Which of these 3 NFL under-the-radar running backs stars in 2019?

Many running backs have switched teams for the 2019 NFL season, but these three are completely under the radar. Tevin Coleman, Mark Ingram and Jordan Howard have a lot to prove. Will they?

Outside of the biggest NFL stars who switched teams, we had a slew of second-tier players also on the move this offseason. These players are now under the radar with everything to prove in the 2019 NFL season. Three running backs stand out because of their similarities: Tevin Coleman now with the San Francisco 49ers, Mark Ingram now with the Baltimore Ravens and Jordan Howard now with the Philadelphia Eagles.

All three players have been lead backs for different lengths of time during their careers, but are seen as timeshare backs in general. There is no shame in being part of a running back timeshare. That is the way of the NFL. Even still, all three may have big 2019’s in their new homes as the depth charts shake out in their favor. Which of these three under the radar running backs will star in the 2019 season?

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate the 2019 NFL season in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

Todd Salem:

Allow me to set the stage for these three players. Coleman played four years in Atlanta. Before last season, he had only started six times. Last year, thanks to injuries to Devonta Freeman, he was the main back for the Falcons. But he didn’t do as much with the opportunity as some thought he would. Instead of breaking out, he barely cracked 1,000 yards from scrimmage and saw Ito Smith vulture a lot of touches.

Now he moves to San Francisco and looks like the lead back in a potent offense. But, as always, competitors linger; namely Jerick McKinnon, attempting to come back from injury that sapped him of his first season with the 49ers.

Ingram was the main back in New Orleans for a little while until suspension and Alvin Kamara usurped his spot. But even before Kamara, it was Tim Hightower, or Pierre Thomas, or someone taking Ingram’s playing time.

He has found a new home in Baltimore, and the Ravens want to run the ball an awful lot. That doesn’t mean Ingram will get all the carries though. Gus Edwards, Kenneth Dixon and rookie Justice Hill all likely factor into the offense. Even quarterback Lamar Jackson will have designed runs that eat into any potential workload for Ingram.

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Of the three backs, Howard has lost the most in terms of public perception. But he also used to be the highest regarded. He has started 44 of his 47 career games. His first year was splendid. His sophomore year was pretty good. This past season was a rough one. That is a three-year trend in the wrong direction that has brought him to Philadelphia.

Now with the Eagles, Howard’s role is completely unknown. He shares the backfield with as many as four other players who not only expect to be involved in the offense, but may feel like they deserve to be this team’s starter. And all five guys probably won’t even make the active roster.

Howard is obviously in the toughest spot out of our three highlighted backs in new homes. He has the most competition and is coming off the worst season. But he also has had the most past success as an every-down runner. I’m not sure if we want to make this a comparison, but I’d feel the least confident in Howard obtaining an established role.

Though I think Coleman is in the best position to succeed thanks to his circumstances, I actually think Ingram comes out the best. I don’t like Coleman as a full-time back, whereas Ingram can be that for my team. The deciding factor is I’d prefer the San Francisco offense if Ingram switched places with Coleman. Assuming McKinnon comes back healthy, that feels like the best backfield we could have.

Dan Salem:

This is hardly a debate. While you nearly got there with your conclusions, the final verdict was still missing. Ingram is easily the best running back of the three and also finds himself in the best situation. None of these three players are going to be the lead back for their new teams, because none of their new teams wants or plans to rely on just one running back. This is great news, especially for Ingram.

Ingram thrived in New Orleans, but was never the sole contributor in the running game. Baltimore thrived last season with a timeshare backfield. It needs to run the football a lot to protect its sophomore quarterback, who also likes to run. Ingram is going to get lots of opportunities to run and catch the football. It’s on him to produce, but the Ravens offense is designed for a player like him to succeed.

Coleman and Howard are going to have to earn playing time, let alone find success for their new teams. The 49ers offense is a bit of an unknown and has failed to muster a solid offensive line for several seasons now. Will Coleman find success minus a star quarterback? We cannot ignore Matt Ryan‘s influence on his past success. Howard in Philadelphia is equally uncertain. He could easily get cut and signed by someone else before the season kicks off in September.

What do we make of these running back acquisitions? Teams regularly add extensive depth in the offseason to fuel competition during training camp and see who emerges as the top player at a position. Yet we must recognize that when teams do this, it’s often because they don’t have anyone at that position who currently stands out.

Baltimore, San Francisco and Philadelphia did not give these running backs an opportunity without reservations surrounding the current players on their respective rosters. You can never have too many running backs, so to speak, but let’s be realistic. All three of these players aren’t making it to Week 1.