NFL Running Back Rankings
by MattMiller on May 26, 2008 9:15 PM EDT
12 comments
Our preseason look at every player in the NFL continues with our running back rankings. Every NFL running back and fullback are listed.
Please note that the grades given are our own. Each player is ranked in order of who we would want as our starting running back for the 2008 NFL Season only. We have taken in to account age, production and potential in grading the players below. Only drafted rookies are listed.
Name- Team- Grade- Stats (Attempts/Yards/Average/TD)
1. LaDainian Tomlinson- SD- 10- 315/1474/4.7/15
2. Larry Johnson- KC- 10- 158/559/3.5/3
3. Adrian Peterson- MIN- 10- 238/1341/5.6/12
4. Steven Jackson- STL- 9- 237/1002/4.2/5
5. Brian Westbrook- PHI- 9- 278/1333/4.8/7
6. Willie Parker- PIT- 8- 321/1316/4.1/2
7. Joseph Addai- IND- 8- 261/1072/4.1/12
8. Marion Barber- DAL- 8- 204/975/4.8/10
9. Frank Gore- SF- 8- 260/1102/4.2/5
10. Willis McGahee- BAL- 8- 294/1207/4.1/7
11. Fred Taylor- JAC- 8- 223/1202/5.4/5
12. Marshawn Lynch- BUF- 7- 280/1115/4.0/7
13. Edgerrin James- ARZ - 7- 324/1222/3.8/
14. Jamal Lewis- CLE- 7- 298/1304/4.4/9
15. Clinton Portis - WAS - 7- 325/1262/3.9/11
16. Michael Turner- ATL- 7- 71/316/4.5/1
17. Ryan Grant- GB - 7- 188/956/5.1/8
18. Brandon Jacobs- NYG- 7- 202/1009/5.0/4
19. Ronnie Brown- MIA - 7 - 119/602/5.1/4
20. Justin Fargas- OAK - 7- 222/1009/4.5/4
21. Laurence Maroney - NE - 7 - 185/835/4.5/6
22. Maurice Jones-Drew- JAC- 7 - 167/768/4.6/9
23. Reggie Bush - NO - 7 - 157/581/3.7/4
24. LenDale White- TEN- 7 - 303/1110/3.7/7
25. Julius Jones - SEA - 7 - 164/588/3.6/2
26. DeAngelo Williams- CAR - 7- 144/717/5.0/4
27. Carnell Williams - TB- 7- 54/208/3.9/3
28. Deuce McAllister - NO - 7 - 24/92/3.8/0
29. Lorenzo Neal - SD - 7- 13/32/2.5/0
30. DeShaun Foster- SF- 6 - 247/876/3.5/3
31. Earnest Graham - TB - 6 - 222/898/4.0/10
32. Rudi Johnson - CIN- 6- 170/497/2.9/3
33. Ladell Betts - WAS - 6 - 93/335/3.6/1
34. Darren McFadden - OAK- 6- Rookie
35. Chester Taylor - MIN - 6 - 157/844/5.4/7
36. Jonathan Stewart- CAR- 6- Rookie
37. Travis Henry - DEN - 6 - 167/691/4.1/4
38. Rashard Mendenhall- PIT- 6- Rookie
39. Thomas Jones- NYJ- 6- 310/1119/3.6/1
40. Kenny Watson- CIN- 6 - 178/763/4.3/7
41. Selvin Young - DEN- 6- 140/729/5.2/1
42. Shaun Alexander- SEA- 6- 207/716/3.5/4
43. Ahmad Bradshaw- NYG- 6- 23/190/8.3/1
44. Kolby Smith- KC- 6- 112/407/3.6/2
45. Greg Jones- JAC- 6- 42/119/2.8/2
46. Brian Leonard- STL- 6- 86/303/3.5/0
