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NFL evaluators pick the best running back
by Field Yates
... -- running backs offer a broader blend. Not all successful running backs profile are in the mold of Adrian Peterson, a dominant physical force who, when healthy, is at his best running north-south. Arian Foster, who recently retired, was the ideal fit for the Texans' offense he thrived in for several years because of his one-cut running style, equipped with decisive instincts and vision. There's no cookie-cutter for the perfect back.
Moreover, a running back's success on the field is not merely a direct result of his ability: the offensive line matters. Put any running back behind, for example, the Rams' offensive line, and the results may not be so robust.
Also of note is that Peterson, who has long been considered one of the game's elite talents at the position, has been limited to just 31 carries so far this season due to injury.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the best running back, according to folks in the league, as a rising star in Dallas gears up for a Thursday night matchup on Peterson's home turf.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (4 votes)
The fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft leads the league in rushing by a significant margin (156 yards more than DeMarco Murray in one less game), as he's tumbling toward postseason hardware for an individual honor (be it Rookie of the Year or MVP consideration).
"[He] can be patient. Can hit the hole fast. Low center of gravity. Acceleration. Change of direction," said one NFL defensive coach. "The right attitude." That well-rounded skill set mirrors the pre-draft scouting report on Elliott, who the Cowboys made the centerpiece of their ground game with the fourth overall pick.
Yes, it's no mystery that Elliott plays behind the best offensive line in football and that other backs would have success if offered the same role. That should not undercut his brilliant season and incredible tools. Elliott is ferocious running between the tackles and a nightmare to bring down at the second or third level of a defense. He's supremely powerful yet also elusive -- just ask all of those defenders he has already hurdled over.
When he gets a step in space, it's almost always six points for Dallas, another reason he earned so many votes. "Back and forth between David Johnson and Zeke," one NFC coach said of his top choice. "Both are really good runners inside the tackles but Zeke's explosiveness and long speed sets him apart from the field."
David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (1 vote)
After finishing last season second overall in passing yards and first in yards per passing attempt, the Cardinals have retooled their offense this season to be built around Johnson. Some of that is due to poor offensive line play and inconsistent production from receivers not named Larry Fitzgerald. But let's not undersell how consistent Johnson has been this season.
"Agility, instincts, pass catching ability [and a] crazy hop cut," said one front office man of what makes Johnson such a special player. He is a bruising 6-1, 224 pounds, allowing him to handle tackle-to-tackle rushing duties. However, he's also a Swiss army knife player because of his exceptional receiving skills."
"[Earlier this season], San Francisco wanted to stop the run, so they lined him up outside and threw it to him," one personnel man noted to highlight Johnson's versatility.
What impresses me most about Johnson is his uncanny body control. When you think he is going to go down (or has already been tackled), he finds ways to muster extra yards after contact. He wears down a defense throughout the course of a game, seemingly growing stronger as the game approaches the end of regulation. Do not overlook Johnson's receiving acumen, either, as he's the only running back with more than 600 yards through the air this season (no other back has more than 437).
Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote)
If you put the number 86 on Bell's jersey (in place of his customary 26), you wouldn't know that he was a running back by trade. He runs routes with precision, he has soft and reliable hands and he's nightmarish to tackle in the open field.
"Love the type of running back that is versatile in both the run and pass game and can touch the ball that many times and still be effective the next week," said one NFL assistant coach. Along those lines, Bell has handled the football 208 times in eight games this season, an incredible 26 times per game on average, coasting well beyond 100 yards of total offense in seven of those eight games.
Imagine this: Had Bell not missed the first three games of this season due to suspension, he'd be on pace for 114 catches. Only two players -- regardless of position -- had more than that in 2015. A gifted receiver with a trademark running style led by patience at the line of scrimmage, Bell can simply do it all.
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons (1 vote)
The third-year pro burst onto the scene in 2015, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards and adding 73 catches on 97 targets while scoring 14 total touchdowns. Freeman runs with a low center of gravity and despite his modest stature, he is anything but easy to bring down: "Total package athletically and toughness," one personnel man said of Freeman. "Runs, catches, pass protects and can split out of [the] formation."
Among the reasons why Freeman belongs in this conversation is that he is above average in every trait for a running back. He plays on all downs, can run between the tackles, on the perimeter and handle receiving duties. He's tremendously tough, runs with purpose and checks the box in the category that running back coaches will tell you matter as much as anything: reliability. Freeman can be counted on on the field and has terrific football character. Scouts noted during his college tenure at Florida State that he was regarded as a leader of an offense that spurred a national championship run.
by Field Yates
... -- running backs offer a broader blend. Not all successful running backs profile are in the mold of Adrian Peterson, a dominant physical force who, when healthy, is at his best running north-south. Arian Foster, who recently retired, was the ideal fit for the Texans' offense he thrived in for several years because of his one-cut running style, equipped with decisive instincts and vision. There's no cookie-cutter for the perfect back.
