The AFC West has quickly become one of the best divisions in football. One of the reasons is the overwhelming amount of talent on both sides of the ball.
Today, we are taking a look at the five best running backs in the division, ranking them from No. 5 to 1. So without further ado, let us begin.
5. RB Josh Jacobs, Oakland Raiders
The first running back off the board in April’s draft was Alabama’s Josh Jacobs. While he has yet to take a snap in the NFL, it wouldn’t be hard to make the case he deserves to be much higher on this list.
Jacobs has everything you could ever want in a running back prospect: speed, power, receiving ability, and a no-nonsense running style. It won’t be long before he tops this list and is the best running back in the AFC West.
4. RB Damien Williams, Kansas City Chiefs
After Kareem Hunt was released by the Chiefs, many were wondering just how the team would be able to replace his production out of the backfield.
The Chiefs turned to the veteran Williams, and he surely didn’t disappoint. In his three starts in the regular season, Williams racked up 322 total yards and four touchdowns. Then in the playoffs, he added four more touchdowns along with 250 total yards.
While Williams hasn’t been the feature back for a long time in Kansas City, he has been highly productive. Look for more of the same from Williams in 2019.
3. RB Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders
Coming in at No. 3 is another Raiders running back. While Richard isn’t a dynamic as a runner as someone like Jacobs or Williams, he is arguably the best receiving running back in all of football.
In 2018, Richard caught a career-high 68 passes, totaling 607 yards. He also was efficient on the ground, averaging 4.7 yards per rush on 55 carries.
Richard is never going to be a workhorse back or a player a team gives 200 or more carries to in a season, but his ability to win as a receiver makes him one of the most valuable backs in the entire NFL.
2. RB Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos
Finishing at No. 2 is former rookie sensation Phillip Lindsay of the Broncos. Signed as an undrafted free agent, Lindsay went on to start eight games for the Broncos, racking up 1,278 total yards and 10 touchdowns.
While the raw stats were impressive, his efficiency was what made his rookie season special. Lindsay averaged 5.4 yards per rush and 6.9 yards per reception. Every time he touched the ball, good things happened. It will be fascinating to see if he can continue to be as dominant in 2019 on limited touches.
1. RB Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers
Without much debate, Gordon of the Chargers finishes as the top running back in the AFC West. While Gordon has struggled to stay healthy during his career, his talent is undeniable. He’s started 52 games in the NFL and has scored 38 touchdowns.
If Gordon could ever stay healthy for a full 16-game schedule, he would have a fantastic shot at leading the league in rushing and in touchdowns. Look for him to have another effective and efficient season in Los Angeles.
