While the NFL has evolved into a passing offensive game the art of the running back has been lost. What was once the premier position in the sport has become devalued in recent years. But the AFC North has always prided itself as the division of tough-nosed defenses and great running backs. This year is no different as the division is home to some of the best backs in the league.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson and the three-headed monster of Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill all return. The Ravens had the best running game in the league last year. Ingram was second on the team with 1,018 yards on 202 carries, followed by Edwards (711 yards on 133 carries). While Hill is not explosive and lacks carries he’s a great blocking back clearing the way for Quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson carried the ball 176 times for 1,206 yards rushing which are the most by a quarterback. The Ravens became even scarier in the running game by adding Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins in the second round of this year’s NFL draft.
2. Cleveland Browns
The University of Georgia standout broke out in his second year in the league. Nick Chubb is one of the best young running backs in the league. He was second in the NFL with 1,494 yards rushing with eight touchdowns. In his first season, he was 4 yards short of 1,000 yards. He’s decent in the passing game with 36 catches for 278 yards. Chubb will play a bigger role this season. The plan is to rely more on the running game to take the pressure off of Baker Mayfield. Karem Hunt is the wild card. If he can return to form of two years ago, the Browns have an explosive run/pass combo of running backs.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon finished with 1,137 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Mixon is also reliable out of the backfield with 35 receptions for 287 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Mixon will be a focal point of the Bengals offense with new QB Joe Burrow. There is a big drop in production after Mixon. Giovani Bernard had 53 carries for 170 rushing yards. He had 30 catches for 234 receiving yards on the 2019 season. Bernard’s best days are behind him and third-string back Trayveon Williams saw limited action in the offense but was solid on special teams. Williams seeks to overtake Bernard for the few available carriers.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a history of greatness from the running back position. But injures have fallen upon their new running back. James Conner will open the season as the charger. He finished with 464 yards with four touchdowns in 10 games. Previous to last year he ran just shy of 1,000 yards and 12 TD’s. He caught 34 passes for 251 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. In total, he has 20 TD’s in years but has been hurt every year. Jaylen Samuels also battled some injuries and totaling only 175 yards on the ground with a touchdown. But Samuels is the best pass-catching running back in the division( If Kareem Hunt doesn’t return to form). He had 47 receptions for 305 receiving yards and a touchdown. Benny Snell has shown promise and will battle Anthony McFarland Jr. from Maryland for a roster spot.
