The 2022 NFL season is approaching, and The Playmaker is here to give you his Top 5 rankings for each position. Today is Top 5 rankings for running backs.
5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
To start the running back list, let's head to Nashville where the King resides. Derrick Henry makes this list despite only playing eight games last season. WHY? Well, Henry was on pace to rack ridiculous numbers on the ground again before a foot injury sidelined him for nine games. He ran 219 times for 937 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry with ten touchdowns. He also had 18 catches for 154 yards. We talk only playing half a season and Henry still these kinds of numbers. It will be interesting to Henry back for a full season without AJ Brown on the outside anymore in Tennessee, but we don't call him King Henry for no reason.
4. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings seemingly go as far as the number four man on this list goes. Dalvin Cook. Cook is one more the more dynamic RBs in the league. Plagued by injuries for most of his career, but when Cook is on the field, the Vikings offense becomes a problem with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen on the outside. Last season Cook ran 249 times for 1,159 yards on 4.7 average per carry with six touchdowns. In the passing game, Cook had 34 catches for 224 yards. It was a down for the Vikings, but now they have a new coach with a new system and expect Cook to be heavily involved in this offense more.
3. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns for the past couple of seasons aren't the same old Browns from past years. One of the reasons for that is third back on this list, Nick Chubb. When you think about the Cleveland Browns, you think running game, and when you think running game in Cleveland, you think Nick Chubb. Chubb continues be an impact player for the Browns since being drafted in the second round in 2018.Last season, Chubb was among the backs in the league, rushing 228 times for 1,259 yards on 5.5 per carry average with eight touchdowns. Not to mention Chubb has improved in the passing games, catching 20 passes for 174 yards, and a touchdown. Chubb will be leaned on heavily by the Browns this upcoming season as there is an expectation that new Browns QB Deshaun Waston will be suspended for the season at least and the Browns traded former QB Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers.
2. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
The city of Cincinnati, the Bengals organization, and the Who Dat Nation was treated to a magical season last season. One of the reasons is number two on the list but 28 in the Queen City, Joe Mixon. To go along with the Comeback Player of the Year, Joe Burrow, another Joe in Joe Mixon provided the ground game for the Bengals that help get them to the Super Bowl. Mixon had a phenomenal season in 2021. He ran 292 times for 1,205 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns. Mixon was also critical in the passing game while defenses worried about the trio of WRs in Ja' Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins. Mixon caught 42 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Mixon was there when the Bengals were in the bottom of barrel in the NFL and now, he can showcase his skills in meaningful games as the Bengals look to make another run to the Super Bowl.
1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
It's pretty obvious from this list who landed at the top spot for running backs. None other than Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts. No one can argue with Taylor at number one, who led the league in rushing pretty much all season. 332 carries on the year for 1,811 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with a league leading 18 touchdowns on the ground. Just crazy stats from the ground by JT but he was active in the passing as well with 40 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor was the most explosive and consistent back in the NFL last season. Now what with the Colts looking with Matt Ryan leading the offense and not Carsen Wentz, but one the is for sure, Jonathan Taylor will be a handful for defenses once again.
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