The versatility of the position is one of the reasons why it’s so exciting. The greatest at the position have been bruisers, elusive speed freaks, balanced attackers. They’ve done their work inside the tackles, on the perimeter, and out of the backfield. But just who exactly are these backs?

10. Lenny Moore

Lenny Moore was arguably the NFL’s first dual threat running back in terms of running and catching the football. As one of the integral parts of the Baltimore Colts’ offense throughout the 1950s and 1960s, alongside Johnny Unitas, Raymond Berry, and John Mackey, Moore led the league in scrimmage yards per touch a remarkable six consecutive seasons between 1956 and 1961.

The two-time NFL champion Moore led the league in yards from scrimmage and combined rushing and receiving touchdowns in 1957 and led the league in combined rushing and receiving touchdowns again in 1964, the same season in which he led the entire league in points scored. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a five-time All-Pro selection.

9. Gale Sayers

As great as the Kansas Comet was, he will always be one of the NFL’s greatest unanswered questions. Gale Sayers played just seven seasons in the league for the Chicago Bears, retiring in the midst of his athletic prime at just 28. Had persistent knee injuries not forced his early retirement, he may well be much higher on this list. Even so, he managed to lead the league in rushing yards per game in three of those seven seasons.

Sayers was extremely elusive and agile which made him one of the most difficult running backs to tackle in NFL history. This talent also enabled him to be one of the league’s all-time great special teams players. In three consecutive seasons from 1965 to 1967, he led the league in all-purpose yards, twice going over the 2,000 mark (2,272 in ’65, 2,440 in ’66).

8. Marshall Faulk

Marshall Faulk was the engine allowing the St. Louis Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf to reach its highest potential. In three consecutive seasons from 1999 to 2001, he was selected as the NFL’s offensive player of the year. Like Lenny Moore before him, he was a specialist at catching the football out of the backfield as well as a traditional running back.

Faulk, who made a name for himself before his Rams days with the Indianapolis Colts, solidified his mark on the NFL with the Super Bowl team of 1999. In the ’99 regular season, he put up 2,429 total yards from scrimmage, breaking down to 1,381 rushing yards and 1,048 receiving yards, as well as 10.2 receiving yards per target.

7. LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson’s 2006 season stands out as one of the greatest individual seasons by a player at any position in NFL history. His 28 rushing touchdowns that season remains a league record even with the schedule jumping from 16 games to 17 starting in the 2021 season. Though this kind of season was never replicated, the rest of his career is equally worthy of praise.

Tomlinson led the NFL in rushing touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers in two seasons other than ’06 as well, in 2004 and 2007. Only Emmitt Smith scored more rushing touchdowns in league history. Few running backs have ever been as consistently great as he was for much of his career.

6. Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson was the Los Angeles Rams of the 1980s. In five seasons with the team, he led the NFL in rushing yards in three of them, including the ’84 season when he went for 2,105. He also had a great season with the Indianapolis Colts in ’88, which was one of four seasons he put up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

Dickerson slowed down beginning in the third year of his tenure with the Colts, but for most of his career he was consistently a threat to rush for over 1,200 yards. His 2,105-yard mark from ’84 still stands as an NFL single-season record, having been approached but never topped a couple of times by the likes of Adrian Peterson and Derrick Henry.

5. Barry Sanders

When you think about the history of the Detroit Lions, the first player that probably comes to mind is Barry Sanders. Few, if any, running back in league history has been as consistent. Even more impressive is that he played on teams that were generally less than stellar, with an offensive line that was likely lesser than many of the other great backs in league history.

Sanders also retired young at just 31 and just 1,457 shy of the then all-time rushing record held by Walter Payton. It’s entirely conceivable that he may have been able to reach that record had he chosen to keep playing. Nevertheless, there’s never been a back who has ever achieved more in the NFL with less.

4. Walter Payton

It was no mistake that Walter Payton became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. After all, he was an absolute work horse. Between 1976 and 1979, he led the league in carries each season, reaching the mark of 369 in the ’79 season. Less known than the rushing record is that he also retired as the all-time leader in receptions as a running back, again pointing to his workload.

