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RB Index: Constructing the perfect NFL running back

Maurice Jones-Drew assembles the perfect running back, combining the traits of some of the top players in today's NFL. Who has the best hands? Ideal size? Top speed?

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RB Index: Eight running backs deserving of Hall of Fame recognition

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will be announced next week, and while each finalist is certainly deserving of the honor, not one is a running back. Maurice Jones-Drew aims to right that wrong, identifying eight RBs who have earned a gold jacket.

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RB Index: Four of NFL's top 10 ball-carriers will be featured on Championship Sunday

Maurice Jones-Drew scans the NFL and reveals his top 10 ball-carriers, a list that includes four players who will be featured on Championship Sunday.

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RB Index: Five running backs I trust most in NFL Divisional Round

Trust -- especially in those who have the ball in their hands -- goes a long way at this point of the season. Today, Maurice Jones-Drew lists the five running backs playing in this weekend's Divisional Round whom HE trusts most.

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RB Index: Who is the NFL's next great running back? Plus, the final top-15 rankings at the position

Who is the NFL's NEXT great running back? Maurice Jones-Drew has his eye on one bruising rusher who could be poised for a monster season in 2022. Plus, a final ranking of the top 15 RBs of this season.
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RB Index, Week 18: Two players I was wrong about in 2021

Maurice Jones-Drew revisits his offseason rankings of all 32 RB1s -- and admits he was wrong about two players. Plus, a rookie climbs into the top five of his top 15 RB rankings.
Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel (25) carries the ball and stiff arms Seattle Seahawks defensive back Ryan Neal (26) during an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams won 20-10. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

RB Index, Week 17: Leonard Fournette, Sony Michel among 5 running backs who deserve new contracts

Maurice Jones-Drew lists five running backs who've earned new contracts with their efforts this season. Plus, Sony Michel cracks his updated ranking of the NFL's top 15 RBs heading into Week 17.
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RB Index, Week 16: Running backs' three biggest enemies

Maurice Jones-Drew identifies running backs' three biggest enemies this season, including a pair of game-wrecking defenders and one stout defensive unit. Plus, updated RB rankings.
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RB Index, Week 15: RB2s who will have a bigger stretch-run impact than RB1s

Maurice Jones-Drew selects three RB2s who will have a bigger impact over the final month of the season than the RB1s on their respective teams. Plus, James Conner hits the top five in MJD's running back rankings.
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RB Index, Week 14: Four teams whose 2022 starting RB isn't on the current roster

Can the Bills hope to compete with Josh Allen as their best rusher? Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights four teams who will be looking for a new primary RB in 2022. Plus, updated RB rankings.
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RB Index, Week 13: NFL's six most important running backs down the stretch

With the NFL playoff picture still in flux, Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights six rushers who are vitally important for the stretch run. Plus, an updated ranking of the top 15 running backs of this season.
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RB Index, Week 12: Why a running back has the best shot to win NFL MVP in years

Maurice Jones-Drew explains why Colts second-year pro Jonathan Taylor has a legitimate chance to become the first running back to win the NFL MVP award since 2012.
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) and quarterback Cam Newton (1) warm up before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

RB Index, Week 11: Vintage Panthers boast NFL's scariest rushing attack

Maurice Jones-Drew breaks down a vintage Panthers offense that's turned into the NFL's scariest rushing attack overnight. Plus, a new rookie enters his top 15 RB rankings ahead of Week 11.
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RB Index, Week 10: Four NFL running backs poised for second-half breakout

Maurice Jones-Drew identifies four running backs who are poised for a second-half breakout. Plus, with Derrick Henry on IR, there's a new No. 1 in his ranking of the top 15 players at the position.
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RB Index, Week 9: Bears must lean equally on Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery

Filling in for the injured David Montgomery, rookie Khalil Herbert has been exceptional for the Bears. Maurice Jones-Drew weighs in on how Chicago should handle the situation when the latter returns from IR. Plus, MJD updates his RB rankings.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 24, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)

RB Index, Week 8: To help Lamar Jackson, Ravens MUST get more from the run game

Baltimore's running backs haven't been much help to Lamar Jackson and the rushing attack in the last four weeks. Maurice Jones-Drew offers up a solution for Greg Roman and updates his top 15 RB rankings.
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RB Index, Week 7: Which NFL teams should trade for a running back before the Nov. 2 deadline?

After a spate of injuries in backfields across the league, Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights teams that should -- and shouldn't -- trade for a rusher before the Nov. 2 deadline. Plus, an updated ranking of the top 15 running backs in the NFL right now.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) and running back Kareem Hunt (27) walk off the field after the Browns defeated the Houston Texans 10-7 after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

RB Index, Week 6: Browns, Cowboys lead NFL's top five rushing duos

Maurice Jones-Drew reveals his top five rushing duos in the NFL right now. Will the Browns or Cowboys tandem earn his top honor? Plus, four new players enter his RB rankings.
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RB Index, Week 5: Three running backs who are pressing too much

Maurice Jones-Drew identifies three running backs who are pressing too much -- something he dealt with during his own career -- a quarter of the way through the 2021 NFL season. Plus, three new players enter his top 15 RB rankings.
Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (25) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL exhibition football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

RB Index, Week 4: Three potential trade partners for Colts' Marlon Mack

With the Colts and Marlon Mack mutually agreeing to seek a trade, Maurice Jones-Drew reveals three potential trade partners for the fifth-year back. Plus, Saquon Barkley enters the top 15 rankings for the first time this season.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry celebrates after the Titans defeated the Cleveland Browns 43-13 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

RB Index, Week 3: How Derrick Henry -- the Titans' scariest weapon -- just got scarier

Maurice Jones-Drew reveals how the Titans' scariest offensive weapon -- Derrick Henry -- just got scarier. Plus, how far did Aaron Jones climb in the top 15 RB rankings after a four-TD day?
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard park, N.Y., Sunday Sept. 12, 2021. (AP/ Photo Jeffrey T. Barnes)

RB Index, Week 2: Three running backs poised to bounce back

After an underwhelming opening effort from running backs across the NFL, Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights three rushers poised to bounce back in Week 2. And for the first time this season, MJD ranks the top 15 RBs in the league.
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RB Index, Week 1: Predicting 2021's top 10 leading rushers

Can Ezekiel Elliott reclaim his spot at the top of the rushing charts? Will Derrick Henry win his third straight rushing title? Maurice Jones-Drew predicts 2021's top 10 leading rushers ahead of Week 1.
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RB stock watch: Super Bowl champion Leonard Fournette up, Le'Veon Bell down

Maurice Jones-Drew looks back at the 2020 season and identifies running backs whose stock rose or fell. What is Leonard Fournette's status after a Lombardi run? How can Le'Veon Bell rebound from a disappointing season with both the Jets and Chiefs?