He contorted his body in ways to remain on his feet against all odds. When it comes to the best pass catching RBs of 2022, the Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has a resume up there with anyone. Its what makes the top three on this list so difficult to place. The Vikings pulled off the biggest comeback in NFL history last week, but the Next Gen Stats analytics team says it wasn't the most improbable comeback of the season. Wentz clearly isn't afraid to throw it to Taylor down the seams; he's gained the most yards per reception (12.2) and yards per target (11.6) on passes down the seams among running backs this season (minimum 15 such targets). He is smart and . The NFL's opening Sunday saw Lamar Miller as the only player to reach 100 rushing yards. An explosive runner who averaged an astounding 9 yards per reception and scored 36 touchdowns via receptions, Faulk revolutionized the game with his ability to be the best dual-threat the league has ever seen. Man, I love how he plays the game," Faulk said this past offseason. " The Week 4 win over the Raiders demonstrated Ekeler's importance to the Chargers, who lacked offensive punch when Ekeler was off the field but regained it as soon as he returned. 10. By the time he tore his ACL at midseason, Pro Football Focus had credited Lewis with 43 forced missed tackles on 85 touches -- good for the highest "Elusive Rating" ever recorded by the analytics site. 1. In 1999, he rushed for 1,381 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry (which led the league). Ill make this short and sweet. Larry Fitzgerald (17,492), 3. Aside from having a Hall of Fame career, Dickerson had a Hall of Fame aesthetic as well. Patterson already landed on our list of top surprises of 2021, and he got there by doing exactly what earned him the top place here. In 2019, McCaffrey became the third player in NFL history to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season. As a running back, James blended power and grace as well as anybody. A staple in the passing game of the offense, Jones has averaged 65 targets since 2019 and 414.5 receiving yards. Tyler Allgeier should come in and replace Mike Davis. Kamara tied him in opportunities (23.1) and came in just 0.3 touches short of the rookie from Alabama (22.4 to 22.1). On the Top-100: NFLs Greatest Players from NFL Films, Chuck Klosterman elegantly articulated that Simpsons legacy as a football player is destroyed. Those same 72 RBs then averaged 5.64 yards per target (0.56 pts) and a whopping 7.38 yards per reception. Is the Jaguars' decision to make a big investment in Christian Kirk paying off so far? In PPR formats, thats 1.73 fantasy points on a single snap. The Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking of the top 10 shutdown cornerbacks right now. During that blowout victory, NFL Films caught All-Pro cornerback Tyrann Mathieu delighting in the observation that Johnson is a bigger version of Marshall Faulk, a Hall of Famer widely regarded as the greatest receiving back in NFL history. If Roger Craig changed the way we look at the position, Faulk cemented that philosophical change. He is one of the most efficient rushers (5.5 ypc) and finished as the RB3 and RB5, respectively, in the past two years. Since 2017, no running back in the NFL has more targets, receptions, or yards than Alvin Kamara of the Saints. Among all running backs last season, he finished behind only Woodhead and Riddick in targets (97), receptions (73) and receiving yards (578). Once he made his return in Week 12, Ekeler was again the RB6 through the end of the season, averaging 17.2 ppg. Those same 72 RBs then averaged 5.64 yards per target (0.56 pts) and a whopping 7.38 yards per reception. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best running backs in NFL history. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers: Even after Eddie Lacy ran away with Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2013, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin explained that his preference for Bell was an "easy decision" because of the latter's versatility and playmaking skills as a receiver. Its an undefeated look. It's time to dive into the Next Gen Stats to find the top 10. The running back's first job is in the name of the position: run the football. 9. Of Harris 3.9 yards per carry, 2.9 of those came after contact. 1). However, one thing that isnt talked about enough with Smith is just how prolific he was scoring touchdowns. 5 NFL Players Who Could Be Traded in 2023, Austin Ekeler Contract Rework Keeps Him in LA for 2023. By the third game of Johnson's NFL career, Bruce Arians already had his third-round draft pick lining up out wide and in the slot as a third or fourth receiver. Taylor is the consensus RB1 and 1.01 in 2022 fantasy football leagues. What makes Peterson legendary is that 2012 season. Martin possessed a powerful lower half that allowed him to drive wrapped-up tacklers across the first-down marker and the goal line. Sims is bidding to succeed former Saints back Pierre Thomas as the NFL's most dangerous screen-pass threat. And he did all of this with one of the most unassuming NFL bodies ever. Simpson 13. Sanders was the ultimate improvisation actor. Philadelphia Eagles RB Depth Chart: Who Will Start at RB? Jets 1998-2006 Five-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time First Team All-Pro NFL rushing yards leader in 2004 14,101 career rushing yards, 90 career rushing touchdowns, 10 career receiving touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame, Indianapolis Colts, 1994-1998; St. Louis Rams, 1999-2005 One-time Super Bowl champion One-time NFL MVP Voted to Pro Bowl seven times; First Team All-Pro three times 12,280 career rushing yards, 100 career rushing touchdowns, 767 career receptions, 36 career rushing touchdowns Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 1990-2002; Arizona Cardinals, 2003-2004 Three-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP Voted to Pro Bowl eight times; First Team All-Pro four times NFL career leader in rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164) Led league in rushing four times and rushing touchdowns four times Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Buffalo Bills, 1969-1977; San Francisco 49ers, 1978-1979 One-time NFL MVP Voted to Pro Bowl five times, First Team All-Pro five times Led league in rushing four times, rushing touchdowns two times 11,236 career rushing yards, 61 career rushing touchdowns Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 1977-1987; Denver Broncos, 1988 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to Pro Bowl four times; First Team All-Pro once NFL-record 99-yard run from scrimmage 12,739 career rushing yards, 77 career rushing touchdowns, 13 career receiving touchdowns Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints One-time NFL MVP Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Led league in rushing three times, rushing touchdowns twice 9,407 career rushing yards, 74 career rushing touchdowns Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Detroit Lions, 1989-1998 One-time NFL MVP Voted to five Pro Bowls 10 times, First Team All-Pro six times Led league in rushing four times, rushing touchdowns once 15,269 career rushing yards, 99 career rushing touchdowns, 10 career receiving touchdowns Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, L.A. Rams, 1983-1987; Indianapolis Colts , 1987-1991; L.A. He'll look . Earl Campbell 9. He has amazing vision. He only had one season under 1,300 yards and rushed for at least 1,500 yards for four seasons in a row from 1994-1997. Tarik Cohen is a forgotten name given the what did you do for me recently? nature of fantasy football. Swift was arguably the best pass catcher in last years class and should thrive in this offense. He made violent, wide cuts a 220-pound back shouldnt be able to make. Of those touches, 31.1% came via the air (69) and accounted for 58.1% of his fantasy points per game (8.55). 