Moreover, a running back's success on the field is not merely a direct result of his ability: the offensive line matters. Put any running back behind, for example, the Rams' offensive line, and the results may not be so robust.
Also of note is that Peterson, who has long been considered one of the game's elite talents at the position, has been limited to just 31 carries so far this season due to injury.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the best running back, according to folks in the league, as a rising star in Dallas gears up for a Thursday night matchup on Peterson's home turf.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (4 votes)
The fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft leads the league in rushing by a significant margin (156 yards more than DeMarco Murray in one less game), as he's tumbling toward postseason hardware for an individual honor (be it Rookie of the Year or MVP consideration).
"[He] can be patient. Can hit the hole fast. Low center of gravity. Acceleration. Change of direction," said one NFL defensive coach. "The right attitude." That well-rounded skill set mirrors the pre-draft scouting report on Elliott, who the Cowboys made the centerpiece of their ground game with the fourth overall pick.
Yes, it's no mystery that Elliott plays behind the best offensive line in football and that other backs would have success if offered the same role. That should not undercut his brilliant season and incredible tools. Elliott is ferocious running between the tackles and a nightmare to bring down at the second or third level of a defense. He's supremely powerful yet also elusive -- just ask all of those defenders he has already hurdled over.
When he gets a step in space, it's almost always six points for Dallas, another reason he earned so many votes. "Back and forth between David Johnson and Zeke," one NFC coach said of his top choice. "Both are really good runners inside the tackles but Zeke's explosiveness and long speed sets him apart from the field."
David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (1 vote)
After finishing last season second overall in passing yards and first in yards per passing attempt, the Cardinals have retooled their offense this season to be built around Johnson. Some of that is due to poor offensive line play and inconsistent production from receivers not named Larry Fitzgerald. But let's not undersell how consistent Johnson has been this season.
"Agility, instincts, pass catching ability [and a] crazy hop cut," said one front office man of what makes Johnson such a special player. He is a bruising 6-1, 224 pounds, allowing him to handle tackle-to-tackle rushing duties. However, he's also a Swiss army knife player because of his exceptional receiving skills."
"[Earlier this season], San Francisco wanted to stop the run, so they lined him up outside and threw it to him," one personnel man noted to highlight Johnson's versatility.
What impresses me most about Johnson is his uncanny body control. When you think he is going to go down (or has already been tackled), he finds ways to muster extra yards after contact. He wears down a defense throughout the course of a game, seemingly growing stronger as the game approaches the end of regulation. Do not overlook Johnson's receiving acumen, either, as he's the only running back with more than 600 yards through the air this season (no other back has more than 437).
Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote)
If you put the number 86 on Bell's jersey (in place of his customary 26), you wouldn't know that he was a running back by trade. He runs routes with precision, he has soft and reliable hands and he's nightmarish to tackle in the open field.
"Love the type of running back that is versatile in both the run and pass game and can touch the ball that many times and still be effective the next week," said one NFL assistant coach. Along those lines, Bell has handled the football 208 times in eight games this season, an incredible 26 times per game on average, coasting well beyond 100 yards of total offense in seven of those eight games.
Imagine this: Had Bell not missed the first three games of this season due to suspension, he'd be on pace for 114 catches. Only two players -- regardless of position -- had more than that in 2015. A gifted receiver with a trademark running style led by patience at the line of scrimmage, Bell can simply do it all.
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons (1 vote)
The third-year pro burst onto the scene in 2015, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards and adding 73 catches on 97 targets while scoring 14 total touchdowns. Freeman runs with a low center of gravity and despite his modest stature, he is anything but easy to bring down: "Total package athletically and toughness," one personnel man said of Freeman. "Runs, catches, pass protects and can split out of [the] formation."
Among the reasons why Freeman belongs in this conversation is that he is above average in every trait for a running back. He plays on all downs, can run between the tackles, on the perimeter and handle receiving duties. He's tremendously tough, runs with purpose and checks the box in the category that running back coaches will tell you matter as much as anything: reliability. Freeman can be counted on on the field and has terrific football character. Scouts noted during his college tenure at Florida State that he was regarded as a leader of an offense that spurred a national championship run.
at all of them.