Plenty of lists have Payton higher than four, but that’s the appropriate placement. His numbers are more the result of repetition and the sizable workload he maintained rather than his being more talented than others on this list. However, there is something to be said for a running back who could hold up that level of play for so long.

3. Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith is currently the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, owing largely to his longevity at this running back position. In 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, he had 11 seasons of at least 1,000 rushing yards and led the league in rushing four times. As part of the Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s, he was also one of the great postseason performers in league history.

What’s more, Smith is also the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns. His style of play was deceptive because he never appeared to be all that fast, elusive, or powerful. Yet there were never better running backs in the league while he was active, a testament to his vision in the backfield, on the go, and knowledge of situations.

2. O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson’s 1973 season is arguably the greatest individual season in the history of the NFL. In a 14-game schedule, he managed to rush for 2,003 yards, averaging 143.1 rushing yards per game. Imagine how many yards he gets if that’s a 17-game schedule. However, it took a few seasons for the Buffalo Bills to bring in a coach who would feature him so heavily.

In terms of sheer talent, no one tops Simpson. His longevity may not match that of Emmitt Smith or Walter Payton, but he was far more talented than either of them. Persistent legal problems have long since deterred the public’s attention away from his playing career, but there’s no denying his place as one of the NFL’s all-time greatest players.

1. Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s dominance over the NFL was unreal. In his nine-year career, there was only one season that he didn’t lead the league in rushing and in rushing yards per game. He led the league in rushing touchdowns in five seasons. He led the league in yards from scrimmage in six seasons. It’s similar to the way Wilt Chamberlain once dominated the NBA.

The eight-time All-Pro selection and three-time MVP is one of the five greatest players in NFL history. At 6’2”, 232 lbs, Brown was a bulldozer running the football. His 104.3 career rushing yards per game is the most in the history of the league. No player has ever had his level of superiority over his contemporaries.

The post Top 10 Running Backs of All Time appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Adam Hulse (@AdamHulseSports)

After some unfortunate injuries leading up to Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season, including JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the stable of running backs for the Baltimore Ravens is going to look much different than expected. Their rushing attack, in addition to quarterback Lamar Jackson of course, will now likely come from a combination of multiple running backs. This is not uncommon for the Ravens, who use a creative run-heavy scheme and can support multiple running backs from a fantasy football perspective.

The distribution of carries in Baltimore is going to be something to keep a very close eye on over the early weeks of the season. They have a few different options for who could receive the biggest workload, including Ty’Son Williams, Devonta Freeman, and Le’Veon Bell, but the leading candidate to have the most production is their newest addition to the roster, Latavius Murray. It may take a week or two to get him up to speed, but as soon as he is fully acclimated with his new team, he will likely take over as their RB1. Here is why Murray is a buy in fantasy leagues and the top choice of who to own in the ravens backfield.

Consistent and Reliable

Across his seven seasons in the NFL, Murray has only missed four games total. He has consistently solid production including 713 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns per season, 4.2 yards per carry, and just two lost fumbles in his entire career. He played in three very different schemes with the Raiders, Vikings, and Saints but that never impacted his steady output so changing teams again would not appear to have any negative effect on his game. He is used to playing in situations where he has to compete for carries so being in the Ravens currently crowded backfield is no different. He has always delivered positive results when given the chance and this may be his biggest opportunity for more touches in over five years. A bigger workload in an extremely RB-friendly scheme could mean big things for Murray this year.

Weak Competition

None of the other RB options on the Ravens are nearly as dependable as Murray. Freeman has been unable to stay healthy over the last three seasons, playing in just 21 games combined, and his yards per carry have steadily decreased. His 3.5 yards per carry over the last three years are significantly lower than his career 4.1 average, which indicates regression. Williams has not played an NFL game yet but was not at all a high prospect coming out of college. In fact, he was undrafted, which speaks to his perceived low potential as a player. Bell is an interesting situation but it appears that his best days are behind him at this point.

In his five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bell was one of the very best backs in the NFL with a very dynamic skill set. He eclipsed 2200 total yards back in the 2014 season and came close to the 2000 yard mark twice more in both 2016 and 2017. After sitting out the entire 2018 season because of a contract dispute, he has never been quite the same. Playing in 26 games over the last two seasons, he has recorded just 1716 total yards combined. In his prime that would be a down year for just a single season total. Now 29 years old and 4 years removed from elite status, it is more than likely that his best days are long gone.

