you compare the teams running back groups altogether, theres no question the Cowboys have the best group in the division. //]]> 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. But he still can hurt you out of the backfield, at times, as much as any running back in the league. The back-to-back reigning rushing champion tops the list of best running backs in the NFL. 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. follow. 'I know that I can't do that': DJ Moore says unsportsmanlike penalty cost Panthers. 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. 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. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 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. Seven players 25 years old and younger make an appearance in the list, which is voted on by the players themselves, between Nos. Jackson is the most electrifying player in the league. Episode 8 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing notable NFL siblings in the players' list between Nos. And I still really like Vaughn. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Brown is a solid short-yardage back to have on the roster. Simply put, the NFC South is an absolute terror at the running back position, as any opposing defense can readily attest. 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. 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. 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. 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. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. Dwayne Washington Like, in terms of entire unit, I cant in good faith grade the Panthers #1. 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. 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. Touchdown Antonio Gibson! Check out all the features Fantrax has to offer, and we think youll be singing a different tune for next season. Earlier in this article, I mentioned that theres not another player that will command the percentage of his offense that CMC does. He's down 10 pounds. What separates McCaffrey from the other dual-threat running backs is his possession of elite-level ground skills. Ekeler is tied to Justin Herbert for what should be the remainder of his career. Atlanta to tack on more money to their cap savings in 2023 with the release of the veteran quarterback. 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.