Running backs have been the talk of the 2023 offseason. Most of the discu sion has centered around their devaluation among other positions. But how many teams actually rely on full-blown committee backfields? Which ones still figure to use three-down workhorses this year? And how many clubs are somewhere in between?Here, we're forecasting all 32 RB situations for 2023, not so much to project as much as . For example, the and are two of just three teams likely to use undeniable committees, and yet they also figure to rank among the best rushing teams in the . This exercise is primarily to show touches are
Solomon Thomas Jersey likely to be divided up.: has topped 1,200 rushing yards in three of his last four years. Backups and are both gone, leaving the unproven and as insurance. : may not be a world-beating ball-carrier, surrendering touches to and , but he's topped 70 catches and 1,500 scrimmage yards in his last three full seasons.: currently wants out of Indianapolis and has been granted permi sion to seek a trade from the Colts, but if he suits up healthy, he's got the resume -- 4,600+ total yards in three seasons -- to be a steady crutch for rookie quarterback . On the off chance he's traded or sits out into the season, Indy immediately pivots to a full-blown committee with backups , , , etc.: would ideally stay on some kind of pitch count while trading out for No. 2 , but his instant impact as an in-season trade acquisition has him poised to remain Swi s Army knife for Kyle Shanahan's offense. : was rejuvenated under Brian Daboll in 2022 with 1,650 scrimmage yards -- his most since a Rookie of the Year debut. As long as he can stay healthy, he'll dominate touches alongside QB .: Jr. was ultra-efficient with 255 touches in his 2022 debut post-injury, and while rookie could steal some short-yardage work, Etienne is primed to be a top outlet for .: , like Taylor in Indy, has an uncertain future. If he's back, odds are he'll dominate touches again after a bulldozing 1,650-yard breakout in 2022. If he's not, Josh McDaniels could revert to the committee model he trusted with the , leaving and to pick up the slack. : is the closest thing the NFL has to an old-school RB, not just because of his supersized frame but more so his usage. Henry took almost 87% of his club's 2022 carries, , and has eclipsed 1,500 yards thrice since 2019.: offers more internal experience and general explosivene s than the rugged . While they could have more of an even split at times, Herbert's speed and vision
Bart Scott Jersey make him a likelier succe sor to . : may have taken a pay cut, but he's had 200+ carries and 1,200+ scrimmage yards in his last four healthy seasons. Efficiency is a concern, but volume probably isn't, considering the unproven nature of his backups.: was explosive as a complement as a rookie, and now coordinator Ken Dorsey is talking up his "three-down" upside. Veterans and project more as early-down and injury insurance.: ' return from an ACL tear could mean a cautious approach out of the gate, but new backup has reached 400 rushing yards once in six years. Sean Payton figures to lean on Williams' bruising style. : wasn't very efficient behind an injured O-line in his 2022 debut, but with gone, he's in line for full-time duties, with and in tow as rotational help.: is the clear leader and could take on an even bigger role with sidelined at QB, but he's never lasted a full season and only hit 800 rushing yards once in six years. No. 2 has 27 career carries.: high-energy production during their latest title run ensures he'll get the first crack at the RB1 gig, even coming off offseason surgery, with the trusty cycling in as a pa sing-down specialist. : is finally taking over for the departed . Fresh off a quiet 1,000-yard season, the vet doesn't figure to lose much work to backups and , though feisty rookie is also onboard.: isn't alone in New York's backfield, with 2022 rookie standout potentially commanding an even split once he's back
Morgan Moses Jersey to full speed following ACL rehab. But on a win-now team, the ex-Vikings star is a safer bet to lead the charge.: left the Eagles for decent money in Carolina, where has only been a starter in spurts. Sanders regre sed as a pa s catcher in Philly, but his home-run ability should keep him on the field for Frank Reich. Patriots: has workhorse potential, approaching 1,500 total yards in 2022, but he's always shared some carries and figures to do so again with Ezekiel Elliott joining the fold as a similarly sized alternative.: has failed to fully emerge in three years under Sean McVay, leaving room for another last-gasp addition. Until then, backups and just don't have the
Quincy Williams Jersey experience to project as true succe sors.: is an offensive centerpiece when active and healthy, four times topping 80 catches and never logging fewer than 1,300 total yards. But he'll mi s three games due to suspension and newcomer has both the resume and salary to warrant at least a steady secondary role between the tackles. : has the build and draft pedigree to draw a "workhorse" label, and while his rugged style remains a fit for Pittsburgh's old-school approach, No. 2 has been too dynamic not to steal additional snaps in 2023.: showcased bruising energy before his rookie season ended due to injury. He's got bell-cow skills but should also forfeit touches to ex-Bills starter Devin Singletary, who's topped 950 scrimmage yards in each of his four seasons.: is a tougher, more straightforward option than predece sor Dalvin Cook. He's never rushed for even 500 yards, but speedy young backup may need time before he becomes a serious threat to the starting gig. : . was the grind-it-out leader of Washington's 2022 backfield, but is the superior multipurpose option. Under new coordinator Eric Bieniemy, they're set to rotate, with Gibson featuring in the pa sing game.: tools convinced Atlanta to draft him No. 8 overall, which means a potential workhorse future. But second-year counterpart was a solid 1,000-yard starter in 2022, and looms as well. Arthur Smith figures to run the ball so much that Robinson will still produce RB1 numbers, but the backfield itself could be a two-man show.: promises pa s-catching electricity as a surprise first-round pick, but Detroit also spent decent money on ex
Jason Pinnock Jersey -Bears starter David Montgomery, whose more traditional style should allow the Lions to rotate RBs and styles by situation.: is the guy in Green Bay, offering some of the NFL's best multipurpose talent, but he's only outpaced supersized power runner by 11 carries the last two years. They are truly a thunder-and-lightning pairing.: is fresh off a 1,000-yard debut laced with big plays. But injuries have lingered, and they spent a second-rounder on , whose physicality and pa s-catching ability should result in a sizable role.: and Jr. are both ex-49ers who re-signed to Mike McDaniel's squad after averaging fewer than 12 carries per game in 2022. Now they're teamed up with speedy rookie Devon Achane, destined to split carries even more.Eagles: is the biggest newcomer, doing it all in between injuries with the Lions. But ex-Seahawks standout is a big-play threat if he can stay healthy, and holdovers and are pa s-catching safety nets. Couple it with QB ' rushing production, and it's tough to accurately project volume for anyone involved.Ravens: has flashed the efficiency of a true RB1, but he's played just eight games the last two years, leaving , and as likely contributors. Baltimore has often been succe sful on the ground, thanks in part to the mobility of QB , but few teams have spread the ball among RBs more, .
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