Considering all of the question marks and inconsistencies with all of the other options, Murray is by far the most reliable back in Baltimore. All of them will get carries at some point and their play on the field will likely determine the share of touches moving forward. Murray is the newest to the team so he may not get too much of a workload in week 1 but as the season continues on it should increase drastically. All things considered, he is the leading candidate to be the RB1 for the Ravens and has an opportunity to have a huge season in this run heavy scheme. If there is one back to buy in fantasy right now, Murray is the best investment.

The post RB Latavius Murray is a Buy in Fantasy appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Adam Hulse (@AdamHulseSports)

Josh Jacobs is still somewhat under the radar, but the running back for the Las Vegas Raiders has quickly become one of the best in the NFL. Now entering his third season in the league, he is just now hitting his prime years for the position. He was excellent in each of his first two campaigns, but there is good reason to believe that he will improve even further this upcoming season.

Jacobs is a big and powerful back at 5’10 and 220 pounds. He fits the mold of Alabama running backs in the NFL, joining veterans Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram, as well as rookie Najee Harris. The Crimson Tide backs run with violent intentions by embracing contact, but also have the burst of speed to break away in the open field. Like the rest of this group, Jacobs is a workhorse who is willing and able to carry a very heavy load.

It’s fair to expect a huge year from Jacobs, and it just might be time for him to break through and win the rushing title. Before looking ahead to this coming season, let’s first look back at his previous two. He has not only been a highly productive rusher but extremely consistent as well.

2019 Season Recap

After being selected late in the first round of the NFL Draft, Jacobs put together a solid rookie season with the Raiders. He accumulated 242 carries for 1150 yards, which works out to 4.8 yards per carry, and 7 touchdowns. In all four of those statistical categories, he ranked in the top 15 in the NFL. Maybe most importantly, he ranked third overall in rushing yards per game with 88.5, behind only Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb.

2020 Season Recap

After a successful rookie campaign in which Jacobs was one of the top running backs in the league, he followed it up with a similarly productive second season and even increased his output in some statistical categories. He ranked third in the league in carries with 273, eighth in yards with 1065, fourth in touchdowns with 12, and tenth in yards per game with 71.

Raiders Team Trends

Since they drafted Jacobs, the Raiders are in the top ten in the NFL in rushing attempts per game over the last two seasons combined. Philosophically, they are an offense that wants to commit the rushing game and then work off of the play-action from there. This just means that there will be plenty of opportunities for Jacobs to carry the ball.

It’s also important to point out that he is a true feature back and there is nobody on their current roster to really challenge him for carries. He has already accounted for nearly 60 percent of the carries and rushing yards since joining the team, and it is realistic to believe that percentage could go even higher.

2021 Season Outlook

The commitment that the Raiders have shown to the rushing game, as well as the confidence they have displayed in Jacobs, give a good reason to believe that he will get another heavy load this season. Pair that with the fact that he has already demonstrated great talent and could very well improve even further this year, and his expectations are soaring high.

Something important that the Raiders did this offseason that could potentially help the production of Jacobs is attempting to improve the offensive line. They did so by bringing in five rookies, including using their 17th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Alex Leatherwood, a tackle from Alabama. It’s a young unit, and one that is being rebuilt, but it could be better than it was a year ago when it all comes together.

In conclusion, Jacobs has been one of the best running backs in the NFL since joining the Raiders two years ago. His solid and steady production and improvement, paired with the organizational commitment to his abilities, indicate that he could be due for a real breakout year. It will take a monster season to dethrone Derrick Henry, but don’t be at all surprised if Jacobs wins the rushing title this season. It’s time for him to come out from under the radar and into the spotlight.

The post Why Josh Jacobs is really Due for the Rushing Title appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, the running back class is not so deep. In fact, there are really only three running backs that can be considered an every-down running back. After that…well, your best guess is as good as mine.

This is not to say that there are not any good running back options available beyond the first round. There are. But most of the options either won’t be there or have questions surrounding them. However, the Cincinnati Bengals pick at 38 and that means they will have a good shot at some of the best running backs in this draft class. So, who can the Bengals hope to see sitting at 38? And how realistic is it for those running backs to be there?