47. Warrick Dunn- TB- 6 - 227/720/3.2/4
48. Kevin Jones- FA- 6- 153/581/3.8/8
49. Dan Kreider- PIT- 6- 1/2/2.0/0
50. Mack Strong- SEA- 6- 4/19/4.8/0
51. TJ Duckett- SEA- 6 - 65/335/5.2/3
52. Maurice Morris- SEA- 5- 140/628/4.5/4
53. Jerious Norwood- ATL- 5- 103/613/6.0/1
54. LaMont Jordan - OAK - 5 - 144/549/3.8/3
55. Felix Jones- DAL - 5- Rookie
56. Jesse Chatman - NYJ- 5- 128/515/4.0/1
57. Adrian Peterson- CHI- 5- 151/510/3.4/3
58. Derrick Ward- NYG- 5- 125/602/4.8/3
59. Matt Forte- CHI- 5- Rookie
60. Dominic Rhodes- OAK- 5- 75/302/4.0/1
61. Leon Washington- NYJ- 5- 71/353.5.0/3
62. Musa Smith- BAL- 5- 75/264/3.5/2
63. Jamaal Charles- KC- 5- Rookie
64. Ray Rice- BAL- 5- Rookie
65. Chris Brown- HOU- 5- 102/462/4.5/5
66. Chris Perry- CIN- 5- Injured
67. Ron Dayne- HOU- 5- 194/773/4.0/6
68. Cedric Benson- CHI- 5- 196/674/3.4/4
69. Michael Bush- OAK- 5- Injured
70. Darren Sproles- SD- 5- 37/164/4.4/2
71. Najeh Davenport- PIT- 5- 107/499/4.7/5
72. Correll Buckhalter- PHI- 5- 62/313/5.0/4
73. Michael Pittman- TB- 5- 38/139/3.7/0
74. Chris Johnson - TEN - 5 - Rookie
75. Ricky Williams - MIA- 5- 6/15/2.5/0
76. Kenton Keith - IND - 5 - 121/533/4.4/3
77. Kenny Irons- CIN- 5- Injured
78. Le’Ron McClain - BAL -5 - 8/18/2.3/0
79. Kevin Smith- DET- 5- Rookie
80. Steve Slaton - HOU - 5 - Rookie
81. Mewelde Moore- PIT- 5- 20/113/5.6/0
82. Michael Bennett - TB - 5 - 61/241/4.0/1
83. Leonard Weaver - SEA- 5- 33/146/4.4/1
84. Kevin Faulk - NE - 5 - 62/265/4.3/0
85. Mike Karney - NO- 5- 11/17/1.5/2
86. Anthony Thomas- BUF- 5- 36/89/2.5/0
87. Reuben Droughns- NYG- 5- 85/275/3.2/6
88. Heath Evans- NE- 5- 34/121/3.6/3
89. Justin Griffith- OAK- 5- 7/27/3.9/0
90. Ahmard Hall - TEN -5- 1/8/8.0/0
91. Chris Henry- TEN- 5- 31/119/3.8/2
92. Travis Minor - STL - 5 - 17/68/4.0/0
93. Ahman Green- HOU- 5- 70/260/3.7/2
94. Tatum Bell - DET - 5 - 44/182/4.1/1
95. Lawrence Vickers- CLE- 5- 15/43/2.9/0
96. Owen Schmitt- SEA- 5- Rookie
97. Tony Hunt - PHI - 5 - 10/16/1.6/1
98. Mike Anderson - BAL- 5- 15/62/4.1/0
99. Jacob Hester - SD - 5- Rookie
100. Jim Finn- NYG- 5- None
101. Ryan Moats- PHI- 5- Injured
102. Thomas Tapeh- MIN - 5- 5/18/3.6/0
103. Peyton Hillis- DEN- 5- Rookie
104. Jameel Cook- HOU- 5- 8/24/3.0/0
105. Justin Green - BAL -5 - None
106. Brad Hoover - CAR- 5- 12/39/3.3/0
107. Jeremi Johnson -CIN - 5 - 7/25/3.6/0
108. Tony Richardson- NYJ- 5- 7/13/1.9/0
109. Marcel Shipp - ARZ - 5 - 15/41/2.7/1
110. Darius Walker - HOU- 4- 58/264/4.6/1
