Those looking for handcuff backs can consider Darren McFadden in Dallas, as he's expected to be the No. 2 behind Ezekiel Elliott. Last year's No. 2 for much of the season, Alfred Morris, has reportedly been shopped. He's no lock to make the 53-man roster, which isn't surprising when you look at the numbers.
While Elliott, running behind Dallas' elite offensive line, was one of the league's most effective ballcarriers a year ago, Morris, running behind that same line, was one of its least effective. That's what the production of each team's various No. 1 and No. 2 running back shows.
In the tables, backs are sorted by yards per carry. That's not the end-all and be-all, but it makes for an interesting comparison when looking at ballcarriers on the same team running behind the same line. Buffalo, for example, had a pair of effective runners. Minnesota had a pair of ineffective runners. And then there are teams like Dallas that had a very effective No. 1 -- and a really ineffective No. 2.
| NO. 1 RUNNING BACKS, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Ty Montgomery, G.B. | 77 | 457 | 5.9 | 3 |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 234 | 1267 | 5.4 | 13 |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 252 | 1313 | 5.2 | 6 |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 322 | 1631 | 5.1 | 15 |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 205 | 1043 | 5.1 | 6 |
| Jay Ajayi, Mia. | 261 | 1272 | 4.9 | 8 |
| LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 261 | 1268 | 4.9 | 7 |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 227 | 1079 | 4.8 | 11 |
| Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 198 | 952 | 4.8 | 7 |
| Carlos Hyde, S.F. | 217 | 988 | 4.6 | 6 |
| DeMarco Murray, Tenn. | 293 | 1287 | 4.4 | 9 |
| Spencer Ware, K.C. | 214 | 921 | 4.3 | 3 |
| Ryan Mathews, Phil. | 155 | 661 | 4.3 | 8 |
| Jacquizz Rodgers, T.B. | 129 | 560 | 4.3 | 2 |
| David Johnson, Ariz. | 293 | 1239 | 4.2 | 16 |
| Robert Kelley, Wash. | 168 | 704 | 4.2 | 6 |
| Christine Michael, Sea. | 117 | 469 | 4.0 | 6 |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 268 | 1073 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Latavius Murray, Oak. | 195 | 788 | 4.0 | 12 |
| Terrance West, Balt. | 193 | 774 | 4.0 | 5 |
| LeGarrette Blount, N.E. | 299 | 1161 | 3.9 | 18 |
| Frank Gore, Ind. | 263 | 1025 | 3.9 | 4 |
| Melvin Gordon, S.D. | 254 | 997 | 3.9 | 10 |
| Theo Riddick, Det. | 92 | 357 | 3.9 | 1 |
| Jeremy Hill, Cin. | 222 | 839 | 3.8 | 9 |
| Jonathan Stewart, Car. | 218 | 824 | 3.8 | 9 |
| Matt Forte, NYJ | 218 | 813 | 3.7 | 7 |
| T.J. Yeldon, Jac. | 130 | 465 | 3.6 | 1 |
| Devontae Booker, Den. | 174 | 612 | 3.5 | 4 |
| Jerick McKinnon, Minn. | 159 | 539 | 3.4 | 2 |
| Rashad Jennings, NYG | 181 | 593 | 3.3 | 3 |
| Todd Gurley, L.A. | 278 | 885 | 3.2 | 6 |
| NO. 2 RUNNING BACKS, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2 | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Kerwynn Williams, Ariz. | 18 | 157 | 8.7 | 2 |
| Jalen Richard, Oak. | 83 | 491 | 5.9 | 1 |
| Mike Gillislee, Buff. | 101 | 577 | 5.7 | 8 |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 131 | 722 | 5.5 | 3 |
| Kenyan Drake, Mia. | 33 | 179 | 5.4 | 2 |
| Eddie Lacy, G.B. | 71 | 360 | 5.1 | 0 |
| Duke Johnson, Clev. | 73 | 358 | 4.9 | 1 |
| Benny Cunningham, L.A. | 21 | 101 | 4.8 | 0 |
| Darren Sproles, Phil. | 94 | 438 | 4.7 | 2 |
| Matt Jones, Wash. | 99 | 460 | 4.6 | 3 |
| Rex Burkhead, Cin. | 74 | 344 | 4.6 | 2 |
| Fozzy Whittaker, Car. | 57 | 265 | 4.6 | 0 |
| Derrick Henry, Tenn. | 110 | 490 | 4.5 | 5 |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 118 | 520 | 4.4 | 8 |
| Dion Lewis, N.E. | 64 | 283 | 4.4 | 0 |
| Kenneth Dixon, Balt. | 88 | 382 | 4.3 | 2 |
| Alfred Blue, Hou. | 100 | 420 | 4.2 | 1 |
| Tim Hightower, N.O. | 133 | 548 | 4.1 | 4 |
| Paul Perkins, NYG | 112 | 456 | 4.1 | 0 |
| C.J. Anderson, Den. | 110 | 437 | 4.0 | 4 |
| Chris Ivory, Jac. | 117 | 439 | 3.8 | 3 |
| Zach Zenner, Det. | 88 | 334 | 3.8 | 4 |
| DeAngelo Williams, Pitt. | 98 | 343 | 3.5 | 4 |
| Alfred Morris, Dall. | 69 | 243 | 3.5 | 2 |
| Robert Turbin, Ind. | 47 | 164 | 3.5 | 7 |
| Matt Asiata, Minn. | 121 | 402 | 3.3 | 6 |
| Charcandrick West, K.C. | 88 | 293 | 3.3 | 1 |
| Thomas Rawls, Sea. | 109 | 349 | 3.2 | 3 |
| Jeremy Langford, Chi. | 62 | 200 | 3.2 | 4 |
| Kenneth Farrow, S.D. | 60 | 192 | 3.2 | 0 |
| Doug Martin, T.B. | 144 | 421 | 2.9 | 3 |
| Shaun Draughn, S.F. | 74 | 196 | 2.6 | 4 |
Another pair that leaps out is in Chicago. Jeremy Langford was the starter entering the season a year ago, but Jordan Howard quickly overtook him, and was far more effective. Only two No. 1 tailbacks had a higher yards per carry average than Howard, while only three No. 2s had a lower one than Langford. If you're hanging onto Langford in a dynasty league somewhere, time to cut the cord.
--Andy Richardson