While the Saints' two-headed monster at running back gives them the advantage over most teams, Kamara may not even be the most dangerous back in his own division. 6. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals Still, hes certainly proven to be as valuable as any running back in any backfield across the league. 1. 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. 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. 20-11? 24 Year Old Running Backs 2021 In Nfc South | StatMuse Ronald Jones was 24 years old in the NFC South in 2021. He now will share carries with Carlos Hyde but should still be the Seahawks main runner and biggest producer. 1 back in the second half of last season on their Super Bowl run. Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders 8. However, in 13 games he only managed to get 39 carries. Please check your email for a confirmation. The WFTs running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. He threatens opposing defenses not only out of the backfield but also when lining up both from the slot and outside as a receiver. (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. 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. With today's high-flying NFL offenses, it's a golden era for pass catchers. Pretty fair rankings. Which 10 players make up Nos. He very well could be the starter in 2021. 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. 11. 2 back is. 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. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. I never like these RB unit rankings because are we weighting the guys in the unit differently? Its a big offseason for the former third-round pick, and Vaughn should get plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the preseason. 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 . Carolina was held below 100 yards rushing seven times last season and went 2-5 in those contests. 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. Behind Sanders, Philadelphia has third-year man Boston Scott and two unproven players in Jason Huntley and Kenneth Gainwell. 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. Lets take a look at CMCs stats for his last healthy season: ~1400 yards rushing, 15TDs, 1000+ yards receiving 4TDs. Which RB enters the season atop the list? Also, I watched a good amount of Hawkins at Louisville and I think hes a very capable back that could eat into Davis carries. When those RB injuries hit during the season (they always do), league-mates will be knocking down your door to get what you already have!!! His second half of 2019 showed what he could be. 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. Mike Davis was RB18 last year splitting carries with Todd Gurley. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. That wont change. Brad Hoover, Carolina. 30-21? 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. 19. Brian Leonard. 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. 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. Antonio Gibson showed tons of promise in his rookie season, and JD McKissic is coming off a career year. 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. 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. Tevin Coleman's departure was one of the few key losses in free agency for the Falcons. Ty Montgomery Number one fumbling the ball, Elliott said when asked what his No. 4 on this list. 40-31? Simply put, the NFC South is an absolute terror at the running back position, as any opposing defense can readily attest. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Ive never been a fumbler. The NFC West has a number of talented running backs. Armah comes over from Carolina to be the next Payton fullback and add to New Orleans outstanding special teams. Give him 325 carries and he'll give you 1,500 yards. Kamara gained 1,592 combined yards last season and scored 18 touchdowns. Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 1-10, Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 11-32. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. He also has quads you should google right at this moment. 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. In 2020, it looks a little different as Todd Gurley and David Johnson are no longer in the division. Grant Gordon takes a look at the players' list by the numbers. Atlanta has been held to less than 100 yards rushing in 22 of their last 32 games, including 12 games last season. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team Quarterback: 1-19Running back: 1-49, 80-89Wide receiver/tight end: 1-49, 80-89Offensive line: 50-79Defensive line: 50-79, 90-99Linebacker: 1-59, 90-99Defensive backs: 1-49Kicker/punter: 1-19. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts Alright, let's get into who is set to sport a new number! Edmonds will be the unquestioned No. Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey have been stars . For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. Today we compare the running games of each team in the NFC South, with the opening of training camp right around the corner. 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. 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. 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. Ekeler is tied to Justin Herbert for what should be the remainder of his career. Your fantasy football league wasnt hosted on Fantrax last season? Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles An incredibly important aspect of Minnesotas offensive game plan, as Cook goes, so will the Vikings in 2021. Mikey Daniel Tampa Bay Buccaneers. AS you noted, McCafferty was injured most of last season and I believe his imjuries were attributable to overuse. 31. We should expect him to build off his rookie production, given what we've already seen this preseason. Two running backs who would be starters on their own in at least 20 other backfields. He tallied 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles for Washington's top-five unit last season. Akers will likely become the Rams top running back as a rookie. 17. 