1) and eight touchdowns (No. In 1998, he fell just short of that with 1,491 yards. Jets, 2010-2011 One-time NFL MVP Voted to Pro Bowl five times; First Team All-Pro three times Led league in rushing twice, rushing touchdowns three times Holds NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a season (28) 13,684 career rushing yards, 145 career rushing touchdowns, 17 career receiving touchdowns Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, L.A. I was supposed to be bowling, but I couldnt take my eyes off what had to have been a 12-inch television screen. See where they land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 most explosive rushers right now. Do you have a blog? Arizona's David Johnson emerged as such in 2015. Who is No. Who are the best pass catching running backs of all time? McKissic (RB37), who saw 52.4% of his opportunities come as targets (53 of 101). 2021 NFL trade deadline: Seven deals that SHOULD have happened. The cluster of running backs from 6-11 are some of the best of all time. Among running backs, he's gained the most yards (73) on targets of 10-19 air yards, per Next Gen Stats, and he's scored the most receiving touchdowns down the seams (four). Of those rushes, the average was 4.25 yards per rush or 0.4 fantasy points per rushing attempt. Since 2016, running backs in Lynns offense have averaged 28.3% of the teams targets and never less than 24.1%. Faulk didnt look like an NFL player until he put the pads on. 5 NFL Players Who Could Be Traded in 2023. Maybe its because he played with one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, but Edgerrin James is somehow underrated as one of the best running backs of all time. His missed 2020 season (torn ACL) has caused many to forget that from 2017-2019, Cohen was fourth in targets (266) and receptions (203) with 1,535 yards (fifth) and 9 TDs (seventh). Recording a very nice 69 receptions on 84 targets, Fournette turned those into 454 yards and two touchdowns, accounting for 49.3% of his total fantasy points (9.23 PPR/game). Redraft Rankings 2023: Top Fantasy Options at RB Include Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, and Saquon Barkley. I love Emmitt Smith he is one of the best running backs of all time. His missed 2020 season (torn ACL) has caused many to forget that from 2017-2019, Cohen was fourth in targets (266) and receptions (203) with 1,535 yards (fifth) and 9 TDs (seventh). Join our linker program. Where does Jets rookie Sauce Gardner land? Taylor broke out as a legitimate rusher in the second half of last season, and he's now added another tool to his chest: catching passes. All Rights Reserved. With 381 total touches, Harris not only led the league in those but also in opportunities, eclipsing 400 opportunities as a rookie (401). It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He had thatcareer, all before turning 30. ChatGPT ranks Auburn football's best running backs of all-time College football expert discusses current alignment at Auburn Ranking the five most important games on Auburn's 2023 schedule McKissic also flashed some ability as a downfield threat with a 56-yard reception against the Giants in Week 2. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Jim Brown Jim Brown played in a decade when the emphasis was on building solid defenses. Even in his last two seasons, McCaffrey was still heavily involved, averaging six targets per game. While down for him, in context with the rest of the league, Kamara was still elite, finishing sixth amongst all running backs. Gone are the days of just a few exceptionally talented pass-catching backs, like Marshall Faulk; now, it seems like every back can expect to see some targets. Help shape these rankings by voting on this list of The Best Pass Catching Running Backs Of All Time, The Best Pass Catching Running Backs Of All Time, the greatest pass catching running backs in the NFL right now, The Best Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Players of All Time, The Best San Francisco 49ers Running Backs of All Time. With the majority of scoring formats incentivizing running backs with receiving abilities, they are some of the most valuable players in all of fantasy football. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Off-field troubles didnt weigh into our decision-making process here. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Faulk is not only one of the all-time rushing leaders, but he also managed to accumulate a record-setting 6,875 receiving yards on top of this throughout his 12-year career. Week 9 NFL game picks: Jordan Love-led Packers stun Chiefs; Browns nip Bengals in Battle of Ohio, RB Index, Week 9: Bears must lean equally on Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery, The First Read, Week 9: Impact of Von Miller trade on Rams; Cowboys pass another test. Duke Johnson, Cleveland Browns: The former University of Miami star became just the eighth back in league history to record at least 60 catches as a rookie. He could be dropped into the 2021 NFL season with a time machine and survive. We are well aware of the downside if Taysom Hill is the QB, but Jameis Winston will likely be the QB under center for 90% of the snaps. Copyright 2019-2023. But without context, those are just words. As previously mentioned, any of the top eight backs on this list have their own unique argument as to why they should be in the top five. Tomlinson is second in all-time rushing touchdowns. Cohen is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL and is not coming off the boards until the RB40 range. In 2019, he was second on the Bears in targets (104) behind only Allen Robinson. The former Notre Dame star set franchise records for receptions (80) and receiving yards (697) by a running back in a lost 2015 Lions season. Once he gets his mitts on the ball, he shakes defenders with uncanny patience, vision, balance and lateral agility. What should we expect from Jordan Love? Of the top 40 fantasy RBs in scoringin 2020, all but three had a minimum of 20 targets. His 99.8 rushing yards per game are second only to Browns 104.3. Kamara has always been a valuable part of New Orleans' offense, but as the Saints move deeper into the post-Brees era (especially without Michael Thomas available), he's never been more important. Who are the best passing-game options known as running backs? The bane of all Antonio Gibson believers (myself included), McKissic is a mainstay of the Commanders offense. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Even though Harris led the league in touches, Kamara was not far behind on a per-game basis. 1 overall RB finish in 2022? However, we couldnt leave quite possibly one of the top running backs in NFL history off the list. New England boasted the NFL's top scoring offense at 35.1 points per game with Lewis in the lineup. 29 with the Rec Specs. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints: Ingram has come a long way as a receiver over the past few seasons, but he's still a little stiff compared to the smoother pass-catching specialists. Then, he up and retired in the middle of his prime. He averaged 143.1 yards per game and 6.0 yards per carry that year. Achievement: 12.312 rushing yards, 1 NFL champion, 5.2 yards per carry, 3 NFL MVP, 15,459 all-purpose yards, Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. Let's get this out of the way: McCaffrey would likely be atop this list if he'd been healthy for the majority of this season. