R7 (225): OG Jovaughn Gwyn, South Carolina. He still earned 785 scrimmage yards in seven games this season, but the injuries provide the latest cautionary tale in paying RBs. With pass-catching acumen, Evans would be the ideal third-down scatback in Cincy moving forward. Arizona Cardinals, NFC West. A three-touchdown performance along with 109 total yards launches him into this list for the first time this year. But without the G.O.A.T. Which Saints Player Most Excited to See At Training Camp, How the Original USFL Affected New Orleans Saints History, Report: Saints RB Alvin Kamara Could Face a Six-Game Suspension, Mickey Loomis Comments on Alvin Kamara's Legal Issues, Saints Expect Big Results From Splashy Offseason Signings, Alontae Taylor Should Make an Impact Despite a Crowded Defensive Backfield, Saints Win-Loss Scenarios and Possible Repercussions for 2022, Saints Value These Role Players' Contributions, Saints' Most Likely Hall of Fame Candidates, Saints Who Have to Deliver in Training Camp. Spears brings high-end explosiveness to the Titans, which allows him to clear congestion quickly at the second level. Williams emerged as the team's RB1 in 2022 after splitting carries with Melvin Gordon in his rookie season. A former blue-chip recruit from Klein Collins High School, Spiller rushed for 1,011 yards and 6 touchdowns last season as an All-Southeastern Conference selection with 25 catches for 189 yards. Carolina cant do that right now. 3 NFC South. These are my rankings for the top-5 running backs in the NFC South as we head towards the 2022 season. There is currently no proven depth for the Saints behind Kamara and Ingram. Here's a look at his pre-draft scouting report from NFL.com. Imagine how much more potent Tua Tagovailoa and the RPO game would be with a running back defenses actually fear. April 12, 2022 1:15 am ET You might have looked at the title of this and wondered why running back is even an option for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL draft. Just 27-years-old, hes already the franchise's all-time leader for receptions and receiving yards for a running back. Which prospects selected in Rounds 2 and 3 project to be steals? Maurice Jones-Drew assesses the Hall of Fame candidacies of Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry, two running backs who could pass him on the all-time rushing leaderboard in Week 16. The Cards should re-sign one of their unrestricted free agents while the other likely walks. Did rushing champion Josh Jacobs finish on top? Robinson is a top-three talent in the 2023 NFL Draft, without accounting for positional value, and a blue-chip prospect with his amalgamation of traits. Rating: 69.0 Rank: #34 Forty: Josh Williams RB LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report Josh Williams RB LSU Round 3, Pick 88 Damien Harris, New England Patriots. The last preview episode of the 2023 NFL Draft, ESPN's Jordan Reid stops by to tell us about the biggest storylines, potential pivot points, how the league values QB's skill sets in 2023 and much more. Robinson overcame a coaching staff who didn't see his obvious talent, but an Achilles injury in Week 16 puts his status for training camp in question. Bengals to keep rolling against Ravens? 8); Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (No. Top RBs under contract for 2022: Javonte Williams, Mike Boone. His big outing -- 28 carries for 144 yards and 2 TDs -- propelled him into the NFL's top five in rush yards. Adding a speed element to the backfield would make life easier on QB Mac Jones and the quick pass-game. And L.A. found little of that in its trio of Jackson, Kelley and Roundtree. Hes also just five total touchdowns and five rushing scores away from the franchise lead in those categories and 30 yards away from third place on the teams all-time rushing list. But Pittsburgh needs to find a reliable backup to take some pressure off. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected defensive lineman Calijah Kancey with the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! If there is a silver lining here, it's that we get to spotlight others who've stepped up in recent weeks. Kancey, Mauch, and Diaby are all guys that can fill positions of need, with Kancey and Mauch likely being immediate starters while Diaby will probably join a pass rush rotation that was in dire need of an infusion of something different. #32. Top RBs under contract for 2022: Chris Carson, DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer, Josh Johnson, Key free agents: Rashaad Penny (UFA), Alex Collins (UFA), Adrian Peterson (UFA). There is a need for a power back if they decide not to re-sign an aging Howard. Fin. Still, those clamoring to see more Pollard (raises handed) should expect to be disappointed. Round 5, Pick 176 | Colts, 13) Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky An upgraded backfield is necessary for Josh Allen and the Bills' offense to evolve. 