Running backs don’t carry the load as much as they used to in the NFL. They need to have good hands, too, in order to catch passes. Still, teams need solid backs to find a way to chew up yardage. How does the best RB on each team stack up around the league?
32. Leonard Fournette (Jaguars)
This is a far cry from where the Jaguars expected Leonard Fournette to be when they drafted him fourth overall in 2017. He’s played in 21 games in two seasons and has proven to be a distraction. This is not known as dependability. Fournette could move up the list quickly if he gets his act together … no sure bet.
31. Doug Martin (Raiders)
The Raiders used a first-round pick on Josh Jacobs out of Alabama. While his potential seems high, he only rushed for 1,491 yards in the carousel backfield Nick Saban runs with the Tide. In the short term, Doug Martin gets the nod as the No. 1 back in the short run. He’s 30, though, and most running backs have seen their better days by that age.
30. Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
Tevin Coleman is gone to San Francisco. Ito Smith was a capable fill-in for Devonta Freeman, who spent most of 2018 sidelined. The former Florida State star needs to rebound in a big way to help the Falcons get back on track. No guarantee he will be able to stay healthy for an entire season.
29. Kenyan Drake (Dolphins)
With Frank Gore gone to Buffalo, the field is wide-open for Kenyan Drake. Have to think Brian Flores is going to want to run the ball rather than force Josh Rosen to throw, throw, throw. The big test for Drake will be whether he can handle a stiff workload. He came from Alabama, where carries were shared and thus far in his NFL career the most totes he has had in a season is 133. That won’t work in 2019.
28. Peyton Barber (Bucs)
The good news in 2018 was Peyton Barber rushed for 871 yards. The bad? It took 234 carries to get to that level, which means he was gaining 3.7 yards a carry. If the Bucs hope to improve all-around, they will need more yards per carry from anyone and everyone. That starts with Barber.
27. Carlos Hyde (Chiefs)
Carlos Hyde is on to his fourth team since 2017. He has yet to break the 1,000-yard mark and if there is a place he can crack the plateau it has to be Kansas City. Kareem Hunt is gone. Spencer Ware is out. The Chiefs will need a strong season from a back who always is expected to deliver but has yet to come up big.
26. Mark Ingram II (Ravens)
Mark Ingram II leaves the vaunted New Orleans offense for a different look in Baltimore. His carries should bounce over the 200 mark, again. Remember, last year he missed four games due to an NFL-enforced suspension. The Ravens could use a strong back to help second-year QB Lamar Jackson. Will Ingram deliver in an offense that is nowhere near as potent as the one he left with the Saints.
25. Matt Breida (49ers)
Matt Breida nearly doubled his output from his rookie season in 2017 to 2018. He has shown flashes of brilliance. The challenge is going to establish himself as a clear-cut No. 1 on a team with Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman in the backfield. Breida could continue to improve, but not see more carries if the Niners try and mirror Seattle’s backfield carousel.
24. LeSean McCoy (Bills)
Hard to believe LeSean McCoy will only be 31 this season. He’s got company in the backfield in venerable Frank Gore. McCoy is coming off his least rushing yardage since his rookie season. That’s a long time ago. Will he be able to regain the four-figure magic?
23. Aaron Jones (Packers)
Aaron Jones heads into 2019 on a positive flow. He rushed for 728 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also averages 5.5 yards per carry in his first two seasons. Jones has to find a way to play an entire season. His stats show 24 games played in two seasons. He needs to make that become 40 after this season.
22. Kerryon Johnson (Lions)
Kerryon Johnson looked good in the 10 games — seven starts — he played for Detroit as a rookie. Like so many others, he’s going to have to prove he is durable enough to handle a full workload over an entire campaign to give the Lions a star RB, which they haven’t had in seemingly forever.
21. Dalvin Cook (Vikings)
Dalvin Cook is another running back who has to find a way to play 16 games. He has played 15 games total in his first two seasons, rushing for 969 yards. The Vikings need for Cook to deliver an 1,000-yard season and lots of highlights.
20. Phillip Lindsay (Broncos)
Phillip Lindsay was one of the few pleasant surprises in Denver in 2018. He came up big and showed plenty of talent. He can move the Broncos up on this list with some more of the flash and dash shown as a rookie.
19. Tarik Cohen (Bears)
No more Jordan Howard means more action for others in the Bears’ backfield. How much more will it mean for Tarik Cohen, who dazzles in his multi-roles. Mike Davis is in Chicago and David Montgomery was drafted. Will that make up for the loss of Howard, who was quite solid in his three seasons?
18. Lamar Miller (Texans)
Lamar Miller is only 28 and he already has seven seasons of wear and tear on his body. He nearly rushed for 1,000 yards last year in 14 games. Some could consider it a bit deceiving since 97 yards came on one run. Still, the Texans have a potent offense and Miller gives it nice balance.
