The Falcons feature the best running back room in football, but none appeared in Jeremy Fowler of ESPN’s rankings of the best players at the position. A poll that features execs, coaches, and scouts around the league as voters didn’t include a single member of Atlanta’s backfield. Below is the full list, including honorable mentions and those who received votes.
- Nick Chubb
- Christian McCaffrey
- Josh Jacobs
- Saquon Barkley
- Derrick Henry
- Jonathan Taylor
- Alvin Kamara
- Dalvin Cook
- Tony Pollard
- Austin Ekeler
Honorable mentions: Aaron Jones, Dameon Pierce, Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kenneth Walker III
Also receiving votes: Javonte Williams, Najee Harris, Miles Sanders, AJ Dillon
Cordarrelle Patterson may not deserve to be mentioned, but if Pierce, Hall, and Walker are, then Tyler Allgeier deserves to be at least among those who received votes. I have argued that Allgeier was as good as any rookie runner before, so I will link that argument. Here are some numbers:
- Dameon Pierce, Hoston Texans
- Stats: 220 carries, 939 rushing yards, 30 catches, 165 receiving yards, 5 total TDs
- Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
- Stats: 228 carries, 1,050 rushing yards, 27 catches, 165 receiving yards, 9 total TDs
- Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
- Stats: 210 carries, 1,035 rushing yards, 16 catches, 139 receiving yards, 4 total TDs
Allgeier averaged more per touch than both, but if we aren’t considering that, then why did ESPN’s poll have Breece Hall — 80 carries, 463 yards, 19 catches, 218 yards, 5 total TDs — as the better running back?
These rankings didn’t include rookies, or Bijan Robinson would’ve surely been mentioned. Falcons fans can fully expect the Texas product to be among the best players at his position this time next year when these rankings come out.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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