10 RBs who can prove to be ‘game changers’ for their teams this season

Football is the ultimate team sport, with many different positions and players who play different roles. For a team to be successful in the NFL, they should have talented players in all the different positions. But some positions, known as skill groups, play a more significant role in the outcome of the game than the other positions. One important position among skill groups is the running back position.

Championship teams are built on their strong ground game. A good rushing game will open the way for a passing attack and could play an important role in winning the entire tournament.

Furthermore, running backs do not just play their part in the rushing attack; they also help out the quarterback in the receiving game and sometimes even help out the O-line with some pass-blocking assistance.

RBs put their bodies on the line every snap they play and are a huge asset to the team. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 running backs who could be game-changers for their respective teams in the upcoming season.

Related: 10 QBs who can prove to be ‘game changers’ for their teams this season

1. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers)

The San Francisco 49ers made a massive move during the 2022 midseason by trading for star running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. McCaffrey played a huge role in the 49ers’ somewhat successful campaign last year.

And now, he’ll look to do the same in the upcoming season. The Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey will be playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Furthermore, he will also work as a complete package since he excels not only in rushing games but also in receiving and blocking aspects.

At times, he could help out his quarterback in the passing game, and other times he would assist his offensive line with blocking the rushers. McCaffrey is one of the few backs in the league that could be labeled as a complete running back, and he would play a massive role in the 49ers’ campaign in 2023.

2. Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans)

The best player on the Tennessee Titans roster is their star running back Derrick Henry. In the last few years, Henry has been the sole reason for the Titans’ offensive success.

The Titans reportedly tried to trade him in the off-season as a part of their rebuild but ultimately decided against it. Derrick Henry is one of the few running backs that could run through the entire defense due to his sheer strength.

Henry has put up massive numbers despite playing behind a ‘not-so-great’ offensive line in Tennessee. He will look to continue his good form and help the Titans clinch the weak AFC South division, which could be their only option to claim a playoff spot in the tough AFC conference.

3. Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns)

The Cleveland Browns have quietly assembled a star cast that could compete for the Super Bowl in the upcoming season. One talented player among the star-studded cast is the Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb.

The talented running back Nick Chubb exploded last season, registering 1,525 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per attempt. He would look to continue the tremendous form and help out his QB, Deshaun Watson, in 2023. Also, now that Browns’ RB2 Kareem Hunt is a free agent, Chubb is expected to have more carries in the upcoming season.

4. Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders)

The Las Vegas Raiders‘ former 1st-round pick Josh Jacobs finally had a big breakout season in 2023, as he registered a league-leading 1,653 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. This was the best campaign in his short career so far.

The Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs has been playing behind deflated offensive line his entire career but has managed to register 3 1000-plus rushing yards per season in 4 years. He is currently negotiating his contract with the Raiders, who have placed him under the franchise tag. Jacobs has a huge season ahead of him, which could end up determining the value of his second contract.

5. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)

Ever since he was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jonathan Taylor has been a solid force in the Indianapolis Colts‘ backfield. He registered 1000-plus rushing yards in his rookie season.

Furthermore, in 2021, Jonathan Taylor had a breakout season as he accounted for a league-leading 1,811 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. However, he suffered an injury last season and missed six games because of it. Taylor still managed to rush for 891 yards in the 11 games he played. He looks to continue to be a force in the upcoming season for the Colts.

6. Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers)

The Green Bay Packers lost their franchise QB Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets in the 2023 off-season. Now they will be starting their former first-round pick Jordan Love as their signal-caller. Love would certainly need a lot of help from his supporting cast, especially from his RB Aaron Jones.

The veteran running back Aaron Jones has been a solid weapon in the Green Bay offense in the last few seasons. His speed and agility make him a major problem for any NFL defense. While the Packers are going into a rebuild, the veteran Jones would have a massive role to play in shaping their future.

7. Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons)

The talented running back Bijan Robinson hasn’t played a single snap in the NFL yet. But we can be absolutely positive that he will be a massive game-changer for the Atlanta Falcons in 2023.

Robinson was considered the greatest running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. The Atlanta Falcons selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Bijan Robinson, who played for the Texas Longhorns during college football days, is one of the rare running backs who excel at all aspects of the game. He will be a massive asset for the Falcons, and he will play a huge role in the development of their QB, Desmond Ridder.

8. Saquon Barkley (New York Giants)

The New York Giants and Saquon Barkley are still negotiating the contract extension. But the talented running back is expected to play for the Giants in 2023 under the franchise tag.

The explosive running back Saquon Barkley has played a crucial role in the Giants’ offensive production in the last few years. He has missed some games due to injuries, but whenever he was on the field, the Giants’ offense looked really unstoppable. His speed and elusiveness have been an issue for the NFL defenses, and he will look to score big in 2023, which could help him secure a big contract in the next off-season.

9. Breece Hall (New York Jets)

The New York Jets hit the jackpot during the last draft. Their 2 first-round picks Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson ended up winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year award respectively. But they also had other good picks in the draft like RB Breece Hall.

The Jets rookie running back, Breece Hall, was in the OROY conversation before he suffered a season-ending injury. His speed, explosiveness, and tackle-breaking ability will help him become one of the best running backs in the league. Hall, along with Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Aaron Rodgers, will be a scary offensive unit in the AFC East.

10. D’Andre Swift (Philadelphia Eagles)

The Detroit Lions shocked a lot of people during draft day back in April by trading their star running back D’Andre Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles were already a stacked team but Swift will be a game-changer for them in 2023.

The young running back, D’Andre Swift, is already complete running back, but what makes him dangerous is the unit he will be playing with. The Eagles arguably have the best offensive line in the league, and Swift would thrive behind that strong O-line. Furthermore, an explosive running back like Swift could also be used as a distraction for their star QB, Jalen Hurts. In brief, Swift makes the Eagles one of the best squads in the NFL right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Giants trade Saquon Barkley?

The Giants have currently placed Saquon Barkley under the franchise tag.

Which team drafted RB Bijan Robinson?

RB Bijan Robinson was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Did the Browns re-sign Kareem Hunt?

The Browns have not re-signed RB Kareem Hunt, who remains a free agent.

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