1; Geno Smith skyrockets into top 10, NFL contenders or pretenders? Cleveland isn't in cap trouble, and given the offense Kevin Stefanski wants to run, it makes sense to keep the RB duo intact for another run. It is important to note that Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers will not be on the list, as he tore his. I expect Cook to take advantage of the worst run defense in the NFL. One could make an argument that the AFC North has the best depth at running back in the league. Zach Harrison as their top defensive pick doesnt inspire a lot of confidence, though they did address a lot in free agency. Today, we'll stop by the running backs' room and evaluate all the changes in personnel with stats, film, facts and player breakdowns. But the new coaching staff could look to find a better change-of-pace back to pair with Cook and provide additional juice when Kirk Cousins gets into check-down mode. Man, what a rough week for NFL backfields with a number of players who were performing at a career-best pace suffering injuries. Not much did. Running Backs and NFC South, 2022 NFL Season Preview Series. . Its just a tough thing to overcome such a head-scratching first round pick, especially for a team that has spent the past two first round picks on other skill positions and none on defensive players or even an offensive lineman. But he does have solid density for his size, and his game is ultimately predicated on his elite twitch, agility, supremely loose hips, flexibility on his cuts, and his ability to explode upfield after levying cuts with lightning-quick feet. I think of this draft class as a series of safe decisions. This was almost a fantastic draft class for Carolina, close to an A+, but the D.J. Plus, we'll hear from both players from their introductory press conferences, and finish the night with Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel's post-draft presser. That's a recipe for long down-and-distances. In 2021, Najee Harris was the only running back who played on over 70% of his team's offensive snaps (83%), and just five running backs cleared the 60% threshold. 85.7. And honestly, his one-cut style, while still useful in a league that is moving to lighter boxes, is not rare. What Sermon, a third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2021, will bring to the table in Year 2 is anyone's guess, but he has the size and talent to play a role if he stays out of the doghouse. Patterson will spend at least the next four weeks on injured reserve after injuring his knee prior to Sunday's win over Cleveland. Singletary surged down the stretch but left yards on the field. But K.C. Fournette caught fire in the 2021 playoffs. The NFL Draft has come and gone. He. Carolina signed RB DOnta Freeman this offseason, a big-bodied thumper to pair with developing second-year RB Chuba Hubbard, to take some pressure off McCaffrey. They spent the rest of the draft getting some really high-value guys, and a few that stood out for me were certainly guard Chandler Zavala and safety Jammie Robinson. After three decades of being able to lean on Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Green Bay Packers are moving on to a new era with Jordan Love, their first-round pick in 2020 . Whenever McCaffrey has an off day on the ground, he always seems to make up for it in the passing game. Foreman proved a splendid replacement, and the Titans should work to bring him back to pair with Henry once again. Top RBs under contract for 2022: Derrick Henry, Darrynton Evans, Key free agents: D'Onta Foreman (UFA), Dontrell Hilliard (UFA). The Saints didnt grab every single need on the roster in this draft, but what they did do is knock out the biggest ones. After signing with Atlanta last season, Patterson's versatile abilities were used around the formation more than any other time of his career. He's averaging over 100 total yards per game and is tied for second on the team in receiving yards (138). 2022 stats:4 games | 60 att | 313 rush yds | 5.2 ypc | 2 rush TD | 10 rec | 43 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost. Better draft capital couldve been used to get more weapons for their new young QB Bryce Young. Might the Jets' failure to add an offensive tackle cause trouble for Aaron Rodgers down the road? The Ground Index presented by FedEx ranks NFL running back performances all season long. It's a position Tennessee has tried to fill in the past with little success. Woof. Click here to view the full Bijan Robinson Scouting Report. 2022 NFL Running Back Rankings 1. Round 6, Pick 215 | Rams, 16) DeWayne McBride, UAB Seeing a trend? The Arizona Cardinals are the weakest team in the NFL at the moment, despite addressing some needs in the draft. He was Tampa Bay's leading rusher during their four-game march to the Super Bowl, picking up 300 yards on the ground and adding another 148 yards on 18 receptions while scoring four touchdowns. Henderson is likely slated for a reserve role behind Akers next season. In . The question for the Tennessee backfield is where to go to find relief. The Ravens entered 2021 with what looked like a deep backfield before injuries cleaned their clock. Top RBs under contract for 2022: Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor, Key free agents: James White (UFA), Brandon Bolden (UFA). The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. A bit confusing to go so defense heavy when an offense losing Tom Brady needs as much help as they can get. Plus, the Vikings and Giants each grab a running back. Maurice Jones-Drew identifies five running backs who can save their teams' seasons down the stretch. Ranking the NFC North quarterbacks. The duo combined for 1,535 rush yards on 335 carries with 20 scores. Heading into the Divisional Round, Maurice Jones-Drew ranks the top 10 rushers remaining in the NFL playoffs, a list that includes three teams with two players apiece. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Eric Edholm breaks down Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, providing pick-by-pick analysis for every selection in Rounds 2 and 3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The Vikings' offense relied much more on the pass game against the Saints, but on Sunday, they host the Bears. If not, the Bears should look to add a pass-catcher out of the backfield this offseason. Miller should be ready to play immediately as the team awaits what happens with Kamara. Like most of the Saints' offense in 2021, Kamara struggled to dig out of the hole. Drive Time returns with the second episode of the night with a breakdown of Dolphins third-round pick, RB Devon Achane. If not, things get murky. College Junior Michigan State. The 26-year-old McCaffrey has been plagued by injuries over the last two campaigns. Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs for a touchdown as New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) defends. Still, with it costing $5.5 million in dead money to move on, I'd expect Drake to stick around and play the pass-catching role. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports. But at this stage of every back's career, there are questions about whether the workload is begging to take its toll. No, literally. April 30, 2023 8:55 am ET. I'd like to see the Bills add a pass-catching speed back who can pick up chunk yards when Allen is forced to check down -- the type of back that Tom Brady killed defenses with for decades. Top RBs under contract for 2022: Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Tony Jones, Key free agents: Ty Montgomery (UFA), Dwayne Washington (UFA). Ingram didn't provide pop and could be released. This is one of the better Saints drafts in recent memory. A first-round pick out of Tennessee by the Vikings in 2013, Patterson has always been among the league's most feared kickoff returners. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Nevertheless, the Niners are in good shape with the names above. Between Montgomery and Herbert, the Bears have two runners who can pound out yards and churn out first downs. The Chargers finally decided to make Ekeler the feature piece in the win over Houston. Kendre Miller heads to the New Orleans Saints, where he has a chance to establish himself as the number two initially and then even push for the starting role over Alvin Kamara. Welcome, rookie! This is a huge position of need, so they certainly score some points there, and if Breese stays healthy hes a huge win (hence the A- potential). 2022 stats:4 games | 45 att | 140 rush yds | 3.1 ypc | 2 rush TD | 27 rec | 188 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost. Round 3, Pick 84 Chris Grier and Marvin Allen speak one week out from the 2023 NFL Draft, plus we hear from CB Xavien Howard and QB Tua Tagovailoa. They went with injury-prone interior defensive lineman Bryan Breese. The Draft is a wrap and Drive Time is recapping the final day. Get the comprehensive list of every Running Back for each NFL pro football team So lets move on from that atrocious run-on sentence. Hunt, meanwhile, played just eight games due to injury. Top RBs under contract for 2022: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Key free agents: Latavius Murray (UFA), Devonta Freeman (UFA), Ty'Son Williams (ERFA). The speedster brings a home-run ability Zeke just doesn't have at this point, and he needs more snaps. 2022 stats: 4 games | 76 att | 306 rush yds | 4.0 ypc | 3 rush TD | 8 rec | 91 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost. Jones' production has been like a rollercoaster this season. Im positive that Bijan Robinson will be a superstar running back, but the Falcons (like every other team in the division) had a boatload of other needs that could have been filled beautifully with that top-10 pick in the first round. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Jacobs provides new coach Josh McDaniels the power runner he desires in his offense. Still, he remains the Saints' most dangerous weapon, capable of hitting a home run from anywhere on the field. This division may be undergoing a shift at the quarterback position, but still has among the league's best talent at the skill positions. McFarland projected as a shifty change-of-pace option coming out of college as a fourth-round pick but has yet to prove he has staying power. May 17, 2022. Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights three running backs with 50 or fewer carries this season who could significantly impact the stretch run. Plus, Travis' completely, totally incorrect first-round mock draft, and audio highlights from Bradley Chubb and Durham Smyhte's Tuesday pressers. Finally, the NFL season preview continues with the NFC South. New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II (14) runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54). Eric Edholm breaks down Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft, providing pick-by-pick analysis for every selection in Rounds 4 and 5. McKinnon fits Andy Reid's offense well as a pass-catcher who can slice through holes without hesitation. With a stellar top two, the Pats do have a need for a pass-catching back as White heads to free agency. I think Johnson has the potential to become a good player in the NFL, but its just that for now. GM George Paton brought Boone in as a power back last season, and while he touched the ball just six times for 57 scrimmage yards in 2021, he should be slated as Williams' primary backup this season. If he's healthy -- a big if, as always -- he'd slide right back into that role alongside Jackson. His 107 catches trailed only Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Stefon Diggs, all of whom as you may be aware are elite pass catchers. Teams are sorted into categories signifying the level of stability at the position, then listed in alphabetical order, with the top backs under contract for 2022 listed, as well as key players who are not under contract for 2022. Kamara, a relative unknown from Tennessee, was the fifth running back selected when the Saints picked him in the third round. Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs against the New Orleans Saints. Behind Kamara sits a question mark. Kamara is facing a potential six-game suspension from the NFL for an offseason arrest in Las Vegas. Buccaneers; Falcons; Panthers; Saints; NFC West . And still, with a patchwork group of aging backs, the Ravens managed to finish in the top three in rushing, thanks to QBs Lamar Jackson (767 rushing yards) and Tyler Huntley (294). Green Bay Packers. The Atlanta Falcons will have a entertaining offense next season, but it still doesnt seem as though theyre ready to compete for the division with this draft. Both pass-catching vet James White and reserve sledgehammer Brandon Bolden are free agents who could bring a new dimension to the offense as McDaniels installs his vision in Vegas. ET (per ESPN), and how is the weekly playoff picture shaking out after Week 1314. Consultez dans cette rubrique la fiche horaire en cours de validit sur votre ligne TER. Top RBs under contract for 2022: Aaron Jones, A.J. The albatross contract could keep the backfield underwater for at least two more seasons. Adding a dynamic rookie in the draft would seem a priority for the Texans. Ingram, a first-round choice of the Saints in the 2011 NFL Draft, is the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yardage and rushing touchdowns. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Bob Rose Jun 30, 2022 5:00 PM EDT In this story: New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers Carolina. Rechercher une fiche horaire. At 59, 199 pounds, Gibbs is somewhat undersized and wont ever be an elite threat against contact. Will Jordan Love thrive with the pass-catchers Green Bay picked up? It takes a special running back prospect to command Round 1 interest. Round 7, Pick 237 | Seahawks, 2023 NFL Schedule Release Date, Opponents, Important Offseason Dates, NFL Drafts Mr. Gordon has expressed his desire to return to Denver, but the Broncos should spend their money elsewhere and let Williams carry the load. They didnt do anything weird (like draft a kicker or a punter in the first four rounds), and they didnt do what everyone (incorrectly) wanted them to do and draft a QB. Before we get into the full list of which players are making the change, let's take a quick look at what numbers are now available to specific positions. Despite being chosen after DT Mazi Smith and DE Myles . Only Kamara could match McCaffrey's versatility and all-purpose production between 2017 and 2019. He responded with a team-high 812 rushing yards and 69 receptions for 454 yards with 10 total scores in 14 games. 104 MORE HUDDLE 8 shares11hr ago 2023 NFL draft by round 11hr ago The New Orleans Saints selected Bryan Bresee, a 6-5 and 298-pound defensive tackle from Clemson, with the No. The Next Gen Stats Team uses its draft model to identify the five best value picks from Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. No, the Bucs didnt draft a QB, yes thats a good thing, yes, the Falcons inexplicably drafted a running back at seven overall despite having a rookie running back who ran for over 1,000 yards last season in Tyler Allgeier, no thats not a good thing (for the Falcons). Desperate for their first win, the Raiders relied on Jacobs' physical running style and it paid off. Check out . The Panthers would also take an $18.5 million hit in dead money if they trade him before June 1. bulldozer with underrated open field agility. With the Bucs' top three backs headed for free agency, GM Jason Licht will have to rebuild the position. Saying hes generational as a runner sounds hyperbolic, but we truly havent seen an RB prospect like Robinson in years, and we wont see anyone match him for a while. I like the rest of the picks a lot, if Johnson works out thisll be a draft class to remember. If new OC Luke Getsy follows the model employed by the Packers, with whom he spent the past three seasons under Matt LaFleur, expect the duo to split time. Chad Reuter reveals his final quick-snap grades for all 32 teams based on their decisions from all three days of the 2023 NFL Draft. His jaw-dropping balance and burst allows him to create extra yardage and make him a scoring threat anywhere on the field. Week 5 NFL game picks: Surging Cowboys upset Rams; Ravens top Bengals on Sunday night, NFL rookie rankings at Q1 of 2022 season: Multiple reps for Jets, Packers, Seahawks, three others. But with little cap space, can they strike a deal before another needy team pounces? Click here to view the full Jahmyr Gibbs Scouting Report. Drafting Robinson is something a Super Bowl contending team like the Eagles or Ravens spend a first on, not a team that hasnt made the playoffs in God knows how long. Hopefully, he keeps this ride steady and duplicates that level of production in London. NOTE: Arrows reflect changes from last week's rankings. He was the only Texans player to record a carry. With the reserve roles filled out, including by Reynolds, who was called away from his Netflix binging to play a solid role, the Lions' RB room should be set. A lot of this hinges on Young and how he performs, but I think theyve picked a pretty damn good guy to do that. At 5'11", 215 pounds, he has the size and contact resistance to churn through congestion and take a workhorse's volume. Dillion is a load to handle, particularly late in games, and the increased ability in the passing game that he showed should only improve. Is. Top RBs under contract for 2022: Eno Benjamin, Key free agents: James Conner (UFA), Chase Edmonds (UFA), Jonathan Ward (ERFA). Miami could look to bring back the 28-year-old Johnson on a cheap deal, but finding a capable every-down runner is a necessity.