Today’s NFL is a quarterback league. In 2013, 32 quarterbacks passed for at least 10 touchdowns. That same season only 30 running backs ran for at least 5 touchdowns.
With that said the running back is still a necessary part of the game, and quite essential to the quarterback’s performance. Weather they are blocking, catching passes in the flat, or taking a handoff, the running backs main job is to surprise the defense. He is the one player on the field that the defense has to adjust for.
This is what makes running backs elite, being able to take the focus off their quarterback and keep the defense honest. Once the running game is established it can be a lot easier to make the secondary jump for run support, now the offense can pull out play-action and throw the ball downfield.
[new page = 10. Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins]
Moreno, 26, had a breakout season with the Denver Broncos last year. He was one of five players to rush for 10 or more touchdowns. He was also a big help in the passing game giving Peyton Manning an easy safety option.
His effectiveness is also a big reason for Manning’s success. He caught 60 of 74 passes thrown his way and was a solid blocker throughout the season.
He is currently on the Miami Dolphins alongside Reggie Bush. Watch for them two to make the Dolphins and Ryan Tannehill look very good this season.
[new page = 9. Eddie Lacey, Green Bay Packers]
Lacey, 24, was in the top 10 running backs for total yards last season. He was also among the company of Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles as one of three backs to rush for over 1,000 yards and score more than 10 touchdowns.
While that is a very good rookie season, this year will determine whether he will stay elite or fall into the abyss like Doug Martin after his stellar rookie year.
With the focus on Aaron Rodgers at the helm, he should turn some heads with his play in 2014.
[new page = 8. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers]
Gore, 31, is a seasoned veteran who has been putting up great numbers his whole career. He is a similar player to Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville jaguars but he has been able to stay healthy.
He runs with power and isn’t shy about running through defensive backs. He is an underrated blocker that has allowed Colin Kaepernick to do some of the crazy things that he does.
Along with their high powered defense and unpredictable quarterback, Gore will help the 49ers go far once again this year.
[new page = 7. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins]
In 2012, Morris, 25, posted the best rookie performance by a running back in the past 20 years according to SportingCharts. This past season he wasn’t quite as good, but neither was Robert Griffin III.
He still had quite the impressive season but struggled when it came to ball security. He fumbled 5 times over the course of the season but still managed to hold an average of 4.6 yards per carry. He was also the only running back with 10 or more rushes of 20+ yards.
If he can work on the ball security he will be a big weapon for the Redskins once again.
[new page = 6. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears]
Forte, 28, has been battling injuries for most of his career and still always manages to be near the top of the running backs each season. He isn’t a very overpowering back, but he has the best ball carrier vision in the league. His ability to make read the defense, find a hole and make a cut before the line of scrimmage is unmatched by any other back in the NFL.
He plays smart and fast, which makes him very effective with guys like Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey who love to stretch the field.
Everyone in the league knows that Jay Cutler has a very good deep ball which often gives Forte an easy run when the defense don’t expect it.
[new page = 5. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys]
Murray, 26, is coming off the best season of his career. It was his first season rushing for over 1,000 yards and he did so with only 217 carries. His 5.2 yards per rush average was the best among players with 200+ carries.
Playing for the Cowboys, players are under a lot of pressure to perform and after going through a sophomore slump, he came out in his third year on fire.
If the Cowboys can switch their offensive focus away from Tony Romo and become one of the few ground and pound teams left, they could make a lot of noise in the 2014 season.
[new page = 4. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks]
Lynch, 28, became very famous for his huge TD run against the New Orleans Saints in the 2010-11 NFL Wild Card game. Since then he has been known by many as The Beast.
His most recent claim to fame is helping the Seattle Seahawks win the super bowl this past season. He finished the season tied for the most rushing TDs, 12, with Jamaal Charles. He was also one of two players to rush for four TDs in the post season.
He is the image of the Seahawks and a big intimidation factor along with their defense. Look for them to contend for another championship this year.
[new page = 3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings]
AP, 29, is one of the best running backs of all time. He is one of seven backs to ever rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. Not to mention that he did that coming off an ACL tear.
He is one of the few backs in the league that can run you over and just as easily run around you. His speed, strength and agility are unmatched in the NFL.
He will do his thing this season, but he has not yet been able to get to the big dance alone, not even with Brett Favre at the helm.
[new page = 2. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs]
Charles, 27, has built his career on two things – speed and finesse. He is quite the running back, but he makes his biggest impact as a safety receiver in the flat. Not only did he rush for 12 TDs last season, but he also caught seven.
This makes him very dangerous because the defense needs to know where he is on the field at all times.
His only flaw is staying healthy. He isn’t a very big guy and rarely will run over a defensive player. He can turn heads with his speed but he is very vulnerable to the big hit. The past two seasons he has fumbled a total of nine times.
[new page = 1. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles]
McCoy, 25, has been a dominating force for years now. He is quick, strong, smart and an above average receiver. Him and Lynch were the only two backs to attempt over 300 rushes, but unlike Lynch’s 4.2 average yards per rush, McCoy averaged an outstanding 5.1 yards per rush.
He was also the only back to average 100+ rushing yards per game. He is one of the most versatile players like AP because he isn’t afraid of the big hit and will occasionally run through a player or two.
Unfortunately for McCoy, the Eagles got rid of Desean Jackson this off-season. His speed really helped McCoy because defensive backs could not risk getting beat deep to cheat up and stop the run.