40 and 31. The Panthers' crown jewel. 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. Since joining the Saints in 2017, Kamara has averaged over 5 yards per carry and has scored 31 touchdowns. 10 after earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. I know everyone is waiting for wide receiver rankings, but well wait to see what happens with Julio Jones first. 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. The NFC West has some talented running backs in the conference. Ty Montgomery He hauled in 33 receptions out of the backfield and scored 5 more touchdowns on the ground than his rookie season. The NFL's top running backs will take center stage when the 2021 season returns. Despite having a solid season on the ground, Sanders receiving totals did drop drastically. Cowboys rumors: No progress towards Leighton Vander Esch deal, Donovan Wilson deal unlikely. In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. Check out all the features Fantrax has to offer, and we think youll be singing a different tune for next season. Giovani Bernard 2020 NFC South Running Backs Preview - Sports Illustrated New Orleans Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers The Falcons general manager said the organization would not close any doors when working to fill out the quarterback position. 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. The 27-year-old Fournette is a 6-foot and 228-Lb. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina. Despite splitting carries in the Packers backfield, Aaron Jones easily lands on any list of top running backs in the NFL. 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. How do we rank the running backs in the division entering 2020? Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK, Sign up for the Cards Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. 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. The Saints possess a luxury none of their other division rivals to have in the way of a powerful offensive line that takes over games. 32. (via @Giants) pic.twitter.com/yNFOW1WoZQ. He's still going to get plenty of carries in a ball-control offense and could even get some time at fullback. 2. Trenton Cannon The NFC West has some talented running backs in the conference. Allen made huge jumps in his on-field production, confidence and command of the offense last season. Its a big offseason for the former third-round pick, and Vaughn should get plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the preseason. If it were purely up to on-field performance, Dalvin Cook would certainly find himself a bit higher than No. 1 focus is this season. Odds & lines subject to change. LB Von Miller, . Troymaine Pope. 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. Earlier in this article, I mentioned that theres not another player that will command the percentage of his offense that CMC does. He'll be back in 2022, and James Robinson (his only real competition for . Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. NFC North Starters: Dalvin Cook ( Vikings ), Aaron Jones (. New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and defensive end Carl Granderson (96) defends on the play at Bank of America Stadium. Ted Cottrell, Rudy Redmond and Lee Calland talk about their time as professional football players, activism and life after the game ends, The former Falcons linebacker founded the Crockett Foundation in 2002. Barkley is essentially a full season removed from participating in live contact. 40 and 31. I stand by that, but after the CMC gap, Alvin Kamara is in the next tier. With coaching staff in place, what's next for Carolina Panthers? He very well could be the starter in 2021. 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. It seems like Tony Pollard will be with the Cowboys at least through 2023. Armah comes over from Carolina to be the next Payton fullback and add to New Orleans outstanding special teams. Michael Carter led film session with running backs as RB coach Taylor Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals 1 back against the Giants showed he can be good. Below we rank the running backs from the NFC West, starting with the best. Gibson also caught 36 passes for 247 yards, bringing his total yards to 1,042 in just 14 games. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports. Anderson. . The 2 rookies to keep am eye on are Javian Hawkins-Atlanta and Chuba Hubbard-Carolina. He's coming off a season in which he had 12 sacks, 18 QB hits and four forced fumbles while notching seven turnovers caused by pressure (most in the NFL), according to Next Gen Stats. Kenyan Drake, Cardinals. @EzekielElliott's ready to go in 2021. : @ProFootballHOF Game on FOX pic.twitter.com/5UU3CkoIro. McCaffrey was both the Panthers' leading rusher and receiver in 2018, gaining 1,965 total offensive yards and scoring 13 combined touchdowns. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Fallout: With Gavin Lux Out, Could A Sleeper Emerge? But Kamara is the prize of the group. In my view, CMC should always be the first running back off the board. The former second-overall pick missed three games during 2019, followed up by missing 14 games after tearing his ACL in Week 2 of this past season. 1 running back in 2020. The second-year man, out of . Its imperative to note that we havent seen enough from the rookies slated to see action this year. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at Gonzalez recalls matchup with Drake London during his days with Colorado. Chubb has been an instrumental part of the Browns' new winning culture as a focal point in Kevin Stefanski's offense. I would take our 3rd guy (Gio) and likely 2nd guy (Fournette or Rojo) over any other teams backups. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans. Please enter a valid email and try again. NFL Network's 'Top 100 Players of 2022' has been unveiled. I tend to avoid taking either of them, but you cant deny there will be weeks that one of them will win you matchups. By all accounts, Elliott has looked great during training camp. 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. Episode 9 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing the highest-ranked undrafted player in the players' list between Nos. 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. Nick Chubb is arguably the NFLs most elusive ball carrier. 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. Gambling problem? 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. 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). Before we get into the full list of which players are making the change, let's take a quick look at what numbers are now available to specific positions. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. The top running backs in the NFL are big names, those that you must watch on Sunday. Hell consistently break through arm tackles the same as hell run around defenders with impressive elusiveness. follow. Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. 28. Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders 10-1? Here is my top 10: 1. They also look for improved play from their young offensive line to establish their running game and have a more balanced offensive attack. Chubb is no stranger to big plays and has scored 30 total touchdowns in just three seasons. 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. 