First, it’s important to remember that the Bengals already have a starter in the backfield in Joe Mixon. However, last year brought some real concerns to the table because Mixon could not stay on the field and only played six games. The Bengals will want someone more reliable than that to help Joe Burrow. But, there is still a chance that the Bengals do not take a running back, instead of hoping that Mixon will remain healthy for (most of) the season.

The Top Three

Najee Harris

Most draft analysts regard Harris as the best running back in this class. At 23 years old he is a mature running back but probably won’t play beyond his first contract. Quick, explosive, and a deadly weapon in the passing game, the Bengals would love to add him to their rushing attack. However, there is little chance that he is still sitting there at pick 38. The reports are that the rival Pittsburgh Steelers are big on Harris and will probably pick him at 24 if he is there. The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets also present threats and both could take a running back, whether in the first round at 18 and 23. respectively, or at 33 and 34. I don’t think there is any chance that Harris escapes round one, but there is a chance that he does. The two ways that happen is if other players fall that teams can’t pass up, or teams don’t draft him because they believe running backs should not be taken in the first round. Either way, Bengals fans hopes for Harris are slim.

Javonte Williams

Williams probably has the best chance to be available for the Bengals at 38. If you are a Bengals fan and have not seen his highlights, go watch them. He is my favorite running back in this class. Essentially a smaller, faster, version of Harris, Williams is only 21 years old so he has lots of tread loft on his tires. He also shared the backfield at UNC with Michael Carter, and had 366 career carries. For reference, Harris had 560 in the past two years. Williams is also a fantastic pass-blocking running back, which is something the Bengals want to ensure Joe Burrow stays healthy. Williams has the best shot out of the top three running backs to land with the Bengals at 38, but there is no chance he falls out of the second round.

Travis Etienne

The fastest and the most productive out of the top three running backs, Etienne is not for some people. He doesn’t have the build of a between-the-tackles runner, weighing in at 210 pounds. But after he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at this pro day, he proved that what he lacks in build, he makes up for in speed. He can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. There are concerns about his ability to be an every-down back, but if the Bengals are looking for the next Alvin Kamara, Etienne is their best shot. There are rumor’s that the Buffalo Bills are looking to trade up for Etienne. If this is true, then Etienne has no chance of falling to the Bengals pick at 38. I would put his chances of being available when the Bengals pick at about 50%.

Other Round Two Options

Kenneth Gainwell

A small, but adept, receiving back out of Memphis, Gainwell offers a lot as a complementary back. A converted wide receiver, Gainwell is a natural receiver and runs routes like a wide receiver. His only problem is that he is too small to be a lead back, at 5″11, 194 pounds. He also is not great at pass protection. But the Bengals did just cut Giovanni Bernard and could be looking to add a younger, more explosive, receiving back. Gainwell will be there at pick 38 and has a good chance of being available when the Bengals pick in the third round. If the Bengals were to add a running back, Gainwell and the next running back on this list would be my best bet.

Michael Carter

Carter is very much like Gainwell. Small, (5″9, 200 pounds), and explosive. Carter is not that much different from Gainwell, except for the height and the weight difference. Carter has shown a good ability to bounce off tackles and has the vision to pair with it. He is also an excellent receiver. Honestly, if the Bengals are looking to add a receiving back, they should just select Carter or Gainwell in the third round. If only one is available, take him. If both are, whoever’s tape they prefer. I think that Gainwell has shown a little more potential as a receiver, but Carter offers more as a between-the-tackles runner because of his build and weight.

Dream Option at 38: Najee Harris.

Most Realistic option at 38: Javonte Williams

Best option at 69: Kenneth Gainwell or Michael Carter. Notice that I didn’t say dream option? Because there is no way that any of the top three fall that far, and these two have a very realistic chance of being available.

My prediction:

And with the 69th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select…Michael Carter, Running Back, North Carolina. Carter has a great chance of being available in the third round for the Bengals. He takes Bernard’s place as the receiving back, offers a little something running downhill, and if necessary, can take on 3-down duties if Joe Mixon is hurt. If the Bengals want complete insurance from a Mixon injury then they should take Williams at 38. However, I think they will be better off taking an Offensive Tackle to help Burrow, then adding a back, rather than the other way around.

