Sorry it looks like I’m just copying NFL.com’s articles, but after doing my top quarterbacks of 2011 (http://tinyurl.com/3cdav45), I saw NFL.com’s top running backs in the NFL (http://tinyurl.com/3j26ylq) and I was shocked that both Frank Gore and Peyton Hillis were out of the top ten. Because of this, I simply had to write this up because I could not disagree more with their rankings. Here are my top 30 guys that I would want running the ball for my team in 2011, starting with 21-30.
21. Jonathan Stewart: Like most of the players on the Panthers roster, Stewart had a simply awful 2010 season. After scoring 10 rushing touch downs in each of his first two seasons, he only score 2 and ran for just 770 yards, the lowest of his career. However, he is still only 24 years old and it does not look like the Panthers are going to bring back DeAngelo Williams, so he should be taking over that top spot on the depth chart. With Cam Newton likely starting at quarterback next season, Stewart could be running the ball well over 300 times next season. If he can stay healthy, which is a big if, look for him to prove that he can carry an offense on his back.
22. Jahvid Best: In the first two games of 2010, Best showed the world why the Lions traded up to get him in the first round. However, after just those two games, he showed people why a lot of teams had him as a second round player at best (no pun intended). He has some serious durability concerns because of his small size. If he can avoid injuries, or at least play through some injuries with more success, he can be one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL.
23. Fred Jackson: What Jackson has been able to do for the Bills should not be over looked. He has averaged almost 1000 yards rushing and 40 catches over the last two seasons and made Marshawn Lynch expendable. He did all of this on one of the worst teams in the NFL that has had the worst offensive line in football for at least the last two years. And he has averaged well over 4 yards a carry, which is extremely impressive considering they have had one of the worst passing games in the NFL over that time period. He’s already 30 years old so he won’t be getting any better, but he still has plenty left to offer for at least another year or two.
24. Knowshon Moreno: Moreno’s first two seasons with the Broncos have been a disappointment after being selected 12th overall in the 2009 draft. However, he has shown flashes of potential. If he can remain healthy, he might be able to solidify himself as the every down back the Broncos thought they were drafting.
25. Mark Ingram: If it were not for the questions about his knee, Ingram would be much higher on this list. I don’t care what people say about his timed speed and all the rest of that, he is an every down back. He did not catch the ball much in college, but he has underrated hands and is great in pass protection. I see Ingram being the difference maker in two or three games next season that help the Saints win their division once again.
26. LaDainian Tomlinson: LT’s skills are declining fast, but he still has a lot to offer a team. His top end speed has slowed, but he still has elite agility that makes defenders miss in the open field. He is a great weapon on third downs and unless he falls to some injuries, I think he could be rushing for over 1000 yards in 2011 for the first time since 2008.
27. BenJarvus Green-Ellis: “The Law Firm,” as he is nicknamed, had a great 2010 season and made the Pro Bowl. However, I still only see him as a mediocre running back who ate up huge running lanes due to the fact that Tom Brady is handing him the ball. When given the choice to defend against Brady or BGE, defensive coordinators will always be much more fearful of what Brady can do to them. He was a touchdown machine last season, but I don’t see him repeating those numbers in 2011.
28. Joseph Addai: Hands down, Addai should have been the Super Bowl MVP when the Colts beat the Bears in 2007. He caught a Super Bowl record 10 passes and had over 130 total yards against a very tough Bears D. However, since then, he has struggled to stay on the field for even close to a full season. He can be a great player, but he has to stay healthy first.
29. Ryan Matthews: I cannot remember the last time there was so much hype about a rookie running back, so it was shocking when he failed to even produce even mediocre numbers. So many people were in love with Matthews skill set, yet injuries, fumbles, and the Chargers’ inability to keep the score close in the first half of their games caused Matthews to fall on his face during his rookie season. I think his second year will treat him much better and he could produce in 2011 like many thought he would in 2012.
30. Shonn Greene: Deemed the Jets feature running back starting the 2010 season, Greene failed to meet the lowest ends of expectations. For whatever reason, he plays his best football at the end of the season and in the playoffs. That has been helpful for the Jets in his first two seasons, but he has to be more consistent or the Jets might not be playing in the post season at all.
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