Ranking AFC North running backs heading into 2020

The Pittsburgh Steelers are lacking in the running back room. Here’s where their group ranks among their AFC North rivals.

Recently, I ranked the quarterbacks in the AFC North heading into the 2020 NFL season. Now, I shifted the focus to the running back position. The Pittsburgh Steelers once had the best running game in the division with Le’Veon Bell leading the charge behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. But a lot can change in just a few years.

James Conner has proven to be a solid player and a good former third-round draft choice by the Steelers. However, their ability to win on the ground isn’t the same as it has been in years past. Here’s how the Steelers running backs rank among each team in the AFC North:

1. Cleveland Browns

Picking the top team here wasn’t easy as there were two teams in contention. However, I went with the Cleveland Browns. Nick Chubb is one of the league’s most underrated running backs and is arguably the very best back in the league with his ability to win on every down.

Chubb graded out as the best running back in the league last year, according to Pro Football Focus, with an overall grade of 88.7. He managed nearly 1,500 yards on the ground to go with his 8 rushing touchdowns, despite Cleveland’s struggles with their offensive tackles last year.

In addition, the Browns have a very capable runner behind him in Kareem Hunt – who finished as the 11th ranked running back in the league last season. With a pair of offensive tackles added this year in Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills, the Browns running game has a chance to be the best in the league.