Simpson, meanwhile, reached his 273-yard milestone on 29 carries. Most of all, he possessed a devastating ability to change direction. Looking for a sneaky candidate for the No. What separates his skill set from those of Bilal Powell, James Starks, James White, Jeremy Langford, Jerick McKinnon and Buck Allen? I dont see this changing in 2022 behind of the best offensive lines in football and with a risk-averse QB in Jared Goff. Even if the 100+ target seasons are gone for Kamara, due to the changes in offense and under center, he should remain a lock for 65+ which keeps him well inside the top 8 for the position. 38-Year-Old RB Adrian Peterson Still Wants To Play, Ranking the 5 Biggest Blockbuster NFL Trades of All Time From Herschel Walker to Steve Young, NFL All-Time RB Records: Season and Career Leaders. 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. 5 NFL Players Who Could Be Traded in 2023. 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. With those results in mind, it's the perfect time to rank the NFL's premier pass-catching backs. Since 2013, he's tied with Jamaal Charles for the most receiving touchdowns (13) among running backs. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. His volume of touches isn't as high as some of the others on this list, but he's achieving when he gets his chances in an offense filled with pass-catching options for Derek Carr. 2021 NFL trade deadline: Seven deals that SHOULD have happened. 11 in targets last season (58). In fantasy football, there is a clear delineation in value between running backs who are and who are not involved in the passing game. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! Those were Nick Chubb (RB11 with 18 targets), Gus Edwards (RB38 with 13 targets), and Adrian Peterson (RB40 with 18 targets). 10. "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. Even in his last two seasons, McCaffrey was still heavily involved, averaging six targets per game. In the meantime, McKissic has filled in the gaps. He does it all. LaDainian Tomlinson 6. This season, I expect to see a dip in his targets as either Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett should take a few more shots. After three straight seasons of 81 receptions, Kamara ended 2020 with 83 to finally break the streak. When on the field, Christian McCaffrey is one of the best RBs in the league. James is the more physically gifted player. He can do it all on the ground and is one of the best pass-catching running backs of this generation. Jones is also rare among running backs in that he occasionally makes unlikely catches, owning a catch rate over expectation of +4.3 percent. Which of the best receiving running backs in NFL history do you love? Vote up the best pass catching RBs who made an impact in the passing game. 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Once he gets his mitts on the ball, he shakes defenders with uncanny patience, vision, balance and lateral agility. He is smart and . Raiders, 1987-1990 One Pro Bowl selection 2,782 career rushing yards, 16 career rushing touchdowns, Chicago Bears, 1965-1971 Voted to Pro Bowl four times; First Team All-Pro five times Led league in rushing twice 4,956 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1975-1987 One-time Super Bowl champion One-time NFL MVP Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, First Team All-Pro seven times 16,726 career rushing yards, 110 career rushing touchdowns, 15 receiving touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland Browns, 1957-1965 One-time NFL champion Three-time NFL MVP Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, First Team All-Pro eight times Led league in rushing yards eight times and rushing touchdowns five times 12,312 career rushing yards, 106 career rushing touchdowns, 20 receiving touchdowns Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame. Swift was arguably the best pass catcher in last years class and should thrive in this offense. When it comes to the best pass catching RBs of all time, St. Louis Rams' running back Marshall Faulk has a resume up there with anyone. However, his footwork and explosiveness in tight spaces allowed him to slip would-be tacklers with consistency. 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. But it was his balance and flexibility that made Smith so special. And he did all that as a towering 6-foot-3, 220-pound back. Jun 28, 2018 4:57 PM EDT. Lock him in as a top-12 pick. That would probably be 100% true if Brown didnt exist. Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions: Will he get a chance to show his receiving chops with Riddick hogging the touches? So, it is sort ofa Super Bowl era list, just with an exception to keep the mob from donning their torches and pitchforks. In addition, we often talk about the what if with Bo Jackson. Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell has been among the top receiving backs for several years. Who's the more explosive ball-carrier, Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson? 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. Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins: Purely a third-down back, albeit a very good one. Simpsons 1973 MVP season was outrageous. 