Football is officially back. After kicking off the season with the Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos in the Hall of Fame Game, the NFL is returning to scheduled programming. That means 25 straight weeks of football. Fans everywhere are ready for more touchdowns, celebrations, hard hits, and everything in between. On that note, there are many players this season that have much to prove. That may be because they were traded or because they were injured. Either way, many players are returning with a vengeance.
Every year there are a plethora of comparisons made between players based on a variety of factors. But the real question always remains: who’s the best? There’s always the NFL Top 100, in which, the players themselves rank each other. However, fans aren’t satisfied. There are also rankings across many different media platforms. But now, it’s time for PerSources to rank the top players in the league. Let’s continue with the top RBs. Here are the Top-20 NFL RBs part II. If you missed part I where numbers 20-11 were ranked, you can view it here.
#10: Melvin Gordon
2018-19 season stats: 175 carries, 885 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 50 receptions, 490 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns.
Although we won’t be seeing Melvin Gordon play without a new contract, he’s still a top back in the league. He didn’t rush for 1,000 yards like some would expect, but that was due to the high-powered Chargers’ passing attack. Nevertheless, Gordon has shown to be a reliable three-down back for Los Angeles.
He’s shown glimpses of being the second coming of LaDainian Tomlinson with last season being no different. He racked up 5.1 yards per carry while scoring 38 touchdowns over his last 39 games. If the Chargers do sign Gordon to his desired contract, he’ll be the undisputed RB1. Since that’s yet to happen, all we can do is marvel at the talent Gordon is.
#9: Joe Mixon
2018-19 season stats: 237 carries, 1,168 rushing yards. 8 rushing touchdowns, 43 receptions, 296 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.
In just his second year in the league, Joe Mixon led the AFC in rushing yards despite having one of the league’s worst offensive lines. Both Andy Dalton and A.J. Green missed significant parts of the season, leaving Mixon to be the focal point of the Cincinnati offense.
Following ankle surgery, Green is expected to miss “multiple regular-season games,” leaving Mixon to be the focus on offense once again. Mixon led the AFC in rushing yards while only playing 14 games. If that number was 16, he may have been in contention to be the leading rusher league-wide, something that’s absolutely a possibility this season.
Mixon is a game-changer on offense. He isn’t afraid of any contact which, coupled with his speed/shiftiness, creates a game-altering back. Unlike some others ranked, Mixon has established himself as a dual-threat back. As one of only 18 players in NFL history with 400-plus carries before age 23, Mixon is only going to build on his personal success. The Bengals are in no shape to contend this season, but for RB, he’s in a position to lead the NFL in rushing.
#8: Devonta Freeman
2018-19 season stats: 14 carries, 68 rushing yards, 5 receptions, and 23 receiving yards.
One of the more debatable rankings is that of Devonta Freeman. He might just be the best example as to why NFL running backs shouldn’t be paid those high-paying contracts. His injuries sustained throughout the years have taken a massive toll on his career. Freeman only played two games last season. His first three seasons in the league saw him miss only one game.
If all of this has been holding Freeman back the past few seasons, why is he ranked inside the top-10? Because of the damage that he can do when he’s healthy. If you take out the fact that Freeman isn’t the most durable player, he’s a surefire top back in the NFL.
In 2015 and 2016, Freeman notched 27 touchdowns on top of 3,175 scrimmage yards in 31 games. Even though that was three years ago, Freeman hasn’t sustained any career-altering injuries. Falcons HC Dan Quinn has made him out to be the uncontested RB1 for the team despite his health struggles. Regardless, Freeman is healthy for the time being, meaning we could see the player we saw a few years back.
#7: Kareem Hunt
2018-19 season stats: 181 carries, 824 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 26 receptions, 378 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns.
Kareem Hunt was suspended for eight games due to violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. That doesn’t take away from the fact that Hunt, when playing, is one of the best backs in the NFL. From the first game of his rookie year, Hunt has shown he’s a stud in this league.
In his rookie year, Hunt led the league in rushing with his 1,327 yards. He did it all for the Chiefs which translated to him being an MVP candidate at certain points in the season.
Hunt is as elusive a back as there is in this league. While his role for the Browns isn’t known, there’s no denying his talent. Every member of Cleveland’s coaching staff is implying that Hunt is going to have to earn his spot on the team. This isn’t to say that Hunt will get cut, but his focus has to be turned to only football after his past controversies.
Hunt has to make sure that he returns to form after his suspension. On the new-look Browns, they need all the weapons they can get if they truly want to be a contender. Who’s to say Kareem Hunt can’t take the RB1 spot from Nick Chubb when he returns? That may just be enough motivation to push Hunt to be greater than he’s ever been.