The post Dream Bengals Running Back Options In the NFL Draft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Euan Leith

By all accounts, the Miami Dolphins had a successful 2020 season. They leaped forward as a franchise to finish 10-6 and missed the playoffs on the regular season’s final day. Head Coach Robert Flores has a great thing going on in South Beach as they enter the new league year, but they could do with some upgrades on the offensive side of the ball.

Running back was a particular spot where the Fins lacked consistency. Five different ball carriers made a start in Miami’s backfield, and they had nary a single runner crack 600 yards on the ground or 1000 total yards.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa combined for five rushing scores last year. As a unit, the Dolphins running backs had 10. Adding a running back should be high on their list of priorities when free agency opens on March 17th, especially if the team wants to continue their current trajectory and make their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Aaron Jones

2020 team: Green Bay Packers

All signs are pointing towards Jones not playing for the cheeseheads when the 2021 season kicks off. Adding this type of three-down back to the Miami roster makes too much sense. There are ways to line this contract up to take advantage of Tagovailoa’s rookie deal without hamstringing the franchise’s cap space in the future.

Jones was a fifth-round pick in 2017 and will be looking to get paid in March. The former-UTEP product deserves a big payday after two elite seasons of production in the Green Bay backfield.

Wherever Jones plays next season, he will have the opportunity to produce just as impressive a statistical year. Miami is an ideal destination because they have a stable of complementary backs that could spell Jones as Jamaal Williams did for the two years.

Chris Carson

2020 team: Seattle Seahawks

This may be the most unlikely candidate to take his talents to South Beach because I believe Pete Carroll wants to get back to running the ball and I think he trusts Chris Carson. However, should a divorce be coming in the near future, I think the 26-year old would be an ideal candidate in Florida.

He is one of five players all-time (and the first since 1996) to be drafted in the seventh round or later and produce multiple seasons of 1300 yards from scrimmage with nine touchdowns. Those kinds of hidden gems don’t just grow on trees. Miami is looking for something special in their backfield, and I believe Carson fits that mold.

There seems to be a popular narrative that he is solely a runner, but that is false. He’s one of nine running backs in the league to catch at least 37 passes each of the last two years and one of six that achieved that plus ran for at least 500 yards both years.

What I’m getting at is Carson probably doesn’t have the name value or national popularity that Aaron Jones has, but he can be a Jones-lite version. Plus, it will allow the Dolphins to save some extra cap money and still utilize the talent they found in 2020 with Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin to rotate with Carson when needed.

Mike Davis

2020 team: Carolina Panthers

Davis is my favorite running back to add to this backfield. Although it would drive all the fantasy football managers in the world insane, having Davis in Miami makes a lot of sense. Kyle Shanahan has shown how rostering and consistently playing multiple running backs is a formula for success.

Davis, Gaskin, and Ahmed could become a lethal rotation of backs in today’s NFL. They can all run and catch the ball effectively, and it would magnificently disguise the Dolphin’s offense from a player personnel standpoint.

Pro Football Focus projects Mike Davis to receive a two-year deal for about $4 million per season. If you’re telling me that I can get a back for two years with his talent and then spend those savings on the rest of the roster, then it’s a done deal.

Conclusion

Miami has the luxury of going in several directions this offseason. If they want to go big at the running back position, several candidates can fill that void. However, if they want to discount shop, there will be plenty of running backs available to pair with the two young ball-carriers they already have on their roster.

My final prediction is they come over the top and offer Aaron Jones a big check to make him one of the faces of their offense for the next few seasons. A legitimate running game with Jones will immensely help Tua Tagovailoa by taking the pressure off to deliver the goods immediately.

The post Three RB Targets For The Miami Dolphins appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Between this year’s free-agent class and the prospects available in the draft, RB needy franchises will have plenty to choose from to enhance their offenses. Some teams to keep an eye on this offseason are the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons. 

The five players on this list should be highly sought after this offseason. Each guy brings something different to the table and could be a starter wherever they go. Here are my top five free agent running backs. 

1. Aaron Jones

First on the list is none other than Aaron Jones. The Green Bay Packers RB has been a star these last couple of years. In 2020, Jones finished the season with 1,104 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns off of 201 attempts. 