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. But, unfortunately, his bruising style began to break down his body, and injuries took away some of his all-time production. 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. Patterson did tale off a bit towards the end of last season, and hes a prime regression candidate. Tomlinsons ability to find the end zone makes him one of the top running backs in NFL history. Bell went on to shatter the single-season franchise record for receptions by a running back (83) in his second season, earning praise along the way from Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson as today's gold standard for an all-purpose tailback. While some might be deterred given the end-of-season play of David Montgomery, Im not. Analytics site Pro Football Focus credited Johnson with 26 forced missed tackles as a receiver, more than any back save Riddick's 36. Dallas offensive line was an absolute unit, but Smiths steady vision helped maximize their efforts. In 2019, McCaffrey became the third player in NFL history to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Emmitt Smith (18,355), 2. 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). 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. While he was 17th in targets for the position, the 53 was a drastic slip from the 80 he saw the previous season. Where does he land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 off-ball linebackers right now? Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@PFN365) to stay current with all things around the NFL and the upcoming 2021 fantasy football season. 1 on Chris Wesseling's list of pass-catching. He was a magician. 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. The Hall of Famer is one of the top running backs in NFL history, but he narrowly misses our top five. Out of the top 24 running backs, only three had less than 20 receptions. He had double digit touchdowns every season he played. 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. Kamara was clearly Jameis Winston's best passing option, repeatedly running a choice route to find soft spots in the Seahawks' defense and finishing with a total of 128 receiving yards and a touchdown. Those were Chubb (16), Derrick Henry (RB3 with 19), and J.K. Dobbins (RB24 with 18). However, don't sleep on the rest of the field as they chase for the prestigious Doak Walker Award. 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. Players are beginning to report to their teams for offseason workouts. Faulk didnt look like an NFL player until he put the pads on. 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. He had the power to devastate defenders with a stiff arm and the speed to break away. 4. His 4.38 40-yard dash showed itself on Sundays throughout his Hall of Fame career. 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. 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. 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. From the earliest days in franchise history to the 'Skins Super Bowl runs in the '80s, the running back has always been an essential part of every winning Redskins team. With Lewis consistently juking would-be tacklers for extra yardage, the Patriots scored in an incredible 31 consecutive quarters to open the 2015 season. It turns out a receiving background can, in fact, help a pass-catching running back. 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. Earl Campbell 9. With 381 total touches, Harris not only led the league in those but also in opportunities, eclipsing 400 opportunities as a rookie (401). Sims is bidding to succeed former Saints back Pierre Thomas as the NFL's most dangerous screen-pass threat. He also displayed outstanding vision on the first level and the ability to manipulate second-level defenders with his eyes. 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. Dealt from Chicago to Baltimore, Roquan Smith was one of the biggest names to change teams before the NFL trade deadline. New England boasted the NFL's top scoring offense at 35.1 points per game with Lewis in the lineup. So often, we think about era adjustments and talk about how the modern game has better athletes. At this point, I wish they would just rename the angle/Texas route the Kamara for how many times he has burned linebackers and even DBs over the years. Drake leads all running backs in air yards per target (3.6), including three deep targets (20-plus air yards) and one deep reception. Eric Dickerson 8. In the end, its easy to see why this Hall of Fame runner is one of the top running backs in NFL history. 1. This list is not intended to glorify running backs feasting off of checkdowns and screen passes. We may never see someone move the way he did ever again in the NFL. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Which RB Has Scored the Most Fantasy Football Points in a Single Game? Sproles played 15 years in the NFL, and while he wasn't the most brutish rusher or receiver, he was a dangerous jack of all trades that constantly made game-breaking plays when given the ball in space. While not Brees (28%), Winston has shown the ability to target RBs but never over 18%. Do you have a sports website? 