The New England Patriots are getting ready for his or her first season with out Invoice Belichick main the franchise for the reason that flip of the century, and their schedule
is tough.
Heading into the 12 months, the Patriots will possible depend on Rhamondre Stevenson as their prime working again with Antonio Gibson and others getting touches as properly.
their opponents, they will face among the finest working backs that the league has to supply in 2024. So, let’s take an early have a look at the opponents and rank their projected beginning working backs from worst to finest.
No. 14 – Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals
Moss is getting into his first 12 months with Cincinnati after spending the final 12 months and a half with the Indianapolis Colts.
In 2023, he rushed for 794 yards and 5 touchdowns on 4.Three yards per carry whereas including one other 192 yards and two scores on 27 receptions.
No. 13 – J.Ok. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
Dobbins joined the Chargers this offseason after spending his first 5 years with the Baltimore Ravens. Nonetheless, accidents have considerably impacted his play. He missed all of 2021, half of 2022 and 16 of the 17 video games in 2023.
When Dobbins is on the sphere, he is a difference-maker, however in spite of everything of those accidents, can he nonetheless get it accomplished?
No. 12 – James Prepare dinner, Buffalo Payments
Prepare dinner is getting into his third season in Buffalo, and final 12 months was his first as the primary ballcarrier. He rushed for 1,222 yards and two touchdowns whereas including one other 445 yards and 4 touchdowns on 44 receptions.
No. 11 – Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Pollard heads to Tennessee after enjoying for the Dallas Cowboys for 5 seasons. In 2023, he rushed for 1,005 yards and 6 touchdowns on 4 yards per try whereas including one other 311 yards on 55 catches.
No. 10 – Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Williams burst onto the season final season, his second with the Rams, and made the Professional Bowl at simply 23 years outdated. He rushed for 1,144 yards and a formidable 12 touchdowns on 5 yards per carry. He additionally recorded 206 yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions.
No. 9 – Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
After lacking his rookie season, Etienne has been stable in Jacksonville. Final 12 months, he rushed for 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns on 3.Eight yards per carry. As a pass-catcher, he caught 58 balls for 476 yards and one landing.
No. 8 – Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Walker has put up two stable seasons to start out his profession in Seattle. Final 12 months, he rushed for 905 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.1 yards per try. He additionally caught 29 passes for 259 yards and one other landing.
No. 7 – Breece Corridor, New York Jets
After tearing his ACL as a rookie, Corridor returned for a robust second NFL season in 2023, speeding for 994 yards and 5 touchdowns on 4.5 yards per try. He additionally added an unbelievable 76 receptions for 591 yards and 4 scores.
No. 6 – James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Conner has been an impression participant all through his three years in Arizona. Final 12 months, he rushed for 1,040 yards and 7 scores on 5 yards per rush. He additionally added one other 165 yards and two touchdowns on 27 receptions.
No. 5 – D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Swift left the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason to return to the NFC North the place he’ll face his former group, the Detroit Lions, twice per 12 months.
In 2023, Swift made it to the Professional Bowl after recording 1,049 yards and 5 touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry in addition to 214 yards and one other rating on 39 receptions.
No. 4 – Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
Mostert is getting into his third season with Miami after struggling to remain wholesome throughout his time with San Francisco. Final 12 months, he led the NFL in speeding touchdowns (18) whereas working for a career-high 1,012 yards on 4.Eight yards per try. He additionally added one other 175 yards and three scores as a receiver.
No. 3 – Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Mixon shall be beginning his tenure with the Texans after spending his first seven seasons with the Bengals. Final 12 months, he rushed for 1,034 yards and 9 touchdowns on 4 yards per try. He continued to be a gentle power within the receiving recreation as properly, including one other 376 yards and three touchdowns on 52 receptions.
No. 2 – Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor, battling accidents and an odd contract state of affairs final 12 months, was nonetheless an impactful runner. He totaled 741 yards and 7 touchdowns on 4.Four yards per rush. He wasn’t used as a lot as he usually can be, recording simply 19 receptions for 153 yards and a landing.
No. 1 – Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey is the most effective all-around working again within the league, and it is not significantly shut in the mean time. In 2023, one other Professional Bowl and All-Professional season for the previous Stanford Cardinal, he led the league in speeding yards (1,459) whereas discovering the top zone 14 occasions on the bottom on a formidable 5.Four yards per carry. He additionally added 67 receptions for 564 yards and 7 touchdowns to make it a season to recollect.
