(Photo: The Washington Post)
The Running Back. It’s a position that teams know they need, but never want to break the bank largely in part because they have a tough time staying healthy or as they get older, they begin to break down. Hits start to take its toll and I’ve always said this is the hardest position to play at any level in this sport. After last season, three star Running Backs were not retained by their 2023 teams. I’m talking about Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs. The Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders each decided to go in a different direction and the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers all look like geniuses for signing the veterans. Let’s look at this trio of backs.
1. Derrick Henry– He’s been widely regarded as the best Running Back in the National Football League when he’s healthy and rightfully so. His impact in Tennessee was one to remember, as he went, the offense went. Derrick was the offense in Nashville and added that same impact to the Baltimore Ravens offense. Derrick needs to touch the football between 20-25 times to have an effect and when the Ravens were on their winning streak, he was the catalyst of it. When he signed with Baltimore during the off-season, the first thought that came to mind was the tandem of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. We’re talking about a two-time MVP-winning Quarterback and a former Offensive Player of the Year in the same backfield together. It’s scary thoughts and the two have complemented each other so well this year. On the year, Derrick has 197 carries with 1,185 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. He was a hand-and-glove fit for Baltimore with his downhill and physical running style.
2. Saquon Barkley– I know for a fact the Giants and their fans continue to kick themselves and mope around after releasing this guy and letting him sign with the Philadelphia Eagles of all football teams. When a player gets released by a team, the one thing they commonly do is sign with a team in their division so they can get their revenge on them two times a season. When Saquon signed with Philly, he was going into the best situation he’s ever been in as a pro. A way better offensive line, better weapons around him, and most importantly, a much better Quarterback as he played with Eli Manning who was at the end of his career, and Daniel Jones who was paid over the star Running Back. What Derrick Henry has been to the Ravens is exactly what Saquon Barkley is to the Philadelphia Eagles. Good things happen when he touches the football and he had the best game of his career last night against the Rams. He ran for 255 yards and also recorded 47 yards receiving. That’s 301 scrimmage yards and that’s more yards by one man than the Giants had as a whole offense against the Buccaneers.
3. Josh Jacobs– The Raiders haven’t had much to celebrate or talk about in years. The last time they won a playoff game, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter weren’t around and that’s all I will leave it at. One shining point in the last few years was Josh Jacobs, a dual-threat Running Back who could run it effectively and catch the football consistently out of the backfield. I remember when he ran for 229 yards rushing including the game-winner in Seattle against the Seahawks. The Packers picked him up and signed him to a free-agent deal after releasing Aaron Jones. Josh has added physicality to this Green Bay offense and when everything is flowing through him, this Packers offense is a tough group to beat. Against the San Francisco 49ers yesterday, he scored three touchdowns. Before this game, he told coaches to feed him the ball, and look what he did. Josh sets the tone and their rushing attack gives the Packers something to rely on.
The Giants let Saquon go, the Titans released Derrick and the Raiders let Josh walk. Those three teams I listed have a combined record of 7-26 while the three men I’ve each analyzed all have a record of 24-9, let that sink in and marinade in your heads for a moment. These three have had immediate impacts in their first years with their new team and then some. The value of the Running Back hasn’t been this high in years and I’m glad to see these three on winning football teams we’ll more than likely see them all playing January football while the teams that released them will be in Cancun or Cabo.
