Brandon Marshall Says Chris Ivory Is NFL's Best Running Back

Running back Chris Ivory has been a huge part of the New York Jets' surprising 3-1 start, and his play drew high praise from wide receiver Brandon Marshall on Thursday.

According to Steve Serby of the New York Post, the 31-year-old wideout believes no other running back in the league measures up to his teammate currently.

"He's already the best running back in the league right now," Marshall said. "Just watch the tape—speed, quickness, agility, vision, endurance—he has it all."

Marshall further explained his declaration and set forth his expectations for what the sixth-year back can accomplish in 2015, per Serby:

"

He runs really violently, he has great feet, great vision. ... He's humble ... and he doesn't even know how good he can be, and that's the scary part. I remember having a conversation when I first got here with him, and he was like, "I want to have 1,000 yards. I just want to get there." I said, "What?" I said, "No, the goal's gonna be 1,500 or better." And now he's there, he's like, "Man, I see it," and that's the good thing.

"

While most observers would likely point toward Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings or Pittsburgh Steelers superstar Le'Veon Bell as the NFL's best running back, the stats suggest Marshall may not be far off in his estimation.

Through three games (he didn't play in one due to injury), Ivory has rushed for 314 yards and three touchdowns, and he is averaging an impressive five yards per carry. He was also named to Pro Football Focus' All-Pro team for the first quarter of the season.

New York has relied on great defense and controlling the ball on offense with the running game. That has taken pressure off quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and allowed him to play within the offense rather than taking unnecessary risks.

Even if it's premature to crown Ivory the best running back in football considering he has never had more than 833 rushing yards in a single season, his value is undeniable, and he seems well on his way to entering the conversation of elite rushers.

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