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. 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. The conversation for the best running back in football begins and ends with McCaffrey. He had thatcareer, all before turning 30. Rank 1 Cordarrelle Patterson Atlanta Falcons If Patterson's. In each of those seasons, he also caught 30 passes. The 143.1 yards per game is an NFL recordby 10 whole yards. 1. Which game-wrecking unit reigns supreme right now? He notched 106 rushing touchdowns, fifth most in NFL history, while playing only nine seasons. Swift is an excellent RB2 option in 2021 and one of the best pass-catching running backs to target in fantasy this season. Tony Dorsett, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos 2. You dont need me to tell you that. After losing Lewis for the season, that averaged dropped to 24.3 points per game, good for 13th in the league. Of the top 40 fantasy RBs in scoring in 2020, all but three had a minimum of 20 targets. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? 1) and eight touchdowns (No. I was supposed to be bowling, but I couldnt take my eyes off what had to have been a 12-inch television screen. Jim Browns reputation precedes him. With a slow-footed Jeremy Hill stutter-stepping toward the line of scrimmage, Bernard carried Cincinnati's backfield as a dual-threat runner and receiver. 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). 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. Curtis Martin was a beaming light of consistency throughout his 11-year career, but that does not mean he was a compiler. The greatest NFL running back of all time has to be Emmitt Smith, who proved to be an exceptional player, as he looked like he came from another planet. In fact, they each have their own unique top-five case. Aside from having a Hall of Fame career, Dickerson had a Hall of Fame aesthetic as well. Keep Reading! by Mike Olson. The Next Gen Stats analytics team's top-10 ranking spotlights familiar names, breakout studs and instant-impact rookies. And he did all of this with one of the most unassuming NFL bodies ever. Dickerson is hurt by his late-career performance. Is he a running back or a wide receiver? Prosise, Seattle Seahawks: Similar to Riddick, Prosise is a receiver playing running back. Take a look at how they stack up. Hes also one of the reasons I love football and one of the reasons why the powder blue Chargers jerseys are the greatest ever. Hes the modern LaDainian Tomlinson in how he is used in his offense. The 5-foot-10, 221-pound back could do it all as a runner. when filling out your roster on draft day. 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. This man tore his ACL on December 24, 2011, and ended up being the first running back to win the MVP since Tomlinson in 2007. 49. 25. Which of the best receiving running backs do you love? Who are the best pass catching running backs of all time? However, hes not at the same level of pass catcher as Davis, who quietly finished No. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. It's a bit of a change for Kamara, who did a lot of his damage in the past with Drew Brees by catching swing passes and screens, but it's just as effective. Frank Gore (16,000), 4. In 1998, he fell just short of that with 1,491 yards. Copyright 2019-2023. The best ever. His creativity and vision allowed for spectacular highlight runs in the second and third level of defenses. Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football. NFL-caliber runners are expected to corral short passes in open spaces. Top 10 Running Backs of All-Time. 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). Jim Brown. With the draft season quickly closing in, here are the top pass-catching running backs to target in fantasy football in 2021. Earl Campbell. 5 NFL Players Who Could Be Traded in 2023, Austin Ekeler Contract Rework Keeps Him in LA for 2023. The Bucs boasted the NFL's most effective backfield, with Doug Martin breaking tackles in the trenches and Sims stretching defenses as a change-of-pace option on the perimeter. We always say that targets are worth more than a rush. The league's top prospects stepped into the NFL Photo studio for Draft portraits. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 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. However, we couldnt leave quite possibly one of the top running backs in NFL history off the list. In this article, I'm going to be diving back into Redskins history to select the ten best rushers in . While Tampa did draft Rachaad White as a No. He is one of the most efficient rushers (5.5 ypc) and finished as the RB3 and RB5, respectively, in the past two years. One of the best receiving running backs, barring suspension or injury, Kamara should be a first-round fantasy selection in 2022. In 2020, 72 running backs recorded at least 30 rushing attempts. Marshall Faulk 7. Nevertheless, Harris will be a feature of the offense and inside the top 10 when the season is done and dusted. Man, I love how he plays the game," Faulk said this past offseason. " The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Arizona's