Look out power rankings world because I am so back it's not even funny. Been a minute since I cranked out a good power ranking, but in my defense, the weather got nice (s/o Michigan summers) and the world around us got really weird. I've taken a step back, got really tan, played a lot of really average golf and am now ready to re-enter the power ranking/blog game.
ESPN has been struggling to fill their talk shows with worthwhile content because there's no sports. I totally get that. Their whole network is predicated on covering sports and UFC, golf and Korean baseball can only get you so far. Just a few Fridays ago, they were airing Angles in the Outfield, which I'm sure Jon Skipper didn't see his 2020 programming looking like that.
Anyway the ESPN morning show 'Get Up' used this graphic to debate the top 10 NFL running backs in the league per the 50 NFL personal that they polled.
Did ESPN poll equipment managers or water boys? Because this list makes me question some of the credibility of these "NFL Personnel". Another scenario is that Mike Greenberg made this list himself being 100% serious because Greenie is goofy like that and in a time where ESPN is sort of struggling, he has got the internet talking about his show.
Regardless, of who actually made the list, wtf is Joe Mixon doing in the league top 10? No disrespect to him but as a guy who was dependent on him in fantasy football, I know for a fact he doesn't belong on here. Additionally, there are a few more head scratchers, which is why I will be providing definitive and not up for debate power rankings of the top 10 NFL running backs. Am I going to snub guys? Hell yeah I'm going to. This is a challenge for them to prove me wrong.
Let's ride.
10. Kerryon Johnson - Detroit Lions
Is this a homer pick? Yeah, I'll admit that. But maybe I'm the only person brave enough to come out and say it. Kerryon Johnson might actually be one of the best backs in football, we just don't know yet. I get that Johnson has yet to play more than 10 games in a season because of injuries but he possibly has yet to even play his best football. The addition of Deandre Swift in Detroit should help lessen the wear and tear on Kerryon and allow him to showcase the catching and running abilities that these other guys have. I firmly believe in this guy.
9. Josh Jacobs - Las Vegas Raiders
It's so hard not to root for Josh Jacobs, grew up homeless, wasn't the featured back at Alabama nor was he the biggest rookie running back in his draft class. Last season he wowed his haters and became a household name. He began the season under the radar and by the end of the season he was garnering respect from the entire league. Jacobs is a young guy with great play making ability and lots of upside. The only real knock against him is that he plays for the Raiders and it's hard to tell if they're able to sustain any success as a team. Easy to put a guy like this in the top 10.
8. Nick Chubb - Cleveland Browns
Chubb is a very good running back, not super big, but also not tiny. A good comparison for him would be saying he's got the consistency of a Chevy Impala. Just like an Impala can get up and go after they pull out in front of a pick up truck, Chubb has break away speed in the open field. It seems like every week I see a highlight of Nick Chubb running for some crazy long touchdown and Baker Mayfield streaking down the field to catch up. Only things going against Chubb is that he plays for the Browns and I think that his helmet looks lame as hell. Although, Chubb is a fun name to type and say.
7. Dalvin Cook - Minnesota Vikings
Last season was Dalvin Cook's first healthy season in what felt like the first time in his career. In the past it literally felt like this dude was on the injury report every week. Cook was the benefactor of the Vikings not wanting Kirk Cousins to throw the ball 25+ times a game. Cook made the most of the Viking's game plan and made fantasy owners look like a king for drafting him. Will he be able to sustain this success? I would like to think he's on track to do so barring any injuries .
6. Ezekiel Elliott - Dallas Cowboys
You simply cannot look like this and tout yourself as a top 5 running back in the NFL. I mean hell yeah crop tops play but you have to back that up with a 6 pack or be a sister at Sigma Nu. If you look at stats, Zeke has been on a tear the last couple of seasons, being the offensive star on a very underachieving Cowboys team. The only reason he landed on the outside of my top 5 is that he a.) went to Ohio State and then b.) plays on a team that has a phenomenal offensive line around him that is capable of making even the most average RBs look like studs. Elliott is pretty fast and overall pretty good so I could be wrong, I'm just not all in on him.
5. Derrick Henry - Tennessee Titans
There are brick shit houses and then there is Derrick Henry. Dude is fucking massive. I mean just look how small he makes another NFL running back look. Prior to last season Henry was just existing in the NFL but now he's blossomed into a top 5 back. Similar to the Vikings, the Tennessee Titans realized that Ryan Tannehill probably shouldn't throw the ball 20+ times a game and Derrick Henry looks like an 8th grader playing among 1st graders. If Henry can even come close to running for 1500 yards again in the seasons to come, he'll remain a top 5 back just because he's so hard to tackle.
4. Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Honestly if I need to explain why Alvin Kamara is in the top 5, you clearly don’t watch any football because this guy is all over the field. He can catch passes out of the back field very well and I guess run the ball super well too. Kamara has been a huge reason that the Saints have been relevant the last few seasons, as well as making Drew Brees look good. People also forget that he played his college football at Tennessee. I don't forget.
3. Aaron Jones - Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones making my top 3 isn't even a pander selection for my readers that are Packers fans. I legitimately think that he belongs here. It's not easy to admit this as a man who despises the green and gold but facts are facts and as a Lions fan I still have a top 10 running back to my credit. All jokes aside, it is absolutely asinine that ESPN/ the NFL personnel omitted Jones from their top 10 RBs in the league. Aaron Jones was a top 3 fantasy performer as a RB last season and there's no reason to think his production will drop off. But is he now the best Packer in Green Bay? The people are asking.
2. Saquon Barkley - New York Giants
Barkley is a pure freak of nature. I mean just look at those thighs. The only thing besides playing for the Giants that was able to slow him down last year was an ankle injury which kept him from stuffing the stat sheet. If the Giants can halfway put a team around Saquon, they'll be able to at least compete for a wild card spot.
1. Christian McCaffrey - Carolina Panthers
Look at yourself and then look at Christian McCaffrey. Neither of us are in the same echelon as humans. Without McCaffrey, the Panthers might not win a single game, and I'm not even exaggerating. He makes that big of an impact to his team and is that dynamic on the field. While I will admit that you could shuffle any guy on this list into the #1 spot, I just couldn’t see myself not putting him here. As a McCaffrey fantasy owner last season, this was a no brainer pick for me.
A look at the final list and please remember, this is not up for debate.
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