Rank’Em: What’s The NFL’s Pecking Order At RB?

10. Jordan Howard: Started his career with the Chicago Bears. One cut runner. Nothing flashy about his style. Will press the hole then work through it. Doesn't play with much of a burst. One speed runner. Not a home run hitter. Not going to extend a bunch of runs. The one thing you notice about his running style is that tacklers have a hard time getting their arms around him. Thick in the upper/lower body. Nobody wants to tackle him head up. Will punish defenders when running in the open field. A lot of side tackling with him. Will knock tacklers back with his power. No quit when he's near the end zone. Keeps his legs moving. Nice patience to work the screen. Fits behind his blockers, receives the ball and heads up the field.

9. LeSean McCoy: Plays with balance/body control. Hard guy to knock off his feet. Tough to deal with in space. Has wiggle to his game. Coaches get the ball to him quickly. Will set up screens for him out of the slot. Impressive how he steps up as a pass blocker. Not afraid to stick his nose in the middle of the rusher. Plays with some pop. Vision to see the hole and make the correct cut. Can finish between the tackles. Blocking is not always idea and will take some shots but will deliver some shots too. More quickness that speed. Not a home run hitter. Steady down after down. Impressive how he catches the ball. Had to play with his share of poor passes his direction. Adjusts well on the move.

8. Kerryon Johnson: Played ten games in his rookie season before it was cut short by a knee injury. Will surprise you with his start/stop quickness. Looks like he might be stopped then he hits another gear. Showed the ability to outrun angles from tacklers. Gets through the hole quickly. Runs upright but when he has to finish he gets his pads low. Punishing runner in the open field. Can move the pile forward. Comfortable playing sideways. Did that a bunch at Auburn. Takes the inside handoff and finds the crease. Staff creates plays for him in the passing game. Have seen him line up as a receiver and they throw him the ball on the slant. Reliable receiver.

7. Adrian Peterson: Amazing to be playing at such a high level despite his age. Can still finish with the ball in his hands. Broke off a huge run for a touchdown against the Eagles where no one could catch him. Has always had the ability to make the violent cut in the hole. Knows how to make tacklers miss in the open field. Broke Luke Kuechly down badly in a game last season. Has always been a downhill runner but now having to play a little more sideways with the inside handoffs. Looks comfortable playing this way. Still has the quickness and burst to get the ball to the corner. Shows the ability to escape when he appears trapped. Can cover some ground with his stride. Carries the ball tough inside. Is going to attempt to punish the tackler.

6. Dalvin Cook: Has never been completely healthy as a pro. Has only played 15 total games for his career. Quickness to turn the corner. Plays with a burst. Has moves in the open field to make the first guy miss. Loose in the hips. Nice change of direction. Have seen him start the ball one way and completely reverse field for big yards. Will spin and dip to avoid tacklers. Shows body control/balance. Attacks the hole with his running style. Nice receiver out of the backfield. Soft hands. Catches the ball easily. Used on designed plays where they matchup him up with linebackers. Power to break arm tackles. Can have issues bringing him down the open field.

5. Sony Michel: Compact tough guy. Lower center of gravity. Hard to get a solid hit on. Keeps his pads down. Feet continue to drive on contact. Runs hard to get the tough yard. Gets in behind his blockers and goes. Shuffles as he runs. Feet don't leave the ground. Plays with some shiftiness. Can throw him the ball and he's going to make the catch. Adjusts to the ball well. Will make the catch and take a tough hit. Runs simple routes but believe you could do more with him in the passing game. Appears to get stronger as the game wears on. High carry guy. Has a nose for the goal line. Tough to stop when he gets close.

4. Alvin Kamara: One of the best weapons in the NFL. Highly competitive tough guy. There is nothing he can't do on a field. Staff likes to line him up all over the formation. Runs with explosive power. Is a finisher. Physical with the ball in his hands. Hits the hole in a hurry. Is not waiting around for things to develop. Is going to run hard and make something happen. Catches the ball well down the field. Coaches will line him up wide and draw up routes for him to run. Drew Brees has no problem throwing him the ball. Clutch player. Makes plays that others struggle with. Keeps the sticks moving. Creates mismatch problems.

3. Le'Veon Bell: Sat out the entire 2018 season with a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Signed with the New York Jets in the off season. Will be interesting to see how the time off will affect his game. One of the pick/slide runners that I have ever scouted. Light on his feet. Almost like he's dancing with the ball but covers ground while doing it. Is a complete back in every sense of the word. Can run/catch/block. Never comes off the field. Is always going forward. Don't see him getting knocked back. Will punish defenders. Makes something out of nothing. Outstanding in finding space. Difficult to tackle in space. Is a quarterback's best friend.

2. Todd Gurley: Was banged up in 2018 with some knee issues. Like Barkley in that he's one of the best in the business when it comes to running/receiving the ball. Have nothing but respect for his game. Is the type of back that keeps coming at you. The more they hand him the ball the better he gets. Has the ability to finish a game with tough runs. Outstanding vision. Can see things develop in front of him and make the right cuts. Has a feel for allowing blocks to develop and take advantage of them. Explosive once he gets through the hole. Makes things happen with the ball in his hands. Is effective inside/outside. Can get the ball to the edge quickly. Play action game works well due to his ability. Have to account for him every snap he's in the game.

1. Saquon Barkley: Highly competitive runner/receiver. Don't believe there is anything he can't do. Explosive quickness/power. Might lack ideal height but the way he built overall is impressive. Very thick in the lower body and this is where he generates his power. Rare playing speed. Can score from any position on the field. Home run hitter. Reminds me of Barry Sanders in the way he plays. Balance/body control. Hold your breath with the ball in his hands. Elusive. Can generate some serious yards after contact. Have to get bodies around him in order to get him on the ground. Productive inside/outside. Can use him anywhere in the formation as a pass receiver. Hands are that good.