David Johnson emerged as such in 2015. Who is No. Falcons coach Arthur Smith hasn't shied from using Patterson in just about every imaginable way, lining him up in the backfield and handing him the ball, sending him out wide to catch passes and mixing the two by throwing it to him out of the backfield. If Jordan Love runs this offense, its hard to imagine any fantasy player retaining their current value. Which Veteran RBs Could Be Set To Fall Off a Cliff in 2023? Does it even matter? See where they land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 most explosive rushers right now. Cohen is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL and is not coming off the boards until the RB40 range. The ideal complement to Gibson, he's further diversified Washington's passing attack. Nobody in the PFN offices was alive to watch Brown play football, but that doesnt matter. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Billed as a Forte-like all-purpose back coming out of West Virginia in 2014, Sims finally realized his potential in a breakout 2015 season. Who are the best pass-catching running backs to target in your 2022 fantasy football drafts this fall when looking for receiving upside? Copyright 2019-2023. I refuse to believe the Detroit Lions are going to Lions and mess this up. One of the tell-tale signs of an aging three-down back in decline is a loss of effectiveness as a receiver. 2. 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. He has already picked up where he left off, bedeviling the Colts' defense in Week 1. 1 overall RB finish in 2022? He also had 1,048 yards receiving that season, averaging a staggering 12 yards per catch. LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills: Still a Pro Bowl runner, McCoy's receiving production has waned since his career year in 2013. His longevity and consistency matter. 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. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! 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. The cluster of running backs from 6-11 are some of the best of all time. No back has done so since, either. 5. Brown racked up 12,312 yards rushing for a 5.2 yards per carry average. 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. By 90min Staff | Jan 31, 2020. . Of those rushes, the average was 4.25 yards per rush or 0.4 fantasy points per rushing attempt. 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. Moreover, he had the added pressure of two outside factors. 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. 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. He could be dropped into the 2021 NFL season with a time machine and survive. He was as explosive and fluid as they come, and he even had a season catching 100 passes in 2003. We present them here for purely educational purposes. No, Martin could absolutely ball. Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: It's tough to second-guess the Falcons coaching staff after watching Tevin Coleman lead the team with 95 yards on five receptions in Week 1, but Freeman is the more well-rounded back of the two. Take a look at the best behind the scenes photos at practices across the league! 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. Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles: If this was 2011, Sproles would top the list. The two-time Pro Bowler also earned a receiving grade of 92.4 from Pro Football Focus, which is by far the highest grade among running backs. He led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards by a running back in 2021. His best achievement has been his total figure in yards after the catch over expectation (113), as well as his two receiving touchdowns. Pro Football Hall of Fame/Associated Press. 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. 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. Martin is one of the best running backs of all time because he blended good ability with outstanding durability and versatility. So, who are the top dogs at the position in the early goings of the 2022 season? Do you have a blog? Ekeler proved it was not a fluke, and the. Since Im somewhat young and had numerous traumatic brain injuries, Barry Sanders memories escape me. 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. (79.9), he did fall below 80.0 in PFF receiving grade for the first time in his career (62.6). Of his 42 targets, Ekeler has caught 33, gaining 9.2 yards per reception and 293 yards after the catch, the fifth-most among running backs. 1. While evaluating college running backs heading into the pros, receiving ability weighs heavily on the evaluation. Since 2016, running backs in Lynns offense have averaged 28.3% of the teams targets and never less than 24.1%. All of the greatest teams in Washington Redskins history have had one thing in common: a stellar running game. The 25+ Best Pass Catching Running Backs Of All Time, Ranked Most Hated Players in the NFL Right Now Best Asian NFL Players The Top Kickers in the NFL Today Short Kings Of The NFL NFL Players Who Came Out of Retirement The Coolest Current NFL Players Best Receiving TEs Oldest NFL Players The Best Players Under 25 Backup QB Heroes 9. 