4 spot on this list, but his career is currently in limbo. With amazing contact balance and tremendous lower body strength, no defender is safe from Barkeys highlight reel. 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. He had a brief fumbling problem but is consistent. Who has the best running backs in the NFC East? The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020, and were not stopping now. Allen made huge jumps in his on-field production, confidence and command of the offense last season. 3. //]]> 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. GO HEAD, @saquon!159 Total Yards, 2 Touchdowns, and a souvenir for a fan in the 1st half! He'll be back in 2022, and James Robinson (his only real competition for . Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens David Carr enlists the help of his brother, Raiders QB Derek Carr, to provide their ranking of the five best active NFL brother duos heading into the 2022 season. 28. It's for this reason that my favorite strategy is to draft a running back with my first 4 picksregardless of league style (redraft . Sanders got off to a slow start, but still finished with some decent numbers. And I still really like Vaughn. Can he be a regular special teamer? 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. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the run game. Between the Panthers, Falcons, Saints, and the Bucs, the NFC South has a plethora (SAT word for y'all) of backfield candidates to use in your lineups. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. @JdMckissic for 6 #SEAvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/dVGuOjCtKR. Agree. Fournette had an attitude change after his chatRead more . Its taken him a couple seasons, but hes our best pure runner. Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. Disagree. Peyton Barber will return after leading the team with 234 carries for 871 yards and five touchdowns. The Bucs would love to get him a hat on game days, but right now it feels unlikely to happen on a weekly basis. It feels wrong to rank a 27-year-old running back this high, but Austin Ekeler is not your typical older RB. Until then, however, weve only seen enough from one rookie running back to crack the top 32 in the NFL entering the 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 | 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. Thats not to say Davis is a slouch, as the veteran filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season in Carolina. The former second-round pick rushed for 867 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and scored six touchdowns on the ground. 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. A surprisingly large player for his size at 59, 208, Jones lowers the boom just the same as hell skirt by second-level defenders with speed. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Etienne spent all of 2021 on injured reserve. 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. NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2022" -- voted on by the players themselves -- comes to a conclusion on Sunday night. 4. They have CMC and then a bunch of question marks. Mike James. CMC is absolutely this years RB1. Those people should review Fournettes passing stats with the Jags. He has impressed both coaching staffs he has played for immensely. We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. Trenton Cannon With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. Washingtons running back group is versatile, fairly young, and productive. Who has the most career 200 receiving yard games? NFC South. 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. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs This is it. His on-field play has been exceptional throughout his career, which is why he's in the No. That's his 10th on the year and it is 27-16 #WashingtonFootball up on the Cowboys in Dallas. Qadree Ollison Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Unthinkable! 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. 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. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. Hell consistently break through arm tackles the same as hell run around defenders with impressive elusiveness. 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. 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. Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta. RB1. Set it, and forget it. 2023 PewterReport.com All Rights Reserved. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. Derrick Ward, Tampa Bay. Henry will not go down on first contact and routinely churns out first down after first down if hes not scoring touchdowns. The players have spoken. Carolina's main loss behind McCaffrey was veteran back C.J. Ive already ranked the top 100 fantasy running backs in the NFL, but why not break this down by division? 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. Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. Here is my top 10: 1. Oops. Which team had the most players ranked? 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 guy is a monster off the edge and will be great for a long time. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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. I'm projecting a bit here because we don't truly know Ward's role. Quarterback: 1-19 Running back: 1-49,. . 2. The 2 rookies to keep am eye on are Javian Hawkins-Atlanta and Chuba Hubbard-Carolina. 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. Which 10 players make up Nos. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. New Orleans can win games with a historically efficient passing attack, a much-improved defense, or a playmaking special teams squad. With just 889 career touches, Ekeler does not carry the same risk of slowing down as other similarly-aged running backs. A quality running back is a scarce fantasy asset. The NFL's top running backs will take center stage when the 2021 season returns. You'll now receive the top Cards Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. 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.