| Running Back Rankings |
| Rank |
Team |
Player |
Rush Yds |
Yards Per Carry |
Receptions |
Rec Yards |
Total TDs |
| 21 |
 |
Cedric Benson |
647 |
4.1 |
8 |
54 |
6 |
|
The Bears traded Thomas Jones with the plan to make Benson their feature back. But the notoriously fragile Benson is already sitting out parts of training camp with a shoulder injury. There are rumors that Benson hasn't won the respect of many of his teammates, while Jones was known for being well-liked and a hard worker. Sitting out most of the Super Bowl with a mild injury didn't help matters.
|
| 22 |
 |
Clinton Portis |
523 |
4.1 |
17 |
170 |
7 |
|
Portis is a Pro Bowl caliber back when healthy, and he is a great fit in Washington's zone blocking scheme. But after an injury-plagued 2006, Portis was still struggling with a knee injury during training camp. Last year, back-up Ladell Betts emerged as a strong option for the 'Skins. With a capable runner behind him, Washington will likely make sure Portis doesn't get too many touches and take too many hits. |
| 23 |
 |
Marion Barber III |
654 |
4.8 |
23 |
196 |
16 |
It's tough to figure out Barber. His 16 TDs were tied for third-most in the NFL last season. His prowess inside the red zone means he'll have a chance for plenty more TDs. But Barber doesn't get as many carries as teammate Julius Jones. He had fewer than 40 rushing yards in half his games last season, and his season-high was 83 yards.
|
| 24 |
 |
Adrian Peterson |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
The Vikings already have RB Chester Taylor , but Minnesota didn't use the No. 7 overall pick of the Draft to take a back-up. Peterson has the talent to be one of the league's 10 best rushers this season, but he will sit in favor of Taylor more often than most elite backs. Plus, the Vikings' lack of a passing game could make Peterson's transition to the NFL a little bit tougher.
|
| 25 |
 |
Deuce McAllister |
1,057 |
4.3 |
30 |
198 |
10 |
|
McAllister was very good last season, and the knee he injured in 2005 should be stronger than it was last year. But with Reggie Bush improving greatly as a rusher late last year, McAllister will likely see a little less time on the field. |
| 26 |
 |
Tatum Bell |
1,025 |
4.4 |
24 |
115 |
2 |
|
Until Kevin Jones is healthy enough to play, Bell is the unquestioned feature back in Detroit's high-powered offense. The Lions prefer to throw it much more often than they run it. But Detroit's dangerous passing game will open up lots of room for the speedy Bell when they keep it on the ground.
|
| 27 |
 |
Jerious Norwood |
633 | 6.4 | 12 | 102 | 2 |
|
Of all the running backs who logged 80 carries or more last season, Norwood led them all in yards per carry. With 32-year-old veteran RB Warrick Dunn undergoing back surgery during the off-season, Norwood has a chance to get more touches this season. He'll likely split carries with Dunn, but Norwood has the ability to make a big play on every touch.
|
| 28 |
 |
DeAngelo Williams |
501 |
4.1 |
33 |
313 |
2 |
|
Carolina's first-round pick in 2006, Williams will have an opportunity to take the starting job in his second season. The Panthers are switching to a zone blocking scheme in their running game, similar to the one Williams ran in while at the University of Memphis. He'll battle DeShaun Foster for playing time. |
| 29 |
 |
Jamal Lewis |
1,132 |
3.6 |
18 |
115 |
9 |
|
After leaving Baltimore, Lewis is the unquestioned starter in Cleveland. He is still trying to re-gain the form from his 2,000-yard season in 2003, but Lewis has looked very tentative as a runner the past two seasons. Unfortunately, some of his best games have come against the Browns. And yards he gains against the Cleveland D in practice won't count.
|
| 30 |
 |
Marshawn Lynch |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
The No. 12 pick of the draft, Lynch should be Buffalo's starter from Day One. He has tremendous receiving skills, but Lynch can be indecisive hitting the hole as a rusher. Lynch went to the University of California, and many Pac-10 rushers have trouble making the transition to the much more physical NFL (just look at Reggie Bush's struggles as a rusher last season). Plus, a California native, Lynch may not enjoy running in the cold weather in Buffalo.
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