2017 Top 10 NFL Runningbacks

1. Le’Veon Bell

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 261, Yards: 1,268, TDs: 7, YPC: 4.9

Receiving –  Receptions: 75, Yards: 616, TDs: 2, YPR: 8.2

The game’s most complete running back going on three years now has been Le’Veon Bell. His only flaws appear to be durability and avoiding suspensions so far in his young career. He’s not an elite athlete but a good enough one. He has elite vision and legendary patience that has helped take his game to another level. He has the elusiveness and finesse moves in the open field to make defenders miss and the size and power to break tackles or convert in short yardage situations. He’s also an elite receiving talent by RB standards. Not only is he dangerous out of the back field Bell can split out like a receiver and run routes. He flashes the same burst in and out of cuts running routes as he does exploding through the hole with the ball in his hands. Not only is Bell great at all the glamorous stuff he isn’t above rolling up his sleeves and blocking.  He was the 4th ranked pass blocking back among starting RBs according to pro football focus and if you watch the Steelers play you know he works hand in hand with their fantastic offensive line in pass pro.

2. Ezekiel Elliott

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 322, Yards: 1,631, TDs: 15, YPC: 5.1

Receiving – Receptions: 32, Yards: 363, TDs: 1, YPR: 11.3

Ezekiel Elliott exploded onto the scene in his rookie year playing so well that he earned first team All-Pro honors and lead the league in rushing by more than 300 yards. I think he is hands down the best pure runner in the NFL even beyond Bell he just isn’t quite as complete yet. Zeke the Freak was just that in his first season displaying elite athleticism with break away speed, specatucular hurdles over defenders and tremendous acceleration from the handoff through the hole showing off ridiculous explosion. Zeke might not have been as productive numbers wise as David Johnson or Bell catching the ball but he is definitely an underrated receiver. The Cowboys simply did not use Elliot in the manner some other teams used their backs to get them involved in the passing game. However, when given the opportunity he proved that he had solid hands and big play ability averaging over 11 yards per catch. By rookie standards Zeke was fine pass blocking but still far from great. If he wants the number one spot he will need to continue to grow and round out his game to be a complete back.

3. David Johnson

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 293, Yards: 1,239, TDs: 16, YPC: 4.2

Receiving –  Receptions: 80, Yards: 879, TDs: 4, YPR: 11.0

The most productive offensive skill player in 2016 was David Johnson who had 2,118 yards and 20 TDs total from scrimmage. He literally did everything for the Cardinals and in my opinion should have been the offensive player of the year. The Cardinals offensive line along with Carson Palmer and really the team as a whole took a step back in 2016 but not Johnson. In the midst of regression from the majority of his teammates he improved and established himself as a superstar in the league. The only thing that that you could really criticize was his pass blocking which was not horrible it just was the only aspect of his game that was not spectacular last season.

4. Lesean McCoy

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 234, Yards: 1,267, TDs: 13, YPC: 5.4

Receiving –  Receptions: 50, Yards: 356, TDs: 1, YPR: 7.1

At 28 going on 29 years old McCoy is still getting it done. He remains the league’s most elusive back still providing ankle breaking highlights and making professional football players look silly. There is nobody better in space with the ball in his hands than this guy. His finesse moves package is elite as he razzles and dazzles with sudden jukes and jump cuts, electric spins, and start and stop quickness that freezes defenders in their tracks. More than a runner, McCoy is dangerous as a pass catcher as well. The last thing opposing defenses need is this guy catching the ball in space with a bunch of open field and one man to beat. As good as he is at making defenders miss McCoy has some flaws. He has absolutely no power to his game and is one of the worst pass blocking backs in the league. Sure it is true he just does not have the tools to be great at it but the effort is lacking as well.

5. Devonta Freeman

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 227, Yards: 1,079, TDs: 11, YPC: 4.8

Receiving –  Receptions: 54, Yards: 462, TDs: 2, YPR: 8.6

With back to back 1000 yard seasons and big time receiving production over the last two seasons Freeman has without a doubt established himself as one of the top five backs in the league. One of the main things that stand out about Freeman is his incredible burst when he presses the line of scrimmage. He is able to maintain good vision while moving very quickly where as some backs have to slow down and gradually increase speed to really see things. At only 5’8 he’s low and runs with tremendous pad level and packs a punch for a guy his size when he makes contact with defenders. The passing game gets the most publicity in Atlanta but it is their ground game that really makes them a truly elite offense as it keeps defenses from over committing to their passing attack.

