Tag: running backs

Cowboys hire running backs coach away from Saints coaching staff

The Dallas Cowboys are hiring their running backs coach away from the New Orleans Saints. It’ll be a whole new Saints coaching staff in 2025:

It’ll be a new-look New Orleans Saints coaching staff in 2025. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris reports that the Dallas Cowboys are hiring running backs Derrick Foster away from the Saints’ staff, where he held the same position in 2024. Before that, Foster spent three years coaching the Los Angeles Chargers in the same capacity.

His time with the Chargers overlapped with Kellen Moore’s, so it’s a little surprising to see Foster moving on so soon. Moore is the favorite to be hired as head coach after the Philadelphia Eagles compete in Super Bowl LIX. If Foster was a candidate to remain on staff under Moore, who can’t communicate with the team again until after the Super Bowl, you’d think he would wait a week to see if he can stay in New Orleans.

Still, change was probably needed. While Alvin Kamara turned in his best performance in years the other Saints running backs were nothing to write home about. Jamaal Williams averaged 11.7 rushing yards per game. Jordan Mims had just 6.4. Kendre Miller led the trio with 24.7. Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 23.0 but wasn’t re-signed after the season.

So whoever is coaching the Saints running backs in 2025 must get more out of them as a group. Kamara last made the Pro Bowl in 2021 but has seen increasingly heavy workloads. He’s seen the seventh-most combined carries and catches from 2022 to 2024 but ranks fourth in touches per game (19.8). The only players ahead of him are Saquon Barkley (22.1), Josh Jacobs (21.3), and Derrick Henry (20.7). Someone needs to step up, and it’ll fall on their next running backs coach to find them.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

2025 NFL Draft could be a goldmine for running back-needy Steelers

The Steelers may need to reload at running back in 2025, and this draft class could offer the perfect solution to bolster their ground game.

A Najee Harris-less Steelers rushing attack is what 2025 may have in store, and while RB Jaylen Warren has been dynamic in both the receiving and running game, he has yet to prove he can withstand the full workload of the rushing attack. However, this issue may be easily solved in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Enter the 2025 NFL Draft’s running backs to alleviate these concerns: Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Kansas’ Devin Neal, and Ohio State’s duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins—any of these prospects may be drafted within the first two rounds.

Jeanty is without a doubt the strongest of these running backs, projected to go within the first 16 picks of the draft, but strong talent may exist beyond, such as Skattebo and Judkins in the second or third round.

This class is arguably the strongest running back class in recent memory, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have positioned themselves perfectly to take advantage of the 2025 NFL Draft.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers insider predicts RB Najee Harris 2025 free agency price tag

Steelers insider Gerry Dulac predicts Najee Harris could demand a three-year, $25-30 million contract. Will Pittsburgh re-sign him?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have several question marks surrounding key players leaving their roster in 2025 free agency. One of the biggest decisions to make will be whether to re-sign RB Najee Harris, who successfully made it four straight seasons with 1,000 rushing yards to conclude 2024.

Steelers insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was asked during his chat on Wednesday what Harris may demand in free agency. While the situation is always changing, Dulac reluctantly predicted that Harris could demand a three-year contract worth upwards of $25 to $30 million.

Dulac finished off answering the question with a powerful compliment for Harris, stating:

“He is one of only 14 players to begin their career with four 1,000-yard seasons. What’s the price tag on that?”

If Harris’ contract averages $10 million a year, the Pittsburgh Steelers may be wise to re-sign the cheaper option—RB Jaylen Warren—while also drafting a stud RB in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Will Steelers make another James Conner mistake with Najee Harris?

The Steelers risk repeating their mistake of letting James Conner walk as Najee Harris faces an uncertain future with the team.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers understand the grass isn’t always greener when it comes to acquiring new running backs, why is the team about to make another James Conner-sized mistake?

Conner spent four years with the Black and Gold—but only three years as a starter—and during this time, he accumulated 3,265 all-purpose yards. The Steelers allowed him to hit free agency in favor of drafting RB Najee Harris out of Alabama with the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Conner then signed with the Arizona Cardinals and proved the Steelers wrong for letting him go—producing 4,922 total yards. He was also slightly more efficient with each rushing attempt in Arizona, averaging 4.4 ypc compared to his 4.3 ypc with Pittsburgh.

