Wednesday 24 August 2016 15:52, UK
Doug Martin, Adrian Peterson, Le'Veon Bell... but who is rated as the top NFL running-back by View From America...
10. Eddie Lacy (Green Bay Packers)
Lacy's a perfect foil for the Aaron Rodgers passing game. Sure, his stats last year were considerably down compared to 2014, but after back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons to start your NFL career, what was meant to happen? He will be a dangerous part of the Packers offence for years to come.
9. Thomas Rawls (Seattle Seahawks)
I happen to love Rawls. He came into the Seattle team as an undrafted free agent, and immediately covered for Marshawn Lynch, putting up 830 yards and four TDs and actually outshining his dread-locked predecessor. If his ankle is OK during the season - he's currently out of training - then I believe in a 1,000 yard 2016 for Rawls.
8. David Johnson (Arizona Cardinals)
After not really doing anything at the start of the year, Johnson had three straight rippers of games, putting up 99, 92 and 187 yards in consecutive games. Imagine what will happen if the Cardinals had given him more of the ball. Yep, that's why he's in the Top 10.
7. Matt Forte (New York Jets)
No-one could accuse Matt Forte of lacking effort in his days in Chicago, where he bruised and battered his way to over 8,000 yards behind some terrible offensive lines (like 2015). He didn't play in three games in 2015, but still returned nearly 900 yards. That's pretty good going. New York Jets fans should be very excited.
6. Doug Martin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Providing an excellent foil for Jameis Winston's throws, Martin tore up the league last year, running for 1,400 yards. He's also a handy receiver, with 271 yards receiving. If he can have the same sort of impact in 2016 - and here's hoping Tampa Bay's offensive line shows continued improvement - then Martin will vault up this Top 10 list.
5. Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs)
When Charles isn't injured, he's one of the most dangerous running backs in football. He's proved that, with five seasons when he's got over 1,000 yards. Partnering up with Charcandrick West, the Chiefs have a very deep running back unit.
4. Devonta Freeman (Atlanta Falcons)
Small and exceptionally speedy, Freeman lit up the league as a runner as well as a receiver, logging 1,058 rushing yards and leading all running backs with 11 TDs. As a receiver? Oh, he only had 578 yards and three TDs. He's a frightening prospect. Although he might not be the wonder-stuff for all fantasy owners bearing in mind there's some noise about fellow speedster Tevin Coleman getting more of the plays this year, he's still a wonderful, young running back.
3. Todd Gurley (St Louis Rams)
I don't normally rank second-year players who didn't even play 100% of their rookie year, but then again, most players aren't like Gurley. His slashing style and his top-end speed (he ran for over 20 yards on a play 14 times this year) tortured run defences in the same way as they were tortured when he played his college days at Georgia. Gurley ran for over 1,000 yards, and will be a focal point of the attack this year, too. Rams fans just have to pray he doesn't get injured - as he's been liable to do.
2. Le'Veon Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Remember the argument I made for quarterbacks and wide receivers about the difference made to an offence if they weren't playing? Well, Bell ran for around 90 yards per game, and didn't give up a fumble. Pittsburgh are going to miss him during the first quarter of the season.
1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
It's indisputable how good 'All Day' (as he was known in college) is. Peterson has wreaked havoc on defences almost every year that he's played. He's had seven 1,000-plus rushing seasons, with the other one 970 yards. We'll take out 2014, where he only lasted a game before injury. Why 'All Day'? Because he'll destroy you, all day long.
