Top 10 Running Backs [2017 season]

Here is a list of the top performers during the season in my opinion. Definitely comment below and follow us on our YouTube page

Open Field Report

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClsqmjjBT_YYLP-5jy3M4ww

 #1

Le'Veon Bell
This guy is the best running back in football at this moment. He's been a tremendous athlete since day one. His running style is amazing, and he is very patient. This leads to explosive plays and big runs. Also, he's amazing in the passing game too as well! He was number 10 in receptions, and while Alvin Kamara, and Christian McCaffrey we're high on the list as well (13th and 14th) neither had a thousand yards rushing. I'm certain he's going to put on a great performance as he always does. So with that being said, Pittsburgh: you've got to pay him!

321c 1,291yds 9tds 
85r 655 yds 2tds

#2
Ezekiel Elliot
What can I say about this guy? Oh, I know...This guy brings back that old rushing style. Emmitt Smith should be proud of this guy to carry the torch....
I mean this guy brings pure power and explosive speed when he's on the field. He has shown that he is very valuable to the Dallas Cowboys offense. Statistically, he was cut short because of all the situations off the field. However, if you look at his overall average, he destroyed all running backs including the guy up top. I'm certain in the next year two, will be having a conversation about who's number one as far as him or Bell. Either way you can't go wrong. For the season Ezekiel Elliott average 98 yards per game. The second closest person that was a thousand-yard rusher was Todd Gurley at 87 yards per game. 2018 should be a season when he's going to make some noise.

242c 983yds 7tds. (98.3 ypg)
26r 269yds 2tds








#3

Todd Gurley
Coming in at number three is a guy like many other great running backs before him, came off a bad season.
Shout out to my Georgia Boy for staying strong, and performing as he did in 2017.
He was number 2 in the league in rushing, and number one in the NFC. He showed that he could be a good receiver out the backfield and be a great option for Jared Goff when is receivers weren't open. Todd Gurley accumulated over 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

279c 1,305yds 13tds
65r 788yds 6tds

#4
LeSean McCoy
Shady continues to show us his shiftiness, and I'm certain this will continue into 2018. This will be his 10th season this year and I don't believe that he's going to slow down. I see another exciting thousand-yard season from him, and he's going to definitely earn it. I say this because Buffalo as far as I know have yet to a quarterback. Just like a lot of the backs that are on this list, he's stellar on the ground and great in the air. 


287c 1,138yds 6tds
59r 448yds 2tds

#5
Jordan Howard 
Jordan Howard is a sleeper. This guy was amazing during his rookie season campaign. Unfortunately, it gets over shadowed by another good running back; the guy I have up top at the second spot (Elliot). Howard had over 1300 yards during his rookie campaign, and followed it up with over 1,100 yards in 2017....
Thus far, he's more of a check down back right now, but I'm certain he's going to show that he can do more in the passing game in the seasons to come. He's proven to be tough and durable thus far in his career. Looking forward to the season to see what his numbers are and what he's going to do on the field.

276c 1,122yds 9tds
23r 125yds 0tds

#6
Leonard Fournette
I know he's just a rookie, "BUT HE GOT DOWN IN THE PLAYOFFS".
I was really impressed on how he ran the ball. New England held him to 76 yds, but he still had some crucial runs.

He had a 90 yard touchdown during the regular season. This was the longest touchdown by any running back, as well as any running back over a thousand yards. That says a lot for a rookie.
Fournette has great shiftiness along with the combination of power. I think he's going to do a lot of damage in the years to come. If Fournette can stay healthy for his tenure in the league hopefully with Jacksonville, Fred Taylor has something to watch out for.

268c 1,040yds 9tds
36r 302yds 1td



#7
Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram has quietly impressed me. When he first got to the league, I thought he be gone within 3 years.

Not only was I wrong, Ingram got in great shape and show the world and New Orleans that he could be a good runner for them. Let me retract that statement, a GREAT Runner for them. He had a quiet thousand-yard season last year, and he had an exciting campaign this year especially with his rookie teammate Alvin Kamara. While Kamara was the more exciting and explosive of the two, Mark Ingram display strength and that old school style of running that New Orleans hadn't had in a long time. It showed that he had great hands to season as well as prior seasons too. He is truly shown that he is the number one back in New Orleans. I don't believe the numbers and individual statistics that the team put up would be possible without him.

230c 1,124yds 12tds
58r 416yds 0td

#8
Melvin Gordon
Gordon display some craftiness last season. His breakout game that caught my eye last season was the one against New England. He had132 yards on 14 carries and an 87-yard TD run. (2nd longest in the league). Now, I know it may come up that he didn't have a hundred-yard game after that, however he was consistent in the running game. After the Jacksonville game, he had at least 60 or more yards rushing and almost finish the season with a hundred-yard game against Oakland. He helped open up the passing game for Philip Rivers and the receiving Corps. Gordon is great fit for Los Angeles and I think he's going to have a stellar season this year.

284r 1,105yds 8tds
58r 476yds 4tds







#9
Devonta Freeman
I had to add my hometown on this list. You can arguably say a couple of seasons ago he could have been in the top 5 no lower than 6. 2017 was marred by injuries (head injuries). This can be extremely scary. I'm definitely hoping for a strong comeback for him. When healthy and on the field, he can be an Unstoppable Force. He was a nightmare for defenses and face many eight men fronts. He's been a remarkable receiver out the back for you and a great option for Matt Ryan when the other receivers were covered. Him and Coleman are a great example of running back Duos.

196r 865yds 7tds
36r 317yds 1td







#10
Kareem Hunt
I know a lot of y'all out there ready to strangle me. I totally understand, but I had to give my veterans their rankings first. There's an argument that can be made as far as him and Fournette on the ranking. I just gave my evaluations based on the entire season and running style. Hunt had a stretch of a bit of a slowdown, however he bounced back and finish the season fairly strong. He led the league in rushing, the second straight year a rookie has done at. He was a great addition to the team and complimented Alex Smith very well. I look forward to see what him in my Patrick Mahomes can do this season. I remember is a season open he fumbled the ball. I just knew he was going to lose confidence in themselves and I thought the coaches would pull him out. All he did, was come back strong and torch New England for nearly 250 yards (246 total). He had a 148 yards on the ground and 98 in the air. He accounted for three total touchdowns against the Super Bowl champs.
He finished the season with a total of six 100-yard games.

272c 1,327yds 8tds
53r 455yds 3tds

by: Simon Fennix

Image credits

LeVeon Bell Image: pennlive.com

Ezekiel Elliot: sportingnews.com

Todd Gurley: theshadowleague.com

Lesean McCoy: cbspsorts.com

Jordan Howard: nbcsports.com

Leonard Fournette: sbnation.com

Mark Ingram: dynasty;eaguefootball.com

Melvin Gordon: thebiglead.com

Devonta Freeman: thefalcoholic.com

Karem Hunt: clutchpoints.com