Although he’s been electric, Jones is likely not returning to the Packers. He’s due a large contract, and Green Bay doesn’t have the money to afford him. In an article by Tommy Garrett, a writer for the Pro Football Network, Garrett breaks down Jones’ possible contract next year by stating, “Aaron Jones carries an estimated market value of $14 million per season on a four-year, $56.17 million deal.” 

With money like like that, Aaron Jones will likely find a new home next year. A few teams that could make him an offer are the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and the Buffalo Bills. 

2. Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake hits the free-agent market for the second year in a row. This time around though, Drake should be landing the long-term contract. Although the fans might disagree, Drake still put up impressive numbers. Once the season for the Arizona Cardinals finished, Drake wound up with 955 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns off of 239 attempts. 

Similar to the Packers, the Cardinals are strapped for cash and likely won’t be bringing back their starting RB. In fact, Arizona is in a great position to get younger at the position through the draft, and Chase Edmonds isn’t too bad either. 

Drake will make one of these NFL teams happy, as he’s a great all-around RB. In an article written by Doug Farrar, the USA Today writer explains, “A smart team in need of a lead back in a rotation will snap Drake up, and probably for a relative bargain.” Clubs like what Drake brings to the table, and a couple of teams that may look his way are the New York Jets, or the Atlanta Falcons. 

3. Jamaal Williams

Another Green Bay Packer makes this list, as Jamaal Williams has finally emerged as a possible starting running back. Playing more of a backup role for the Pack-Attack, Williams finished with 505 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns. On top of that, Williams is a threat in the passing game, as he racked up 236 receiving yards and one touchdown this year. 

Green Bay has some serious decisions to make. Williams won’t cost nearly as much as Aaron Jones, but signing him for a long term deal could dwindle down the cap space in the future. Especially with AJ Dillion aiming for more playing time, Green Bay could give themselves a great 1-2 punch with their RB group. 

The most likely destination for Williams is Green Bay, but he will have plenty of suitors bidding for him too. Wherever Williams goes he will have the opportunity to finally be a starter, which makes him a potential breakout candidate in 2021. 

4. Mike Davis

The Carolina Panthers were hardly competitive this season, especially once Christian McCaffrey fell to injury. However, Mike Davis was a bright spot as he filled in the starting role impressively. By the end of the year, Davis finished with 642 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. He was also one of the better receiving RBs this year too. With 373 receiving yards and an additional two touchdowns, Davis proved to be a reliable RB this year. 

It’s still a question on whether or not the Panthers bring him back for next year. With McCaffrey set to return to full health, Carolina may want to lock up Davis as a reliever. Schuyler Callihan, a writer for Sports Illustrated, explains Davis’ situation by stating, “… he has the option to return to Carolina and work alongside Christian McCaffrey or he could see what the free agent market has to offer and possibly become RB1 somewhere.” 

Ultimately, the decision is up to Davis. He’d be a great RB to ease pressure for McCaffrey, but he may have the opportunity to finally be a starter in the NFL. I see Davis being a solid starter elsewhere while a team develops a young rookie. The Atlanta Falcons, Jets, and Cardinals would be great landing spots for Mike Davis. 

5. Chris Carson

Dealing with injuries, 2020 wasn’t the best year for Chris Carson. Finishing with just 681 rushing yards and five touchdowns, it was Carson’s first year since his rookie season he finished with less than 1000 yards. However, his 4.8 yards per carry is a career high. 

Carson is a very under rated RB in the NFL. Between his fumbling issues and injuries, Carson may fall down some teams’ lists. However, there is reason to believe Carson can still be a legitimate RB in this league. 

With the state the Seahawks backfield is in, re-signing Carson may be in their best interest. Brandon Gustafson, a writer for MyNorthwest.com, states, “If Pete Carroll’s recent comments are any indication about the Seahawks’ offense in 2021, you can expect more of a ground attack when Seattle hits the field next season.” 

Seattle doesn’t have the best RB group, and they’re not in a position to draft a top talented RB either. Carson can be a reliable running back for them. If they don’t bring him back, Chris Carson will make another franchise very happy.

The post Top 5 Free Agents: Running Backs appeared first on Pro Football Mania.