With the upcoming season quickly approaching, I’m going to be taking a look at the landscape of the NFL, position by position, over the course of the next several weeks. We’ll be talking about the who’s who of the NFL in our own little version of the NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players” bit they do every year. Up next, we have the running backs!
The Top 10 NFL Running Backs for 2018
10. Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears – He’s built in the mold of a traditional back, and the Bears are certainly going to want to get speedster Tarik Cohen involved on offense, but I still like Howard to eat up yardage on the ground and bang out touchdowns. He finished 6th in rushing yards in 2017 with 1,122, and tied for third with nine touchdowns. He only fumbled once all season to boot. This guy is a workhorse, and should build upon that strong foundation in 2018.
9. Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers – There is virtually no competition for Gordon in the Chargers locker room, so there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be the bell cow for the Chargers yet again. But, Gordon’s a dude who, after a disappointing rookie season, has improved dramatically. He record 1,105 rushing yards (7th) and eight touchdowns (T-5th) last season.
8. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants – I’m breaking my own rule in ranking a player that hasn’t played a single down of NFL football yet, but give me a break. This is a projection piece. I’m buying in on Barkley – I don’t think he’s going to come into the league and immediately become one of the best backs. But, I do think he has the talent, potential, and opportunity to become a top 10 rusher. Sue me. Don’t act like I’m the only one.
7. Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars – I’ve heard and read a lot of people that are down on Fournette going into his sophomore season, but I’m not buying it. The man is as talented as they come, and he should get better with experience. Plus, the Jags offensive line should be improved, and Blake Bortles is still Blake Bortles (I’m not falling for your reports suggesting he’s having a great camp). It’s Fournette’s show in Jacksonville. He finished 2017 with 1,040 (8th) yards and nine (T-3rd) touchdowns.
6. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs – He’s the NFL’s reigning rushing champ, with 1,327 yards in 2017. But, he had a pretty lengthy stretch of the year when he wasn’t very productive. Plus, Pat Mahomes is at the helm, and I’m just not sold that he’ll be able to repeat that rookie season success.
5. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers – Maybe it’s foolish of me, but there’s just something I can’t quite put my finger on with Bell this year that makes me a little hesitant to put him ahead of the rest of the guys on this list. He’s a great all-purpose guy, but I just wonder if losing Todd Haley will effect the Steelers offense more than we’re talking about right now. This is still the Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown show, anyway. That said, he’s still easily one of the best in the NFL – tallying 1,291 yards (3rd), and nine touchdowns (T-3rd). All of this, of course, assuming he’s done with his holdout by Week 1.
4. David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals – A couple of years ago, I thought Johnson was a veritable NFL MVP candidate. Going into 2017, he was the unquestioned top back in the league. But, a wrist injury kept him out for the entire season. Thankfully, it wasn’t an ACL tear or something like that. So, he should return to at least some semblance of that 2016 form. I wonder about his quarterback situation, and overall lack of depth on that Cardinals offense – it sure seems like it’s all going to fall on his shoulders. Probably shouldn’t expect him to total 2K+ yards coming off the injury, but all in all, he should be one of the best in the NFL again.
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints – Call me crazy, but I think the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is about to go off in 2018. He’s in the conversation with Bell and Johnson as the most dynamic back in the entire league. But, if Johnson can’t return to his old form, and Bell’s marriage with the Steelers gets ugly, then he could claim that crown outright. An NFL-best 6.1 yards per carry? Sick. 10.2 yards per reception? Sick. Kamara is a legitimate weapon.
2. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys – No more distractions, as Elliott will (presumably) play a full season in 2018. He’s got the best offensive line in football in front of him, and he’s a genuine force with the ball in his hand. He actually led the NFL in yards per game with 98.3 a season ago, but he only played in 10 games. Still, he found a way to place himself among the NFL leaders in a lot of statistical average categories, rushing for 983 yards and seven touchdowns. Expect him to bounce back in a major way.
1. Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams – I’m a big fan of everything Gurley – his style, his production, the scheme he’s in. I thought he had a valid case for NFL MVP last season. He led the league in rushing touchdowns with 13 in 2017, and was only 23 yards shy of being the NFL rushing champion. His 87 yards per game were second only to Elliott’s. Not sure he gets the credit he deserves for being a receiving threat because it’s not like he’s running downfield. He’s catching screens and finding the open field. This dude’s only going to get better with another season of working behind that bolstered Rams offensive line under Sean McVay.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Subscribe to our Patreon. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube.
