Best NFL Running Backs of the 2018-2019 Season

Two weeks away from the season to kickoff, and here is what I feel could be the best tail backs this year.
The Top Ten
1 Todd Gurley Todd Gurley II is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.

Without a doubt, the guy in his prime more than any other player right now is Todd Gurley. He was unbelievable last season, and I expect more consistent yards from him. He's a big impact player for the Rams' offense. While they had a solid passing game, it was Gurley's running attack that came in with a mission to score touchdowns. It doesn't get any more deserving than that, right?

He is the best running back this season, getting 100 yards per game. Now the Rams have C.J. Anderson, who's also getting a lot of yards per game. While that takes some opportunities away from Gurley, he still consistently reaches 100 yards, which is difficult. That's why Todd is definitely number 1!

2 Ezekiel Elliott Ezekiel Elijah Elliott is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State, where he earned second-team All-America honors in 2015.

Ladies and gentlemen, Zeke is going to come hunting for his missing yards from last season, thanks to the NFL screwing him out of half the season. Dak doesn't have many receivers, so let's give it off to the other rookie sensation who could be a great tailback for years. A revenge tour for Zeke is very likely, and while Dallas doesn't look that good on paper, they will have a lethal running game that's dangerous.

It's Ezekiel because bam, juke, bam, spin, touchdown.

The Cowboys are the best, and so is Elliott.

3 Le'Veon Bell Le'Veon Andrew Bell is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League.

I mean, yes, he's a big player who will produce. I like him this year over the other two B's, especially since this could be Bell's final year as a Steeler. If so, it could also mark the end of Ben Roethlisberger. As for Antonio Brown, let's see what the Madden curse does to him down the road. Bell is definitely going to give it his all this season - I believe that - but there are two other backs I would rank above him this year.

I think he's the best, but not right now, obviously. I'm a Steelers fan, and I hope he comes back.

4 Saquon Barkley

He'll probably be better than half of the other tailbacks, considering that the other half are part of committee schemes. There's a good chance that even though you take him high in fantasy, I might avoid him due to the O-line around him, which I wouldn't call great for a running back to be behind.

How is he not in the top 3, let alone ranked at 8? This is disrespectful, especially since Bell never played, Jordan Howard got replaced by Tarik Cohen, and Kareem Hunt was cut later in the season.

Saquon needs to be number 4, but Jordan Howard and Dalvin Cook are good too. Not going to lie, but come on, don't do the rookie like that.

5 Jordan Howard

We know he can run effectively, but his one minor flaw is not always catching the football. Hopefully, he'll fix that, and if he does, the Bears could be a sneaky good team this season, with Jordan Howard leading the offense with hard runs.

6 Dalvin Cook

I have a suspicion that Kirk Cousins could disappoint in a new offensive scheme. However, let's not forget the phenom that dominated for the first three games of last season - Dalvin Cook. He could dominate again this season, coming back strong and being a nightmare for the NFC North rivals.

7 David Johnson David Jerome Johnson Sr. is an American football running back for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northern Iowa.

What could be a great comeback story for David Johnson, after being out with a wrist injury, might be the one bright spot on this Cardinals offense. For how bad they operate, they'll go out and fight to lose, but all eyes will be on number 31 getting the touches to thrive.

8 Devonta Freeman Devonta Freeman is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.

While Matt Ryan mainly got it to Julio for most of the offense (just not in the end zone), Freeman is a solid back to go with as well. He was a big factor last season, especially in tight game situations. Although it's somewhat of a committee approach, Freeman still gets more yardage than what Coleman can produce inconsistently.

9 Melvin Gordon Melvin Gordon III is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League.

To me, he is the second coming of L.T., slowly coming together. The fact that he didn't get as many carries as he should have is a shame - he's the primary back, not Ekeler. Hopefully, L.A.'s B team gets the idea and makes a potential playoff appearance, with what looks to be a top-10 offense in both the rush and pass game.

10 Kareem Hunt

I'm not sure what young Patrick Mahomes is going to look like in year one, but if I had to guess, they'll commit to Hunt hard like they did before. The only difference is, now we know they have a running game, but the passing game is still somewhat of an unknown with Mahomes at the controls.

Kareem Hunt has amazing speed and is an amazing player all around. He's just a bit underrated but could be the best one day!

