1. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson-QB
Mark Ingram
Gus Edwards
J.K. Dobbins
Patrick Ricard-FB
The Baltimore Ravens backfield is a little different due to the fact that the team's best runner might be the quarterback. Lamar Jackson ran for 1206 yards last year. He ran for 695 yards in seven starts as a rookie in 2018. Mark Ingram ran for more than 1000 yards in his first year with the Ravens. Gus Edwards ran for over 700 yards. Rookie J.K. Dobbins might be getting most of the running back carries by the end of the season. Patrick Ricard is a Pro Bowl fullback. The Ravens have a very unique running attack and their backfield is the best in the league.
2. Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Mike Boone
C.J. Ham-FB
Perhaps this ranking is influenced a bit by my Vikings fandom. Dalvin Cook is one of the best backs in the league. With his talent and Gary Kubiak's offense, he's an annual contender for the rushing title. He's terrific on screens. He can run routes. He can block. The only knock on his game through thee seasons has been his availability. He has to stay on the field. In Alexander Mattison, the Vikings have one of the best #2 backs in the league. His third-round selection on draft night was a surprise. His play as a rookie last season was a revelation. He's a load to bring down. His hurdle highlights are a reflection that he's more than a pounder. For two seasons, Mike Boone has been a preseason star. He finally got some regular season opportunities late last season. He showed that he's more than just a preseason star. He played some receiver in college so he can split out to provide some offensive versatility. C.J. Ham has emerged as one of the best fullbacks in the league.
Alvin Kamara
Latavius Murray
Taysom Hill-QB/FB/whatever
Mike Burton-FB
The New Orleans Saints have a unique backfield. It starts somewhat traditionally with a terrific starter and an effective, change-of-pace backup. Then there's Taysom Hill. In the playoffs last year, Hill was the only Saints offensive player that could dent the Vikings defense. He kept the Saints in the game. They do not take that game to overtime without him. Hill is listed as a quarterback. Sean Payton thinks that he could potentially play the position full-time. Maybe he can. Maybe he can't. I do know that Hill can do a lot of different things on a football field. He can play tight end. He can play fullback. Whatever position he plays, he's a pain-in-the-ass for a defense.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert
Tevin Coleman
Jerrick McKinnon
Kyle Juszczyk-FB
The strength of the San Francisco 49ers' backfield is in the numbers and Kyle Shanahan's playcalling. Raheem Mostert emerged in the team's march to the Super Bowl but any of the backs could pace the ground game. Jerrick McKinnon has had two seasons of injury misery since he signed with the 49ers. Hopefully, he can finally make it to, and through, the season this year. A consideration of the 49ers run game has to include their receiver's role in it. Receiver sweeps and the threat of them are a schematic staple. Deebo Samuel was terrific as a rookie last season. Fellow rookie Jalen Hurd was injured before he could get started. Yesterday, he lost this season before it started. First-round rookie Brandon Aiyuk can do a lot of the running things that Samuel can do. An injury will keep Samuel out for a while so they'll need Aiyuk immediately. The 49ers brought in Tavon Austin to help cover for all of these injuries. The running ability of Samuel,Aiyuk, and Hurd if he can ever catch a break might worry defenses more than the running ability of their backs.
5. Buffalo Bills
Devin Singletary
Zack Moss
T.J. Yeldon
Taiwan Jones
Patrick DiMarco-FB
Perhaps this ranking is a little high. It's mostly about this group's potential. In two seasons the Buffalo Bills have built a very intriguing backfield. Devin Singletary really impressed me with his play in the playoffs. I expect a breakout season from him. Zack Moss was terrific at Utah. As a Cal fan, I'm relieved that he's now an NFL rookie. T.J. Yeldon and Taiwan Jones have had some flashes with other teams. One or both should provide options behind Singletary and Moss. Patrick DiMarco is one of the best fullbacks in the league.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson
Carlos Hyde
Rashaad Penny
Nick Bellore-FB
In three seasons, Chris Carson has bulled his way from seventh-round draft status, fended off high draft picks, and established himself as the top back on one of the best running teams in the league. He's a hard-running, impact back. Carlos Hyde was signed to add some veteran stability. Rashaad Penny was drafted in the first round to be the top back. Instead he's an effective, sometimes flashy, backup.
7. Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb
Kareem Hunt
Andy Janovich-FB
Nick Chubb nearly hit 1500 yards last seaon. He's good. I still don't like Kareem Hunt much but there's no denying that he's an impact football player. It's a luxury for the Browns to have a player that would start on most teams be the backup to one of the best backs in the league.
8. Indianapolis Colts
Marlon Mack
Jonathan Taylor
Nyheim Hines
Roosevelt Nix-FB
As with the Bills, I see the Indianapolis Colts as boasting one of the most intriguing, young backfields in the league. Marlon Mack has put together back-to-back strong running seasons. Rookie Jonathan Taylor might be an even better runner. Nyheim Hines is an excellent change-of-pace back. Roosevelt Nix is a Pro Bowl fullback.
9. New England Patriots
Sony Michel
Damien Harris
Lamar Miller
James White
Rex Burkhead
As is often the case with the New England Patriots, their backfield is one by committee. Sony Michel is probably the best of the bunch when healthy. He isn't healthy now. Damien Harris should be a more than capable fill in until Michel returns. Maybe even gets most of the carries after Michel returns. Lamar Miller was a nice insurance signing. James White and Rex Burkhead are very versatile, very capable backups.
Kerryon Johnson
D'Andre Swift
Bo Scarbrough
Nick Bawden-FB
I thought that the Detroit Lions had an interesting backfield before they used the 35th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft to select D'Andre Swift. Kerry Johnson is one of the better young running backs in the league. Swift has even greater potential. Bo Scarbrough is a solid #3.
Some of the backfields that just missed the cut:
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones
Jamaal Williams
A.J. Dillon
Josiah Deguara-FB
Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry
Darrynton Evans
Khari Blasingame-FB
I probably should've found a place on the list for this backfield. Derrick Henry is great. Darrynton Evans is a very intriguing rookie. I hated that the Vikings didn't have roster room for Khari Blasingame last summer. He could develop into a fullback star. Which means that few people know a thing about him.
Denver Broncos
Phillip Lindsay
Melvin Gordon
Royce Freeman
Jeremy Cox-FB
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