111. Lorenzo Booker - MIA - 4- 28/125/4.5/0
112. Jerome Harrison- CLE- 4- 23/142/6.2/0
113. Tashard Choice - DAL - 4 - Rookie
114. Antonio Pittman - STL- 4- 38/139/3.7/0
115. Aaron Stecker - NO - 4 - 115/448/3.9/5
116. Brandon Jackson- GB- 4- 75/267/3.6/1
117. Jason Wright - CLE - 4 - 60/277/4.6/1
118. Allen Patrick - BAL- 4- Rookie
119. Brian Calhoun - DET - 4 - 7/35/5.0/0
120. Michael Robinson - SF- 4- 26/121/4.7/0
121. Sammy Morris - NE - 4 - 85/384/4.5/3
122. Justin Forsett- SEA- 4- Rookie
123. DeShawn Wynn - GB - 4 - 50/203/4.1/4
124. Pierre Thomas- NO - 4- 52/252/4.8/1
125. Samkon Gado - MIA - 4- 53/150/2.8/4
126. Moran Norris- SF- 4- 7/17/2.4/0
127. Garrett Wolfe - CHI - 4- 31/85/2.7/0
128. Maurice Hicks - MIN - 4 - 21/117/5.6/1
129. J.J. Arrington - ARZ- 4- 26/78/3.0/0
130. Mike Bell - DEN - 4 - 6/3/0.5/0
131. Vernand Morency- GB- 4- 29/108/3.7/0
132. Eric Shelton - CAR- 4 - Injured
133. Thomas Clayton- SF- 4- None
134. Cecil Sapp - DEN - 4 - 18/59/3.3/
135. Chris Barclay- NO- 4- 1/3/3.0/0
136. Nick Goings - CAR - 4 - None
137. Ovie Mughelli - ATL- 4- 6/7/1.2/1
138. Kris Wilson - KC - 4 - 3/7/2.3/0
139. Andrew Pinnock- SD- 4- 4/1/0.3/0
140. Patrick Cobbs - MIA - 4 - 15/47/3.1/1
141. Rock Cartwright- WAS- 4- 2/0/0.0/0
142. Carey Davis - PIT- 4 - 17/68/4.0/0
143. LaBrandon Toefield- CAR- 4- 13/27/2.1/1
144. Kenneth Darby - TB - 4 - 2/9/4.5/0
145. Korey Hall - GB -4 - None
146. Verron Haynes- CAR- 4- None
147. Fred Jackson - BUF -3 - 58/300/5.2/0
148. Andre Hall- DEN - 3- 44/216/4.9/2
149. DeDe Dorsey - CIN - 3- 21/183/8.7/0
150. Cory Ross- BAL- 3- 12/72/6.0/1
151. Clifton Dawson- IND - 3- 30/64/2.1/1
152. Mike Hart - IND - 3 - Rookie
153. Adimchinobe Echemandu- OAK- 3- 20/85/4.2/0
154. Jackie Battle - KC - 3 - 14/47/3.4/1
155. Chauncey Washington- JAC- 3- Rookie
156. JD Runnels - CHI -3- None
157. Kyle Eckel - NE - 3 - 33/90/2.7/2
158. Tyson Thompson - DAL- 3- 14/54/3.9/1
159. Jason Snelling - ATL- 3 - 12/43/3.3/1
160. Cory Boyd - TB- 3- Rookie
161. Vonta Leach - HOU -3- 2/2/1.0/1
162. David Kirtman- SEA- 3- None
163. Reno Mahe - PHI -3- None
164. Danny Ware - NYG - 3- None
165. Gary Russell - PIT- 3- 7/21/3.0/0
166. Ryan Torain - DEN - 3 - Rookie
167. Paul Smith - DEN- 3- None
168. Marcus Thomas - SD -3- Rookie
169. BJ Askew - TB - 3 - None
170. Aveion Cason- DET- 3- 11/38/3.5/0
171. Justin Vincent - PIT - 3 - None
172. Xavier Omon - BUF - 3- Rookie
173. Noah Herron - GB - 3 - None
174. PJ Daniels- BAL- 3- None