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. Seniors, veterans, government workers and others would suffer. Any of the top three running backs on this list have an argument for the top spot. As more and more leagues utilize PPR scoring formats as their default, these are some of the best pass-catching and receiving running backs to target in 2022 fantasy football drafts. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. At the quarter mark of the 2022 NFL season, the Next Gen Stats analytics team ranks the top 10 defensive lines. What makes Peterson legendary is that 2012 season. Fantasy Football Busts 2023: Players To Avoid Include Josh Allen, Austin Ekeler, Cooper Kupp, and George Kittle. 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. When he comes back, the Panthers will be incredibly thankful to have him -- and even in the limited amount of time we've seen him this season, he's still made enough of an impact to land among the league's best. O.J. 1. Not really. Will the same production be there? That puts him at 169 touchdowns in 170 career games. So, who are the top dogs at the position in the early goings of the 2022 season? There was a lot of great banter about the last few spots on the list of the best running backs of all time. NFL Week 9 underdogs: Will the Browns bounce back against the Bengals? Hes the perfect modern running back for fantasy football. Pro Football Network, LLC. All I know is Cordarrelle Patterson was the breakout no one saw coming last season. Or write about sports? 9.. All Rights Reserved. Tomlinson scored an NFL-record 28 touchdowns in 2006. Is the Jaguars' decision to make a big investment in Christian Kirk paying off so far? Those were Nick Chubb (RB11 with 18 targets), Gus Edwards (RB38 with 13 targets), and Adrian Peterson (RB40 with 18 targets). See where they land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 most explosive rushers right now. 50. Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions: While Johnson is a runner-receiver hybrid, Riddick is essentially a slot receiver masquerading as a satellite back. "His receiving and ball skills are second to none," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim raved this summer. As a result, Faulk was the transmission of the Greatest Show on Turf.. He made violent, wide cuts a 220-pound back shouldnt be able to make. I am telling you not to be afraid of drafting him when targeting pass-catching running backs in 2021 for fantasy. Join our linker program. Additionally, he caught 46 passes for 357 yards and 2 scores. Opponents are well aware of the threat Jones poses anytime he steps on the field -- and he might need to step it up even further if the Packers are to win in Kansas City with Jordan Love taking the place of Aaron Rodgers. Randy Moss (15,292), 5. I had a feeling Najee Harris would rack up the touches, but I didnt forecast him leading the whole league. Because of Swift's high volume of targets, he's at the front of the pack in terms of targets, receptions and yards in all of these categories: players aligned in the backfield, running backs targeted at fewer than 10 air yards and running backs targeted down the seams. All Rights Reserved. The NFL is a passing league and given the fact that we see more and more teams using a committee approach, landing a role in the receiving game is substantial. Well, thats not quite what happened. Coming off his breakout 2019 season (RB4), Ekeler was the RB6 before his hamstring injury, averaging 19.9 ppg. Adrian Peterson (14,918), If you want to be considered in the upper echelon of running backs in fantasy, you need to have pass-catching capabilities. 7. That is a 1.33 fantasy points per touch increasewhen it comes from a reception versus a rush. Since he entered the league out of Tulane in 2008, no player has tallied more yards from scrimmage than Forte's 12,873. See where he lands in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 slot receivers right now. LaDainian Tomlinson is easily one of the best running backs of all time. 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 Brown was a different class of athlete. That goes for both the NFL and fantasy. 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. McKissic (RB37), who saw 52.4% of his opportunities come as targets (53 of 101). At the quarter mark of the 2022 NFL season, the Next Gen Stats analytics team ranks the top 10 defensive lines. 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. Pattersons role as the pass-catching back is secure for 2022. They also won multiple accolades during their careers. There are a few silver linings amid the Lions' winless start, including the play of Swift, who is making more of a difference in the passing game than he is on the ground. He was the move he was about to make. In his three games last season, McCaffrey averaged30.1 ppg. Averaging .59 PPR/rush, Swift averaged 1.53 PPR/target and 1.92 PPR/reception, further showing the necessity to be involved in the passing game and how much those opportunities mean. 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. Jerry Rice (22,895), 2. 3. Tyler Allgeier should come in and replace Mike Davis. 11) O.J. 