17. Jordan Howard (Eagles)
The Philadelphia Eagles added a strong presence to their running game when they picked up Jordan Howard. He had 3,370 yards rushing and 24 TDs in his first three seasons as a Bear. If he averages those kind of stats in his first year in Philly, the Eagles will be prime playoff contenders.
16. Sony Michel (Patriots)
Sony Michel played 13 games as a rookie in New England. He missed 1,000 yards by 69. That’s a helluva debut for Bill Belichick by the rookie from Georgia. He’s another weapon in a diverse backfield and offense. Expect more fireworks in Michel’s second season.
15. James Conner (Steelers)
James Conner’s success in college and as a Steeler is one of the most charming stories in all of sports. There’s no more distraction from the holdout of Le’Veon Bell and controversial Antonio Brown. Time for Ben Roethlisberger to turn Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster into the 1-2 punch Pittsburgh always seems to have.
14. Marlon Mack (Colts)
Marlon Mack played 12 games last season and had more than 900 yards rushing. He more than doubled his rookie output. Expect more of the same in 2019 as the South Florida star has found a home behind Andrew Luck. A star on the rise.
13. Adrian Peterson (Redskins)
No one can catch up to Adrian Peterson. So why is it a surprise the former Oklahoma star appears to be outracing Father Time. Washington has drafted Derrius Guice and Bryce Love in the past two seasons. Do not expect Peterson to give way grudgingly should the youngsters be able to stay healthy.
12. Chris Carson (Seahawks)
In his second season out of Oklahoma State, Chris Carson gave Russell Wilson quite the weapon in the backfield. He turned a three-headed RB attack into one that featured Carson. Expect bigger and better from Carson in an offense that always is able to add a wrinkle or 10.
11. David Johnson (Cardinals)
This is pretty low for David Johnson and it is no reflection on him. It is more of a statement on how awful Arizona is and potentially could continue to be. The Northern Iowa star is heading into his fifth season. It feels like he has been in the league far longer … probably because seasons seem to never end for the Cardinals, though they are 16 games.
10. Joe Mixon (Bengals)
Joe Mixon exploded in his second season as Bengal. The former Oklahoma star who brought controversy to Cincinnati showed on the field why the Bengals made the questionable pick. He’s a Top 10 RB in the league and could make himself into a Top Five performer with some more improvement.
9. Derrick Henry (Titans)
Derrick Henry popped big time in his third season with the Titans. A 99-yard run helped the former Alabama star break the 1,000-yard mark on the season. He got stronger as the games and season got longer. Henry is turning into quite the gem for Mike Vrabel.
8. Nick Chubb (Browns)
Love the rookie season Nick Chubb had. He thrived, especially when Carlos Hyde was pitched off to Jacksonville. The Browns are a team on the rise and Chubb’s career is following suit. The eventual arrival of Kareem Hunt should not diminish Chubb’s presence if Freddie Kitchens is as wise as he has shown to be.
7. Todd Gurley
This one is simple: Todd Gurley would be way up this list if it weren’t for the arthritic knee that continues to pop up and has since the end of the run to the Super Bowl last season. Pretty simple: Healthy Gurley is fabulous.
6. Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
The Chargers have quite the dual threat in Melvin Gordon. He’s only played in all 16 games once in four seasons. All the ability in the world doesn’t do LA or the former Wisconsin star any good if he is on the sidelines. That said, he has accounted for more than 5,000 yards rushing and receiving and is quite the talent.
5. Le’Veon Bell (Jets)
Will Le’Veon Bell show it to the Steelers and the rest of the league in his return from a holdout season? Or will he simply fall into the hole that seems to swallow every well-intentioned play the Jets make. If he focuses on football, then the headlines will follow. If he doesn’t the wrong type of headlines can be his, too.
4. Saquon Barkley (Giants)
Saquon Barkley made the Giants look smart for taking him over Sam Darnold. And before anyone jumps all over Big Blue, remember the Jets have had to bolster their second-year quarterback with an expensive Le’Veon Bell in the backfield. The biggest problem Barkley is likely going to have is the lack of support around him. Defenses will definitely put their spotlight on the former Penn State great.
3. Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
Ezekiel Elliott could easily move up to the top spot. He’s a generational RB. However, the Dallas Cowboys star loses points for always seemingly find his way into some sort of trouble. If he stays available for all 16 games, expect big things. However, that’s a big if….
2. Christian McCaffrey (Panthers)
Christian McCaffrey defines dual threat. He can run, he can catch and run after he catches passes from Cam Newton. He put together nearly 2,000 yards rushing and receiving combined in 2018. Expect to see more big games from a player who is becoming one of the biggest names in the NFL.
1. Alvin Kamara (Saints)
Alvin Kamara is the 1-2 punch by himself with Mark Ingram II off to Baltimore. He’s dynamic, explosive and could break the 2,000-yard mark in total offense — rushing and receiving — with a bit more work, which should be coming the third-year back’s way.
