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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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NFL training camps are in full swing, and as teams ease back into on-field drills and practices in the dead of the summer, football fans have a reason to rejoice.
The preseason officially begins when the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers face off in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC. The rest of the first week of the preseason kicks off the following week on Aug. 13.
As the start of the NFL regular season inches closer (Sept. 9), we are continuing to look at key offseason storylines for each of the league’s 32 teams. We’ve already looked at the top position battles to watch, rookies with the best chance of winning a starting job, and the players in the most danger of being cut, plus we’ve ranked the top head coaches, quarterbacks, and wide receiver rooms by division.
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Now, we’re power ranking the running back rooms in each division. Next up is the NFC South.
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1- New Orleans Saints: Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler
With second-year quarterback Tyler Shough still learning the ropes of the NFL, having a strong running back room to lean on will be one of his best resources. Landing Travis Etienne in free agency was a big win for New Orleans. He’s hit the 1,000-yard mark in three of his first four years, and he’s added 168 catches, 1,388 yards, and seven TDs.
Etienne’s presence will give 31-year-old Alvin Kamara more rest, and free him up to be used where he’s most effective: as a receiver. Kamara has averaged 67 receptions and 550 yards receiving per season. Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, and Ty Chandler will likely compete for two spots, which should make training camp more interesting.
2- Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson, Tyler Goodson
Thee Falcons have the best running back in the division, and possibly in the NFL in Bijan Robinson. He’s rushed for 1,450 yards in back-to-back seasons, and he’s caught 58 or more passes in each of his first three years.
Losing Tyler Allgeier was a big blow, but if Brian Robinson plays like he did his first three years in Washington (he averaged 776 yards rushing with 15 touchdowns), the Falcons will have a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield.
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3- Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard, Jonathan Brooks, A.J. Dillon, Trevor Etienne
Chuba Hubbard had just 511 yards and one touchdown last year backing up Rico Dowdle, who’s now in Pittsburgh, meaning the path is clear for Hubbard to have dibs on the RB1 job. However, Jonathan Brooks, who’s dealt with several nagging injuries the last few years, is making a strong push in camp.
A.J. Dillion could be a strong RB3 but Trevor Etienne, who averaged nearly five yards per carry last season (on 20 touches), could push him for touches.
4- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker
Losing Rachaad White was a big blow for Tampa Bay, but having Bucky Irving fully healthy will help. Irving was limited to 588 yards last year due to injuries, but he rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns two years ago as a rookie.
But despite losing White, the Bucs added a solid RB2 to backup Irving in Kenneth Gainwell, who rushed for a career-high 537 yards and five touchdowns last year. Sean Tucker has hit 300 or more rushing yards the last two years, and he scored seven touchdowns last year. He should push for more touches too.
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