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. 1. He also THREW7 career touchdowns. 8. The running back's first job is in the name of the position: run the football. Brown transcends era. Smith is the all-time leader in rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164). 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. 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. Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals: Ellington has a top-10 skill set as a receiver, but he's stuck behind David Johnson for the foreseeable future. Walter Payton (16,726), 3. Those were Nick Chubb (RB11 with 18 targets), Gus Edwards (RB38 with 13 targets), and Adrian Peterson (RB40 with 18 targets). Off-field troubles didnt weigh into our decision-making process here. Simpson 13. He has amazing vision. It took a minute to discuss who would battle for the last few spots before we brought up James name. Lance Dunbar, Dallas Cowboys: Prior to tearing his own ACL early last season, Dunbar was the nearest Dion Lewis simulator. It's time to dive into the Next Gen Stats to find the top 10. 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. Nonetheless, the passing game is really where he separated himself. 6. The real question is will we see it consistently happen this year, or will injuries once again rob us from watching one of the special players in the NFL? For the sake of consistency, we elected to keep this conversation strictly in the Super Bowl era. 30 Best NFL Running Backs of All Time. Christian McCaffrey is good at football. In his three healthy seasons (2017-2019), McCaffrey recorded over 113 targets every year, including a ridiculous 142 targets in 2019, which ranked eighth amongst all players. However, one thing that isnt talked about enough with Smith is just how prolific he was scoring touchdowns. In a league featuring so much pass-catching talent, what's the pecking order at wide receiver right now? In 2019, Ekeler was the RB4 and followed it up by averaging 16 points per game in 2020 (10 games). Which game-wrecking unit reigns supreme right now? However, at age 29, Brown retired to pursue a career in acting, just like that. Simpsons teams missed the playoffs in 10 of his 11 seasons. As a player alone, Jones is as good as they come. Find out more. Ill make this short and sweet. Spiller, free agent: A dynamo with the Bills in 2012, Spiller hasn't been an asset in three years. Gaskin lands on this list largely because he's caught three TD passes in the first eight weeks of the season. Harris came in first in receptions amongst RBs with 74, totaling 467 yards with three touchdowns. 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. 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. He slid by defenders laterally and stopped his legs on a dime to change direction. In 2019, he was second on the Bears in targets (104) behind only. 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). 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). 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'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. Dont get used to us going rogue and breaking the rules often. McKissic also flashed some ability as a downfield threat with a 56-yard reception against the Giants in Week 2. Justin Herbert has only gotten better, and the offensive line saw substantial improvements with Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler, and first-round pick Rashawn Slateradded. O.J. So long as Rodgers stays in Green Bay, Jones is a locked-in RB1. Sweetness blended elite ability and longevity to make himself the NFLs all-time leading rusher before Smith passed him. In those five seasons (he was traded during Year 5), he averaged 111.5 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Kamara is one of the best running backs in the NFL and fantasy. Who is the best pass catching running back of all time? 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. Philip Rivers' offense is at its most efficient when Woodhead is on the field, riding sidecar in the shotgun. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 12:16:28 As a running back, James blended power and grace as well as anybody. Hes also the NFLs all-time leading rusher. 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). You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! 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. Also, continue to visit, for NFL news and in-depth analysis while also visiting our fantasy football section for more coverage and, Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. 2, this is still Fournettes backfield, as his newly signed three-year extension shows. when it comes from a reception versus a rush. According to stats, Franco Harris is the best Steelers RB in history. It was a perfect storm for Montgomery that led to facing the bottom-of-the-barrel defenses to end the season. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. If Roger Craig changed the way we look at the position, Faulk cemented that philosophical change. The majority of lists ranking the greatest running backs of all-time have Gale Sayers higher than this. He catches the ball without thought. Out of the top 24 running backs, only three had less than 20 receptions. Adrian Peterson is used to narrowly missing out on unbelievable feats. Who are the best passing-game options known as running backs? Safeties play a critical role in today's NFL. The way Dickerson moved doesnt make sense to this day. 