Washington pairs Gibson with JD McKissic, one of the better backup running backs in the league. Theyll hope Trenton Cannon, Rodney Smith, Reggie Bonnafon and Chuba Hubbard are able to step up. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. 31. If Mostert has his way, he might not even begin the season in the division. In his last fully healthy season (2019), the Panthers' running back led the league in touches (403) and scrimmage yards (2,392, third-most in NFL history) and tied for first in scrimmage TDs (19). Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey have been stars . With that in mind, NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew provides his own ranking of the league's top 10 players 25 and younger heading into the 2021 regular season. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio. Were anxiously awaiting multiple returns to the field for some of the leagues top running backs, none more so than Christian McCaffrey. John Raine, Falcons RB Mike Davis Photo by: USA Today. Dominating the game's top defensive backs with ease week in and week out, Metcalf is becoming the gold standard at the receiver position. Privacy Policy. Davis impressed as McCaffreys backup last year, but now there is limited depth in Carolina. This isnt old by any stretch, but its old enough to make me think that if you were truly a starting running back, youd have got your chance to start before this point. CMC is absolutely this years RB1. But Kamara is the prize of the group. His PFF rushing grade improved dramatically from his rookie year, jumping from a 59.1 all the way up to a 75.3. The combination of Kamara, Murray and Washington gives New Orleans a pretty complete backfield trio. For the newest installment of Fantraxs fantasy running back depth charts series, were going to delve into the NFC South. The crazy thing is, it feels as if Mahomes is just getting started. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs 24. For his career, the bruising back out of Ohio State now has 6,384 rushing yards and another 1,957 receiving yards with 56 total touchdowns. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Theres even more to do about whether or not running backs matter entering the year. NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2022" -- voted on by the players themselves -- comes to a conclusion on Sunday night. Set it, and forget it. Episode 9 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing the highest-ranked undrafted player in the players' list between Nos. He also provides an excellent floor because even if the game script isnt favoring the run game, CMC will get plenty of targets through the air. Peyton Barber will return after leading the team with 234 carries for 871 yards and five touchdowns. Its fair to question if this drop in pass-catching production was more due to the instability and poor play at the quarterback position rather than Sanders individual production. To qualify, a player will have to be 25 or younger as of Sept. 9, when the 2021 season is scheduled to kick off. He threatens opposing defenses not only out of the backfield but also when lining up both from the slot and outside as a receiver. The Buccaneers were held below 100 yards rushing in eight games last season but hope for the maturity of former 2nd round pick Jones and this years addition of 3rd round sleeper Vaughan, both power backs with good open-field speed. But that's not going to last much longer. Rodney Smith Outside of the QB position (specifically Lamar Jackson), theres not a player in the league that will command a larger percentage of their teams offense than CMC. 2021 Fantasy Tight End Depth Charts: NFC South, Free Agent Tight End Predictions for 2023, Superflex Dynasty Rankings: 2023 Offseason Update, Dynasty Football Rankings: 2023 Offseason Update, Free Agent Wide Receiver Predictions for 2023. Trenton Cannon Which NFC South team has the best running game heading into the 2020 NFL season? He very well could be the starter in 2021. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos, 22. Players ranked 40-11 will be revealed Sunday over the course of three hours -- each one-hour episode unveiling a new set of 10 honorees -- beginning at 4 p.m. A surprisingly large player for his size at 59, 208, Jones lowers the boom just the same as hell skirt by second-level defenders with speed. I never like these RB unit rankings because are we weighting the guys in the unit differently? His production will depend on his usage this coming season. Aside from the addition of Andre Ellington and the loss of JacQuizz Rodgers this offseason, Tampa Bay has pretty much stood pat at the position. Alvin Kamara NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Fresh off signing a new contract, Allen will be well on his way to becoming one of the great quarterbacks of his era if he continues on this trajectory. He had just under 700 yards rushing and just under 400 yards receiving. Buccaneers, Alvin Kamara reaches milestone while helping Saints stop Seahawks, Loss of Christian McCaffrey, Jaycee Horn overshadows Panthers' 3-0 start, Former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen says son's heart 'reaching its end', Carolina Panthers NFL draft picks 2021: Analysis for every selection, Former New York Giants safety could play key role for Bucs in Super Bowl 2021, Ex-Jets coach Todd Bowles goes from green to greener pastures with Bucs, Tom Brady's success with Buccaneers sparks mixed reaction in New England, Previously covered NFC South for ESPN.com, Covered Panthers for The Charlotte Observer from 1999-2008, Began journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990. What everybody is missing from Mike McCarthys recent comments about the Cowboys offense, Kellen Moore. The veteran NFL running back has been in the league. Not saying it shouldnt be factored in, but both Karama and McCaffrey are valued more for their pass receiving prowess than their still good running accomplishments. The guy is a monster off the edge and will be great for a long time. On this roster, theyre together, and neither has a defined role. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! But he still can hurt you out of the backfield, at times, as much as any running back in the league. Kamara, a 3rd-round pick from Tennessee in the 2017 draft, beat out McCaffrey for 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and is a vital part of the New Orleans offense. 'I know that I can't do that': DJ Moore says unsportsmanlike penalty cost Panthers. Grant Gordon takes a look at the players' list by the numbers. Bucs' Brady Was Already Thinking 2021 Hours After Super Bowl LV. saints 32. The Falcons general manager said the organization would not close any doors when working to fill out the quarterback position. Chubb has been an instrumental part of the Browns' new winning culture as a focal point in Kevin Stefanski's offense. The WFT's running back group is led by the versatile 23-year-old Antonio Gibson. When you carry the ball, you kind of carry the whole hope of the whole team, organization and fan base. 24 Year Old Running Backs 2021 In Nfc South | StatMuse Ronald Jones was 24 years old in the NFC South in 2021. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a08d096c4d28c133811168daadc5e888" );document.getElementById("fe53143262").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ESPN.com NFC North reporter, 2008-2013 . The Panthers crown jewel. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles Listen to the latest from Cards Wires Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Atlanta to tack on more money to their cap savings in 2023 with the release of the veteran quarterback. It is important to note that Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers will not be on the list, as he tore his Achilles and will not play this coming season. His importance to the Panthers' offense can't be overstated. The former second-round pick rushed for 867 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and scored six touchdowns on the ground. newsletter, Cowboys scouting report 2023: TCU iOL Steve Avila. His performance as the No. Considering that new head coach Arthur Smith hails from Tennessee, where he had Derrick Henry, Leonard Fournette Quarterback: 1-19Running back: 1-49, 80-89Wide receiver/tight end: 1-49, 80-89Offensive line: 50-79Defensive line: 50-79, 90-99Linebacker: 1-59, 90-99Defensive backs: 1-49Kicker/punter: 1-19. Michael Turner, Atlanta. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. Losing Mark Ingram in free agency will certainly be felt next season, but the Saints' decision to add Latavius Murray, who gained 578 yards and scored six touchdowns on 140 carries with the Vikings last season, will help mitigate that. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com. McCaffrey was both the Panthers' leading rusher and receiver in 2018, gaining 1,965 total offensive yards and scoring 13 combined touchdowns. Etienne spent all of 2021 on injured reserve. . I dont care what the scoring of your league entails. An incredibly important aspect of Minnesotas offensive game plan, as Cook goes, so will the Vikings in 2021. With that in mind, NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew provides his own ranking of the league's top 10 players 25 and younger heading into the 2021 regular season. Jeff Demps. Ranking the top six running backs in the NFC North division, entering the 2021 NFL season. Hubbard was a solid mid round choice and could prove to be a capable #2but hes just that right now: an unproven mid-round rookiebasically their version of KeShawn Vaughn last season. Carolina claims the top spot in the division at running back, provided Christian McCaffrey stays healthy this season. If Zeke wants to regain his All-Pro form, his number one priority must be protecting the football. The top running backs in the NFL are big names, those that you must watch on Sunday. 1 focus is this season. 20 and 11. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas We'll continue our NFC South positional rankings today with running backs. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team Among the 12 backs who made our top 10 list, based on ties, Michael Turner (29), Steven Jackson (27) and Frank Gore (27) rank as the old men. NFC North Starters: Dalvin Cook ( Vikings ), Aaron Jones (. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports. Agree. 28. Ive projected a little regression in that stat, but Im expecting more all-purpose yards for Kamara this year. Reggie Bush, New Orleans. It's not far-fetched to think the best two receiving backs in the league reside in the NFC South. McCaffrey only played three games last season, and his loss was felt more acutely in the pass game than the run game. Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 1-10, Top 32 running backs for the 2021 NFL season | 11-32. KeShawn Vaughn Henry will not go down on first contact and routinely churns out first down after first down if hes not scoring touchdowns. Cooks 2019-2020 stretch is among the best two-year stretch of RB performance weve seen in recent memory. However, in 13 games he only managed to get 39 carries. Atlanta Falcons. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! Carolina's main loss behind McCaffrey was veteran back C.J. Its for this reason that my favorite strategy is to draft a running back with my first 4 picksregardless of league style (redraft, dynasty, etc.). Hell consistently break through arm tackles the same as hell run around defenders with impressive elusiveness. His work may be diminishing in the passing game with Kareem Hunts emergence, but that may play to his real strength of punishing first and second-level defenders on the ground. Give him 325 carries and he'll give you 1,500 yards. Who is a 27 year old running back in the nfc? He has speed and power, just needs to keep working to find his role. The former second-overall pick missed three games during 2019, followed up by missing 14 games after tearing his ACL in Week 2 of this past season. Reggie Bonnafon Pretty fair rankings. Carolina Panthers. 12. The 2019 NFL MVP is a nightmare for defenses as a phenomenal rusher and improving passer, and we should see him make a leap in the passing game with more weapons around him in 2021. LB Von Miller, . For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. It seems like Tony Pollard will be with the Cowboys at least through 2023. Hes absolutely a first-round draft pick and provided youre not picking one overall, I think you can take him at any pick and nobody will shame you for it. @EzekielElliott's ready to go in 2021. : @ProFootballHOF Game on FOX pic.twitter.com/5UU3CkoIro. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Episode 7 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing two productive QB-pass catcher combos in the players' list between Nos. And I still really like Vaughn. Love they guys commitment and work ethic. In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. Ill be honest. He is great in short-yardage situations and can break away. His value to this offense can't be matched. He has terrific vision, amazing balance, incredible speed, and plenty of elusiveness. Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta. 29. As long as Jackson is on the field, Baltimore will have a chance. McCaffrey has averaged 135.2 scrimmage yards per game since 2018 (most in the NFL over that span), and I don't see that figure dropping when he takes the field in September. 12:07 left in this one. They finished RB39 and RB15, respectively, last year. falcons. The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. Quarterback: 1-19 Running back: 1-49,. Below we rank the running backs from the NFC West, starting with the best. He still finished RB2 for the year because he had 21 total TDs. With an added dynamic out of the backfield, the trend of top backs being well-rounded continues. I aim to find value at other positions like WR and QB because if I miss on a bet at those positions, I can always trade one of my RBs for a roster weakness during the season.