The Contenders
11 Christian McCaffrey

McCaffrey could have a big year two after a lukewarm rookie season. He'll probably get all the touches, and he's someone you should definitely have on your radar in fantasy. He could be that sneaky good second-round pick to snatch up.

He should be at least No. 9 or 8. He is such an explosive running back.

He is a good power runner and is very good at running.

12 Alvin Kamara

Not having him in the top 20 is definitely unjustified, but I should have put him in between here since I have a feeling they will switch to a more passing-heavy offense this season. I feel Drew Brees will remind us why he's one of the best, while Kamara might not have as good of a year as his rookie season. That's why he wouldn't have cracked my top 10.

Alvin Kamara should be in the top 3. Replace Ezekiel Elliott with Kamara.

He's a great RB. Plus, he hurdled people! He should be No. 2. Todd Gurley should be last.

13 Sony Michel

Sony Michel was one of the most underrated picks in the 2018 draft. Even though he only had six touchdowns in the regular season, he had six in three games in the postseason. It's crazy to think a rookie put up those kinds of stats. I think he should be higher on the list. He has a great career ahead of him.

He ran for 900 yards in his rookie season, despite missing a quarter of the season due to a knee injury. His second year could be massive if he can avoid injury.

He is a monster running back. He's quick, has great moves, and is always the right guy to give the ball to!

14 Leonard Fournette Leonard Joseph Fournette III is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League.

I'm worried about most of the second-year tailbacks because I avoided Zeke, and that played out exactly how I thought. However, there are two of last year's rookie studs that I still believe will have a strong season. Fournette is the core of their offense, and that can't be ignored compared to others I'm worried about, like Kamara.

15 Phillip Lindsay Phillip Lindsay is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.

Let him get a block and he is gone.

16 Nick Chubb

Cleveland has an unclear running committee, specifically two-thirds of one. Carlos Hyde has fumble issues and is pretty inconsistent. Duke Johnson is okay but also inconsistent. That leaves the bulldog Nick Chubb, who could really benefit this offense.

Chubb has rhino strength to break tackles and amazing breakaway speed.

17 Joe Mixon

A bit low, considering he will get a lot of touches in year two, though he wasn't that good in his rookie year. It could pay off big if you believe in taking chances on troubled players like Mixon. He could be vital for both the Bengals' running attack and in fantasy.

I think he's overlooked because of how bad the Bengals were. Despite their horrible offensive line, he managed to lead the AFC in rushing yards, even though he had an injury early in the season.

18 Chris Carson

This is unbelievable. Chris Carson. Who had the best yards after contact? Chris Carson. Who was the Seahawks' star running back in a rebuilding season? Chris Carson. In my opinion, he should at least be in the Top 12, considering how many times he saved our Seattle Seahawks.

Carson showed he can run even with one of the worst offensive lines, which greatly helps Russell Wilson. As for rookie Rashaad Penny, I don't know what to say, but I feel they might have overreached by drafting him.

19 Derrick Henry

It's a committee run scheme, but I hope he'll get more touches over former Patriot Dion Lewis. Henry has an aggressive running style that can be lethal. A big sign of that was the playoff game against the Chiefs.

Derrick Henry should be No. 1. He is crazy good!

20 Jamaal Williams

Not sure if Green Bay is going to use a committee at running back or if they are just dealing with injuries again - who knows? But if I have to point at anyone, I'll go with a real tailback and not someone who was originally playing wide receiver, who, by the way, got hurt last night. Jamaal Williams shows signs he can be a decent tailback for the Packers and take some pressure off Aaron Rodgers for a few plays.

21 Rashaad Penny

Remember that sweet reverse field play in the Vikings game?

22 James White

Legend. Gotta be in the top 15.

Best running back.

23 Marshawn Lynch Marshawn Terrell Lynch is an American football running back for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He previously played for the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks, winning one Super Bowl in Seattle. Lynch initially retired from professional football in 2016, but returned in 2017 to... read more

Based on his improved burst speed, Beast Mode might have a much better year than he did the first time around.

24 James Conner James Earl Conner is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football at Pittsburgh, and was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He's awesome, young, and tougher than Bell.

25 Mark Ingram Mark Ingram, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.
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