Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South. Who has the most career 200 receiving yard games? Michael Turner, Atlanta. Ezekiel Elliott is coming off the worst season of his career, but the sixth-year pro seems well on his way to a huge bounce-back season. 1 thing thats my focus this year is protecting the ball.. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams In 2020, it looks a little different as Todd Gurley and David Johnson are no longer in the division. For him to step up like that at just 23 years old is a testament . Below we rank the running backs from the NFC West, starting with the best. 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. Peyton Barber will return after leading the team with 234 carries for 871 yards and five touchdowns. But Im thinking 4th or 5th round at best. C.J. He really found his groove as the complement to Nick Chubb in Cleveland a season ago, rushing for 921 yards and 9 touchdowns. Set it, and forget it. Elliott has now hauled in multiple receiving touchdowns and at least 300 receiving yards in four of his five seasons. A quality running back is a scarce fantasy asset. Folks get hung up on statistics and focus more than they should on the pass catching aspect. 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. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. Expect him to be an even bigger part of Tampa Bay's offense in 2022. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions 28. Falcons ask Richardson who's faster, him or Kyle Pitts. He's still something of a secret to a lot of people. Ill be honest. We should expect him to build off his rookie production, given what we've already seen this preseason. His power is perfect complement to Williams' speed. Tony Brooks-James Brian Leonard. 10. NFC North Starters: Dalvin Cook ( Vikings ), Aaron Jones (. Buccaneers; . 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. 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. His second half of 2019 showed what he could be. Cowboys free agency 2023: Defensive lineman Arden Key provides versatility at a discount. CMC is absolutely this years RB1. You could argue that if you individually compare Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott, Barkley is the better runner. 31. McKinnon returns for a third season with the 49ers but has yet to play a single snap in the regular season because of injuries. Fantasy Fallout: With Gavin Lux Out, Could A Sleeper Emerge? Instead its his pass-catching skills, where he consistently creates separation as a route runner, even from a receiver alignment. 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. DAndre Swift, Detroit Lions ET. At 28 years old, Davis will be entering an NFL season as a teams feature back for the first time in his career. Carolina's offense is almost solely on the shoulders of McCaffrey, who may be the only back in the league more versatile than the Saints Kamara. Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals The players have spoken. Nick Chubb is arguably the NFLs most elusive ball carrier. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. But if hes healthy, hes a rare breed of balance, strength, and elusiveness. This man is the alpha and the omega of fantasy running backs. (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. Unthinkable! Carolina's main loss behind McCaffrey was veteran back C.J. When you carry the ball, you kind of carry the whole hope of the whole team, organization and fan base. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. I'm projecting a bit here because we don't truly know Ward's role. 1 running back in 2020. 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. Falcons just have to be careful not to overuse him this year. 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. Everyone will remember his 29-carry, 220-yard performance in the playoffs, but he will still be a member of the running back committee in Kyle Shanahans offense. Which 10 players make up Nos. 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. With big additions to the defensive front, including Jadeveon Clowney, don't be surprised if Garrett comes close to or breaks Michael Strahan's single-season sack record in 2021. Theres much to do about the top running backs in the NFL entering the 2021 season. He threatens opposing defenses not only out of the backfield but also when lining up both from the slot and outside as a receiver. 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. Today we compare the running games of each team in the NFC South, with the opening of training camp right around the corner. Mikey Daniel Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! 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). He very well could be the starter in 2021. 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. His second . FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis, 2021 Fantasy Running Back Depth Charts: NFC South, Top 500 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings, Fantasy 101: How to Play Rotisserie Baseball, 2023 Fantasy Baseball Position Eligibility, Fantasy EPL 101 How to Play Draft Premier League, 2023 Fantasy Baseball: Points Leagues Sleepers Hitters, Canadian Baseball Prospects and Team Canada World Baseball Classic Roster. 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. He still finished RB2 for the year because he had 21 total TDs. Expect more usage from the powerful Latavius Murray after his second offseason in the team's system along with a big rebound in performance from Alvin Kamara. Bucky Brooks has Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski linked to the Falcons in first round, Van Ness and Murphy said they'd be thrilled to play in Atlanta, Wilson vows to make big impact, We also talk about which position the Falcons should take in the first round, Atlanta has tons of salary-cap space and No. Grant Gordon takes a look at the players' list by the numbers. Since joining the Saints in 2017, Kamara has averaged over 5 yards per carry and has scored 31 touchdowns. 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. Stevie Scott, Saints RB Alvin Kamara Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR. He hauled in 33 receptions out of the backfield and scored 5 more touchdowns on the ground than his rookie season. The highly-anticipated return of Saquon Barkley to the field in 2021 should refamiliarize the general fan with one of the most talented all-around backs in the league. Give him 325 carries and he'll give you 1,500 yards. Get the comprehensive list of every Running Back for each NFL pro football team. In his first two seasons, he's recorded 2,518 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns (including the playoffs), evidence that he deserves to be considered among the game's elite, thanks to a combination of his size (6-foot-4, 229 pounds), near-Olympic-caliber speed and confidence. The highest non-starter on this list, Kareem Hunt packs half of the punch for the leagues top RB duo in Cleveland. 29. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saints won, 31-17. 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. [CDATA[ 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. Perhaps Im being too bearish on Davis outlook, but RB34 for his situation this year doesnt seem out of the question. Thats an absurd number. He would have ranked second on this list. Carolina Panthers. 10 after earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. With Tom Brady's retirement, what's next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at quarterback? His performance as the No. Home | Ranking The NFC South: Running Backs. His importance to the Panthers' offense can't be overstated. Ive projected a little regression in that stat, but Im expecting more all-purpose yards for Kamara this year. Keith Smith Agree. Buccaneers, Alvin Kamara reaches milestone while helping Saints stop Seahawks, Loss of Christian McCaffrey, Jaycee Horn overshadows Panthers' 3-0 start, Former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen says son's heart 'reaching its end', Carolina Panthers NFL draft picks 2021: Analysis for every selection, Former New York Giants safety could play key role for Bucs in Super Bowl 2021, Ex-Jets coach Todd Bowles goes from green to greener pastures with Bucs, Tom Brady's success with Buccaneers sparks mixed reaction in New England, Previously covered NFC South for ESPN.com, Covered Panthers for The Charlotte Observer from 1999-2008, Began journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990. 2023 PewterReport.com All Rights Reserved. Dwayne Washington All Rights Reserved. 11. The combination of Kamara, Murray and Washington gives New Orleans a pretty complete backfield trio. Where do the two Arizona Cardinals lead backs in James Conner and Chase Edmonds . saints 15. By all accounts, Elliott has looked great during training camp. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans. If you cough it up and give it to the other team, youre letting everyone down so I mean thats the No. 2 back in Arizona this season behind Kenyan Drake. Barkley is essentially a full season removed from participating in live contact. In his last fully healthy season (2019), the Panthers' running back led the league in touches (403) and scrimmage yards (2,392, third-most in NFL history) and tied for first in scrimmage TDs (19). FantraxHQ - The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis. 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. It is the quality of the starter that pushes the Bucs ranks down compared to CMC and Kamara. Jeff Demps. panthers 26. This did not stop Barkley from totaling 1,441 yards from scrimmage, 1,003 rushing and 438 receiving, and eight touchdowns. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. With amazing contact balance and tremendous lower body strength, no defender is safe from Barkeys highlight reel. He had six 100-yard games last season. 2. //