2008 has produced its share of outstanding NFL rookie running backs. Three of them: Matt Forte of the Bears, Chris Johnson of the Titans and Steve Slaton of the Texans are on the verge of All-Pro seasons.
TOP NFL ROOKIE RUNNING BACKS 12/15/08
No. 1 Matt Forte Chicago Bears
Matt Forte ranks eight in the league in rushing yards. He has done it the tough way-averaging 4 yds/carry while amassing 1115 yards. Forte has seven rushing touchdowns this season.
Forte has been an excellent receiver for the Bears. He has caught 58 passes for 424 yards and has scored on four of those receptions.
Forte was passed over in the first round of the NFL draft. Some teams might have been reluctant to pick him early because he played for Tulane, a non-BCS team with a weak schedule.
The Bears drafted him in the second round and Forte may end up battling QB Matt Ryan of Atlanta for rookie of the year.
No. 1A Chris Johnson Tennessee Titans
The Titans expected good things form Chris Johnson when they made him their first round pick and 24th over all. He hasn't disappointed.
Johnson is the league's sixth leading rushing. He has rushed for 1159 yards and averaged 4.9 yds/carry. He has rushed for eight touchdowns.
Johnson has good skill as a receiver. He has caught 41 passes for 259 yards.
Johnson played his college ball at East Carolina University.
No. 1B Steve Slaton Houston Texans
Steve Slaton is having a rookie year just as dynamic as Matt Forte and Chris Johnson. He is the seventh leading rusher in the league with 1124 yards. He has averaged 4.9 yds/carry and has rushed for eight touchdowns.
Slaton can also catch the ball. He's caught 40 passes for 305 yards.
Drafted out of West Virginia in the third round, Slaton has been a pleasant surprise for the Texans. There was a question of whether his thin frame could hold up against NFL punishment.
No. 4 Jonathan Stewart Carolina Panthers
Stewart has 751 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yds/carry. Unlike the top three rookies, he has caught only seven short passes for 19 yards.
While Stewart hasn't shown the receiving skills of Forte, Johnson or Slaton, he has run back 15 kicks for 349 yards—23.3 yds/kick return.
Stewart was drafted with the 13th overall pick in the draft from the University of Oregon.
No. 4A Kevin Smith Detroit Lions
Smith has gained 773 yards on the ground. He has six rushing touchdowns and has averaged 4.2 yds/carry. Smith has 36 receptions for 279 yards.
Coming from the University of Central Florida where he led the nation in total yards, there were some questions about his speed and wasn't drafted until the third round.
No. 6 Ray Rice Baltimore Ravens
Ray Rice, the little man, has gained 454 yards on the ground while averaging 4.2 yds/carry. Though he hasn't seen the end zone yet, Rice has been a triple threat player and has contributed to Baltimore's winning season.
Rice has played mostly as a third down back and has 33 receptions for 273 yards. He also has returned seven kicks for 161 yards--23 yds/kick return.
Rice was drafted in the second round out of Rutgers.
8 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ari Horing 6 months ago
Where is Matt Forte? And Rice isn't even one of two best backs on his own team.
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jeff kalafa 6 months ago
Ari,
Thanks again.
ABOUT RICE:
McClain has 150 more rushing yds and McGahee has about 75 yds more than Rice....Both of them have had about 50 more carries to do it.
Rice has 200 more passing yds than either McClain or McGahee and Rice has been a good kick returner when asked while the others haven't
There was a game earlier this year when McGahee was hurt and Rice was the feature back--he gained 150 yds on the ground.
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jeff kalafa 6 months ago
Thank you, I can't believe I left out Forte...I'm going to correct that.
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Andrew Harrington 6 months ago
what the hell? Chris Johnson did not go to Kansas State.. He went to East Carolina, get your facts straight.
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jeff kalafa 6 months ago
Andrew,
Thanks for catching that......It's all ready been corrected....
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Andrew Harrington 6 months ago
haha no problem.. Just though it was a little weird.. other than that, one more thing... you said Mott Forte has caught 424 touchdowns haha, I'm assuming you mean yards, sorry for picking it apart
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jeff kalafa 6 months ago
Andrew,
Thanks again.. I appreciate your pointing out any error with an article I write...I just corrected it.
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Andrew Harrington 6 months ago
Other than that, a good read man.. Forte is definitely heads the list of rookie backs, even if I am and Titans fan.
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