TheFatboi Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 https://www.atlantafalcons.com/_mobileview/news/ranking-the-nfc-south-s-running-back-groups-all-purpose-stars-lead-the-way Ranking the NFC South’s running back groups: All-purpose stars lead the way Will McFadden ATLANTAFALCONS.COM Although the running back position has become a bit marginalized in recent seasons, the NFC South boasts some of the league’s top young backs. RELATED CONTENT Tabeek: Why a healthy Devonta Freeman is key to Falcons' success Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey have been stars since entering the league in 2017, and Devonta Freeman should be healthy after missing much of the 2018 season. Continuing my NFC South position group rankings, I’ve dug into each team’s current crop of running backs to determine how they stack up. For a reminder of what I look for in each category, click here. AP/Jason Behnken 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Aggregate score: 2.8 Top player: Peyton Barber Dropoff factor: 3 Returning production: 3 Best player: 3 Consistency: 1 Depth: 4 The Buccaneers had the worst rushing attack in the division last year, averaging 95.2 yards per game, which were the fourth-fewest among all NFL teams. Aside from the addition of Andre Ellington and the loss of JacQuizz Rodgers this offseason, Tampa Bay has pretty much stood pat at the position. Peyton Barber will return after leading the team with 234 carries for 871 yards and five touchdowns. Ronald Jones, the Buccaneers’ second-round draft pick in 2018, had a disappointing rookie season and gained just 44 yards and scored one touchdown on 23 carries. The team could be hoping for a breakout year with Jones, but the combination of him and Barber isn’t too frightening. 3. Atlanta Falcons Aggregate score: 2.6 Top player: Devonta Freeman Dropoff factor: 2 Returning production: 4 Best player: 3 Consistency: 3 Depth: 1 Tevin Coleman’s departure was one of the few key losses in free agency for the Falcons. The longtime backfield teammate of Devonta Freeman ran for 800 yards and four touchdowns on 167 carries last season while starting in place of Freeman, who missed all but two games due to injury. Freeman should be back healthy for 2019, and the Falcons are a better team with him on the field. But it remains to be seen, after he’s missed time each of the last two seasons, if Freeman can stay on the field. Behind Freeman the Falcons have a lot of different options to work with. Ito Smith carried the ball 90 times for 315 yards and four scores during his rookie season, and Brian Hill ran wild in a Week 16 game against the Panthers, gaining 115 yards on just eight carries. Atlanta also drafted Qadree Ollison and Marcus Green, further bolstering their depth. AP/Jason Behnken 2. Carolina Panthers Aggregate score: 2.4 Top player: Christian McCaffrey Dropoff factor: 4 Returning production: 1 Best player: 2 Consistency: 2 Depth: 3 Alvin Kamara has gotten plenty of attention during his first two seasons with the Saints, but Christian McCaffrey has been every bit as impressive in his first two years in Carolina. McCaffrey was both the Panthers’ leading rusher and receiver in 2018, gaining 1,965 total offensive yards and scoring 13 combined touchdowns. His importance to the Panthers’ offense can’t be overstated. Carolina’s main loss behind McCaffrey was veteran back C.J. Anderson. Cameron Artis-Payne is back after carrying the ball 19 times for 69 yards and a touchdown last season, and the Panthers added draft pick Jordan Scarlett and former Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield to the position group this offseason. Still, this is McCaffrey’s show. AP/Perry Knotts 1. New Orleans Saints Aggregate score: 2 Top player: Alvin Kamara Dropoff factor: 1 Returning production: 2 Best player: 1 Consistency: 4 Depth: 2 Losing Mark Ingram in free agency will certainly be felt next season, but the Saints’ decision to add Latavius Murray, who gained 578 yards and scored six touchdowns on 140 carries with the Vikings last season, will help mitigate that. Of course, with Alvin Kamara still around it doesn’t much matter who the No. 2 back is. Kamara gained 1,592 combined yards last season and scored 18 touchdowns. Since joining the Saints in 2017, Kamara has averaged over 5 yards per carry and has scored 31 touchdowns. Dwayne Washington also returns to the Saints’ backfield after carrying the ball 27 times for 154 yards last season. The combination of Kamara, Murray and Washington gives New Orleans a pretty complete backfield trio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vandy Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 If freeman’s healthy we’re a close 2nd behind Aints. hjerry, NeonDeion, Ergo Proxy and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redswingline2 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 36 minutes ago, Vandy said: If freeman healthy we’re a close 2nd behind Aints. I agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGoesTheDynamite Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 I think Ollision could tip the scale in our favor for who has the best RB group. Lethal, capitan, Knight of God and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lethal Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 My how times change. Wasn't too long ago (2016) we had arguably the best RBs in the entire league and now we are third in our own division (which I can't really argue with). Like my brother @Vandy says though, a healthy Free is going to flip that narrative on it's head quickly. The OLine + Mularkey + all the signings and picks...if he stays healthy Free should have a monster year. BoomGoesTheDynamite, Vandy, TheFatboi and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romfal Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 