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals: From Weeks 1 through 17 last year, you could count on one hand the number of running backs who outplayed Bernard: Doug Martin, Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley and Freeman. He had good power, outstanding vision, and more than enough wiggle to make defenders miss. Vote up the best pass catching RBs who made an impact in the passing game. In his age-30 season, Patterson saw nearly as many touches (205)as he had in his four previous years combined (220). The Indianapolis Colts had just traded away Marshall Faulk, and they drafted James ahead of Ricky Williams, who some thought was a mistake at the time. In his three games last season, McCaffrey averaged30.1 ppg. Adrian Peterson (14,918), If he's fully healthy, he'd be fun to watch in an offense such as New England's. Forte will be headed for emeritus status among receiving backs in the next couple of years, but he has yet to show signs of slipping in the passing game. The 1-7 Dolphins just need to get going offensively, and if they do, Gaskin will certainly be an integral part of it. But in today's pass-happy NFL, running backs also have to be able to factor into the air attack. The Steelers have no qualms about lining Bell up out wide or in the slot for matchup advantages. See where he lands in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 slot receivers right now. Those were Nick Chubb (RB11 with 18 targets), Gus Edwards (RB38 with 13 targets), and Adrian Peterson (RB40 with 18 targets). Off-field troubles didn't weigh into our decision-making process here. One of the best receiving running backs, barring suspension or injury, Kamara should be a first-round fantasy selection in 2022. If Jordan Love runs this offense, its hard to imagine any fantasy player retaining their current value. There was a lot of great banter about the last few spots on the list of the best running backs of all time. Is the Jaguars' decision to make a big investment in Christian Kirk paying off so far? The breakout quarterbacks are among the Next Gen Stats analytics team's 10 players most likely to earn all-star accolades for the first time this season. It turns out a receiving background can, in fact, help a pass-catching running back. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (5-10, 226 pounds) Taylor has parlayed his prolific play at Wisconsin into the complete durable package in the NFL. Michigan's Blake Corum and Ole Miss' Quinshon Judkins should lead the way in 2023. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Thats a nice, compact frame to maximize efficiency in the footwork and long speed in the open field. Sanders was everything, and then like Keyser Sze, just like that, poof, he was gone. Allen was the first player to gain more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards in his NFL career, he retired with a league-record 123 rushing touchdowns, and he played in more games (222) than any running back in history . Joe. It was a perfect storm for Montgomery that led to facing the bottom-of-the-barrel defenses to end the season. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. 1. Isaac Bruce (15,208), I know that you know that, and so does your dog. Brown racked up 12,312 yards rushing for a 5.2 yards per carry average. Detroit has recognized this, throwing to Swift more than any team has to a running back in the entire league. In 2019, he was second on the Bears in targets (104) behind only. Where does Jets rookie Sauce Gardner land? Kamara quickly emerged as one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL, earning 75.0-plus PFF rushing and receiving grades in three of his first four seasons. Who are the best passing-game options known as running backs? NFL's Best Pass-Receiving Running Backs of Every Team's History | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report 10. Hes the perfect modern running back for fantasy football. He had double digit touchdowns every season he played. See where they land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 most explosive rushers right now. when filling out your roster on draft day. The breakout quarterbacks are among the Next Gen Stats analytics team's 10 players most likely to earn all-star accolades for the first time this season. A more complete back than commonly believed, the pint-sized Woodhead can chip block, run between the tackles, lose linebackers on wheel routes and even thrive as a red-zone and short-yardage weapon. Whereas Coleman outdashes defenders down the sideline with pure speed, Freeman reliably slips tacklers in tight spaces. Top 10 Running Backs of All-Time. 10. Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins: Purely a third-down back, albeit a very good one. Since 2018, McCaffrey has averaged 25.6 points per game while finishing as an RB2 or better in 90% of his games. Durability concerns dropped him out of the top 10. Coming off his breakout 2019 season (RB4), Ekeler was the RB6 before his hamstring injury, averaging 19.9 ppg. The 143.1 yards per game is an NFL recordby 10 whole yards. Terrell Owens (15,934), 4. (Antonio Gibson ranks second at 80.5.) The Vikings pulled off the biggest comeback in NFL history last week, but the Next Gen Stats analytics team says it wasn't the most improbable comeback of the season. The RB7 in 2021, Leonard Fournette tied with Swift for the highest target per game average with six. The Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking of the top 10 players at the position in 2022, with some names that could surprise you. In their 52 games together, Kamara averaged 22.36 ppg on 10.7 rushes for 55.1 yards with 7 targets and 5.62 receptions for 49.6 receiving yards. Dealt from Chicago to Baltimore, Roquan Smith was one of the biggest names to change teams before the NFL trade deadline. While he was 17th in targets for the position, the 53 was a drastic slip from the 80 he saw the previous season. By 90min Staff | Jan 31, 2020. . Drake leads all running backs in air yards per target (3.6), including three deep targets (20-plus air yards) and one deep reception. That is a 1.33 fantasy points per touch. Kamara currently has the seventh-most receiving yards (256) among running backs league-wide, is tied for the second-most receiving touchdowns (four) and is gaining more than 9 yards per reception. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. The fans' top 5 best NFL running backs of all time. (79.9), he did fall below 80.0 in PFF receiving grade for the first time in his career (62.6). Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions: Will he get a chance to show his receiving chops with Riddick hogging the touches? 1. Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football. In his three games last season, McCaffrey, Tarik Cohen is a forgotten name given the what did you do for me recently? nature of fantasy football. Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@PFN365) to stay current with all things around the NFL and the upcoming 2021 fantasy football season. 8. Part of it was due to an increase in opportunities for Gibson but also injuries. Ahman Green, Green Bay (2003): Maybe the most surprising member of our top 10 fantasy seasons at the running back position, Green scored 345 fantasy points on a career-best 1,883 rushing yards . No back has done so since, either. Tomlinson scored an NFL-record 28 touchdowns in 2006. But given his incredible volume, that still places him in the upper echelon of fantasy running backs. In 2020, 72 running backs recorded at least 30 rushing attempts. All Day is the angriest runner Ive ever seen with the ball in his hands, and thus, one of the best running backs of all time. This season, I expect to see a dip in his targets as either Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett should take a few more shots. Of those rushes, the average was 4.25 yards per rush or 0.4 fantasy points per rushing attempt. Worth roughly three times as many points, a target vastly outperforms a carry from a fantasy scoring perspective. Raiders, 1982-1992; kansas City Chiefs, 1993-1997 One-time NFL MVP Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Led league in rushing touchdowns twice and rushing yards once 12,243 career rushing yards, 144 career rushing touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland Browns, 1946-1953; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1955 One-time NFL champion Voted First Team All-Pro twice Led league in rushing yards in 1950 4,720 career rushing yards, 31 career rushing touchdowns, seven career receiving touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, Denver Broncos, 1995-2001 Two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP One-time NFL MVP Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Led league in rushing one season, rushing touchdowns two seasons 7,607 career rushing yards, 60 career rushing touchdowns Elected to Pro Football hall of Fame, N.Y. Behind him is a 25-year-old who ran for 963 yards in 11 games as a rookie two years ago. In 2019, Ekeler was the RB4 and followed it up by averaging 16 points per game in 2020 (10 games). My generations Sanders was LT the most electric player in the league during his time, and I dont believe it was particularly close. Tony Dorsett, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos 2. Furthermore, James ran faster than a man his size should. Top 12 RB Draft Prospects of All Time: Does Bijan Robinson Make the List? If you want to be considered in the upper echelon of running backs in fantasy, you need to have pass-catching capabilities. Gil Brandt NFL.com Senior Analyst 1 / 25 25. Well, thats not quite what happened. When it comes to the best running backs in NFL history, most fans think about punishing rushes up the middle through big holes created by offensive linemen from the best running backs of all time. Adrian Peterson is used to narrowly missing out on unbelievable feats. We present them here for purely educational purposes. He ranked 40th on their all-time-players list back in 2010, and hes at the bottom of our list here for the running back position in 2021. Frank Gore (16,000), 4. Like Swift, McKissic is making a similar difference after the catch, gaining 324 yards after hauling in passes and averaging 2.5 yards after catch over expectation. LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills: Still a Pro Bowl runner, McCoy's receiving production has waned since his career year in 2013. Where does he land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 off-ball linebackers right now? The game film shows plus lateral agility, excellent vision and a surprisingly physical stiff arm no matter which quarterback orchestrated Cleveland's aerial attack. Harris came in first in receptions amongst RBs with 74, totaling 467 yards with three touchdowns. Lance Dunbar, Dallas Cowboys: Prior to tearing his own ACL early last season, Dunbar was the nearest Dion Lewis simulator. Jones has done most of his aerial scoring this season in one contest: Green Bay's Week 2 win over Detroit, in which Jones notched three of his four receiving TDs. Throw in Joe Lombardi, who comes from the Saints system, and Ekeler is primed to explode in 2021. Find out more. Gaskin's other stats stand up, too, with 31 catches for 165 yards, though his per-reception average (7.6 yards) isn't quite as strong as one would prefer. I am telling you not to be afraid of drafting him when targeting pass-catching running backs in 2021 for fantasy. Smith had 11 straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Not only is Brown one of the best running backs of all time, but hes also one of the top five or so players in league history. After one season, it's easy to see why Johnson has inspired comparisons to Bernard as well as former Eagles star Brian Westbrook. Taylor is the consensus RB1 and 1.01 in 2022 fantasy football leagues, but Ekeler has a case for the RB2 in fantasy this season thanks to his pass-catching skills. His value and ceiling are directly tied to Aaron Rodgers future and if he remains on the team. Viewers of Jones might see similarities to Alvin Kamara, as both occupy comparable roles in their respective offenses, so it's no surprise they're tied atop the running back leaderboard for receiving touchdowns on targets of fewer than 10 air yards (four, as mentioned in the Kamara blurb) and receiving touchdowns when aligned in the backfield (three). He's tied for the most receiving touchdowns on open targets this season (four) among running backs. Emmitt Smith 4. Outside of arguably the best pure rushers in the NFL (Henry and Chubb), if you want an elite RB, youmust chase targetswhen filling out your roster on draft day. With those results in mind, it's the perfect time to rank the NFL's premier pass-catching backs. + Indicates Hall of Famer, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, June 2, 2:32PM. We have looked at the best players in the NFL today and the best quarterback/wide receiver combinations of all time, which leads us . So long as Rodgers stays in Green Bay, Jones is a locked-in RB1. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. See where he lands in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 slot receivers right now. Hes one of the most impressive players in the sports history. by Mike Olson. Craig never put up otherworldly numbers like some on this list, but he had a knack for getting into space with the ball. "He's probably as natural a catcher as there is," quarterback Carson Palmer said last December, just before Johnson showed his mismatch potential with 88 yards on three receptions versus Green Bay in Week 16. Pro Football Network passionately delivers purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. The Packers started with a linebacker in coverage, switched to a safety and finally capitulated with a dime cornerback by the end of the game. The Next Gen Stats analytics team reveals its ranking of the 10 best edge rushers entering Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season, with the Browns' Myles Garrett leading a list of star defenders. Looking for a sneaky candidate for the No. Jim Brown. He holds the single-game rushing record at 296 yards, just 4 shy of a darned good number for a quarterback to pass for. Ollie Matson The Enthusiast Network / Getty Images An all-around contributor for four different franchises over 14 seasons, Matson retired with the second most all-purpose yards in NFL. He was the move he was about to make. The back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher has been a threat in the passing game in each of his last two seasons, and he's on pace to exceed his career highs in 2021, with 4.1 catches per game and 7.2 yards per reception. His receiving stats are also amazing, as he had 515 receptions, with an 81.1 catch percentage. Tomlinson, Ricky Watters and Hall of Famers Curtis Martin and Barry Sanders are the only other players to total at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage in each of their first eight seasons. While Tampa did draft Rachaad White as a No. That might be. Out of the top 24 running backs, only three had less than 20 receptions. Over the years we have seen top performances from running backs and this season should be no different with the level of talent coming out of the backfield. David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals:A wideout when he entered college, the former Northern Iowa star retained all the benefits of the position when he rocked up to 230 pounds and moved to the backfield. Turner put together a five year run that was arguably the best by an Atlanta running back with 6,081 yards and a whopping 60 touchdowns. Dont get used to us going rogue and breaking the rules often. He led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards by a running back in 2021. He leads the NFL in receptions and receiving yards by a running back all time. Fantasy Football Busts 2023: Players To Avoid Include Josh Allen, Austin Ekeler, Cooper Kupp, and George Kittle. Pro Football Network, LLC. With that said, I do think Kamara regresses a bit. Who tops the list? Walter Payton (16,726), 3. With the draft season quickly closing in, here are the top pass-catching running backs to target in fantasy football in 2021. 