2020 NFC South Running Backs Preview

Which NFC South team has the best running game heading into the 2020 NFL season?

The New Orleans Saints have won the last three NFC South titles because they have one of the most talented rosters in the league. New Orleans can win games with a historically efficient passing attack, a much-improved defense, or a playmaking special teams squad. They also add an underrated balance to their lethal offense with an effective running game that keeps defenses off balance.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton prefers to use multiple running backs in his offensive system. New Orleans has had just three seasons with a 1,000-Yd back during Payton's 14-Yr tenure with the team, yet are still perennially in the top half of the league in rushing.

The 2020 Saints have two running backs who could start for most NFL teams, including a three-time Pro Bowler in Alvin Kamara, one of the most dangerous weapons in football. While the Saints' two-headed monster at running back gives them the advantage over most teams, Kamara may not even be the most dangerous back in his own division. Today we compare the running games of each team in the NFC South, with the opening of training camp right around the corner.

Dec 29, 2019; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs after a reception in the third quarter. New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and defensive end Carl Granderson (96) defends on the play at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

CAROLINA PANTHERS

2019 Rushing Statistics

• 113.7 yards/game (14th in the NFL)
• 20 rushing touchdowns (4th)
• 4.7 yards/carry (6th)

2018 Rushing Statistics

• 133.5 yards/game (4th)
• 17 rushing touchdowns (6th)
• 5.1 yards/carry (1st)
  

RB1: CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (5’11, 205-Lbs., 24-Yrs old)

2019 Statistics

• 287-1,387 yards, (4.8), 15 touchdowns, (6x 100-Yd games)
• 116 receptions, 1,005 yards, 4 touchdowns, (2x 100-Yd games)

2018 Statistics

• 219-1,098, yards (5.0), 7 touchdowns, (4x 100-Yd games)
• 107 receptions, 867 yards, 6 touchdowns, (2x 100-Yd games)

RB2: REGGIE BONNAFON (6’0, 215-Lbs., 24-Yrs old)

2019 Statistics

• 16-116 yards, (7.3), 1 touchdown
• 6 receptions, 57 yards, 0 touchdowns

Carolina's offense is almost solely on the shoulders of McCaffrey, who may be the only back in the league more versatile than the Saints Kamara. The Panthers' overall rushing production dropped in 2019 because of the loss of QB Cam Newton and an offensive line that struggled. Carolina was held below 100 yards rushing seven times last season and went 2-5 in those contests. After becoming just the fourth player in league history to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same year, McCaffrey signed a 4-Yr $64 million dollar contract extension this offseason that makes him the highest-paid back in the NFL. The rebuilding of Panthers' offensive success will once again rely on his abilities in 2020.

Oct 6, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (27) runs the ball against New Orleans Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

2019 Rushing Statistics

• 95.1 yards/game (24th)
• 15 touchdowns (15th)
• 3.7 yards/carry (28th)

2018 Rushing Statistics

• 95.2 yards/game (29th)
• 11 touchdowns (23rd)
• 3.9 yards/carry (31st)

RB1: RONALD JONES II (5’11 208-Lbs., 23-Yrs old)

2019 Statistics

• 172-724 yards (4.2) 6 touchdowns (1 100-Yd game)
• 31 receptions, 309 yards 0 touchdowns

2018 Statistics

• 23-44 yards (1.9) 1 touchdown
• 7 receptions, 33 yards

RB2: KE'SHAWN VAUGHN (Rookie - 5’10 214-Lbs)

• 2 consecutive 1,000-Yd rushing season + 21 touchdowns at Vanderbilt

A leaky offensive line and an abysmal rushing game have left the Buccaneers with a one-dimensional attack over the last two seasons, allowing opponents to pressure now-former QB, Jameis Winston, into additional turnovers. Tampa Bay hopes to provide newly signed and six-time Super Bowl champion QB Tom Brady with better support, and Brady has needed a productive rushing attack and stout offensive line as his play has dropped off in recent seasons. The Buccaneers were held below 100 yards rushing in eight games last season but hope for the maturity of former 2nd round pick Jones and this year’s addition of 3rd round sleeper Vaughan, both power backs with good open-field speed.

Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) is tackled by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kurt Coleman (29) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Saints won, 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA FALCONS

2019 Rushing Statistics

• 85.1 yards/game (30th)
• 10 touchdowns (24th)
• 3.8 yards/carry (24th)

2018 Rushing Statistics

• 98.3 yards/game (27th)
• 11 touchdowns (23rd)
• 4.5 yards/carry (13th)
  

RB1: TODD GURLEY (6’1 224-Lbs., 25-Yrs old)

2019 Statistics (w/Rams)

• 223-857 yards (3.8) 12 touchdowns (0s 100-Yd games)
• 31 receptions, 207 yards 2 touchdowns

2018 Statistics (w/Rams)

• 256-1,251 yards (4.9) 17 touchdowns (6x 100-Yd games)
• 59 receptions, 580 yards 4 touchdowns

RB2: ITO SMITH (5’9 195-Lbs., 24-Yrs old)

2019 Statistics

• 22-106 yards (4.8), 1 touchdown
• 11 receptions, 87 yards, 0 touchdowns

2018 Statistics

• 90-315 yards (3.5), 4 touchdowns
• 27 receptions, 152 yards, 0 touchdowns

Atlanta has been held to less than 100 yards rushing in 22 of their last 32 games, including 12 games last season. The drop in the team's rushing production led the Falcons to part ways with Devonta Freeman this offseason and bring in Gurley, whose own production has slipped because of various injuries, leaving a doubt to how much left he has in the tank. Atlanta hopes to limit Gurley's touches by finally getting a full season from Ito Smith, a promising power back who has been plagued by injury over his first two seasons. They also look for improved play from their young offensive line to establish their running game and have a more balanced offensive attack.

Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

2019 Rushing Statistics

• 108.6 yards/game (16th)
• 12 touchdowns (20th)
• 4.3 yards/carry (18th)

2018 Statistics

• 126.6 yards/game (7th)
• 26 touchdowns (1st)
• 4.3 yards/carry (17th)

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

RB1: ALVIN KAMARA (5’10 215-Lbs., 25-Yrs old)

2019 Statistics

• 171-797 yards (4.7) 5 touchdowns (0x 100-Yd games)
• 81 receptions 533 yards 1 touchdown (0x 100-Yd games)

2018 Statistics

• 194-883 yards (4.6) 14 touchdowns (1x 100-Yd game)
• 81 receptions 709 yards 4 touchdowns (2x 100-Yd games)

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

RB2: LATAVIUS MURRAY (6’3 230-Lbs., 30-Yrs old)

2019 Statistics

• 146-647 yards (4.4) 5 touchdowns (2x 100-Yd games)
• 34 receptions 235 yards 1 touchdown

2018 Statistics (w/Vikings)

• 140-578 yards (4.1) 6 touchdowns (1x 100-Yd game)
• 22 receptions 141 yards 0 touchdowns

The Saints possess a luxury none of their other division rivals to have in the way of a powerful offensive line that takes over games. They were held below 100 yards rushing in just four games last season, losing 2, and compliment their 1-2 running back punch with the versatility and unpredictability of backup quarterback Taysom Hill. Expect more usage from the powerful Latavius Murray after his second offseason in the team's system along with a big rebound in performance from Alvin Kamara.

Kamara was able to produce nearly 800 rushing yards despite missing three games but his touchdowns and receiving yardage both fell off from the previous two years because he was hampered by knee and ankle injuries. Now entering the final year of his contract, Kamara is expected to command somewhere between McCaffrey's deal and the 4-Yr $50M deal signed by RB Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans this week.

Kamara, a 3rd-round pick from Tennessee in the 2017 draft, beat out McCaffrey for 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and is a vital part of the New Orleans offense. He threatens opposing defenses not only out of the backfield but also when lining up both from the slot and outside as a receiver. While Gurley looks to recapture the form that made him the NFL's most productive RB just a few seasons ago and Jones looks to establish himself, it appears that 2020 will once again be a battle between Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey for running back supremacy in the NFC South.