Madden 21 recently released on all current-generation gaming platforms, with it set to release again on next-gen systems upon their release later in 2020. The passing game in the NFL can garner attention due to the focus on the quarterbacks, but plenty of fans can appreciate a stellar rushing attack.
Out of all the running backs in the NFL, which ones received the love from Electronic Arts and were gifted with high overalls? Let’s now take a look at and rank the ten best NFL running backs in Madden 21.
10 Josh Jacobs (87)
Kyler Murray took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2019, but many NFL pundits felt the award belonged to Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders. Jacobs entered his rookie campaign in a full sprint and starting since the very first week of the season. For him to be considered an every-down running back he needs to improve his catching ability. Even with that weakness in his game, he immediately showed the NFL that he’ll likely be around racking up 1,000 yard rushing seasons for the foreseeable future, whether in real-life or in Madden.
9 Alvin Kamara (88)
After being the central focus of the New Orleans Saints offense in 2018, Kamara regressed a bit statistically in 2019. Part of it was due to some nagging injuries, as well as the offense shifting to focus primarily on wide receiver Michael Thomas. Kamara is currently in the final year of his rookie contract and has held out of training camp in hopes of a new deal. Outside of Christian McCaffrey, Kamara is considered by many to be one of the NFL’s most complete running backs and can contribute in both the rushing and passing game.
8 Joe Mixon (89)
Despite the Cincinnati Bengals finishing with the worst record in the NFL and taking Joe Burrow with the #1 overall pick, they had an elite running back in the backfield. Joe Mixon entered the league with character concerns due to an incident in college where he was charged with a misdemeanor for punching a woman.
Since then he’s been a model professional and is coming off of two consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons. He’s entering a contract year with a lot of money on the table waiting to be earned.
7 Aaron Jones (90)
Aaron Jones, the starting running back for the Green Bay Packers, has thrived in Wisconsin. Thanks to having Aaron Rodgers under center, Jones has faced plenty of defensive boxes with less than 8 men in the box. This has led to many debates among fans about just how could Jones is. Madden 21 seems to respect his production and has awarded Jones with impressive speed-related ratings, while at the same time giving him a rather low rating when it comes to both strength and pass blocking.
6 Saquon Barkley (91)
Saquon Barkley is one of the NFL’s young superstars and has quickly become a household name despite the New York Giants’ lack of success. He’s part of a young offensive nucleus in New York that’s trying to turn things around under new head coach Joe Judge. Barkley is great at creating highlights but has been labeled as a boom or bust running back. He’s a complete running back from head to toe and has the complete package you’re looking for, with his glaring weakness being his poor pass protection.
5 Dalvin Cook (91)
If you polled Minnesota Vikings fans and asked them to name their favorite offensive players on the team, Dalvin Cook likely wouldn’t land in near the top. Plenty of Vikings fans love Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph, while others are split on Kirk Cousins. Outside of some nagging injuries, Dalvin Cook has proven that the Vikings are more successful and consistently moving the ball when he’s handed the ball. Madden has shown him respect with both his speed and acceleration ratings coming in at an even 92.
4 Nick Chubb (92)
The hidden gem of Cleveland isn’t Drew Carey or Baker Mayfield, but rather Nick Chubb. His resume in college speaks for itself as he produced year in and year out, but it was unclear how he’d translate over to the next level. Despite an offensive line that had Mayfield running for his life in 2019, Chubb managed to produce once again. The Browns even made his job harder when they brought in former Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt.
3 Ezekiel Elliott (92)
Yes, Ezekiel Elliott has had the privilege of playing behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines since he’s entered the league. That doesn’t mean that he lacks talent or skill, and he owes all of his credit to the big boys upfront, though. Off the field, he’s had his fair share of issues and distractions, but on the field, he’s proved himself as an elite running back. His one weakness that Dallas Cowboys fans hoped he worked on heading into the 2020 NFL season is his lack of consistent pass-catching ability out of the backfield.
2 Derrick Henry (93)
Derrick Henry has taken the NFL world by storm these last few years after he was about to be labeled as a bust during his early years in Tennessee. With a mediocre starting quarterback, Henry has both literally and figuratively carried the Titans to success and consistency.
He’ll be going into the 2020 season under a franchise tag, which is worrisome for running backs. Being over 6'3" as a running back and having 91 speed and 88 acceleration is a bit of an anomaly and Henry has always felt like a Madden created player.
1 Christian McCaffrey (99)
One look at the stats for the Carolina Panthers the last few years will show you just how valuable Christian McCaffrey has been to that franchise. He’s currently the most complete running back in the NFL and can produce from any spot on the offensive side of the ball. On top of being speedy and quick off of the line of scrimmage, he prides himself on protecting the ball. Fans are worried the Panthers’ reliance on him might run his body into the ground, but either way, McCaffrey’s on his way to cementing himself as an all-time great in and out of Madden.
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