This part of the offseason is the season of rankings and lists — whether it is teams, players, coaches, free agents or positions.
Pro Football Focus has ranked the top 32 running backs in the league entering 2021. The Arizona Cardinals’ projected starter, Chase Edmonds, makes the cut, albeit not by much.
He comes in at No. 30 overall.
Edmonds has been struggling for opportunities in Arizona but outperformed Kenyan Drake whenever he got the chance to. Edmonds was primarily used as the team’s receiving back, generating a passer rating of 112.9 when targeted, but he also averaged more per carry and more after contact per carry than Drake.
Edmonds is ready for his new role and believes he is ready to be an every-down back.
What is interesting in the rankings is where Drake sits. He is one behind Edmonds at No. 31.
Drake the starter ahead of Edmonds for a season and a half.
Drake is expected to have a complementary role in Las Vegas, while Edmonds is expected to be the lead and share the load with free agent addition James Conner.
Edmonds knows he has a great opportunity. If things goes the way he hopes, he should find himself much higher on a similar list this time in 2022 after he has signed an extension with Arizona or landed on a new team with a new, lucrative contract.
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