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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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 13: Ezekiel Elliott /

1. Ezekiel Elliott

Was there ever any doubt who would top this list? After yesterday’s showing against the Steelers that included a walk-off touchdown scamper with under a minute remaining, the Dallas Cowboys are 8-1 thanks in large part to rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Elliott’s running away with the MVP trophy just after the midseason point by gaining 1,005 yards and ten total touchdowns (nine rushing, one receiving). He’s been the thunder to fellow rookie Prescott’s lightning, and the two now have the entire league on alert after eight-straight wins. Is this the beginning of a return to Dallas’ glory years of the early 1990s where they won three Super Bowls on the backs of then-young sensations Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith?

That remains to be determined, but on thing’s for sure is Elliott’s short time in the league has always been shrouded by question marks. Was it wise to draft him with the fourth-overall pick in this year’s draft? Is the eight-game win streak more a product of Elliott’s legs or Prescott’s arm? And the often forgotten point, is Elliott really deserving of MVP when the Cowboys offensive line has the allowed some of the fewest sacks in the league to go with the most rushing yards?

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Zeke has only been able to answer that he was deserving of the fourth-overall pick; the other questions remain up for debate. One thing is for certain that Elliott is making it count whenever the ball is in his hands. He’s leading the league in yards per game by nearly 20 yards with 111.7 and has an astounding 58 first downs converted.

Elliott is a strong case for the reappraisal of running backs as the league moves forward. An MVP-caliber season that’s compiled of more meaningful plays than I can count on both hands, running backs are definitely back in style. More importantly, just like the rest of these backs he’s showing how important balance (and an effective one at that) can be in elevating the record of their team altogether.

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