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Ranking the top 32 NFL running backs for the 2022 season

By Sayre Bedinger

Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL 2022
NFL 2022: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first down during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

8. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

2021 stats

  • 1,289 yards from scrimmage
  • 12 total touchdowns
  • 47 receptions

One thing you can say about Ezekiel Elliott that you simply can’t say about every running back in the NFL — this guy is durable.

He missed six games in his second NFL season, but since that time, he’s played all but two games at one of the toughest positions in the NFL to find longevity and consistent availability.

That stands for something, no doubt.

Early on in his career, it looked like you could book Zeke Elliott for around 1,800-2,000 yards from scrimmage per season. That simply hasn’t been the case in the last three years.

Yes, his touches and usage have gone down, but his production has also diminished quite a bit since his rookie contract.

That’s just being hard on a great player, though. Elliott bounced back this past season with 12 total touchdowns, but believe it or not, he only has four games with 100 or more rushing yards in 2020 and 2021 combined.

Are the days of feeding Zeke well behind us at this point?

The reality is, when the Cowboys do feed him, they win ballgames. They are 4-0 in those games where he runs for over 100 yards and 8-1 over the last two seasons when he has at least 80 rushing yards.

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