You bring up some good points,
But its' not the workhorse types that strike the most fear in defenses - it's the quick strike break away runners such as Barkley, Sanders, Peterson, Thomplinson, Charles, Chris Johnson (prime) Faulk, Thurman, .... because you have to stay discipline and containment
the quick strikers can break games open in one swoop, even if you have earlier success containing them and all game long,
- Barkley is the more elusive and the better home run hitter of the two. He has unique stop-re-start foot quickness, whereas
Zeke is a one cut runner, Elliott isn't over elusive. hes' not gonna juke and make tacklers whiff in the open field the way Saquon does, and
he's not gonna make tacklers slip, slide and fall off like grease- oil,
Frankly in terms of speed, elusiveness, and a better pure athlete than Zeke, so Saquon has those elements in his favor.
- But head on,Zeke is the more punishing runner, especially in-between tackles runner, .and his angry, physicality places wear down punishment on tacklers. i've repeatedly heard testimonies from opposing defenders that have said how constantly taking on Zeke
can wear them down.
- He also is over Barkley when it comes to durability and blitz blocker. Barkley missed some portion of the season with a high ankle
sprain whereas Zeke has yet to miss a game per injury.
- Even when he is met head on at the line, he has such incredible physical power, especially in his lower body to push piles, but grinders methodically wear defense as the game goes on, and it's been methodical runners that have proven to be quite effective.
Emmitt, Bettis, Curtis Martin, Marshawn Lynch, Edgrin James, Natrone Means etc.
But when Zeke had the home run burst he came into NFL with in 2016, his combination of burst and power made him that much more
of a frightening player - that made him Adrian Peterson like in terms of a pure runner. ,..imo.
