Ranking Every Running Back Room In The NFC South
While the NFC South hasn't been as competitive as other divisions in the NFL, these franchises are still home to some of the best moments in NFL history. Atlanta is blowing the 28-3 lead, the Saints are getting a no-call against the Rams and losing, and Cam Newton is jumping back instead of diving on the fumble in the Super Bowl. Maybe it is primarily negative, but that doesn't mean they still can't boast some elite talent! Which of these sad franchises has the best-running backroom heading into 2024?
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers shocked the NFL last year, making a run to the playoffs and even winning in the wild-card round against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, but this shocking turnaround was due to the excellent play of Baker Mayfield, not the lackluster running back room. Rachaad White did gain a total of 1,539 yards and nine touchdowns, but was nothing neccessarily game changing. While Tampa Bay did draft Bucky Irving, the Buccaneers running back room is nothing special and likely reached their peak last season with Rachaad White's stellar play and the departure of offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
3) Carolina Panthers
While it may seem odd that the Panthers are above the Buccaneers despite not having a runner near White's yards total, there is a proper reason. Chuba Hubbard ran for over 900 yards and caught 233 receiving yards behind one of the NFL's worst offensive lines. The Panthers also drafted Jonathan Brooks out of Texas in the second round. Brooks has a massive ceiling, and while he is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season due to injury, he will be a game-changer for the Carolina offense. Given that the new head coach, Dave Canales, is an offensive guru who turned Tampa Bay and Rachaad White into a success, he'll likely do the same in Carolina. Be ready when Hubbard and Brooks become one of the NFL's best one-two punches.
2) New Orleans Saints
The Saints roster features three solid running backs: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Kendre Miller, who could all be problems. While Kamara doesn't run much, he is one of the best-receiving backs in the NFL's history. Last year was a down year for Kamara, totaling just 1,160 yards and six touchdowns. He'll likely return to form and be one of the NFL's most versatile weapons again. Alongside Kamara, Williams and Miller bring different skills to the position that are vital for the Saints offense. Williams is a workhorse who gets carries when you need to drain the clock, and Miller is an explosive play waiting to happen. The overall depth and potential of the Saint's running back room get them the number two slot.
1) Atlanta Falcons
While disappointing to many fantasy football managers, rookie Bijan Robinson had a stellar year and will look to build on it in 2024. 1,463 total yards and 11 total touchdowns came for Robinson, a number that both he and the Falcons hope to see rise behind an improved offense with free agency signing Kirk Cousins at quarterback and former head coach Arthur Smith being fired. Behind Robinson is Tyler Allgeier, who has been a consistent backup since leaving BYU for the NFL. Robinson is one of the NFL's best young running backs and will prove it this year with a much-improved offense. Fans could expect to see even 2000 total yards from him possibly.
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