Wow, I’m really excited about this topic! NFL is something I’m really passionate about, and to talk about their best running backs is something that I love doing. When I think about it, it brings me so much joy.
I’m a huge fan of Saquon Barkley, the young New York Giants RB. He’s so efficient with his runs, and he makes defenders miss left and right. It’s like he’s playing a game of dodgeball, slipping and sliding past the defenders! He’s strong with his runs too, and he always fights for those extra yards. This was game-changing for the Giants last year.
The second pick goes to Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans. He’s got very little wiggle about him, but his power and balance through traffic is incredible. He’s a juggernaut — six foot three with 238 pounds of pure power, and he gets stronger as the game goes on and the defenders tire. His stiff arms are lethal.
Coming in at third spot is Ezekiel Elliott from the Dallas Cowboys. Man, the Cowboys have had a rough patch, but Zeke is a prime reason why they do keep alright pretty often. When the team lines up for a run, defenders know he will break a tackle or two and turn a five-yard gain into something special. And his rushing stats are nothing to sneeze at either!
Next up on the list is Alvin Kamara, the Super Bowl winning RB from the New Orleans Saints. He’s the perfect “everydown” back, with a combination of power and agility. Many sources call him an offensive weapon, and his ability to run, pass, and catch make him a triple threat — often times defenders can’t decide who to mark him on the field.
Finally, completing the top five is Christian McCaffery from the Carolina Panthers. His versatility and broad skill set make him the best all-purpose back in the NFL. He’s not just a running back — he can take on a complete receiver role as well. His stats in pass-catching, special teams, and rushing are incredible.
These five running backs are an amazing list of players! I’m sure we won’t see running backs quite like them again for a long time.
In the next few paragraphs, I’d like to talk about how these running backs complement their offensive lines. Without good offensive lines, these backs would never be able to perform the way that they do. They open up the gaps, and provide the time needed for these running backs to make plays and succeed. Plus, their run blocking techniques are really good. They have to make sure the defenders don’t come up the middle and make a tackle because that usually spells disaster for the offence.
Another topic I would like to explore is the impact of these running backs compared to their teams. For instance, look at Saquon Barkley and what he’s done for the Giants. Last year they experienced a huge revival with Saquon in their offense. All of a sudden they were scoring points left and right, and making incredible plays. It was awesome to watch! Derrick Henry was the same for the Titans this year, and so on.
I’m curious to get your opinion on this topic too! Who do you think is the best running back in the NFL? Who’s the one to watch for in upcoming seasons?