The Best NFL Running Backs

The numbers don’t lie. There is no argument from a production standpoint when it comes to statistics. In a fantasy world, numbers are all that matter. Do me a favor though. Step out of your fantasy worlds and come back to reality. Where putting your shoulder into a defender for an extra yard rather than stepping out of bounds is worth something. Where taking on a rushing linebacker could lead to a game changing touchdown pass. When it comes to wins and losses in the game of football, it is the little things that don’t show up in the stat sheet that matter. Yardage and touchdowns are glorious when it comes to post season awards, but with a great offensive line, even Shaquille O’Neal could rack up some decent numbers. I’m sure he’d be the first one to tell you too.

Now let’s take a look at the top ten running backs in the N.F.L. Some of these guys may not be at the top of your personal draft boards, but none of us care if you win your league or not. For all of you scared to step out of the fantasy realm, don’t worry, we won’t discount the numbers, but we haven’t forgotten what a great running back is made of.

10. Marion Barber

Stats: 932 yards rushing, 7 td; 221 yards receiving, 0 td.

Many will squawk at this pick. Yes, the numbers won’t jump off the page at you, but I’m pretty sure Marion Barber would jump through a brick wall if Wade Phillips asked him to. This guy plays with no regards for his body, with or without the ball. In the past couple of years, some of the best hits I’ve seen in the league have been delivered by this man. If it’s third down and one, there aren’t many guys that I’d rather have behind the quarterback than this guy.

9. Ray Rice

Stats: 1,339 yards rushing, 7 td; 702 yards receiving, 1 td.

He is a poor man’s Barry Sanders. Quite the compliment considering the company. This guy can run and catch, and run some more. With his size, he can squirm out of tackles like no other, making defensive lineman look like bull fighters. He gave life to a stagnant Ravens offense and is a joy to watch in the open field. Seeing him makes me wonder how scary it would’ve been if Barry had a decent offensive line.

8. Michael Turner

Stats: 871 yards rushing, 10 td; 35 yards receiving, 0 td.

Serving as LaDanian Tomlinson’s backup for years has been a blessing to Turner and his fresh legs. At the stage of his career most running backs are catering to injuries(L.T., Brian Westbrook). He is not extremely flashy, but don’t let that fool you. He can run you over or run past you. With a few years of starting in the league under his belt, we will see how he unfolds from here. I foresee him dropping off of this list and joining L.T. and Westbrook in the training room.

7. Ricky Williams

Stats: 1,121 yards rushing, 11 td; 264 yards receiving, 2 td.

Not many power backs could flourish in the wildcat formation, but Ricky Williams came out of the mountains with Lenny Kravitz and did it. He is a freak athlete. Him leaving football for a couple years and now doing what he’s doing is impressive(look at Mike Vick), and I applaud him for doing what he wanted to do. When his head is in the game, he is one of the top backs in the league. He is as high(no pun intended) as number eight because you are never sure what Ricky is going to show up.

6. Brandon Jacobs

Stats: 835 yards rushing, 5 td; 184 yards receiving, 1 td.

This guy is a man among men. He not only changes the way coaches coach, but he changes the way players dream. This guy gives opposing players nightmares leading up to game day. Grown men who are physical freaks of nature are scared to tackle him. He changes the game with brute force and opens up the passing game. I would pay to see him and James Harrison of the Steelers in a goal line tackling drill.

5. Frank Gore

Stats: 1,120 yards rushing, 10 td; 406 yards receiving, 3 td.

His college team was probably better than the team he has starred on for the past couple of years. We didn’t even get to see his full potential at The University of Miami because he blew his knee out. His draft stock plummeted and he has done nothing but produce since. The guy just gets it done. No excuses. It will be fun to see how he does now that San Fran is getting some athletes to surround him with.

4. Chris Johnson

Stats: 2006 yards rushing, 14 td; 503 yards receiving, 2 td.

This guy is electric. Anytime he touches the ball he can go all the way. You can’t teach speed, and ever since he burst onto the scene his rookie year, he has not slowed down. Because of the two back set, he has not been asked much to much else other than run and catch. But with a talent like this, why would you want to risk injury in having him mix it up with the big boys?

3. Stephen Jackson

Stats: 1,416 yards rushing, 4 td; 322 yards receiving, 0 td.

This guy can do it all and has proved it year in and year out. Not to mention on a horrendous team with a poor offensive line. He is as fierce when he burns around the corner as he is in running over would-be defenders. In a league of two back sets, he is a nice breath of old school air.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew

Stats: 1,391 yards rushing, 15 td; 374 yards receiving, 1 td.

Every time I watch this guy, I can’t sit still. He does every little thing you can want from a running back and he does it with such pop. He will earn every yard he gets and will give out more hits than he receives. Even in a two back set, he has found ways to be a top producer every year.

1.Adrian Peterson

Stats: 1,383 yards rushing, 18 td; 436 yards receiving, 0 td.

I don’t care what world you are living in. Fantasy or real world, this guy is the cream of the crop. He does things that no one has ever seen before. He runs like he hates the world and everyone that tries to tackle him. His only knack is fumbling, and that is something that can be taught. Everything this else he does, can not be. And everything else he does is head and shoulders above everyone else in the league.

By Answer Blip NFL Writer JJ Mcdowell