Some people are arguing that running backs aren’t nearly half as determinant as they used to be. In fact, teams are often lowballing their stars on that position even if they threaten to sit out for the season.
The NFL is a passing league now more than ever and that’s not up to debate. Still, there are plenty of running backs that are game-changers every time they touch the ball and they should be treated like the superstars they are.
So, even if the rest of the running backs in the league bounce around from team to team and continue to be underpaid, we’re going to let you know about the top 10 running backs to watch in 2020, the guys that definitely deserve every penny:
Honorable mention: Chris Carson, Leonard Fournette.
10. Aaron Jones
Jones averages 5.0 yards per carry over his career. (Getty)
The Packers have lacked a reliable running back since Eddy Lacy’s downfall but it seems like they’ve finally found their guy. Aaron Jones started all 16 games last season and was tied with Derrick Henry for the most rushing touchdowns in the season (16).
Jones proved to be a huge red-zone threat and a solid 3 down kind of running back. Also, with the Packers cautiously leaning towards balancing their offense and trying to protect their 36-year-old quarterback, we expect them to feed Jones as often as possible next year.
9. Nick Chubb
Chubb was the 35th overall pick in 2018. (Getty)
Nick Chubb has been forced to share the backfield with Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde earlier on his career until the Cleveland Browns finally let him loose. He’s been nothing short of spectacular when given the chance to prove his worth.
Chubb rushed for 1,494 yards and 8 scores last season while averaging just over 90 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry. He’s also got great hands and is an effective threat in the passing game as well. Then again, he plays for the Browns, so anything can happen.
8. Todd Gurley
Gurley was the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. (Getty)
We’re all rooting for Todd Gurley now. It’s crazy to see how quickly things can change in the NFL. Gurley was the best running back in the game three years ago and now the Rams pretty much paid him a lot of money just to get rid of him.
Gurley’s going to play with a chip on his shoulder all season and that’s a scary thought. If he can stay healthy (which is a big IF), he’ll finally provide the balance the Atlanta Falcons’ offense has lacked since Devonta Freeman’s breakout year.
7. Alvin Kamara
Kamara has 38 career touchdowns. (Getty)
Alvin Kamara had a bit of a down year last season but he wasn’t fully healthy and he didn’t have Drew Brees under center for a third of the season, so we can definitely expect him to bounce back in 2020.
Kamara is one of the strongest and fastest players you’ll find in the gridiron and his tackle-breaking ability is still elite. Having Brees back at full strength will open up a lot of lanes for him to prove his worth again.
6. Joe Mixon
Mixon was the 48th overall pick in 2017. (Getty)
Joe Mixon is one of the most versatile running backs in the league. He can be a huge threat on screen passes and wreak havoc in opposing secondaries, or just fight his way between the tackles as a 3-down kind of back.
The Bengals have been abysmal since Mixon entered the league in 2017 but they’ll finally have AJ Green back plus first overall pick Joe Burrow, which can only improve their putrid offense. Mixon has been their lone bright spot thus far with almost 3,000 yards from scrimmage over the past 2 seasons.
5. Dalvin Cook
Cook attended Florida State University. (Getty)
There were a lot of concerns about Dalvin Cook’s durability but now that we’ve finally seen him play a full season, we get why the Minnesota Vikings were so high and patient with him. He’s the real deal and their best back since Adrian Peterson.
Cook became a huge insurance policy for Kirk Cousins and piled up 1,135 rushing yards with 13 rushing touchdowns to go along with 53 receptions and519 yards. He has a legit shot at being a top-3 back if he stays healthy this season.
4. Derrick Henry
Henry is a former Heisman winner. (Getty)
Just when some people were ready to give up on him, Derrick Henry finally broke out. Now, he’ll have to carry the load for the Tennessee Titans again after leading the NFL in carries (303), rushing yards (1,540) and rushing touchdowns (16).
Henry’s big and strong frame allows him to break loose despite three linebackers trying to take him down. Getting stiff-armed by him must feel like hitting a brick wall. He’s also turned into a solid threat in the passing game with 206 yards and a couple of scores last year.
3. Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott was the 4th overall pick in 2106. (Getty)
Ezekiel Elliott got paid big time last year and it didn’t take him long to prove why after a slow start to the season. He posted 1,777 total yards last year and has already led the league in rushing twice while not missing a single game over four seasons.
Elliott has a legit shot at becoming the greatest running back in a franchise that also had Tony Dorsett and Emmit Smith, that’s just how good he is. There’s just no true way of slowing him down and the Cowboys will only go as far as he takes them, even despite Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper’s presence.
2. Saquon Barkley
Barkley was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. (Getty)
Saquon Barkley is just ridiculous. He’s got an incredible ability to create something out of nothing, break tackles, and take off at an insane speed. His athletic traits make him simply unstoppable, even on a team like the Giants.
Barkley has already piled up3,469 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns since entering the league two seasons ago and he’s just getting started. The Giants will take anything Daniel Jones can give them but it’s pretty clear that their offense will flow through Saquon’s rock-hard quads.
1. Christian McCaffrey
He holds the record for most receptions by a running back in a game (15) and in a season (116). Getty
Christian McCaffrey entered the NFL while holding theNCAArecord for most all-purpose yards in a season (3,864) and instantly proved that his ability as a dual-threat back could translate to the NFL. He’s already amassed 5,443 yards (2,920 rushing, 2,524 receiving) in just three seasons in the league.
McCaffrey looks like the kind of player you create in Madden. There aren’t any flaws in his game. He’s the highest-paid running back in NFL history for a reason after piling over 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in 2019 and he’ll look to build on those performances in 2020.