McCaffrey >>> Kamara quickzero, Sidecar Falcon and poutlipper 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 I can't disagree with this list. If Free is truly healthy, and if the OL is improved as we suspect, then we should have a very strong run game. A couple of "if's" there, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD dirtybird21 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Can’t disagree with these rankings at this moment. But it could change pretty quickly Ergo Proxy, Knight of God and Lethal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.11 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 13 minutes ago, Romfal said: McCaffrey >>> Kamara Lol no. Not at all. Knight of God and mtldirtybird 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 14 minutes ago, Romfal said: McCaffrey >>> Kamara H3ll no!!! Not even close raysnill1 and Knight of God 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 4 hours ago, Vandy said: If freeman healthy we’re a close 2nd behind Aints. Yep. Vandy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD dirtybird21 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 17 minutes ago, Romfal said: McCaffrey >>> Kamara Kamara is easily the best back in the division. Easily Knight of God, FalconsIn2012 and Ergo Proxy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IA Falcon07 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 7 minutes ago, JD dirtybird21 said: Kamara is easily the best back in the division. Easily Regardless of ones opinion there is absolutely no EASILY in either case. Both are great backs with very similar production, although Kamara has the major benefit of staying a bit more fresh and playing on a much better offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Must be rank em Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 If we're talking starting RBs then I agree with the ranking but if it's the entire depth at the position like the title suggests then I don't see how we're not #2. Carolina has nothing behind McCaffrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott1988 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Devine Ozigbo is going to push Dwayne Washington for the #3 Saints RB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 11 hours ago, Vandy said: If freeman’s healthy we’re a close 2nd behind Aints. I think this guy got confused. How are we 3rd in WR drpth and 1st in RB depth Vandy and NeonDeion 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Track Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 16 hours ago, Romfal said: McCaffrey >>> Kamara In college or NFL? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malachore Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 16 hours ago, Romfal said: McCaffrey >>> Kamara You're getting a lot of fantasy football fans giving you heat but I'd take McCaffrey over Kamara too. Draftnut57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-Nite-Toker Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I think Free will be 100% healthy going into this season. Our backfield is solid. Vandy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romfal Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 3 hours ago, Malachore said: You're getting a lot of fantasy football fans giving you heat but I'd take McCaffrey over Kamara too. in fantasy its a no brainer McCaffrey >>> Kamara. Draftnut57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidecar Falcon Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 20 hours ago, Romfal said: McCaffrey >>> Kamara Agreed. McCaffrey didn’t have the benefit of that oline, Brees, and Payton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 4 hours ago, Malachore said: You're getting a lot of fantasy football fans giving you heat but I'd take McCaffrey over Kamara too. I’m not into fantasy and it’s kamara for me. Cam’s threat to run makes it easier for mccaffery to go off. He may keep it in his belly or he may pull it and go. Not taking anything from mccafferey. He’s really good. Just gotta give kamara the edge. He doesn’t have the benefit of a scary running qb Jpg428gggg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 3 minutes ago, Sidecar Falcon said: Agreed. McCaffrey didn’t have the benefit of that oline, Brees, and Payton. Kamara doesn’t have the benefit of Cam Newton’s threat to run the ball. That’s what makes him more dangerous. With the panthers you have to watch cam as well as mcCaffrey. Cam May leave it in his belly or he may pull it and run. That opens things up for McCaffrey. That’s where I give the edge to kamara. Brees goes out kamara still dangerous. Cam goes out you can key in on mccaffrey. Still dangerous but some of his effectiveness is contained. Like game 2 against us. Without cam we were able to contain his effectiveness. He had a good game in the stats column but it wasn’t hurting us. raysnill1, Jpg428gggg and capitan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raysnill1 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 1 hour ago, TheFatboi said: Kamara doesn’t have the benefit of Cam Newton’s threat to run the ball. That’s what makes him more dangerous. With the panthers you have to watch cam as well as mcCaffrey. Cam May leave it in his belly or he may pull it and run. That opens things up for McCaffrey. That’s where I give the edge to kamara. Brees goes out kamara still dangerous. Cam goes out you can key in on mccaffrey. Still dangerous but some of his effectiveness is contained. Like game 2 against us. Without cam we were able to contain his effectiveness. He had a good game in the stats column but it wasn’t hurting us. agreed,and if Cam pulls it up McCaffrey is still pretty much gonna open as a check down ... all because of Cam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.