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NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Running backs

By Lyle Graversen

Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs with ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs with ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Johnson (21) scores a touchdown past Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson (24) during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Johnson (21) scores a touchdown past Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson (24) during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 20-16

20. Chris Johnson – New York Jets

I’m not a huge fan of Chris Johnson, but you have to give him some credit. He did rush for over 1,000 yards last season and put up a respectable 68 yards on 13 carries in week one against the Raiders. He only had three more carries than Chris Ivory though, so his workload while keeping him fresh, could prevent him from climbing too high on this list.

19. Reggie Bush – Detroit Lions

I would have Reggie Bush ranked a good five spots higher on this list if it wasn’t for Joique Bell. While I still think that Bush is the top back in the high powered Detroit offense, Bell is good enough to keep Bush from putting up elite production this season.

18. Zac Stacy – St. Louis Rams

Zac Stacy is a back that I’m still not quite sure what to think of. On one hand, he looked at times last season like a feature power back that the Rams could build their offense around. On the other hand, he looks like a guy that could end up struggling without Sam Bradford and losing carries to Benny Cunningham.

17. Andre Ellington – Arizona Cardinals

I was a believer in Andre Ellington having a breakout season in 2014 and that may still happen. However, in the opener against San Diego is appeared that his foot injury may have zapped him of a little of the explosiveness that he showed last season. Let’s hope that it’s not something that lingers all season long.

16. Montee Ball – Denver Broncos

I had a hard time ranking Ball on this list. Do I think he’s physically the 16th most talented running back in the NFL? No, I do not. I do think he’s a solid NFL caliber back and when you’re the feature guy on a team that opposing defenses spend all their time planning to stop Peyton Manning you’re going to put up some good numbers. This ranking is more about his role than his abilities.

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