Ranking AFC East backfields: A look at how each team’s revamped RB room stacks up ahead of 2023 NFL season

Running backs were a scorching subject within the 2023 NFL offseason, most commonly for his or her expanding devaluation amongst positions. But there may be been one department to greenback the fad and in truth prioritize large names within the backfield: the AFC East. All 4 of its groups explored veteran upgrades to some extent, and only recently, each Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott discovered new properties within the East.

Now that the mud has settled and the backfields seem most commonly set for the 2023 season, how do the AFC East RB rooms stack up? Here’s how we would rank them:

Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., De’Von Achane, Myles Gaskin

Miami is deep, there is no query about that. Together, Mostert and Wilson mix to supply serviceable RB1 manufacturing in Mike McDaniel’s gadget, the previous nonetheless possessing elite pace at 31 and Wilson including physicality. But there is a explanation why the Dolphins have been within the Dalvin Cook marketplace. Achane has game-changing electrical energy, however as a smaller rookie (5-9, 188), he is nonetheless a projection. Gaskin has enjoy however hasn’t caught as a starter.

James Cook, Latavius Murray, Damien Harris

They may in truth have the absolute best ground, taking into consideration Murray’s longevity as a journeyman spot starter. Cook and Harris are the true variables right here. The former used to be very environment friendly as a change-of-pace rookie, topping 650 scrimmage yards at the back of Devin Singletary, however his construct and play taste might lend itself extra to a cut up function with Harris, a prototypical, if injury-prone, ball-carrier.

Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, Ty Montgomery

Stevenson does so much of the heavy lifting right here. The 25-year-old third-year veteran transcended an every year crowded New England backfield to eclipse 1,400 general yards in 2022, averaging 5 yards in keeping with elevate and securing virtually 80% of his cross objectives. In brief, he is were given workhorse possible. Elliott has slowed after seven years in Dallas, however he makes for forged aid and short-yardage lend a hand.

Dalvin Cook, Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda

Health is a crucial X issue right here, however at complete pace, Cook and Hall necessarily give New York a couple of top-10 starters. The former has simplest as soon as performed a complete season and hasn’t been a monster cross catcher as of overdue, however recent off 4 directly 1,100-yard seasons, the ex-Vikings celebrity continues to be one of the NFL’s maximum herbal and explosive natural runners. Hall may well be restricted early whilst getting better from an ACL tear, however he used to be ultra-smooth as a big-play rookie to open 2022. Between Carter and Abanikanda, in the meantime, the Jets even have each beginning NFL enjoy and extra fast upside.