#6: Alvin Kamara
2018-19 season stats: 194 carries, 883 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 81 receptions, 709 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns.
Alvin Kamara, like his former teammate Mark Ingram, is under much pressure this season. That’s due to the fact that Kamara split carries with Ingram over the course of last season. Now that Ingram has left New Orleans, the assumption is that the move leaves the run game all to Kamara to dominate.
That assumption is false. Saints HC Sean Payton has said that Kamara won’t have the increased workload that everyone expects. The 62.61% of snaps that Kamara played last season is expected to stay at that number with Latavius Murray in the backfield as well.
Despite that, Kamara is an absolutely remarkable talent. You’d expect his numbers to be even lower considering he also has Drew Brees as his quarterback. But, he found a way to be a productive force for the Saints.
During the four games that Mark Ingram was suspended last season, Kamara racked up 336 receiving yards and 275 rushing yards. If you do the math, that put him on pace for 1,344 receiving yards and 1,100 rushing yards. Kamara has all the tools necessary to be a top-three running back in the NFL.
If the Saints decide to keep Kamara’s usage the same from last season, that doesn’t necessarily mean his stats will remain the same. He’ll naturally get better as both a runner and receiver. With an elite offensive line and a HOF QB, Kamara is expected to overachieve this season.
#5: Christian McCaffrey
2018-19 season stats: 219 carries, 1,098 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 107 receptions, 867 receiving yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns.
Christian McCaffrey is arguably the most underrated RB on this list. It might just be because he’s on a team that’s underperformed.
If there’s any RB that’s guaranteed to improve on his success of last season, it’s Christian McCaffrey. He played about 97% of snaps for the Panthers in 2018. The team made it clear that the offense ran through him. This year, the key to success for McCaffrey is how the Panthers decide to use him.
He needs to have over 20+ carries per game to go along with his production in the receiving game. Last season, McCaffrey showed us all that he can be a threat against any defense after catching the ball out of the backfield. Evidence of that came with about 90% of his catches coming underneath from routes out of the backfield. Those catches turned into McCaffrey being a downhill machine, cutting and weaving his way through most defenses.
Like the previously ranked Alvin Kamara, McCaffrey is superb on the ground and through the air. However, McCaffrey is even better.
The Panthers know how much of a game-changer he is. Recognizing that, the Panthers are actually looking to cut down the number of snaps he plays, but not the number of touches. This may draw assumptions that McCaffrey may be in for a subtle drop in production. But, if there’s anything we learned from him these past two seasons, it’s that he’ll continue to be more and more efficient.
McCaffrey is one of the best running backs in the NFL. He’ll continue to show that this season. He makes it into the top-five for a reason with potential to grow into a top-three RB.
#4: Saquon Barkley
2018-19 season stats: 261 carries, 1,307 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 91 receptions, 721 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns.
Last season’s AP and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, Saquon Barkley, gets ranked at fourth which is very debatable. Barkley showed the world that he’s going to have a large presence in this league even with a terrible New York Giants squad.
Barkley’s 2,028 yards from scrimmage (third-most by a rookie in NFL history) showed us that he’s here to stay. Oh, and he did this behind one of the league’s worst protective units.
Does Barkley himself even realize how dominant of a running back he can be? He has everything needed to not only be the best back in the NFL but among some of the greats all-time. The 22-year-old has size, speed, athleticism, versatility, power, and pretty much anything else you can think of. He’s simply that great.
The way Barkley is getting praised, you’d think that he should be the top-ranked RB. That’s not the case quite yet. One season isn’t nearly enough of a sample size to put Barkley as the league’s best. He’s young, which means there’s still time for him to grow. Even though his one season put Barkley at number fourth, it’s more about where his potential can take him. In other words, Barkley has the tools to be the best RB in the NFL.
#3: Ezekiel Elliot
2018-19 season stats: 304 carries, 1,434 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, 77 receptions, 567 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.
It’s been reported that Ezekiel Elliot won’t play without signing a new contract. Since he’s yet to get paid his big bucks, it’s looking as if Elliot won’t be suiting up for the Cowboys in the near future. Still, a holdout isn’t an injury. Even though Elliot won’t be taking the field, that doesn’t mean his talent can be denied. And, with the type of talent Elliot is, it puts him as a top-three RB in the league.
Last season, Elliot led the league in rushing for the second time in his three-year career. His power makes him a nightmare for defenders in the third-level. Behind the best offensive line in football, Zeke is a player who’s always moving forward. Even when he’s tackled, it’s never going backward. He’s a downhill nightmare that can turn on the burners at any time. In addition, you can always find him down the field in crucial moments due to his ability to catch the ball through the air.
