Optimal Landing Spots: 2021 Running Back Class

The 2021 NFL Draft is not deep with running back options, but there are a few optimal landing spots for the rookies to end up.

Teams That Offer Immediate Impact

1. New York Jets

The best landing spot for a rookie to have an immediate impact is the New York Jets. The Jets hired former 49ers DC Robert Saleh to take over as their new head coach. Saleh's coaching staff will feature Mike LaFleur, and the two are likely to implement the Shanahan zone-blocking run scheme.

The Shanahan system is known for developing diamonds in the rust. It has produced several productive running backs, seemingly out of thin air. The Shanahan system revolves around finding players who excel on quick first steps and therefore make defensive players miss tackles. You don't have to look long to find several running backs who were off to the races under this system. The success stories of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. paint a bright picture for whoever is the next running back to land with the Jets.

The Jets already signed a familiar face to that 49ers scheme in Tevin Coleman, but it is yet to be seen if he can withstand a full 3-down workload. The Jets also have La’Mical Perine on the roster. With his quick first step and cutting ability, Perine has potential in this one-cut system.

With all of the draft picks that the Jets have in the upcoming NFL Draft, it would be shocking if they left without a rookie running back to pair with presumptive rookie QB Zach Wilson. Still, we can't forget the major offensive line issues the Jets must address. As it stands right now, the Jets have what is projected to be one of the worst offensive lines in football. If a rookie running back does land with this franchise, it may be a situation where talent needs to be more in play than opportunity. All things considered, LaFleur and the system he operated in San Francisco have historically proven to be successful in the past. We shall have to wait and see if they can turn around the mess in New York.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The second best landing spot for a rookie to have an immediate impact is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The departure of former starting RB James Conner opens to door for a rookie to earn the 3-down workload, goal-line work, and receiving opportunity. However, one of the biggest differences between the Jets and the Steelers is the competition factor. If Pittsburgh opts to draft a running back in this year’s draft, the prospect will have to fight for the starter role and beat out Anthony McFarland, Benny Snell, and Jaylen Samuels.

The downside for a rookie running back is a crowded backfield, lack of rushing opportunity, an unclear quarterback situation, a deteriorating offensive line, and lack of clear role heading into 2021. New Pittsburgh OC Matt Canada also coached both Samuel and McFarland, which could give them a bigger upside since they have more familiarity with the offense.

Teams That Offer Potential Starting Roles

1. Denver Broncos

Current starter Melvin Gordon is doing fine, but the Broncos running back room remains an intriguing situation following the exit of Phillip Lindsay. The Broncos did sign Mike Boone away from the Vikings, and he remains a name to keep in mind should the Broncos not elect to bring in a rookie running back.

Let's not kid ourselves, Melvin Gordon has not stayed healthy over the course of his NFL career. On top of that, he could also face a three-game suspension for his DUI incident last season. Still, Gordon was a solid back in Denver last season, rushing for over 1,000 yards and putting up 10 touchdowns. Denver is projected to move on from starting QB Drew Lock and the young offense should therefore improve, but the future of Gordon remains a huge question mark. Gordon is entering a contract season, which means Denver would be wise to bring in a young running back to groom as his eventual replacement.

2. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have moved on from former starting RB Todd Gurley and have brought in veteran RB Mike Davis. Davis played in 15 games for the Panthers in 2020 while Christian McCaffrey was battling a slew of injuries. Over that span, he totaled 165 rushes for 642 yards with a career-high six rushing touchdowns. He is also a promising 3-down back with 59 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns.

The Falcons have a lot of other pressing needs, but even after signing Davis, they have little to no talented depth behind him. While Davis performed admirably for the Carolina Panthers, he’s 28 years old and has underwhelmed as a full-time starter in the past. Given the contract that Davis signed, it’s also a possibility that he could flat out lose his starting role to a rookie if that rookie is talented enough. With how explosive Atlanta's offense is, a rookie running back could offer late-round sleeper value.

Too Early To Tell, Stay Tuned

Jacksonville Jaguars

The biggest surprise of the 2020 Fantasy Football season was the success of UDFA James Robinson. Defying the odds, Robinson beat out Leonard Fournette for the starting role in training camp last year. There's no question about Robinson's talent, but there is some uncertainty surrounding just how committed the Jaguars are to him come the start of the 2021 season. On a team that went 1-15, Robinson achieved stats that were unparalleled.

New HC Urban Meyer signed his former college RB Carlos Hyde. At 30 years old, Hyde has found his way onto the field for the past several seasons. Of course, it remains yet to be seen how much of an impact Hyde will have on Robinson's playtime. However, at this point it seems Robinson dodged a bullet with the signing of Hyde. Robinsons is much younger and far more talented at this point in his career.

Still, the battle is not over for Robinson just yet. The new coaching staff has no emotional ties to James Robinson. The Jaguars could elect to draft another running back in the upcoming NFL Draft. The final stage of Robinson's outlook will be determined by what the Jaguars elect to do on draft night.

Great Landing Spots, Yet Too Many Unknowns

1. San Francisco 49ers

With Raheem Mostert getting up in age and Jeff Wilson Jr. re-signing in the offseason, the question remains who will be the starting running back for the 49ers entering 2021. One thing we do know is when given the opportunity, running backs have always had success under Kyle Shanahan's scheme. It remains an unclear situation, but it's definitely one to monitor.

2. Buffalo Bills

The Bills put up a heck of a lot of points in both fantasy and real-life football last season. The obvious area of improvement for the Buffalo Bills is in the running back room. This offense struggled to run the football effectively last season.

Sophomore Devin Singletary has proven to be an ineffective committee back at best. After suffering an early training camp injury, rookie RB Zack Moss started off the 2020 season very slow. Zack Moss could take the next step and run away with the starting job, but if he doesn't and the Bills opt to draft a running back for the third year in a row, it’s a situation to watch given the immediate success he can achieve.

3. Miami Dolphins

RB Myles Gaskin came along strong in the second half of the season and RB Salvon Ahmed also had a string of high-caliber starts last season. Miami doesn't have much draft capital going into draft night, but that doesn't mean that Gaskin and Ahmed can brag about job security. Further confusing things in the running back room is Miami’s signing of former Rams RB Malcolm Brown.

If Miami chooses to draft a running back with the limited draft capital they have, the rookie could snag the starting job for the Dolphins.