Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

Ranking the RBs in the NFC West entering 2023

We continue our offseason comparison of players and position groups in the NFC West. Next up are the running backs.

There is one star, one potential star and others who could be pretty decent.

If you want to see our other rankings, here they are:

NFC West starting quarterbacks

NFC West backup quarterbacks

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

You might say that McCaffrey is also the best running back in the NFL.

He can do it all — run, catch and even throw the ball.

He rushed for 746 yards in 11 games for the Niners last season and caught 52 passes.

He is also in the best-schemed running game in the NFL. It’s almost unfair.

2. Ken Walker, Seattle Seahawks

Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic

Former Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Walker was going to be a star.

He rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 15 games. He finished the regular season with three straight 100-yard games. He averaged 82.2 yards per game in his 11 starts.

3. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Conner has three straight seasons of more than 700 yards. He had 782 last season and averaged 4.3 yards per attempt.

He also can make an impact in the passing game, as he caught 46 passes in 2022 as well.

His durability often comes into question, but he can carry an offensive load and likely will in 2023.

4. Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic

Akers had 786 yards last season and Rams head coach Sean McVay says he will have an important role in the offense in 2022, but some believe that he might not even be the starter. Kyren Williams could compete and the Rams brought back Sony Michel for the second time in three seasons.

Other guys to watch

 Nicole Hester-USA TODAY Sports

These guys either are rookies or their exact roles and contributions are uncertain coming into the season.

  • Elijah Mitchell, 49ers
  • Tyrion Davis-Price, 49ers
  • Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
  • Kyren Williams, Rams
  • Sony Michel, Rams
  • Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.