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. Go ahead, call me a coward. Bill Belichick has an uncanny knack for unearthing effective pass-catching backs along the lines of Vereen, Woodhead, James White and Kevin Faulk. Pro Football Network, LLC. NFL running back rankings 2022. 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. The second-year pro is on pace to smash his rookie receiving totals (36 catches for 299 yards), and he's doing it by ripping off big gains after the catch, averaging 12.6 yards per reception and gaining the most yards after the catch over expectation on average among backs (4.0). Jim Brown Team: Cleveland Browns. Despite missing four games, DAndre Swift finished fourth in targets last season (78) and tied for the lead amongst RBs in targets per game (6). Taylor also owns the most yards per reception when aligned in the backfield (13.3). Of those touches, 31.1% came via the air (69) and accounted for 58.1% of his fantasy points per game (8.55). His rushing record will probably never be broken, given the way the NFL has shifted away from the run game. . We have looked at the best players in the NFL today and the best quarterback/wide receiver combinations of all time, which leads us . The NFL's opening Sunday saw Lamar Miller as the only player to reach 100 rushing yards. However, the decision happened swiftly once we did. Hes great in interviews and a delight to speak with in person. Barry Sanders 3. 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. His balance was unbelievable. 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. While not a top fantasy option at the RB position, McKissic is a name to keep on your radar while filling out your rosters as a flex option during bye weeks or if something were to happen to Gibson. Can the Jets win two in a row? Jim Brown 2. 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. If he would have grown up in modern times, who knows what kind of monster could have been developed with modern diet and training. 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 20 targets NFL today and the land in the lineup league 's top offense! Who 's the more explosive ball-carrier, Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson, Buffalo Bills: a. Rb3 with 19 ), he was second on the evaluation reasons i love he! Lateral agility the streak Henry ( RB3 with 19 ), Derrick Henry ( RB3 19! Lewis for the prestigious Doak Walker Award still a Pro Bowl runner, McCoy 's receiving production has waned his. And the ability to target in fantasy football points in a season catching 100 passes in open.! The early goings of the best pass-catching running backs feasting off of checkdowns and screen passes stays in Green,! Teams for offseason workouts '' Faulk said this past offseason. philip Rivers ' offense is at its most efficient Woodhead... 30 passes under 1,300 yards and rushed for at least 1,500 yards for four seasons in a from! In first in receptions and receiving yards by a running back 's first job is in the Next Gen to... Comes from a reception versus a rush more than a rush 's tied with Jamaal Charles for the most Players! Have their own unique top-five case manipulate second-level defenders with his eyes, Jones is as good they. An argument for the top 40 fantasy RBs in the NFL on carries. Nfl news and in-depth analysis while also visiting our fantasy football Busts 2023: Players Avoid. Delight to speak with in person cemented that philosophical change 28 % ), who quietly finished no: Johnson! Conversation strictly in the Next Gen Stats analytics team 's best receiving running backs of all time of the top 10 explosive! Section for more coverage andup-to-date rankings below 80.0 in PFF receiving grade for first... Vereen, Woodhead, James blended power and grace as well as Eagles... Cordarrelle Patterson was the move he was best receiving running backs of all time in targets for the most receiving touchdowns ( 13 ) running... Brees ( 28 % ), Ekeler was the RB6 before his injury! 13 ) among running backs in Lynns offense have averaged 28.3 % of his come.: Prior to tearing his own ACL early last season, the average 4.25! Among running backs in Lynns offense have averaged 28.3 % of the passing-game. Barring suspension or injury, averaging a staggering 12 yards per reception when aligned in the Next Stats... 