175. Troy Fleming - CAR - 3- None
176. Rich Alexis - STL- 3 - None
177. Josh Scobey- SEA- 3- None
178. Dwayne Wright - BUF - 3- None
179. Quincy Wilson - CIN- 3- None
180. Chris Taylor - HOU - 3 - None
181. Jerome Felton- DET- 3- Rookie
182. DeCori Birmingham - CAR- 3- None
183. Shaud Williams - BUF - 3 - None
184. Alex Haynes - CAR- 3- 3/3/1.0/0
185. Casey Fitzsimmons- ARZ- 3- None
186. Darian Barnes - BUF- 3- None
187. Eldra Buckley - SD- 3- None
188. Lousaka Polite - CHI - 3- None
189. Terrelle Smith - ARZ - 3- 1/3/3.0/0
190. ReShard Lee - OAK - 3 - None
191. Kay-Jay Harris- NYG- 3- None
192. Madison Hedgecock- NYG - 3- None
193. Ryan Neufeld - BUF - 3 - None
194. Alvin Pearman - SEA- 3- None
195. Naufahu Tahi - MIN - 3 - 6/15/2.5/0
196. Jeff Dugan - MIN- 3- 2/7/3.5
197. PJ Pope - CHI -2- None
198. Thomas Brown- ATL- 2- Rookie
199. Steve Baylark - ARZ - 2 - None
200. Jamaal Branch - NO - 2- None
201. Nehemiah Broughton - WAS- 2- None
202. Ryan Powdrell - GB - 2 - None
203. Germaine Race - SD- 2- None
204. John Kuhn - GB - 2 - None
205. Luke Lawton - IND- 2- 5/13/2.6/0
206. Alvin Banks- NYJ- 2 - None
207. Jason McKie - CHI- 2- 6/17/2.8/1
208. Lex Hilliard - MIA -2- Rookie
209. Kory Chapman- CLE- 2- None
210. Deon Anderson - DAL - 2 - None
211. Derek Schouman - BUF- 2- None
212. Reagan Mauia - MIA- 2 - 4/5/1.3/0
213. Ronnie Cruz - DAL- 2- None
214. Jalen Parmele - MIA- 2- Rookie
215. Tim Hightower - ARZ - 2- Rookie
216. Marquis Weeks- DEN- 2- None
217. Corey White - GB - 2 - None
218. Jon Bradley - DET- 2- 5/9/1.8/0
219. Tim Castille - ARZ - 2 - None
220. Jason Davis- PHI- 2- None
221. Jonathan Evans- BUF- 2- None
222. Stacy Tutt - NYJ - 2- None
223. Steven Jackson - DEN- 2- None
224. Oren O’Neal - OAK- 2 - None
225. Dan Burks - CIN- 2- None
226. Oliver Hoyte - KC - 2- None
227. Justise Hairston- IND - 1- None
228. Kevin Dudley - NO - 1 - None
229. DD Terry - JAC - 1- None
230. Charles Ali- CLE- 1- None
231. Billy Latsko - PIT - 1 - None
232. Dan Curran - SEA- 1- None
233. Marcus Mason - WAS - 1- None
234. Byron Storer - TB - 1- None
235. Arliss Beach - HOU- 1- None
236. Tyronne Gross - SD - 1 - None
237. Alonzo Coleman - DAL- 1- None
238. Quinton Ganther - TEN - 1 - None
239. Montell Owens - JAC- 1- None
240. Casey Cramer- TEN- 1- None
241. Robert Douglas - NYG - 1 - None
242. Corey McIntyre - ATL- 1- None
243. Arkee Whitlock - MIN - 1 - None
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From a Steeler P.O.V.
