Three Running Backs Outperforming Their Team

Many times, a team underperforms relative to widespread public opinion. The football world went berserk when the Cleveland Browns traded for a young, stud WR by the name of Odell Beckham Jr, and many public commentators went on to call the Browns a strong Super Bowl contender- a playoff lock, at the very least. While the team is loaded with big-time playmakers, they lack competent pass blocking, are led by a coach making questionable calls, and have a middling defense. No, I’m not here to rip on Cleveland (That’s been done plenty of times in the past 20-something years); I’m more interested in the performance of Nick Chubb. The expectation was that he would have a fantastic season, and despite having an underperforming offense, Chubb has had a stellar set of 8-games. He’s done quite well with little success around him. With the help of Football Outsiders’ Offensive Line ratings, Player Profiler’s productivity and efficiency measures, and the NFL’s stat compilations, we’ll take a look at the running backs making the most out of their supporting casts and those that are falling short of the level of play one may expect in that offense through the first 8-games of the season.
RBs WITH IMPRESSIVE PRODUCTION GIVEN THEIR SITUATION
1. Christian McCaffery
I told myself that this list should be focused on less obvious players, but it would’ve been a crime to leave McCaffery off. The Panthers are 23rd in adjusted line yards (which measures the responsibility of the line for the outcome of each rushing attempt the team takes), are 31st in the percentage of run plays stuffed behind the line and are second worst in the league when it comes to third/fourth and short. Let’s also not forget that the Panthers haven’t been the most threatening team passing downfield this year. As for McCaffery? No big deal- he has the 4th most rushing yards, 2nd most total touchdowns, 2nd most breakaway runs of 15+ yards, and has the team leading the league in open field yardage per carry. Imagine him in San Francisco’s offense…
2. Leonard Fournette
Let’s start with the most apparent observations: The right side of Jacksonville’s offensive line is atrocious; The Jaguars are closing in on 5 YPC; Leonard Fournette has the most 20+ and 40+ yard rushes in the league (10 total). Here are some other fun facts:
· The offensive line is responsible for a 23% stuffed run- good for 6th worst.
· Power run success is 60%. That’s 21st overall.
· Their adjusted line yardage is a meager 3.84 and 26th in the league.
Despite all, Fournette is the league’s 2nd leading rusher with 791 yards. Jacksonville is 3rd in open field yardage per carry, and Fournette has created the most yards after initial contact with 386. It should be noted that Fournette does have the most carries to date, but his production is impressive, nonetheless. He’s only got one touchdown on the season, but after going through the numbers again, it’s hard to blame Leonard.
3. James Conner
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass blocking is enviable. They’ve allowed 7 sacks and given their load of QBs time to throw. Their run blocking, though? I mean, they’re ranked 22nd in ALY… it could be worse. They’re also 27th in power run success, 23rd in stuffed run percentage, and 21st in second level running yardage per carry. They’re below average and really don’t stand out in any category, and their starting RB only has 380 yards. In fact, Conner only has a few 15+ yard rushes, and his only notable stat comes by way of his six touchdowns. Why is he even here?
Let’s dial it all the way back to Nick Chubb in the opening paragraph and that whole spiel on situation. Conner has had a revolving door of QBs, a stalling offense, only 64% of snap share, and a fair amount of time playing from behind. He’s averaged the 12th most defenders in the box on all of his carries, the 8th highest stacked front carry percentage, the 10th highest base defense carry percentage, and has run out of the shotgun 67% of the time. Against a weak front, he’s 50th in carry percentage. He also holds 19th place in the number of carries on the season (97). To be 19th in rushing yards, 11th in receptions with a 90% catch rate, and remain a dynamic back in this offense is astounding. James Conner has played well for what the Steelers are in 2019.
HONORABLE MENTION
Chris Carson: Carson has been having a fantastic season running and receiving behind Seattle’s mediocre run blocking line, but he’s had some help in doing so: The potential NFL MVP throwing the ball. Russell Wilson has kept defenders on their toes and out of the box, so Carson has had plenty of opportunities to run free. He’s an honorable mention because he’s played well, but he’s in the right situation to do so.
