The NFL preseason is happening now, and the season is upcoming. One would have to wonder which players are going to surprise NFL fans. Unless you’re psychic, there’s no way of knowing which players will have an amazing breakout season. Yes, we have our predictions, but there is no way of knowing. However, the unpredictability of an NFL player is the wow factor when watching, right? One position that fans like watching besides quarterback is the running back position. We all know the top running backs in the league, but the question is which running backs will shock fans.
There have been some big-time movements in the league regarding the running back position. Derrick Henry landed in Baltimore, Joe Mixon went to Houston, and Saqon Barkley jumped to Philly. NFL experts have made their predictions about those ball carriers, but what other running backs could play better than them? Which ground-and-pound carrier will grab the eyes of the league and fans?
3. Bucky Irving
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers do have a starting running back in Rachaad White. White did have a good season last year and put up about 1,500 yards in scrimmaging. The Bucs picked up rookie running back Bucky Irving in this year’s draft with their fourth-round pick from Oregon. While in Oregon Irving displayed an explosive ability to get out in the open field by making defenders miss tackles. He racked in 1,180 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns and 413 yards receiving with 2 TDs.
During the Buccaneers’ training camp, coaches talked about Irving’s elusiveness and ability to get out in the open field. At 5’9 weighing 195 pounds, he may be small, but don’t let it fool you. Irving has the skill to bounce off defenders when making contact, and his change of direction could result in a few defenders missing the rookie back. The Bucs hired offensive coordinator Liam Coen in the offseason, and the offensive scheme Coach Coen runs Irving is familiar with, as he explains in an article on the team website,
Both Irving and White have similar playing styles; they should work well together, considering both are three-down backs.
2. David Montgomery
In the number two spot, I have to go with the Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. Before going to the Lions the running back only accomplished over 1,000 yards once while with the Chicago Bears. Last season, Montgomery ran the ball for 1,015 yards with 13 touchdowns. He only played 14 games last season due to injury. Jahmyr Gibbs did step in and provided aid to the offense at running back. Gibbs rushed for 945 yards with 10 touchdowns in his rookie year.
The Detroit Lions have been ranked as one of the top o-lines in the league by NFL experts. Last season, the Lions were ranked fifth in rushing with 2,311 yards. In 2022, the Lions were ranked 11th in rushing with 2,179 yards. Montgomery has had a good training camp and is expected to start for the Lions. His power running between tackles brings the energy to the O-line to play their best. With Gibbs in his second year, alongside Montgomery, the Lions run game could have defenses throwing fits, barring any injury to that offense.
1. Josh Jacobs
In the top spot for running backs to watch this season is the new Green Bay Packer Josh Jacobs. The Packers signed Jacobs to a four-year 48 million dollar contract with 12 million guaranteed. The ex-Raider had a not-so-good season last year, only rushing for 805 yards with six touchdowns. One of the lowest outputting seasons in his career. Last season, Green Bay was ranked 15th in rushing with 1,905 and ten touchdowns. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillion shared the responsibility of running back last season. Jones is now in Minnesota, and Dillion will run alongside Jacobs.
The Green Bay Packers have held their o-line ranking at number six for the past two seasons. With a durable ground-and-pound monster like Jacobs, the Packers could have a threatening run game with the rising stardom of quarterback Jordan Love, and his great playmaking ability could get them back to championship status. We have seen Jacobs’s capability on the field, and with a healthy Packer O-line, we could see some great plays coming out of the backfield. Can the Packers bring another championship to Lambeau?
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