Who Is The Number One Running Back In The NFL?
Contents
After a long season of football, the playoffs are finally here. Who is the number one running back in the NFL?
Introduction
In the National Football League (NFL), the running back (RB) position is a designation for a player who specializes in carrying the ball on running plays. Running backs are also known as halfbacks (HB) or tailbacks (TB), although these designations are no longer commonly used in the NFL. There have been some great running backs throughout NFL history, but there is always debate about who is the best. Lets take a look at some of the greatest running backs in NFL history and see who is deserving of the title “number one.”
The Case For Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is an incredible talent and has been since he was drafted in 2018. As a rookie, he broke the NFL record for most rushing yards by a rookie running back, and he’s only gotten better since then. In 2019, he was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and he’s widely considered to be the best running back in the league. He has all of the skills that you look for in a running back: speed, vision, power, and elusiveness. He’s also an excellent receiver out of the backfield and an outstanding blocker. There are few players in the NFL who can do everything that Barkley can do, and that’s why he’s the best running back in the league.
The Case For Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott is an American football running back who is a part of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. In his rookie season, he led the league in rushing yards and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was also a Pro Bowl selection that year. In his second season, he again led the league in rushing yards and was once again named a Pro Bowl selection. He was also named a First-Team All-Pro.
The Case For Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara is one of the most talented and versatile running backs in the NFL today. Standing at just 5’10” and 215 pounds, Kamara is built more like a wide receiver than a traditional running back. Despite his small stature, Kamara has elite vision, patience, and elusiveness that allow him to create big plays out of nothing. He also possesses tremendous speed and acceleration, which make him a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
Since being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kamara has been one of the most productive running backs in the league. In his rookie season, he ran for 728 yards and 8 touchdowns while also catching 81 passes for 826 yards and 5 touchdowns. He followed that up with an even better sophomore campaign, rushing for 997 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding another 709 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air.
The Case For Christian McCaffrey
In 2019, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey put together one of the most impressive seasons ever by a running back. He eclipsed 2,000 total yards from scrimmage, becoming just the third player in NFL history to do so, and did it all while playing in every single game. He also set a new Panthers franchise record for touchdowns in a season with 21.
Conclusion
After much discussion, we have come to the conclusion that the number one running back in the NFL is Dillon Brooks of the Chicago Bears. Brooks has been phenomenal this season, racking up 1,316 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground, while also adding another 362 yards and four touchdowns through the air. He has been a true workhorse for the Bears, carrying the ball an incredible 296 times so far this season. With Brooks leading the way, the Bears have been able to cruise to a 12-4 record and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