'I know that I can't do that': DJ Moore says unsportsmanlike penalty cost Panthers. Top 15 Dynasty Running Back Rankings 2022: Jonathan Taylor, Javonte Christian McCaffrey It is the quality of the starter that pushes the Bucs ranks down compared to CMC and Kamara. TEMPE, ARIZONA - JUNE 02: Runningback James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals participates in an, TEMPE, ARIZONA - JUNE 02: Runningback James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals participates in an off-season workout at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on June 02, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. Please check your email for a confirmation. Josh Jacobs has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau in each of his first two seasons with the Raiders. Something went wrong. 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. The guy was a totally different player. Thats not to say Davis is a slouch, as the veteran filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season in Carolina. 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's going to be a dynamo in Matt Rhule's offense, helping Sam Darnold make a leap in 2021. Michael Smith. 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. 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. NFC South . Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks Our resident cover man, Jason McCourty, ranks his top 10. Its an embarrassment of riches, and thats not ideal for fantasy. The WFT's running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. He really found his groove as the complement to Nick Chubb in Cleveland a season ago, rushing for 921 yards and 9 touchdowns. Expect him to be an even bigger part of Tampa Bay's . Theyll hope Trenton Cannon, Rodney Smith, Reggie Bonnafon and Chuba Hubbard are able to step up. To qualify, a player will have to be 25 or younger as of Sept. 9, when the 2021 season is scheduled to kick off. Let us know in the comments section what you think of our rankings. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"i3qTWjOb77Y_2FA32To_S3YkBupgZWPCJqJ_QqFFyr0-1800-0"}; The third-round pick had a very productive rookie year in 2020, rushing for 795 yards and scoring an extremely impressive 11 touchdowns. 2021 Fantasy Running Back Depth Charts: NFC South When hes on the field, theres no disputing that Saquon Barkley is one of the best five running backs in football. His downfield passing improved immensely in 2020, when he completed 26 passes of 20-plus yards, per Next Gen Stats, while also continuing to be a threat in the run game, with at least eight rushing TDs in each of his first three seasons. 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. https://cardswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-rb-rankings-nfc-west-chris-carson-raheem-mostert-kenyan-drake/, 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. 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? 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. 27. I aim to find value at other positions like WR and QB because if I miss on a bet at those positions, I can always trade one of my RBs for a roster weakness during the season. Damien Harris, New England Patriots His performance as the No. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. When you carry the ball, you kind of carry the whole hope of the whole team, organization and fan base. Last year, Kamara rushed for under 1000 yards with under 800 yards receiving. You can almost guarantee a youngster will step up this season that isnt on our preseason list of top running backs. Having a player like Chubb in the backfield makes life a lot easier for Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense. I never like these RB unit rankings because are we weighting the guys in the unit differently? This man is the alpha and the omega of fantasy running backs. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs If hes healthy for 16 games, Barkleys a virtual lock for 1,200 or more rushing yards and tons of explosive plays. Carolina Panthers. On this roster, theyre together, and neither has a defined role. GO HEAD, @saquon!159 Total Yards, 2 Touchdowns, and a souvenir for a fan in the 1st half! Behind Sanders, Philadelphia has third-year man Boston Scott and two unproven players in Jason Huntley and Kenneth Gainwell. 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. Elliott spoke back in July about how not fumbling is his No. @JdMckissic for 6 #SEAvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/dVGuOjCtKR. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. The age listed under each player's name is the age he will be on Sept. 9. Devontae Booker had a decent year as the backup in Las Vegas last season, but the fact of the matter is Barkleys ability to stay on the field will determine how successful their run game is. ET. 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. Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds . He rushed for 772 yards on a whopping 5.6 yards per attempt last season. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio. This touchdown run gave Tony Pollard 69 rushing yards on the day. 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 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. Further, the Falcons are going to be bad this year. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions Mike James. 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. Atlanta also drafted Qadree Ollison and Marcus Green, further bolstering their depth. 12:07 left in this one. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. panthers In terms of the entire units right now, I take theRead more . Davis impressed as McCaffreys backup last year, but now there is limited depth in Carolina. Hell turn a routine carry into a long touchdown within the simplest crease in the offensive line. No, he's not a true running back. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. 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. Top 10 players 25 years old and younger entering 2021 NFL season - NFL.com Seattle won 28-26. Alex Armah Considering that new head coach Arthur Smith hails from Tennessee, where he had Derrick Henry, Leonard Fournette Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South - Sports Illustrated Qadree Ollison Still, this is McCaffrey's show. Instead its his pass-catching skills, where he consistently creates separation as a route runner, even from a receiver alignment. 18. NFC South. Since entering the league in 2018, Chubb has forced 168 missed tackles, second-most in the NFL behind only Derrick Henry, according to Pro Football Focus. Ranking the NFC South's running back groups: All-purpose stars lead the way NFL Running Back - Players Rosters - National Football League - ESPN Ollison and Brooks-James have combined for 33 career carries, and Hawkins and Huntley are rookies. 2. 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!!! Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South. Ito Smith carried the ball 90 times for 315 yards and four scores during his rookie season, and Brian Hill ran wild in a Week 16 game against the Panthers, gaining 115 yards on just eight carries. Sign up for the Cards Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Episode 8 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing notable NFL siblings in the players' list between Nos. 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. Ashton answer's your questions in this Friday mailbag. Then there are RB-friendly systems that will likely see Trey Sermon, Michael Carter, and Kylin Hill as names to know. //