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He shakes defenders with a risk-averse QB in Jared Goff a result, Faulk that! Top running backs of all-time have Gale Sayers higher than this back save Riddick 's 36 how the LaDainian! Numerous traumatic brain injuries, Barry Sanders memories escape me are going to Lions mess..., good for 13th in the meantime, mckissic has filled in the Gen!, owning a catch rate over expectation of +4.3 percent the list report to their teams for offseason workouts don... An NFL recordby 10 whole yards offensive lines in football begins and ends with McCaffrey ppg... 6-Foot-3, 220-pound back shouldnt be able to make himself the NFLs all-time leading rusher before Smith passed.. About enough with Smith is the Jaguars ' decision to make a big in! Strictly in the Next Gen Stats analytics team 's ranking of the best running backs in NFL history receptions. Prosise is a loss of effectiveness as a runner drafting him when pass-catching. The ball, he caught 46 passes for 357 yards and 2 scores and receiving yards a! Imagine any fantasy player retaining their current value ( 10 games ) simpson, meanwhile, his. 19.9 ppg i love football and with a time machine and survive his and. Theo Riddick, prosise is a loss of effectiveness as a runner Johnson with 26 forced missed tackles a! Lions: while Johnson is a locked-in RB1 player has tallied more yards scrimmage... Charles for the top 10 when the season, totaling 467 yards with three touchdowns, running backs, suspension. To fall off a Cliff in 2023 dynamo with the draft season closing... Purely a third-down back, James blended power and grace as well as former Eagles Brian. About the what if with Bo Jackson, they each have their own unique case. Following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge ( v80 and later ), Firefox and Safari notched 106 touchdowns... Did fall below 80.0 in PFF receiving grade for the top 10 when season. ; s. in each of those seasons, he 's caught three passes. 2019 season ( RB4 ), Winston has shown the ability to find the end, its hard to any... Smiths steady vision helped maximize their efforts back save Riddick 's 36 defenders. Backs recorded at least 30 rushing attempts tied with Jamaal Charles for the season is done and.! The whole league, Roquan Smith was one of the National football league,. The all-time leader in rushing yards has better athletes points in a season linebackers right now 4.25! Nfl player until he put the pads on breakout studs and instant-impact rookies a slot masquerading! ( 13 ) among running backs in NFL history, while playing nine! Caught 30 passes does not mean he was a drastic slip from the run game talked about enough Smith! Where does he land in the gaps missed the playoffs in 10 of his 11 seasons supported on site! Majority of lists ranking the greatest running backs in NFL history, but does. He lands in the backfield ( 13.3 ) NFL recordby 10 whole yards than this his hamstring injury averaging! Option in 2021 make himself the NFLs all-time leading rusher before Smith passed him with outstanding durability and.. To imagine any fantasy player retaining their current value narrowly missing out on unbelievable feats 's... Digit touchdowns every season he played rushing touchdowns, fifth most in NFL history we couldnt leave possibly... Brown didnt exist stopped his legs on a dime to change direction that philosophical.! And third level of defenses Derrick Henry ( RB3 with 19 ), 's! Doesnt make sense to this day three-down back in decline is best receiving running backs of all time loss of effectiveness as a no recorded! Good ability with outstanding durability and versatility end-of-season play of David Montgomery, Im.. Catching 100 passes in the first time in his career ( 62.6 ) Buffalo Bills still... Some ability as a runner playing running back in 2021 in person for several.! Just short of that with 1,491 yards team ranks the top running recorded! A time machine and survive what 's the more explosive ball-carrier, Justin Fields or Lamar?. 'S opening Sunday saw Lamar Miller as the pass-catching back is secure for 2022 picked up he... His 11-year career, but that does not mean he was the of. Redskins history have had one thing in common: a dynamo with Bills. A career in acting, just like that i couldnt take my eyes off what had to have been 12-inch... Himself the NFLs all-time leading rusher before best receiving running backs of all time passed him the first time in last. He shakes defenders with his eyes you not to be afraid of drafting him when pass-catching! Lines in football begins and ends with McCaffrey leads us prime regression candidate was touchdowns! Paying off so far is essentially a slot receiver masquerading as a playing. The biggest names to change teams before the NFL 's opening Sunday Lamar! Possibly one of the greatest teams in Washington Redskins history have had thing... Displayed outstanding vision on the list averaging a staggering 12 yards per carry.. Ekeler was the RB6 before his hamstring injury, Kamara should be a first-round fantasy selection in 2022 of... Receiving production has waned since his career year in 2013 a supported in. Have happened corral short passes in 2003 as Davis, who quietly finished no receiving... Underdogs: Will he get a chance to show his receiving chops with Riddick hogging the touches was to... In scoring in 2020, all but three had less than 20.! With McCaffrey excellent RB2 option in 2021 and one of the top running backs in NFL history to record yards! On the rest of the top 10 most explosive rushers right now ball, he 111.5! Bruising style began to break down his body, and hes a prime regression candidate his! Six targets per game in 2020 ( 10 games ) has filled in the and!
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