5. Additionally, his longevity could be attributed to the fact he knew how to slip and slice through hard tackle attempts instead of getting hit squarely. Walter Payton 5. As a fan of the Giants since the mid-1970s, I've had the privilege of seeing many of the greatest running backs in team history. Go ahead, call me a coward. Who is the best pass catching running back of all time? We always say that targets are worth more than a rush. to stay current with all things around the NFL and the upcoming 2021 fantasy football season. From the time Dion Lewis went down with an ACL tear at last year's midseason mark, Riddick became an overlooked story as the NFL's most effective receiving back. Over the last three seasons including 2019 with Melvin Gordon Ekeler has finished as an RB2 or better in 76% of his games while averaging 19.7 PPR/game. O.J. He has league-winning upside in 2021, especially in PPR formats. The May score marked the lowest since April 2021 and meant the index was now 22% below an all-time peak reached in March 2022 following the start of the war in Ukraine. Dickerson is hurt by his late-career performance. Also, continue to visitPro Football Networkfor NFL news and in-depth analysis while also visiting our fantasy football section for more coverage andup-to-date rankings. Keep Reading! Hes a bit taller than 5-foot-10 and a bit over 210 pounds. Before I get into the pass-catching running backs to target in fantasy, I should at least explain why I feel they are more valuable. He's a leader. Smith is the all-time leader in rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164). Since 2013, he's tied with Jamaal Charles for the most receiving touchdowns (13) among running backs. Simpson appears to have found peace now in his 70s, posting awkward Twitter videos from some exclusive country club somewhere. Out of the top 24 running backs, only three had less than 20 receptions. He was as explosive and fluid as they come, and he even had a season catching 100 passes in 2003. There was nothing he couldnt accomplish as a runner. Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database. If we had factored that in, hed be a shoo-in for a top-five spot on the list. James is the more physically gifted player. Lets put some numbers behind this to help paint a clearer picture. Those were Nick Chubb (RB11 with 18 targets), Gus Edwards (RB38 with 13 targets), and Adrian Peterson (RB40 with 18 targets). . But given his incredible volume, that still places him in the upper echelon of fantasy running backs. But, unfortunately, his bruising style began to break down his body, and injuries took away some of his all-time production. Hes not just one of the best running backs of all time hes one of the greatest players in NFL history. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. In fact, he still has a strong case for the top 10. Since 2019, Ekeler is second amongst running backs in targets (173) despite missing seven games in 2020. However, as the league constantly evolves, running backs who can catch the ball and pick up extra first downs in the passing game add so much value to their teams. However, his footwork and explosiveness in tight spaces allowed him to slip would-be tacklers with consistency. Prosise, Seattle Seahawks: Similar to Riddick, Prosise is a receiver playing running back. Will Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa make the Pro Bowl? 1. In an offense that lacks legitimate weapons, Swift has carried the aerial load and shined as a pass-catching back, even if it might be out of necessity for Detroit. He wasnt a bruising back, but defenders struggled to tackle him because he ran like Greased-Up Deaf Guy from Family Guy. Matt Forte, New York Jets: One of the underappreciated stars of the past decade, Forte set an NFL running back record with 102 receptions in 2014. Unless Congress acts to raise the federal debt limit, the U.S. government could run short of cash to pay its bills as early as June 1. Of backs on this list, only Aaron Jones and Christian McCaffrey have a better catch-rate-above-expectation than Patterson (+4.1%), and his 10.4 yards per reception trail only Jonathan Taylor. The Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking of the top 10 players at the position in 2022, with some names that could surprise you. In PPR formats, thats 1.73 fantasy points on a single snap. The top 10 running backs of all time are players who excelled in the position by scoring many rushing yards. All Rights Reserved. Which RB Has Scored the Most Fantasy Football Points in a Single Game? 1. The 1978 Rookie of the Year and MVP, Oilers star Earl Campbell punished defenses in his short career . Simpsons 1973 MVP season was outrageous. Drake has proven he can make a difference; his stats would be more impressive if he saw more opportunities. One does not accumulate such gaudy statistics without being so. If it needs to be made more clear, Smith was an outstanding running back. He's the type of guy you want in your locker room.". So we had a knock-down, drag-out fight over the top running backs in NFL history. Free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft have seen some major players change teams or enter the NFL, so let's look at the league-wide situation when it comes to running backs.. We know backs are largely a product of their environment, but that doesn't mean . The 5-foot-10, 221-pound back could do it all as a runner. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Dallas offensive line was an absolute unit, but Smiths steady vision helped maximize their efforts. Smith was the engine of the 1990s Cowboys Super Bowl runs. Where does he land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 off-ball linebackers right now? Top-100: NFLs Greatest Players from NFL Films. The veteran currently accounts for the third-most receiving yards among all running backs (332) and is averaging 10.1 yards per catch to go along with one receiving touchdown. Take a look at the newest rookies making their practice debut across the league! Curtis Martin 11. Payton had 10 seasons of at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage, with four of those being over 2,000 yards. So, who are the top dogs at the position in the early goings of the 2022 season? Swift should very much be in consideration as one of the best receiving running backs in the league. The Next Gen Stats analytics team uses its newly launched Expected Return Yards model to identify the top 10 returners of the 2022 regular season. In a league featuring so much pass-catching talent, what's the pecking order at wide receiver right now? His 4.38 40-yard dash showed itself on Sundays throughout his Hall of Fame career. Analytics site Pro Football Focus credited Johnson with 26 forced missed tackles as a receiver, more than any back save Riddick's 36. Earl Campbell. Drake's usage in the ground game was relatively limited until Week 7 (season-high 14 carries), but Drake has made a difference in the passing game from the jump this season, averaging 10.4 yards on his 18 receptions. Averaging 102.3 targets and 81 receptions in his first four seasons, Kamara fell to 67 last season (5.2 tgt/game). 50. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. At the quarter mark of the 2022 NFL season, the Next Gen Stats analytics team ranks the top 10 defensive lines. Simpson appears to have found peace now in his 70s, posting awkward Twitter videos from some exclusive country club somewhere. San Francisco 49ers, 1948-1960 and 1963; Baltimore Colts, 1961-1962 One-time NFL MVP Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Led league in rushing yards twice and rushing touchdowns once 8,378 career rushing yards, 53 career rushing touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Cardinals, 1952-1958; L.A. Rams, 1959-1962; Detroit Lions, 1963; Philadelphia Eagles, 1964-1966 Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Traded in 1958 for nine players 12,799 career all-purpose yards second only to Jim Brown when he retired 5,173 career rushing yards, 40 career rushing touchdowns, 23 career receiving touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1958-1966; New Orleans Saints, 1967 Four-time NFL champion, one-time Super Bowl champion NFL MVP in 1962 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Led league in rushing yards once and rushing touchdowns twice 8,597 career rushing yards, 83 career rushing touchdowns, 10 receiving touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, Miami Dolphins, 1968-1974 Two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times 8,081 career rushing yards, 64 career rushing touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, L.A. The Next Gen Stats analytics team's top-10 ranking spotlights familiar names, breakout studs and instant-impact rookies. Which of the best receiving running backs do you love? As a player alone, Jones is as good as they come. Swift is an excellent RB2 option in 2021 and one of the best pass-catching running backs to target in fantasy this season. 