With MLB, NBA and NHL all on hold, the NFL took center stage last week with the start of free agency. We saw franchise and transition tags handed out as well as a whirlwind of player movement that takes our “Way Too Early” Player Rankings and chucks ‘em out the window. Ok, so not altogether, but I’ve got enough risers and fallers to afford me the opportunity to update my 2020 rankings of the skill positions as we head towards the NFL Draft in late April.
It's time to re-visit the Top 20 Running Backs
We haven't seen as much of a dramatic shift in the running back position as we saw with the quarterbacks, but still, some big names have found themeselves filling out a change-of-address card. Once the 2020 NFL Draft takes place, we'll take another look to see if any rookies find themselves in situations worthy of a Top 20 spot. For now here is what the new landscape looks like, at least accoring to me and what we know right now.
| Rank | Player | Team | Analysis |
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | NYG | Still my No. 1 RB in all formats. |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR | Change in QB doesn't have any real effect, but still wondering if the new regime under Matt Ruhle is going to maintain his touches |
| 3 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | Gary Kubiak officially as OC means even more running. No Stefon Diggs just enforces that. |
| 4 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | Offense should run through him, but big money to Amari Cooper and the search for another WR could mean fewer touches. And don't forget Tony Pollard still lurks. |
| 5 | Joe Mixon | CIN | After what I saw late last season once the o-line got healthy, I'm even more encouraged knowing Joe Burrow will be under center in 2020. |
| 6 | Nick Chubb | CLE | Still concerned about touches being poached by Kareem Hunt , but he's still a force to be reckoned with every time he steps onto the field. |
| 7 | Aaron Jones | GB | Matt LaFleur has gotten everyone to buy in to the run-first program and Jones is also highly-utilized in the passing attack. |
| 8 | Derrick Henry | TEN | This big mambajamba is coming off a career year, but is still very capable of repeating his totals. |
| 9 | Alvin Kamara | NO | The value comes more in PPR leagues, but remains a major threat whenever he touches the ball. With Brees returning, the offense should be status quo. |
| 10 | Josh Jacobs | LV | So long as Gruden keeps him running heavy with 20-plus touches per game, he should remain a high-end option. He wwas also integrated into the passing game more as the season rolled on. |
| 11 | Kenyan Drake | ARI | Hit with the transition tag so he's not going anywhere but with no more David Johnson , this is Drake's backfield. The promise is there for a huge season in this offensive scheme. |
| 12 | Austin Ekeler | LAC | The Chargers let Melvin Gordon walk and signed Ekeler to an extension so we know where the love it on this team. With TyRod Taylor expected to start, it should be very lucrative moving into Checkdown City. |
| 13 | Leonard Fournette | JAC | The return to Gardner Minshew under center shouldn't have much of an effect on the ridiculousvolume Fournette should continue to see. |
| 14 | Melvin Gordon | DEN | He moves into an intriguing situation in Denver, however, he will still be in a time-share as Phillip Lindsay remains the pass-catchiong back in this system. |
| 15 | Chris Carson | SEA | Should be the No. 1 in a run-first scheme so long as he cured himself of fumbling away every third carry. |
| 16 | Miles Sanders | PHI | Needs to still prove he can be more than just a pass-catcher if he wants every-down work, but there is certainly a lot of promise here. |
| 17 | James Conner | PIT | Health concerns have creayed doubt in some circles, but GM Kenny Colbert still believes he can shoulder the full workload in 2020. |
| 18 | Le'Veon Bell | NYJ | We'll see what the Jets offensive line looks like, as well as his relationship with Adam Gase. Could be the first I drop out of the Top 20 this summer. |
| 19 | Todd Gurley | ATL | Still plenty of concern over the arthritic knee, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt with a change of scenery and blocking scheme. |
| 20 | David Johnson | HOU | Offensive line still needs work, but they didn't trade DeAndre Hopkins to get a running back who won't be used as the team's primary ball-carrier. Pass-catching skills wil lbe on full display as well. |
Click here to get to the Top 20 Quarterbacks
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