Similar to Conner, Harris is seemingly on his way out of Pittsburgh once the 2024 postseason concludes. He will have accumulated 4,312 rushing yards on 1,097 attempts—resulting in 3.9 ypc.

Harris’ rushing inefficiencies can easily be blamed on having an incompetent offensive coordinator for four years—but just like with Conner, the Steelers organization would rather start fresh than look themselves in the mirror.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Vikings running backs struggled in the redzone at a league-high rate

No NFL running backs struggled to get past the line of scrimmage inside the 10-yard line as much as the Vikings in 2024.

The Minnesota Vikings struggled in the redzone in Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Part of this was the team’s inability to run the ball when they got inside the 10-yard line. The statistics tell us that this has been a trend all season.

On Tuesday, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune shared the troubling stat on through his X account.

According to Sports Info Solutions, Vikings running backs have been hit at the line on 72.2% of their runs inside the opponent’s 10-yard line. That’s the highest rate in the league.

This can largely be attributed to a weak interior offensive line. Center Garrett Bradbury is a better run blocker (13th among centers, according to Pro Football Focus) than a pass blocker. But the guards haven’t been as good.

Left guard Blake Brandel ranks 54th out of 77 guards in run blocking. Dalton Risner took over at right guard because he was a better pass blocker than Ed Ingram. But neither has been good this year in run blocking, with Risner ranking 59th, seven spots lower than Ingram.

How vital left tackle Christian Darrisaw was to the run game shouldn’t be forgotten, either. His 82.3 run-block grade was the sixth-highest in the league before his season ended with an ACL injury in Week 8. Cam Robinson has filled in admirably after starting the season in Jacksonville, but his 59.9 run-block grade ranks 53rd among tackles.

When free agency begins in March, the Vikings will have plenty of cap space. With core pieces in place at premium positions throughout the roster, this would be the year to spend money on interior linemen.
Sunday night’s game was disappointing, but it exposed a season-long weakness that the Vikings must address in 2025. Struggling to move the ball on the ground is frustrating, and it’s backbreaking when those struggles come near the endzone.

Wisconsin running back announces transfer commitment

Wisconsin starting running back announces transfer commitment

Former Wisconsin starting running back Tawee Walker committed to Cincinnati on Monday.

Walker, who suited up for one season as UW’s starting running back, entered the transfer portal on Dec. 23. Two weeks later, he announced his decision to play his final season of college football for the Bearcats.

The California native becomes the fourth high-profile offensive player to announce their transfer commitment, joining wide receiver Will Pauling (Notre Dame), wide receiver C.J. Williams (Stanford) and quarterback Braedyn Locke (Arizona).

Walker began his college career at Palomar Junior College in California in 2021. After 1,189 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns with the Comets, he transferred to Oklahoma for his sophomore and junior years.

He appeared in 23 games with the Sooners from 2022-23 and amassed 120 carries for 575 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Walker’s latest season in Madison was easily his best, As Braelon Allen’s replacement, Walker rushed for 864 yards and 10 touchdowns on 190 carries in 2024.

Wisconsin will turn to rising sophomore Darrion Dupree to fill Walker’s shoes this season. Veteran Cade Yacamelli and redshirt freshman Dilin Jones complete the depth chart at the position barring any transfer movement.

For more on where other former Wisconsin Badgers landed, bookmark our 2024 transfer departure tracker.

Wisconsin football offers promising class of 2026 running back 

Wisconsin football offers promising class of 2026 running back 

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to promising class of 2026 running back prospect Jamal Rule on Thursday.

Rule joins an impressive cohort of Badgers to receive offers from UW dating back to Dec. 1. That list includes 2024-25 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year Jax Tanner, top offensive lineman Carter Scruggs and tight end Jack Utz.

Unlike his peers, Rule does not boast a ranking at this stage of his recruiting process. In his case, his numbers do the talking.

Rule’s talent jumps off the page. In just seven games during his junior season with Charlotte Christian High School in North Carolina, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound running back registered 134 carries for 1,236 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 12 receptions for 121 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Those eye-popping statistics equate to roughly 21 touches, 193 all-purpose yards and over one touchdown per game. Rule rushed for over 180 yards on three occasions, including a 241-yard, three-touchdown game in a 39-7 win against Ardrey Kell on Sept. 13.

The numbers have ushered NC State, Nebraska, Syracuse, Appalachian State, Miami (Ohio) and Wisconsin to offer the talented back since Nov. 23, per Rivals. That list will inevitably balloon during the offseason and Rule’s senior campaign with Charlotte Christian.