6. DeMarco Murray

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 293, Yards: 1,287, TDs: 9, YPC: 4.4

Receiving –  Receptions: 53, Yards: 377, TDs: 3, YPR: 7.1

If Bell is the most complete back in the game Murray might be second just in terms of being productive in all three phases. He is a great runner, good receiver, and an elite blocker at the position. Murray is one of the more physical backs in the game and is a one style runner and that style is downhill. That is why he thrived in Dallas, then fell off in Chip Kelly’s more lateral ground attack, and then found himself back among the top backs with the Titans. You get a physical run blocking offensive line in front of him and put him behind the QB taking handoffs and he can really get things done. His best move to me is his stiff arm which he uses very effectively to break tackles. He also is a very high character guy that goes out every game and leads by example.

7. Jordan Howard

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 252, Yards: 1,313, TDs: 6, YPC: 5.2

Receiving –  Receptions: 29, Yards: 298, TDs: 1, YPR: 10.3

Zeke got all the attention but he was not the only rookie back that had a great season. As a matter of fact he was second in the entire league behind Elliott in rushing. His ball security was highly impressive only fumbling once while carrying the brunt of the workload for the Bears. He is a big man at 6’1, 225 and he showed it often finishing runs with physicality and keeping his feet moving through contact. He does not bring a lot to the table as a receiver but he did show the ability to haul in dump offs and pick up productive yards. More impressive than anything he did on the ground however was his pass blocking. It is the one area rookie backs rarely excel at but Howard was among the best blocking backs in the game.

8. Jay Ajayi

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 260, Yards: 1,272, TDs: 8, YPC: 4.9

Receiving –  Receptions: 27, Yards: 151, TDs: 2, YPR: 5.6

After rushing for only 187 yards on 49 carries on less than 3.8 yards per carry in his rookie season there was a lot of doubt about how Ajayi would fare as a lead back. He put all the concerns to rest in year two rushing for over 1,200 yards on nearly five yards per carry. Ajayi was phenomenal running the ball displaying a really good blend of power and elusiveness. He is a very deceptive runner that utilizes head fakes and body contortion to keep defenders off balance while also boasting impressive physicality. He had below average receiving production and that part of his game just does not seem to be a big factor in his game at this point.

9.  Melvin Gordon

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 254, Yards: 997, TDs: 10, YPC: 3.9

Receiving –  Receptions: 41, Yards: 419, TDs: 2, YPR: 10.2

After a rough rookie year where he did not quite live up to his first round draft status Gordon rushed for nearly 1000 yards in 13 games behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL (ranked 31st by pro football focus)and is on track to be the back that many thought he could be coming out of college. I honestly may be undervaluing him because his production was not quite on par with other guys on this list. However, if you watched the Chargers play it was clear to see Gordon was doing all he could. For such a young player he displayed spectacular vision and cutback ability often out of necessity due to poor line play. Gordon did a good job of carving out running lanes and playing with both speed and power. Gordon was also pretty productive catching the ball and averaged an impressive 10 yards per catch. He blocked very well last year which given his offensive line was a necessity.

10. Mark Ingram

Stats

Rushing – Carries: 205, Yards: 1,043, TDs: 6, YPC: 5.1

Receiving –  Receptions: 46, Yards: 319, TDs: 4, YPR: 6.9

Ingram might be one of the most underrated backs in the league. He had the best year of his career in 2016 averaging over five yards per carry and putting together his first 1,000 yard season. He is a stocky powerful back that showed really good patience last year. He lacks great athletic ability but makes up for it with his vision and power. He runs with good leverage and showed improved elusiveness. He was also one of the the better receiving backs in the league last year. Ingram has good hands and was a very reliable target out of the back field for the Saints pass happy offensive attack.