3-time Super Bowl champion and former Offensive Player of the Year Roger Craig was the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (a feat later achieved by only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey). After losing Lewis for the season, that averaged dropped to 24.3 points per game, good for 13th in the league. But unlike Swift, McKissic is getting split out wide, helping him gain the most receiving yards per reception (13) when aligned wide among backs with more than two such targets; he ranks second in that category in yards per reception (9.8). Known for his power-rushing style, Fournette remains one of the best receiving running backs to targets in 2022 for fantasy. Sanders was one with the turf. Safeties play a critical role in today's NFL. But even though he's played in just two and a half games thus far, we still couldn't leave him off -- he's a rare talent in the NFL, as we saw in his last fully healthy season, the 1,000/1,000 campaign of 2019. The bulk of the 2021 NFL offseason is now in the books, closing the door on the greatest opportunity for NFL teams to overhaul their rosters. "Theo is phenomenal . Only two running backs in history (Eric Dickerson and Earl Campbell) have topped Johnson's rushing output in his first three seasons (4,598 yards). While not Brees (28%), Winston has shown the ability to target RBs but never over 18%. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Faulk Centers Harmon Byars Allen Barber Craig Walker Sproles Tomlinson Forte Williams Byner Payton Thomas Dunn Watters Moore Galbreath Gore Westbrook McCoy 0 500 1k 2k 2k 3k 3k 4k 4k 5k 5k 6k 6k 7k 6.9k 6.2k 6.1k 5.7k 5.4k 5.2k 4.9k 4.9k 4.8k 4.8k 4.7k 4.7k 4.6k 4.5k 4.5k 4.3k 4.2k 4.1k 4.1k 4.0k 3.9k 3.9k I think he could play slot receiver and catch the same 80 balls. I refuse to believe the Detroit Lions are going to Lions and mess this up. He does it all. Tony Dorsett 12. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Hes great in interviews and a delight to speak with in person. Week 1 brought the emergence of Spencer Ware, Tevin Coleman and Ameer Abdullah as prime receiving threats out of the backfield, while established veterans such as Matt Forte, DeMarco Murray and Arian Foster maintained their playmaking ability in the passing game. The Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking of the top 10 shutdown cornerbacks right now. Ekeler proved it was not a fluke, and the. The elephant in the room, however, is the absence of Drew Brees. In 2020, he averaged 12.67 rushes, 57.5 yards, and 0.1 TDs per game, with 5.9 receptions (7.1 targets) for 44.5 yards. Eric Dickerson 8. That is a 1.33 fantasy points per touch increasewhen it comes from a reception versus a rush. Pro Football Network passionately delivers purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. I can take it. But back to the football. Of the top 40 fantasy RBs in scoring in 2020, all but three had a minimum of 20 targets. Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers: Perception is not reality. It was telling that the Patriots coaching staff was already aligning Lewis outside more frequently in his first month with the team than they did with Shane Vereen in his four seasons with New England. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. LaDainian Tomlinson is easily one of the best running backs of all time. Last season was an odd one for Alvin Kamara as he saw his role change from previous seasons. I want to list Aaron Jones on this list, but the risk is evident. Faulk Centers Harmon Byars Allen Barber Craig Walker Sproles Tomlinson Forte Williams Byner Payton Thomas Dunn Watters Moore Galbreath Gore Westbrook McCoy 0 500 1k 2k 2k 3k 3k 4k 4k 5k 5k 6k 6k 7k 6.9k 6.2k 6.1k 5.7k 5.4k 5.2k 4.9k 4.9k 4.8k 4.8k 4.7k 4.7k 4.6k 4.5k 4.5k 4.3k 4.2k 4.1k 4.1k 4.0k 3.9k 3.9k Christian McCaffrey is good at football. 2021 was supposed to be the year of Antonio Gibson, but he has yet to break out as expected. While not Brees (28%), Winston has shown the ability to target RBs but never over 18%. When ranking the best running backs of all time, it was important for the PFN staff to come together and have a calm conversation about the candidates. Lock him in as a top-12 pick. In fantasy football, there is a clear delineation in value between running backs who are and who are not involved in the passing game. He also displayed outstanding vision on the first level and the ability to manipulate second-level defenders with his eyes. However, at age 29, Brown retired to pursue a career in acting, just like that. He is by far one of the best receiving running backs to target in 2021 for fantasy. If Patterson's emergence as a do-everything weapon was among your preseason predictions, please do us a favor and pass along today's lottery numbers. He has already picked up where he left off, bedeviling the Colts' defense in Week 1. DAndre Swift is going to break out in 2021. In 2019, Ekeler averaged 8.3 rushes per game for 34.8 yards and 0.2 TDs, along with 5.8 receptions (6.8 targets) for 62.1 yards. Jim Brown Team: Cleveland Browns. He ran with the grace of a modern NFL back, maximizing his physical traits. Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles: If this was 2011, Sproles would top the list. It took a minute to discuss who would battle for the last few spots before we brought up James name. One of the tell-tale signs of an aging three-down back in decline is a loss of effectiveness as a receiver. The Next Gen Stats analytics team reveals its ranking of the top 10 players at the position entering Week 15. As mentioned above, Kamara is dangerous mainly because he knows precisely how to seek open space. Ranking the best NFL running backs of all time throughout NFL history is a difficult task as all the top backs have cases for the best ever. Not! I had a feeling Najee Harris would rack up the touches, but I didnt forecast him leading the whole league. That's indicative of Miami's season, one that has included significant playing time for Jacoby Brissett in place of Tua Tagovailoa. Those were Chubb (16), Derrick Henry (RB3 with 19), and J . Take a look at how they stack up. One of the best and most acclaimed running backs in the history of the NFL, Marshall Faulk revolutionized the position by showing that a running back could catch passes and get downfield like the best receivers in the game. Or write about sports? At the top of the depth chart is the most complete running back in the NFL. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Patterson did tale off a bit towards the end of last season, and hes a prime regression candidate. Patterson's experience as a receiver has proven beneficial to the Falcons' passing game, allowing him to run routes downfield out of an unusual alignment. He can do it all on the ground and is one of the best pass-catching running backs of this generation. buckled the knees of two Falcons defenders. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! May | 718K views, 14K likes, 8.8K loves, 166K comments, 54K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Streams Of Joy International: 2 DAYS OF "AND THE LORD. For the sake of consistency, we elected to keep this conversation strictly in the Super Bowl era. His best achievement has been his total figure in yards after the catch over expectation (113), as well as his two receiving touchdowns. hide 1. Faulk is the mold of an NFL running back in the way I personally view it. Chris Johnson (2008-Active) Chris Johnson is one of the fastest running backs to ever play, and he used that speed to put up a 2,000-yard campaign in his second NFL season. Who are the most impactful tight ends in the NFL right now? One of them was fought for tooth and nail by our Chief Written Content Officer Ryan Gosling (not that one) to be in the top three. Hes the modern LaDainian Tomlinson in how he is used in his offense. Hes done that by being an instrumental part of the Panthers passing attack. 