Wisconsin’s early involvement is beyond promising. With links to Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon, James White, Braelon Allen and Montee Ball over the past 15 years, Madison has become a prestigious landing spot for high school running backs.

UW’s class of 2026 currently features just two commitments — three-star iOL Benjamin Novak and three-star quarterback Jarin Mock.

Top 2026 running back includes Badgers in top three, announces commitment date

Top 2026 running back includes Badgers in top three, announces commitment date

Wisconsin top class of 2026 target running back Shahn Alston will announce his collegiate commitment on Jan. 11. That commitment will arrive during the Navy All-American Bowl.

On Nov. 22, Alston listed Wisconsin, Auburn, Nebraska, Michigan State, Florida, Missouri, Penn State and USC as his final eight landing spots. Now on Jan 3., the four-star recruit whittled the list down to just Wisconsin, Penn State and USC, per On3’s Chad Simmons.

The 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back is 247Sports’ No. 118 player in the class of 2026, No. 7 running back and No. 5 player from his home state of Ohio. ESPN, meanwhile, has him as the No. 81 overall recruit in the ESPN 100 list and the No. 3 player from Ohio for the 2026 cohort.

While Wisconsin’s inclusion in Alston’s final three landing spots is substantial, several recruiting outlets project the Ohio product to land with the University of Southern California. On3’s recruiting prediction machine lists the West Coast program as an overwhelming favorite at 94.7% and 247Sports’ Allen Trieu recently released a Crystal Ball projecting the Trojans to secure a commitment.

UW’s current running back room took a hit this offseason with the departure of starting back Tawee Walker to the transfer portal. Darrion Dupree and Cade Yacamelli will likely take the reins, but top-end depth at the position is always needed moving forward.

Alston is undeniably one of the more talented players to strongly consider the Badgers. As a junior at Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio, Alston logged 1,104 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

UW’s current class of 2026 features two commitments — three-star iOL Benjamin Novak and three-star quarterback Jarin Mock.

Wisconsin legend named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after dominant performance

Wisconsin legend named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after dominant performance

Former Wisconsin and current Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of Week 16 on Tuesday.

The two-time Doak Walker Award winner, who played at Wisconsin from 2017-19, earned the designation for his dominant performance in the Colts’ 38-30 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

In the contest, the former Badger rushed 29 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns. Those 218 yards exceeded Taylor’s previous season high by 104 yards.

With the monster output, he also became the second-leading rusher in Colts franchise history — now only behind Hall of Fame RB Edgerrin James (9,226 yards).

Taylor has rushed for 1,129 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games in 2024. He’s also reeled in 15 catches for 122 yards and one receiving touchdown this season.

The New Jersey native joined Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Moa and Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders on the AFC ‘Players of the Week’ group of standouts from Week 16.

Taylor joins Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel as former Badgers to receive ‘Player of the Week’ recognition this season.

The Colts, searching for a playoff berth, are back in action on Dec. 29 against the New York Giants.

Wisconsin legend makes history in Colts’ Week 16 win over Titans

A big afternoon for Jonathan Taylor

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor made history in the Colts’ 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Taylor notched 218 rushing yards and three touchdowns off 29 carries in the win. With the performance, he became the first running back in six seasons to tally 200 yards and three scores.

With the effort, he also became the second-leading rusher in Colts franchise history (5,493 yards). He now trails only Hall of Fame RB Edgerrin James (9,226 yards).

Taylor did the bulk of his damage on two breakout runs. He darted through Tennessee’s defense for a 65-yard touchdown at the 7:25-minute mark of the second quarter for his first score. He then returned to the end zone in the Colts’ first offensive possession of the second half. After fielding a handoff from quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Wisconsin product knifed through the left side of the Titans defense for a 70-yard touchdown to extend the margin to 30-7.

“It’s not easy,” Taylor said after the win. “When you have a group like we have up front, anything is possible. That’s why any time I have a chance, I try to encourage them because they fight their tails off and do the heavy lifting all game every single week.”

The Wisconsin star has now rushed for 1,129 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games for the Colts this season. It’s the first time he’s totaled over 1,000 yards on the ground since his league-leading 1,811-yard season in 2021.

The 7-8 Colts return to the gridiron for a must-win game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Dec. 29.