Best Running Backs in the NFL 2020 – #7 Ezekiel Elliott
#7 – Ezekiel Elliott
I was shocked to see Ezekiel Elliott so low in the fan voting. People love to hate on the Cowboys, but c’mon. Whether you love or hate Zeke, you have to respect his game running the football.
At 6 foot, 230 pounds, Zeke is extremely physical and his one cut running style is perfectly complimented by his burst. It almost seemed like a down year for Zeke, but this man just recorded 1777 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. Now in only 4 seasons, he has scored 48 touchdowns.
Zeke wears down defenses and will continue to be the focal point of this offense. It’s overlooked, but Zeke can do everything including catch the football.
What I will say is that Tony Pollard came in this season and looked great in his limited action. Zeke is a fantastic running back, but also has the luxury of working behind one of the best offensive lines in football.
Best Running Backs in the NFL 2020 – #6 Saquon Barkley
#6 – Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is human after all! Last season I ranked Saquon #1 because he looked to me like a once in a decade type of player. He proved to me that he was the best dual threat running back in the NFL and going into next season I believe the same.
Saquon was running at an elite level to start the season, but an ankle injury would set him back. This was an ankle injury most running backs would take over 6 weeks to come back from, but it only took him 3. We clearly saw him not at 100% and his stats reflected that.
As the season went on and he got more healthy, it was much of the same dominant Saquon Barkley we are used to seeing. I can’t see his supporting cast being that much better, but to me Saquon Barkley is still a freak of nature. He will prove that once again next season.
Top 10 Running Backs in the NFL 2020 – #5 Aaron Jones
#5 – Aaron Jones
It was a breakout season for Aaron Jones. After 2 straight seasons of less than 1000 rushing yards, Jones went off breaking that 1k threshold. The elite stat that puts him in the top 5 was him leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 16.
So why is he so low? He had the luxury of one of the better offensive lines and supporting cast in the NFL. Aaron Jones is a very capable pass catcher as we saw this season, but it was Jamaal Williams who got most of the passing down work and looked good doing it.
This is not a knock on Jones, but I find it hard to put him in the elite top 3 category when he wasn’t an every down running back like the players you will see next on this list.