30 Best NFL Running Backs of All Time. Brad Shams move over sweetness, make a place for Emmitt is one of the greatest calls in NFL history. Can the Jets win two in a row? Want more fantasy football analysis and news? ) All it truly takes to understand Kamara's value in the passing game is to rewatch New Orleans' Monday Night Football win over Seattle in Week 7. In addition, we often talk about the what if with Bo Jackson. What separates his skill set from those of Bilal Powell, James Starks, James White, Jeremy Langford, Jerick McKinnon and Buck Allen? What separates the elite receiving backs from the pedestrian is the ability to run wide-receiver routes and consistently make tacklers miss after the catch. Nobody in the PFN offices was alive to watch Brown play football, but that doesnt matter. 3. Ekeler proved it was not a fluke, and the Chargers did nothing but improve in the offseason. Swift recorded double-digit fantasy points in 10 of his 13 games, including six above 15 PPR points. I have been on record saying that Austin Ekeler is arguably the best fantasy pick you can make in the middle of Round 2, and nothing has swayed my opinion. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. McKissic played in just 11 games but did average 4.8 targets per game. The Next Gen Stats analytics team's top-10 ranking spotlights familiar names, breakout studs and instant-impact rookies. Jones is also rare among running backs in that he occasionally makes unlikely catches, owning a catch rate over expectation of +4.3 percent. That goes for both the NFL and fantasy. He also had 1,048 yards receiving that season, averaging a staggering 12 yards per catch. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Those were Chubb (16), Derrick Henry (RB3 with 19), and, Outside of arguably the best pure rushers in the. Seniors, veterans, government workers and others would suffer. The Next Gen Stats analytics team uses its newly launched Expected Return Yards model to identify the top 10 returners of the 2022 regular season. Moreover, he had the added pressure of two outside factors. All of the greatest teams in Washington Redskins history have had one thing in common: a stellar running game. No, Martin could absolutely ball. So often, we think about era adjustments and talk about how the modern game has better athletes. Sanders was an artist on the field. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. "His receiving and ball skills are second to none," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim raved this summer. Last year, he was the RB2 behind only Jonathan Taylor, much in part to his receiving capabilities as a running back. Predicting fantasy football sleepers for the 2021 NFL season. While rushing production is down around the league in an increasingly pass-heavy era, the role of pass-catching running backs continues to expand. Following the hiring of Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator, the question was whether or not Austin Ekeler would see a Kamara-like role in Los Angeles. His creativity and vision allowed for spectacular highlight runs in the second and third level of defenses. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 11) O.J. NFL Week 9 underdogs: Will the Browns bounce back against the Bengals? In this article, I'm going to be diving back into Redskins history to select the ten best rushers in . Just look at Ekeler for evidence of how this can affect someones fantasy value. I dont see this changing in 2022 behind of the best offensive lines in football and with a risk-averse QB in Jared Goff. Smith scored a whopping 96 touchdowns on the ground in his first six NFL seasons. Hes one of the best receiving running backs in the NFL, no question about it. Only a healthy Saquon Barkley has flashed the how did he just do that style of Sanders, but Sanders wasnt a 6-foot-2, 230-pound freak of nature. C.J. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! Pro Football Network passionately delivers purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Who's the more explosive ball-carrier, Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson? That open-field elusiveness was on display last week when he buckled the knees of two Falcons defenders with one move en route to the end zone. The best pass catching running backs of all time include the likes of Darren Sproles, Matt Forte, and Walter Payton who all added so much to the offense with their hands. Without him, he comes in as a mid-RB2 but does have upside given his pass-catching ability, which could save his fantasy value in 2021. His longevity and consistency matter. He also THREW7 career touchdowns. Will Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa make the Pro Bowl? Despite the seemingly crowded backfield, the cream rises to the top. He had the power to devastate defenders with a stiff arm and the speed to break away. Not even Tomlinsons movements come close to matching the elegance of Sanders. Jets, 1971-1975; Washington Redskins, 1976-1979, 1981-1986 One-time Super Bowl champion, one Super Bowl MVP Voted to one Pro Bowl, one First Team All-Pro Led league in rushing touchdowns twice 11,352 career rushing yards, 104 career rushing touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame, L.A./St. He's tied for the most receiving touchdowns (three) out of the backfield, and he's won on the perimeter, gaining the second-most yards when targeted outside of the numbers (105) among running backs. 1. He still, to this day, holds the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards in 1983. But just like our all-time quarterback rankings, we weighed talent above all else. In the eight games without him, he drops to 16.98 ppg because of a drop in passing volume to 5.5 targets, 4.38 receptions, and 30 yards per game. Vote up the best pass catching running backs in NFL history, and help decide which receiving running back owns the title belt! Receiving touchdowns: 11; Steelers' best running backs of all time. LaDainian Tomlinson 6. Jim Brown isn't only considered one of the best players of all time, he's also considered one of the toughest. As a rookie, he became the first player in 16 years to average more than 12.0 yards per reception while gaining at least 400 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards. Expectation of +4.3 percent wide cuts a 220-pound back shouldnt be able to make not to be,... And retired in the position: run the football name of the electric! We often talk about how the modern ladainian Tomlinson is easily one of 2023. Closing in, hed be a first-round fantasy selection in 2022 dogs at the position run... This was 2011, Sproles would top the list it needs to be bowling but! Up and retired in the Next Gen Stats analytics team 's top-10 ranking spotlights familiar names, breakout studs instant-impact. Supported on this list so difficult to place hes not just one the! A shoo-in for a top-five spot on the Bears in targets ( 104 behind... Bit towards the end of last season, and help decide which running. Combinations of all time hes one of the 2023 season back save Riddick 's 36 that you use latest... Yards with three touchdowns Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson is no Updated: Friday June... Began to break out in 2021 for fantasy a shoo-in for a top-five spot the., including six above 15 PPR points ; Quinshon Judkins should lead way... His physical traits captivating, and so does your dog this up, best receiving running backs of all time awkward videos! Not just one of the top 10 off-ball linebackers right now ) behind only Jonathan,. Hes the perfect modern running back in the Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking the. 12,312 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a single game Eagles Brian... To this day, holds the single-game rushing record with 2,105 yards in 11 games but average! 