Ranking the running backs in the NFC North
By Matt Urben
After Adrian Peterson how do the halfbacks in the NFC North stack up?
1. Adrian Peterson
Vikings 2015 Season Stats:
327 Carries for 1,485 Rushing Yards & 11 Touchdowns.
30 Catches for 222 Receiving yards & 0 Touchdowns.
Last year, Peterson reminded us all why he’s far and away the best running back in the division, maybe in all of football. While he’s no longer a threat to crack 2,000 yards, he remains Minnesota’s top option on offense. They were able to make the Playoffs last year, behind Peterson and an elite defense. To get to the next step, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater must take on more of the offensive load. While he’s made some progress, he still has a long way to go in becoming a franchise quarterback. Peterson should still have 2-3 years left as a top running back if he can stay healthy. The more Bridgewater progresses, the better Peterson’s chances are of playing longer.
2. Eddie Lacy
Packers 2015 Season Stats:
187 Carries for 758 Rushing Yards & 3 Touchdowns.
20 Catches for 188 Receiving yards & 2 Touchdowns.
Lacy had a down year in 2015, failing to crack 1,000 yards as he did the previous two years. Many will point to his weight as the reason for his decline. Lacy is immensely talented but won’t crack into that elite group of backs until he is able to prioritize his body. Word out of Packer camp is that Lacy is in much better shape this season. When he is playing up to his potential, it helps the Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers be more effective and adds a sense of unpredictability to the offense. Backup James Starks looked better than Lacy for stretches of last season and was given starting duties at different points in the year. The Packers suffered on offense with Lacy’s decline. They still made the Playoffs as a Wildcard team, but few saw them as a legit contender as they’ve been for the previous five years. Lacy could be the key to getting back to that elite level on offense. That, along with the return of Jordy Nelson should help as well.
3. Ameer Abdullah
Lions 2015 Season Stats:
143 Carries for 597 Rushing Yards & 2 Touchdowns.
25 Catches for 183 Receiving yards & 1 Touchdown.
Abdullah disappointed as a rookie but showed promise at different points throughout the season. I contemplated putting Riddick in this spot since he had a more productive all-around year. However, Abdullah is a true between-the-tackles runner. He has good vision and elite breakaway speed. Second-year runner, Zach Zenner, could pose a threat to the starting job, but it will likely be Abdullah’s job to lose. He has the most talent of any of the backs on the Lions’ roster but has had an issue with holding onto the football. Another thing holding back Abdullah has been the team’s below-average offensive line. The Lions drafted offensive lineman in three of the first four rounds of the draft and signed free agent Geoff Schwartz to help fix that. Abdullah will have to prove his value next year or the Lions may look somewhere else for their starter.
4. Jeremy Langford
Bears 2015 Season Stats:
148 Carries for 537 Rushing Yards & 6 Touchdowns.
22 Catches for 279 Receiving yards & 1 Touchdown.
Langford impressed last season as Matt Forte’s backup. He showed enough that the Bears felt comfortable letting Forte leave for the Jets. Langford, who was just a fourth-round pick, wasn’t thought to be a three-down back when he was drafted. However, the team appears willing to roll the dice on him based on last season’s success. He will have some big shoes to fill with Forte being one of the best backs in the league during most of his time in Chicago. The upside is there, but many question whether Langford has what it takes to start for a whole season. He started just two games last season. with good speed, and vision, he has an ability to find the end zone. It’s hard to know what to expect from the Bears’ offense in 2016, with offensive coordinator Adam Gase leaving for the Miami Dolphins’ head-coaching job. Langford must make the most of next season, like Abdullah, if he wants to be part of the Bears’ long-term plans.