I wouldn’t rate Dan Kreider ahead of Najeh Davenport, by any stretch. Kreider is done in Pittsburgh, I think, and Davenport will likely be the primary fullback. Mewelde Moore will backup Willie Parker and be the third down back. Gary Russell beat out Verron Haynes on merit last season I think, there certainly isn’t any reason to think that Haynes will be the better back in 2008. There is every chance that both Kreider and Haynes have played their final NFL games, and I think that Carey Davis will be a preseason cut.
by robert ethan on May 26, 2008 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
...also..
There isn’t a lot of difference between Gary Russell and Rashard Mendenhall. Both are 230 pound backs who can take it inside or outside, both catch the ball well, and are decent blockers. Both had one big college season, Russell as a soph in 2005, and Mendenall as a junior in 2007. Their stats weren’t too different in those seasons, and Russell is less than a year older. Not to say that Russell has much chance of playing ahead of Mendenhall, but he is a very underrated talent.
by robert ethan on May 26, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
G. Russell
I liked him a lot at Minnesota, but he never proved he could be “the man” like Mendenhall has. He was kicked out of college and then was overweight in his pre-draft process. Until he can show something, he can’t be trusted to carry the load.
www.newerascouting.com www.mockingthedraft.com
by MattMiller on May 27, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
..the intriguing thing about Russell, though..
Is the fact that he is still just 21. He is younger than most of the players drafted a month ago, and will likely be younger than a lot of the players drafted next year. The fact that he cracked an NFL roster at the age of 20 after a year of inactivity is fairly impressive in itself. He didn’t get a lot of touchs during the season, but he had a Pro Bowler and a proven backup who was having a good season ahead of him.
Despite the academic problems and subsequent loss of fitness, Russell is not a character problem by any means. He is easy going, grounded, and humble. He is also described by his coaches as being very football smart. The fact that he was suspended may have had as much to do with his school not willing to bend the rules or look the other way, as many institutions do with their star athletes. As far as the fitness concerns, they have been addressed. Gary showed up in camp last year at his college playing weight (215-220 pounds), and showed up this year with an extra 10 pounds of muscle. He has vitually no wear and tear on his body (200 college carries), and has never suffered any significant injuries.
by robert ethan on May 27, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just waiting
He went undrafted and then had 7 carries last year. He’ll be 4th on the DC going in to camp.
www.newerascouting.com www.mockingthedraft.com
by MattMiller on May 28, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't know LJ is still good
KC ran him into the ground
by quincyyyyy on May 27, 2008 1:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would have him down further
until he shows he wasn’t permanently damaged from the insane workload he got. 370+ is the danger zone and not many backs come back to a high level after that. LJ didn’t just push 370 he set the record for carries in a season. I’ll believe that he’s healthy when I see it.
my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com
by shake n bake on May 27, 2008 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
completely agree
His insane workload coupled with the retirement of nearly half his offensive line make him a danger to never reach his previous success. Not to mention, he’ll be the focal point of every defense until they have a legitimate threat at QB. I’m with you in that I’ll believe it when I see it.
by cgolden on May 27, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marshawn Lynch
I was going to argue that he should be in the top ten, but to be honest I can’t think of anybody I would take out. I would put him above Taylor, only because Taylor doesn’t get too many carries any more and has trouble staying healthy, but I’m not concerned about it.
It will be interesting to see what this list will look like next year as compared to this one.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on May 27, 2008 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lynch
I really like Lynch as well. The list before the ‘09 season may be much different.
www.newerascouting.com www.mockingthedraft.com
by MattMiller on May 28, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Adrian Peterson.
Here’s a guy that gave you 8 awesome games and did little to nothing in the other 8. He predictably got hurt and played behind an offensive line that makes Chester Taylor look like a stud. I get the hype from ESPN and the highlights are impressive, but he has to show me consistency before I give him a perfect score.
By the way, if I couldn’t have LDT, I’d take Brian Westbrook.
Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!
by ejruiz on May 27, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lorenzo Neal
Lorenzo Neal ahead of starting running backs like Rudi Johnson, Earnest Graham , Thomas Jones & Selvin Young? I thought that San Diego cut Neal as well?
Alu mohe!
by Fana Chimes on Jun 7, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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