Ranking NFL backfields from No. 1 to 32 By Marc Sessler NFL.com Published: June 15, 2015 at 09:13 p.m. 
Few NFL position groups underwent more change this offseason than at running back.Philadelphia, New Orleans and Buffalo are just a few of the clubs that engineered massive makeovers at the position.Even though runners are paid like kickers and punters in today's game, good luck enduring the long season without a capable cast of backs. It's no surprise that 10 of the 12 weakest rushing teams from one year ago watched the playoffs on the couch.With all the turnover, it's time to take a look at where teams stack up in the backfield. We've ranked all 32 squads from best to worst and reached out to a handful of NFL coaches and draft experts to weigh in on this year's cast of veteran and rookie runners.It's June, so ranking anything is a moving target. In this exercise, proven veterans earn more points than newbies yet to play. We also factored in strong offensive lines and quarterbacks who can hurt you on the ground.Here's the list:1. Eagles: DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, Kenjon Barner, Matthew Tucker2. Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, Christine Michael, Rod Smith, Thomas Rawls3. Vikings: Adrian Peterson, Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata, DuJuan Harris, Joe Banyard4. Saints: Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller, Khiry Robinson, Tim Hightower, Edwin Baker, Marcus Murphy5. Steelers: Le'Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams, Dri Archer, Josh Harris, Ross Scheuerman6. Bengals: Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Rex Burkhead, Cedric Peerman, James Wilder Jr.7. Bills: LeSean McCoy, Fred Jackson, Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown, Karlos Williams8. Chiefs: Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis, Cyrus Gray, Charcandrick West9. Packers: Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Rajion Neal, John Crockett, Alonzo Harris10. Texans: Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard11. Colts: Frank Gore, Dan Herron, Vick Ballard, Zurlon Tipton, Josh Robinson12. Chargers: Melvin Gordon, Branden Oliver, Danny Woodhead, Donald Brown, Jahwan Edwards13. Broncos: C.J. Anderson, Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman, Juwan Thompson, Jeremy Stewart, Kapri Bibbs14. Bears: Matt Forte, Jacquizz Rodgers, Ka'Deem Carey, Jeremy Langford, Senorise Perry15. Redskins: Alfred Morris, Matt Jones, Silas Redd, Chris Thompson, Jordan Campbell16. Ravens: Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Javorius Allen, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Terrence Magee 17. 49ers: Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush, Kendall Hunter, Mike Davis, Kendall Gaskins 18. Panthers: Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, Fozzy Whittaker, Jordan Todman, Cameron Artis-Payne, Richie Brockel, Lee Ward, Darrin Reaves, Brandon Wegher 19. Rams: Todd Gurley, Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, Chase Reynolds 20. Jets: Chris Ivory, Stevan Ridley, Bilal Powell, Zac Stacy, Daryl Richardson 21. Dolphins: Lamar Miller, Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams, LaMichael James, Mike Gillislee22. Giants: Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, Akeem Hunt, Kenneth Harper23. Browns: Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, Duke Johnson, Glenn Winston, Shaun Draughn24. Lions: Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, George Winn, Zach Zenner25. Falcons: Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Antone Smith, Jerome Smith, Terron Ward26. Cowboys: Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, Ryan Williams, Lache Seastrunk27. Cardinals: Andre Ellington, David Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, Kerwynn Williams, Marion Grice28. Jaguars: T.J. Yeldon, Denard Robinson, Storm Johnson, Bernard Pierce, Toby Gerhart29. Patriots: LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden, Jonas Gray, James White, Travaris Cadet, Tyler Gaffney, James Develin, Dion Lewis30. Raiders: Latavius Murray, Trent Richardson, Roy Helu, George Atkinson, Michael Dyer31. Titans: Bishop Sankey, David Cobb, Shonn Greene, Dexter McCluster, Antonio Andrews32. Buccaneers: Doug Martin, Bobby Rainey, Mike James, Charles Sims, Dominique Brown» I'm not riding the Darren McFadden Hype Train in Dallas, but this is his best fit since playing under Hue Jackson in Oakland. Randle has talent, but I can't place the Cowboys much higher with Murray -- last year's rushing champ -- out the door.» "T.J. Yeldon's going to be a big player for the Jaguars," said Jeremiah. "This will let Denard Robinson be the eight-to-twelve touch guy, which I think is going to give him some longevity and let Yeldon do the heavy lifting."» I'm tempted to rank the Patriots higher because they always milk production out of no-namers. That said, one NFL position coach told us that he'd put New England "30 to 25" because of "too many unproven players." LeGarrette Blount has been a January hero, but he's tough to trust for an entire season. That said, the Patriots could get a 200-yard game out of Lindsay Lohan if need be.» It's no fun ranking teams this low because one standout rookie can change everything. Maybe that will happen in Tennessee, where coach Ken Whisenhunt summed up David Cobb's "impressive" tape by calling him a "three-down back." Jeremiah labeled Cobb a "sneaky Rookie of the Year candidate," saying: "I'm a big fan of David Cobb. He's a really good player, just a hard runner and I think his game translates very well to the next level. I know that Sankey's been a big disappointment early on and I think Cobb could wrangle away that job and he'd be one to watch."» Doug Martin's rookie season feels like decades ago. He's won over new coordinator Dirk Koetter, but we need to see it firsthand before putting the Bucs higher on this list. To be fair, that offensive line was no help last season.
