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NFL Preview: Best and worst teams at each position

By Luke Dahlgren

Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) shakes hands with Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) during pre game warmups against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) shakes hands with Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) during pre game warmups against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) and running back Kenjon Barner (34) and running back Darren Sproles (43) warm up during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) and running back Kenjon Barner (34) and running back Darren Sproles (43) warm up during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back

Best: Philadelphia Eagles

The trade of LeSean McCoy, possibly the most electrifying back in the NFL, to Buffalo for linebacker Kiko Alonso improved the Eagles defense, but left the team with the talented, yet low-volume, Darren Sproles.

The solution was bringing in 2014 rushing leader DeMarco Murray from Dallas and former Chargers starter Ryan Mathews. With this fleet of backs, the Eagles should be able to match, and possibly surpass, the production void left in McCoy’s wake. Obviously, this is dependent upon the health of the Eagles offensive line, a group that is possibly even stronger than the Eagles’ running backs but struggled to remain on the field together.

Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray (35) runs against the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray (35) runs against the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Worst: New England Patriots

The Eagles have a running game by committee because of their depth. The Patriots have a running game by committee because of their dearth of talent.

To be fair, the Bill Belichick Patriots always utilize a committee unless Corey Dillon is involved. But this year, the Patriots are without Stevan Ridley (signed by the Jets), without Shane Vereen (signed by the Giants) and now without LeGarrette Blount for the first game (suspended for substance abuse). What does that leave the Patriots with? Jonas Gray? James White?

The good news is that the Patriots won’t have to rely on their running backs for too much offensive production. Though as the season progresses, they may find it harder to repeat as champions.

Next: Wide Receiver/Tight End

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