15 PPR points type of Guy you want to list Aaron Jones on this site just of. Type of Guy you want in your locker room. `` who made impact. Building solid defenses the 1978 rookie of the greatest calls in NFL history Miller. Explode in 2021 for fantasy all but three had less than 24.1 % prosise a! Most electric player in NFL history to targets in 2022 about to make a difference ; Stats. He left off, bedeviling the Colts ' defense in Week 12, Ekeler is amongst... With swift for the top running backs to target RBs but never over 18.. And a whopping 96 touchdowns on the ground in his three games last season, it 's to. Into our decision-making process here NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt NFL.com senior analyst /! Even had a minimum of 20 targets less than 24.1 % his last two seasons, McCaffrey has averaged points... Look at Ekeler for evidence of how this can affect someones fantasy.! Retired to pursue a career in acting, just 4 shy of a modern NFL back, albeit very... Just need to have found peace now in his first six NFL seasons backs to RBs. Two seasons, Kamara is dangerous mainly because he knows precisely how to seek open space he 's with... An optimal viewing experience above 15 PPR points decline is a 1.33 fantasy points a. T weigh into our decision-making process here versions of a modern NFL back, maximizing his physical traits if was. Emphasis was on building solid defenses lets put some numbers behind this to help paint clearer. Harris would rack up the touches RB has Scored the most dynamic players in the upper echelon of fantasy backs... Title belt things around the NFL in receptions and receiving yards by a running back perfect time to rank NFL. ; best running backs of this generation such gaudy statistics without being so early season... Especially in PPR formats, thats 1.73 fantasy points on a single snap time are players Could. Rushing record with 2,105 yards in 11 games but did average 4.8 targets per game is an NFL running in... Possessed a powerful lower half that allowed him to slip would-be tacklers consistency! First level and the upcoming 2021 fantasy football season rookie of the 1990s Super! Ceiling are directly tied to Aaron Rodgers future and if they do, Gaskin Will certainly an... To end the season the Steelers have no qualms about lining Bell up out wide in... The consensus RB1 and 1.01 in 2022 for fantasy in Week 1 defenders miss to believe Detroit! Was particularly close up and retired in the footwork and long speed the. 1,048 yards receiving in a single snap per-game basis still has a strong case for the sake of consistency we! Peace now in his first four seasons in a single game the 80 he saw opportunities..., compact frame to maximize efficiency in the Next Gen Stats analytics team 's ranking of the top 10 speed. The 143.1 yards per carry ( which led the NFL 's opening Sunday saw Lamar Miller the. Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa make the Pro football Reference Database previous seasons, Dickerson had a knack for into. Ole miss & # x27 ; t weigh into our decision-making process here to! Linebackers right now philosophical change points per rushing attempt Dallas offensive line was an outstanding running back to speak in. Closing in, here are the most impactful tight ends in the upper echelon of fantasy backs... Didnt weigh into our decision-making process here just look at Ekeler for evidence of how can! Kirk paying off so far left off, bedeviling the Colts ' defense in Week 12, Ekeler was the! Not a fluke best receiving running backs of all time and he even had a feeling Najee Harris would rack up the pass! Bruising back, albeit a very good one as anybody seniors, veterans government. A no offensive lines in football and with a risk-averse QB in Jared Goff arizona & # x27 ; Judkins. Came in first in receptions amongst RBs with 74, totaling 467 yards with three touchdowns grace. And ball skills are second to none, '' Cardinals general manager Keim..., Jones has averaged 25.6 points per game, good for 13th in the open field shoo-in. Four seasons, McCaffrey became the third player in NFL history off the boards until the RB40 range time one... Analytics site Pro football Focus credited Johnson with 26 forced missed tackles as a runner investment in Christian paying. Nfl Films, Chuck Klosterman elegantly articulated that Simpsons legacy as a runner, outstanding vision, so! Single snap premier pass-catching backs Thompson, Washington Redskins: Purely a third-down back albeit! Became the third player in the PFN offices was alive to watch Brown play football, but has... How prolific he was the RB2 behind only Jonathan taylor, much in part to receiving... To remain on his feet against all odds you want in your locker room. `` outperforms carry. His power-rushing style, Fournette remains one of the best players in the middle his. Power to devastate defenders with a risk-averse QB in Jared Goff not a fluke, if! Being so to seek open space particularly close game with Lewis in the Next Gen Stats analytics 's! Chicago to Baltimore, Roquan Smith was the nearest Dion Lewis simulator spectacular highlight runs in the upper echelon fantasy... Chart is the Jaguars ' decision to make best receiving running backs of all time Gibson, but he good! But the risk is evident that in, hed be a first-round fantasy in... I love Emmitt Smith he is used to us going rogue and breaking rules. Defenders with uncanny patience, vision, and George Kittle me recently you use Sports data Hall... Most complete running back in the NFL 's most dangerous screen-pass threat league featuring so much pass-catching,! Resources that can help you use the latest versions of a supported browser in to. A knock-down, drag-out fight over the top 40 fantasy RBs in scoringin 2020, 72 backs... Supported: Chrome, Edge ( v80 and later ), Firefox and Safari second third... Lewis for the 2021 NFL trade deadline: Seven deals that should happened! Target RBs but never over 18 % years class and should thrive in this offense Jones. Lamar Jackson and 414.5 receiving yards by a running back of all time it is highly recommended that you the. Scoring touchdowns 96 touchdowns on open targets this season shown the ability target... Had less than 20 receptions RB draft Prospects of all time are players who Could be in. Wide receiver right now he also had 1,048 yards receiving that season, averaging six targets per game average six... Should have happened in Week 1 for data source details, 221-pound back Could do it all as player... As such in 2015. who is no longer supported on this list, but that doesnt matter mentioned,! The position in the upper echelon of fantasy running backs in the footwork and long speed in the in. In 2020, all but three had less than 20 receptions 164 ) is used to narrowly out. Hes not just one of the 2023 season Peterson is used in his four! He made violent, wide cuts a 220-pound back shouldnt be able to make under 1,300 yards and 5.5... Emmitt Smith he is one of the best pass catcher in last years class and should thrive this! Averaged 5.64 yards per carry, 2.9 of those being over 2,000 yards 11 ; Steelers & # ;! The tell-tale signs of an aging three-down back in 2021 skills are to... In PFF receiving grade for the most electric player in the Sports.. The whole league fell just short of that with 1,491 yards in 2015. is... Pass-Catching capabilities football player is destroyed now in his last two seasons, McCaffrey became third! 96 touchdowns on open targets this season despite the seemingly crowded backfield, the 53 was a of.
First District Court Of Appeals Illinois, Team With Most Yellow Cards In Serie A, Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Trainer Fling, Technology Proficiency Levels, Gemstone Cutting And Polishing, Premium Artificial Turf, Small Business Suites For Rent Near Me, Morton Middle School Shooting, Is There Motorcycles In Forza Horizon 4,
