AFC Unit Rankings: RB’s

1)      Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson and LenDale White combined for 2,001 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Johnson was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season and has looked very explosive so far in the preseason. White is a new man after losing what looks to be a whole human from his frame. Jeff Fisher said on his radio show last night that he doesn’t expect this to affect White in the red zone. We are big fans of former Michigan State running back Javon Ringer and the rookie has been one of the most impressive players in the preseason. Fisher also said last night that Ringer will be a good player in this league.

2)      New York Jets: This is another AFC team with three running backs that can start for plenty of teams in the NFL. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington combined for 1,760 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns last season. Both of these players were unhappy with their contracts in the offseason, but we don’t expect this to have an impact on the season. We loved the Jets drafting former Iowa running back Shonn Greene. The rookie had over 100 yards in every game last season and he will be the reason that the Jets get rid of Jones or Washington in the offseason.

3)      Baltimore Ravens: Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain combined for 17 touchdowns last season and both players helped Joe Flacco have a very successful rookie season. McClain seems to have gained all the weight that White lost, so we don’t expect McClain to have 10 touchdowns again. McGahee is past his prime, but can still put together a strong game or two. We are more impressed with second-year running back Ray Rice and expect the former Rutgers back to be the most improved player in the NFL. Rice will have over 1,000 yards this season and will be a big reason why the Ravens get back to the playoffs.

4)      Buffalo Bills: Not many teams can afford to lose their starting running back to suspension for the first three games of the season. Marshawn Lynch had 1,036 yards and eight rushing touchdowns last season and will miss the first three games of this season. The Bills should not suffer too much of a drop off as the Bills still have two quality running backs behind Lynch in Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes. Jackson is listed as the starter for the first game against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. Jackson had 888 total yards last season and ended the season with 136 yards against the Patriots. Rhodes had a productive season last year for the Indianapolis Colts with 840 total yards and nine touchdowns. Rhodes gives the Bills depth as a kick returner and is a good security blanket for Trent Edwards to dump the ball off to.

5)      San Diego Chargers: LaDanian Tomllinson’s ypc (3.8) was the worst since his rookie season as he battled a toe injury for most of the season. Tomlinson still had 1,110 yards and we expect LT to have an improved season now that Philip Rivers has a fat new contract and the Chargers play in the joke that is the AFC West. Darren Sproles had 330 rushing yard to go along with 342 receiving yards as LT’s backup. Sproles is a very explosive back that wants to prove to teams that he can be a starter in the NFL. Former LSU running back Jacob Hester is an underrated fullback in the NFL and can be used as a good option in the red zone.