The NFL goes through phases where different approaches are in fashion. In some years, the teams with the best defenses will be the ones who win the key games. Other times, it will be the team with the strongest aerial attack. But one thing that never changes is that if you want to be at the top of the tree, you’re going to need a dependable running back on your roster. Even if you’re a team that likes to air it out, with a QB who can do what others can’t, the opposition needs to respect your rushing game so that you can earn the right to throw downfield.
That being the case, it’s worth looking at which teams have the best running backs ready to go for the 2022 season. With these names on the roster, their teams may not be the ones lining up in the Super Bowl come February (although in some cases, they might), but these teams will be there or thereabouts when the playoffs come around. After all, a solid every-down back can help you win a tight game, and can make all the difference in a bad-weather game where receivers struggle with handling. The following three names should all be somewhere near the head of the field when totalling rushing yards for the season.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis
The Colts are serious about winning now. After a bad season with Carson Wentz under center, they pulled the trigger on bringing Matt Ryan to the Lucas Oil Stadium, so they’re going to be expecting a return on that investment. And they’ll certainly have help on the ground in that regard, because Taylor may be the best RB in the league right now. That’s scary, because he’s only in his third season and has plenty of time to get better. Averaging 5.5 yards per carry and with a 76-yard receiving touchdown to his name in 2021, Taylor is a major reason people will be seeking out the best Bitcoin casino to back the Colts in 2022. This could be his first 2,000-yard rushing season.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh
Harris aside, Pittsburgh is not a great team and became even less great in the offseason when Ben Roethlisberger retired. Now they’re looking at a battle between Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph to lead the offense this season, and yet with a good run, they could be looking at making the playoffs. Why? Because Harris can do it all. He made 1,200 yards on the ground last season behind a porous offensive line, and a season of experience will only have made him better. Bear in mind, he was a rookie last season at a troubled team. Harris has the talent to become a franchise-defining player, and this could be the season he does it.
Cam Akers, LA Rams
Akers is a controversial choice in this rundown because he has six career starts in regular season games and just 628 yards on the ground. So why is he even here? Because those numbers don’t even tell half the story. Akers tore his Achilles tendon before training camp in 2021, and the fact he was even on the field as the Rams won the Super Bowl was virtually miraculous. This time around he has had a full camp and is the team’s #1 back, which means he’ll have plenty of space to run into as defenses play wary of Matt Stafford and Cooper Kupp’s connection. When fit, he can stack up the yards, and he looks good to do that in 2022.
