NFL 2016: Top 5 running backs at midseason

By mdelaney | Nov 15, 2016

Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs the ball during the fourth quarter as San Diego Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget (94) and free safety Dwight Lowery (20) defend at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

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Running backs throughout the NFL have seen an uptick in production through the season’s first 10 weeks compared to recent campaigns.

NFL running backs have come alive through the season’s first 10 weeks. Currently, the league is on pace to have 14 1,000-yard rushers–that’s twice as many as last season’s seven. It also means the league could have it’s most 1,000-yard rushers since 2012, when coordinators saw a surge in run yardage thanks to the introduction of read-option and pistol offensive schemes.

Of course, you wouldn’t know this given all the attention quarterbacks are receiving. Rookie sensation Dak Prescott has guided football’s biggest brand to an 8-1 record. Meanwhile household names like Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are backsliding into obscurity with each loss. The state of quarterback play in the league has overshadowed the increased effectiveness of running backs and how they’re shaping game outcomes.

So now, let’s take a few moments to review the NFL’s best running backs through 10 weeks. It’s only fair to the proverbial workhorses of the league.

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