Who Is The Best Running Back In The NFL 2020?
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The 2020 NFL season is well underway, and there are plenty of talented running backs in the league. But who is the best of the bunch?
We take a look at the top contenders for the title of best running back in the NFL in 2020, and make our case for who we think deserves the title.
Ezekiel Elliot
Ezekiel Elliot is the best running back in the NFL. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Elliot had an immediate impact on the Cowboys offense. In his rookie season, he led the NFL in rushing yards and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
His stats
Elliot has played three seasons in the NFL. In 2016, he rushed for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2017, he rushed for 983 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2018, he was suspended for six games due to a domestic violence incident, but still managed to rush for 1,434 yards and six touchdowns in the 10 games he did play. So far this season, he has rushed for 858 yards and five touchdowns in eight games.
His accolades
Ezekiel Elliot is a running back for the Dallas Cowboys. He was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 and has been selected for the Pro Bowl twice. In 2019, he led the league in rushing yards with 1,434.
Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State for three seasons, and was drafted by the Giants second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Barkley was considered one of the best running backs in the NFL 2020.
His stats
In his three years in the NFL, Barkley has amassed 3,843 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 687 carries (5.6 YPC), adding 1,wr716 receiving yards (58.8% catch rate) and 11 touchdown catches on 147 targets (9.8 Y/A).
His accolades
Barkley was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, becoming the third Giants player to win the award. He was also named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. Barkley was selected as a first-team All-Pro and named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. In 2019, Barkley was again selected as a first-team All-Pro and named to the Pro Bowl.
Alvin Kamara
His stats
Alvin Kamara is an American football running back for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee, and was named a consensus All-American in 2016.
Born: July 25, 1995 (age 25), Norcross, Georgia
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight: 214 lb (97 kg)
Nationality: American
School: Tennessee
NFL Draft: 2017 / Round: 3 / Pick: 67
His accolades
In 2017, Kamara was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and first-team All-Pro. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2017 and 2018. In his second season in 2018, he helped lead the Saints to an NFC South divisional championship and was additionally named second-team All-Pro. In 2019, Kamara ran for a career-high 1,345 all-purpose yards with 19 touchdowns and was again selected for the Pro Bowl. He was also named first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive year.
Derrick Henry
In 2020, Derrick Henry was the best running back in the NFL. He led the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He was a big reason why the Titans made the playoffs. Henry is a big, physical runner who is hard to tackle. He also has good speed and can make plays in the passing game.
His stats
Derrick Henry (born January 4, 1994) is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Alabama, won the Heisman Trophy in 2015, and was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Titans.
In his rookie season, Henry was used sparingly and ran for 490 yards and five touchdowns. In 2017, he again ran for almost 500 yards but scored no touchdowns.2018 was a breakout year for Henry; he started nine games and ran for 1,059 yards and 12 touchdowns. He became only the fifth player in NFL history to average at least 100 rushing yards per game over a full season while playing fewer than 10 games. In 2019, Henry ran for a career-high 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the league in rushing yardage and finishing second to Lamar Jackson in MVP voting. He was named AP Offensive Player of the Year as well as All-Pro.
His accolades
During his college career, Henry received many accolades. In 2015, he won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, and was the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. He also broke Herschel Walker’s Southeastern Conference rushing record. In 2016, he broke his own SEC rushing record as well as University of Alabama rushing records. He received the Doak Walker Award for being that season’s best running back.
Chris Carson
Chris Carson is the best running back in the NFL 2020. He is a huge asset to any team. He is fast, powerful, and has great vision. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield.
His stats
In 2020, Chris Carson had 1,151 yards and nine touchdowns on 278 carries (4.1 average) and 37 catches for 302 yards (8.2 average) and three touchdowns in 16 games for the Seahawks.
His accolades
Chris Carson is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He played college football at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Carson was named the Seahawks’ starting running back midway through his rookie season, and went on to lead the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. In 2019, he was named a Pro Bowl alternate after leading the Seahawks in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns for a second consecutive season.
