NFL Division Rankings: Running Back
Last week I took a look at the divisions by quarterback this week we’ll rank them by running back as we continue our series leading up to the start of the N.F.L. season (can’t it just be here already?).
#8 A.F.C. East-
Fred Jackson
Reggie Bush
Steven Ridley
Shonn Greene
The Buffalo Bills mighet have one of, if not the best, 1-2 running back punch in football. Fred Jackson was the M.V.P. of the regular season through the first six of Buffalo’s games. What will he be this year? That remains to be seen. If he plays like he did last year though and stays healthy all season, the Bills might be on their way back to the playoffs. C.J. Spiller is taking awhile to adjust to the speed of the N.F.L. game, but he’s flashed some serious promise. Reggie Bush showed the ability to be more than a change of pace back last season. Daniel Thomas is expected to have a good year this year. The Patriots have a lot of versatility with their running backs and a lot of promise, I loved Shane Vereen’s game heading into the 2011 NFL Draft. Shonn Greene is a big bruiser, but nothing special to me. Is Tim Tebow considered a backup running back on the Jets? I really like the depth of this class, but I don’t have full confidence in any of these backs to be among the league’s best with maybe the exception of Fred Jackson.
#7 N.F.C. West
Steven Jackson
Frank Gore
Marshawn Lynch
Beanie Wells
I like all of these players, but they all come with some issue. Steven Jackson is getting older and has a lot of wear and tear. Frank Gore is always battling nagging injuries. Marshawn Lynch might get suspended and Beanie Well is also always battling nagging injuries. There is a lot of talented back ups in this division though. Isaiah Pead was really fun to watch at Cincinnati. Ryan Williams was a good prospect, how much will missing last season hurt him, Kendall Hunter might actually be the best 49ers running back, and Leon Washington is a special teams dynamo.
#6 N.F.C. East-
LeSean McCoy
Ahmad Bradshaw
DeMarco Murray
Roy Helu
The N.F.C. East hosts one of the league’s most dynamic running backs in LeSean McCoy. McCoy is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He’s also an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Ahamad Bradshaw has trouble staying healthy, but is a good player when his feet are ok. He’s also, perhaps, the league’s best pass blocking running back–something that is always over-looked. DeMarco Murray looked exceptional when he burst onto the scene last year, but his last few games weren’t as good as his first few and he’ll have to prove he can stay healthy (injuries were a big reason he fell in the draft). Roy Helu is solid, but I don’t think special. The depth in the division is intriguing. What can David Wilson be? Felix Jones is one of the league’s most dynamic back up running backs.
#5 A.F.C. North
Ray Rice
Trent Richardson
Reshard Mendenhall
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Ray Rice is top 5 running back in the league with his ability to run and catch the football. Maybe it’s premature to put Richardson as the second best running back in the division, but if he is anything near what I expect him to be-he might be #1 on this list by season’s end. Reshard Mendenhall is coming back from an injury and might not even be ready for the start of the regular season, but he’s a good running back. Quick, and powerful he’s been a good player for the Steelers. BenJarvus Green-Ellis will not fumble the football, but he also won’t strike fear in the heart of his opponents. He fit in well with the Patriots because teams are afraid of Tom Brady, but I don’t think he’s carrying a team at all.
#4 N.F.C. North-
Adrian Peterson
Matt Forte
Jahvid Best
James Starks
Adrian Peterson is just a terrific, terrific player. What else can you say? Matt Forte is a top 5-7 running back in this league. I love his all around game. Jahvid Best is intriguing but can’t stay healthy. Between Best, LeShoure and Kevin Smith the Lions should have a productive running game. James Starks is just a guy to me. He’s serviceable, but that’s all you need when your quarterback is Aaron Rodgers.
#3 A.F.C. West
Darren McFadden
Jamaal Charles
Ryan Matthews
Willis McGahee
Darren McFadden has been every bit worth his lofty draft status when he’s been healthy. The issue, of course, is he hasn’t always been healthy. Jamaal Charles would be number one on this list but I haven’t seen him run yet after tearing his A.C.L. Maybe the league’s best home-run threat. Ryan Matthews broke out last year, but no one noticed. He can run inside, outisde, and catch the football. Willis Mcgahee has always been talented, but he’s not these other guys.
#2 A.F.C. South
Arian Foster
Mauirce Jones Drew
Chris Johnson
Donald Brown
Wheww doggy. Look at that top three in the division. Arian Foster, Maurice Jones Drew, and Chris Johnson could have all made the case at some point over the last three years that they were the best running back in the league (I think they would be wrong, but they could argue it). Foster should be terrific as usual. Maurice Jones Drew practically carries the Jacksonville franchise by himself, and Chris Johnson should be much better this year. Donald Brown has had sporadic opportunities and will get a chance to shine this year. I don’t love the depth in this division outside of the Texans back up running backs and that is what separates them from the N.F.C. South.
#1 N.F.C. South
Darren Sproles
DeAngelo Williams
Michael Turner
Doug Martin
Darren Sproles might be revolutionizing the running back position in the N.F.L. and some would argue that he might be the league’s number one running back. The Saints running back staple as a whole is terrific. I’m a huge fan of Mark Ingram. Hopefully he can stay healthy this year and showcase the ability I know he has. Pierre Thomas might be the league’s most under-appreciated running back all he does is produce and the Saints just keep trying to replace him. I’m a big fan of DeAngelo Williams. He didn’t get to run the ball as much as he should have last year, but when he did he put up big numbers-he averaged 5.4 yards per carry and punched in 7 touchdowns. He’s averaging 5.1 yards per carry for his CAREER! The only year he had more than 250 carries he put up 18 touchdowns and 1500 yards. Give the man the ball. Jonathan Stewart is no slouch either. Michael Turner has remain productive, but I think he’ll put up average numbers this year. Doug Martin is not my favorite prospect, I think I was the only draftnik on the internet (@nflmocks) who still had David Wilson ranked ahead of Doug Martin on draft day. Martin was much better in 2010 to me than he was in 2011. But he should be a solid player. Legarette Blount, and Jacquizz Rodgers round out the terrific depth of the N.F.C. South running back group. It’s a close call between the N.F.C. South and A.F.C. South but the depth of the N.F.C. South gives it the edge.