Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
What I look for in a running back
Vision- Seeing the holes open and close, knowing when to cut inside or bounce to the outside, anticipating the angles of tacklers and avoid being hit head on.
Balance- Having a low center of gravity and not running upright, being able to change speeds, stay on your feet after contact, juke and run behind the pads.
Pass Catching- Being able to catch the ball and move the sticks in third down situations, making defenders miss in space when running out into the flats.
Versatility- There are power and speed backs, but runners that can do both are special. These are the guys that can go for six from anywhere on the field, but also punch it across the goal line from inside the five. You also have to be an effective blocker to pick up the blitz and give your quarterback that extra split-second of protection.
- Adrian Peterson (Min) 8.3
- Le’Veon Bell (Pit) 8.3
- Todd Gurley (LA) 8.1
- Jamaal Charles (KC) 8
- Ezekiel Elliott (Dal) 8
- Lamar Miller (Hou) 7.7
- Doug Martin (TB) 7.7
- Jonathan Stewart (Car) 7.7
- LeSean McCoy (Buf) 7.6
- David Johnson (Ari) 7.6
- Devonta Freeman (Atl) 7.6
- Matt Forte (NYJ) 7.6
- Eddie Lacy (GB) 7.5
- Carlos Hyde (SF) 7.5
- Thomas Rawls (Sea) 7.5
- Mark Ingram (NO) 7.5
- T.J. Yeldon (Jax) 7.5
- DeMarco Murray (Ten) 7.4
- Gio Bernard (Cin) 7.4
- Jeremy Hill (Cin) 7.4
- Ameer Abdullah (Det) 7.4
- Ryan Mathews (Phi) 7.4
- Chris Ivory (Jax) 7.4
- Charles Sims (TB) 7.4
- Latavius Murray (Oak) 7.4
- Dion Lewis (NE) 7.4
- Justin Forsett (Bal) 7.4
- Karlos Williams (Buf) 7.4
- Jay Ajayi (Mia) 7.4
- Arian Foster (Mia) 7.3
- Duke Johnson (Cle) 7.3
- DeAngelo Williams (Pit) 7.3
- Ronnie Hillman (Den) 7.3
- C.J. Anderson (Den) 7.3
- Theo Riddick (Det) 7.3
- Chris Johnson (Ari) 7.3
- Khiry Robinson (NYJ) 7.3
- Shane Vereen (NYG) 7.3
- Darren Sproles (Phi) 7.3
- Matt Jones (Was) 7.3
- Damian Williams (Mia) 7.3
- Rashad Jennings (NYG) 7.3
- Legarrette Blount (NE) 7.3
- Melvin Gordon (SD) 7.3
- C.J. Spiller (NO) 7.3
- Derrick Henry (Ten) 7.3
- Kenneth Dixon (Bal) 7.3
- Darren McFadden (Dal) 7.3
- Alfred Morris (Dal) 7.3
- Jerick McKinnon (Min) 7.3