NFC East running back rotations ranked from worst to best in 2023

[zekecowboy]

Tony Pollard is the lead back finally for the Dallas Cowboys, but they're no longer the top running team in the NFC East.

3. Dallas Cowboys​

Tony Pollard, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Ronald Jones
This means it's Pollard's show and while he has the potential to do great things in a lead role, he's also coming off a broken fibula. So far, there's no concern about this in 2023 but the depth behind him is questionable.

Malik Davis looked impressive as a rookie but the former undrafted free agent from Florida is still inexperienced overall. Ronald Jones is there and he has a lot of experience, even gaining 978 yards for the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. However, he's coming off a 70-yard campaign with the Chiefs and might not even make the 53-man roster.

The one player who could change their fortunes is Deuce Vaughn, a sixth-round pick from Kansas State. He has the potential to produce some highlight-reel plays but pinning their hopes on a late-round pick to be a difference-maker might not be a great bet.

Eagles are Number 1, not a surprise!

https://thelandryhat.com/posts/nfc-east-running-back-rotations-ranked-worst-best-2023

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yeah I disagree. Eagles….at the end of the Barkley is better than all those guys. Eagles got a bunch of injury prone running backs they hope will stay healthy.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

I don’t think the Eagles have the best running back group but they have the best running attack because of Hurts. Danny Dimes can run too…dude had 700 yards rushing last season.

 

[Hardline]

The running back position is a major weakness despite all the Pollard worship here. Yall about to find out RBs really aren't a dime a dozen.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The running back position is a major weakness despite all the Pollard worship here. Yall about to find out RBs really aren't a dime a dozen.

Pollard should be enough. If not we have a issue up front.

 

[zekecowboy]

Pollard should be enough. If not we have a issue up front.

Pollard is not an every down back. If he is, Pollard will get injured. The 2nd running back is
a big question mark. Dallas may try to pick up a running back on cuts in the fall before season starts.

 

[Cowboys5217]

I think Davis surprises this year and becomes the reliable breather back for Pollard.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Pollard is not an every down back. If he is, Pollard will get injured. The 2nd running back is
a big question mark. Dallas may try to pick up a running back on cuts in the fall before season starts.

He got 10 million to be an every down back……

 

[CowboyoWales]

Tony Pollard is the lead back finally for the Dallas Cowboys, but they're no longer the top running team in the NFC East.

3. Dallas Cowboys​

Tony Pollard, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Ronald Jones
This means it's Pollard's show and while he has the potential to do great things in a lead role, he's also coming off a broken fibula. So far, there's no concern about this in 2023 but the depth behind him is questionable.

Malik Davis looked impressive as a rookie but the former undrafted free agent from Florida is still inexperienced overall. Ronald Jones is there and he has a lot of experience, even gaining 978 yards for the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. However, he's coming off a 70-yard campaign with the Chiefs and might not even make the 53-man roster.

The one player who could change their fortunes is Deuce Vaughn, a sixth-round pick from Kansas State. He has the potential to produce some highlight-reel plays but pinning their hopes on a late-round pick to be a difference-maker might not be a great bet.

Eagles are Number 1, not a surprise!

https://thelandryhat.com/posts/nfc-east-running-back-rotations-ranked-worst-best-2023

So they're saying that Pollard/Zeke (up the middle) and Schultz blocking was something special?
Jones, Deuce and Schoon improve our RB2 and blocking potential. The fact Jones (and Malik for that matter) didn't get the work should make them hungry to contribute.

 

[Sydla]

I don’t think the Eagles have the best running back group but they have the best running attack because of Hurts. Danny Dimes can run too…dude had 700 yards rushing last season.

I think they are likely banking these ratings on upside. And the upside of Philly pretty much tops everyone. I wouldn't have minded us taking a flier on Penny, even with his injury history. If he can somehow stay healthy, he's got big upside. Pairing him with Pollard, which would have limited his carries for sure, may have kept him healthy for longer.

I think we have a really good team heading into 2023 but Philly is also really, really loaded offensively. And they have a good DL and a good secondary, LB appears to be a big question mark.

Having said that, in looking at some of the more advanced stats from 2022, I could see some regression in Hurts.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

I don’t think the Eagles have the best running back group but they have the best running attack because of Hurts. Danny Dimes can run too…dude had 700 yards rushing last season.

Agreed - but I think the OL is just as, if not more, important than Hurts.

That said, looking at just the room, I don't know how the Eagles are ahead of the Giants if it's assumed Saquon is playing. He's the best back in the division and it isn't close.

 

[Sydla]

Agreed - but I think the OL is just as, if not more, important than Hurts.

That said, looking at just the room, I don't know how the Eagles are ahead of the Giants if it's assumed Saquon is playing. He's the best back in the division and it isn't close.

The article ranks RB rotations. Not best RBs. There is nothing behind Barkley. Philly has the deepest RB group. I mean I can also argue Pollard is better than any RB Philly has but we, like the Giants, don't have much behind our starter.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

The article ranks RB rotations. Not best RBs. There is nothing behind Barkley. Philly has the deepest RB group. I mean I can also argue Pollard is better than any RB Philly has but we, like the Giants, don't have much behind our starter.

I know what it says.

The Giants have the best back so they have the best rotation. Matt Breida vs. Kenneth Gainwell is irrelevant.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

He got 10 million to be an every down back……

Pollard has even said he's not an every down back. That's what I'm worried about. That's what the Jones boys tried to do with Barber and it ruined him.

 

[StarOfGlory]

I know what it says.

The Giants have the best back so they have the best rotation. Matt Breida vs. Kenneth Gainwell is irrelevant.

If the starters become injured, it becomes very relevant. That’s why it says rotations.

 

[CouchCoach]

Who ranks RB rotations?

Do they do this for all positions?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Pollard has even said he's not an every down back. That's what I'm worried about. That's what the Jones boys tried to do with Barber and it ruined him.

I thought Pollard got upset that Skip Peet’s said he wasn’t an every down back? Maybe im
Not remembering that well. Either way I agree he’s not an every down back but that’s why they have other guys here. There’s guys here to spell him. But he’s better than just sharing Carrie’s with anyone here.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Who ranks RB rotations?

Do they do this for all positions?

I feel like it’s only done to make Eagles #1 lol. Because Barkley is the best and then Pollard. A lot of those names listed won’t even matter this season.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I thought Pollard got upset that Skip Peet’s said he wasn’t an every down back? Maybe im
Not remembering that well. Either way I agree he’s not an every down back but that’s why they have other guys here. There’s guys here to spell him. But he’s better than just sharing Carrie’s with anyone here.

I think he said he's good for 15 to 16 carries a game. The backup is going to be very important. If the running game isn't good than the whole offense can suffer.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

I think he said he's good for 15 to 16 carries a game. The backup is going to be very important. If the running game isn't good than the whole offense can suffer.

It’s going to be Zeke. The fact he’s still unsigned means his contract will be pretty low, and he’s not sitting out 2023. If offers are comparable, there’s no reason he doesn’t come back.

What contender can offer more playing time? he already lives there, knows the team, Dak is his guy, he knows the GM favors him. It’ll be Zeke.