When the ball isn’t in his hands, Elliot is also an effective blocker for the Cowboys, being able to provide support when defenders are trying to get at Dak Prescott.
In terms of his season outlook, there isn’t much to say until he puts pen to paper. However, if he does re-sign before the start of the new season, expect an even better version of Elliot. In each of his three seasons, he’s led the NFL in rushing yards per game to couple with his career-high 381 touches. Elliot is simply a workhorse who does it all.
Things that Elliot (or the team) needs to improve on is the number of touches he gets through the air. He’s a very efficient catcher who can act as another receiver if the ground game isn’t working out.
If Elliot re-signs with the Cowboys quickly, expect another 350+ touch season. Bet on Elliot to lead the league in total rushing yards and average rushing yards per game… if he re-signs.
#2: Le’Veon Bell
2018-19 season stats: Did not play due to a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2017-18 season stats: 321 carries, 1,291 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns, 85 receptions, 655 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns.
Le’Veon Bell, despite not playing last season, is ranked at #2. A year off means there will be rust. But, as far as we’re concerned, the last time he did play, he was undoubtedly the best RB in the NFL. Le’Veon Bell is among the best backs in the league even without playing for a year. He never sustained an injury or received a suspension. But, now that he’s signed with the Jets, he can prove to all his doubters that he still remains among the league’s elite.
Unlike others on this list, we can’t base Bell’s rank off of last season. We have to go two years back to analyze the type of player he is. That season, he ranked third in the league in rushing yards and fourth in receiving yards among running backs.
Bell isn’t a fast runner but a powerful and strategic one. He does a great job of both running through defenders and making them miss often. Through the air, the connection he had with Ben Rothlisberger was special. He can catch the ball out the backfield or from being split out wide. He’s a complete back who does his job better than the 18 running-backs ranked below him.
For this season, he’ll be the key for both Sam Darnold’s development and the Jets’ season. Darnold has to recognize the elite talent that he has at his disposal with Le’Veon Bell. And for the RB, he has to shake off the rust that everyone assumes he’ll have. Bell was undisputedly the best RB in his last season. Now, the pressure is on him to snag that title back from our top-ranked RB.
#1: Todd Gurley III
2018-19 season stats: 256 carries, 1,251 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 59 receptions, 580 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns.
Going into the 2019-20 NFL season, the top-ranked RB is Todd Gurley III. Last year, Gurley missed the final two games of the regular season. That still didn’t stop him from ranking third in rushing yards, first in rushing touchdowns, and fourth in yards from scrimmage (1,831). It’s safe to say that if it weren’t for his messed up knees, he might’ve led the league in more than just rushing touchdowns.
At 25, Gurley has consistently been a top-three RB in the NFL. When healthy, he’s one of the more productive players in the league. Over the last two seasons, he’s produced 2,556 rushing yards, 30 rushing touchdowns, 123 receptions, 1,358 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns. Last season, he was a crucial part in the Rams going 13-3 with an NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance.
Gurley’s lingering arthritis is still a potential problem. Knowing that the Rams are going to want to decrease the workload of Gurley this season, don’t bet on him to have 300+ carries. The key to his season will be to find a way to be productive despite the fewer touches he may receive. It’s too much of a risk to have Gurley getting over 20 touches a game. Unless he shows that his knee won’t play a factor in his season, the Rams should be smart enough to suppress his snap total.
Gurley is the top RB because he embodies everything the backs ranked below him possess. He just does it that much better.
He holds the top spot as the NFL’s best RB. However, the question is whether or not he can keep that title. Barring any injury setbacks, Gurley will continue to be one of the best players in the NFL. And, if he’s playing at the level everyone expects, he can lead the Rams to defend their NFC crown.
Final Rankings
- Todd Gurley
- Le’Veon Bell
- Ezekiel Elliot
- Saquon Barkley
- Christian McCaffrey
- Alvin Kamara
- Kareem Hunt
- Devonta Freeman
- Joe Mixon
- Melvin Gordon
- James Conner
- Chris Carson
- Leonard Fournette
- Derrick Henry
- Phillip Lindsay
- Adrian Peterson
- Mark Ingram
- David Johnson
- Lamar Miller
- LeSean McCoy
Wrapping it Up
These RB rankings have many factors that contribute to where each player was ranked. They include last year’s performance, this season’s expected growth, and whether or not they’re going through coaching changes. Some players have something to prove. Others have instant pressure placed upon them.
Now that the Top-20 NFL RBs part II is complete, who was ranked too high or too low? Who’ll have a season that propels them towards the top of this list? Let me know.