As we get through the final months of the summer heat, we inch closer and closer to the return of the NFL. With training camps opening up across the league and the preseason about to begin, fans everywhere are gearing up for their team’s run at a Super Bowl trophy. But more importantly, the return of football means the return of Madden.
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Launching on August 20, Madden 22 brings us the immense excitement of professional football with its story mode Face of the Franchise, phenomenal graphics, and its ever-popular franchise mode. Players flock to franchise mode like moths to the light, there’s no greater feeling in taking control of a team and leading them to the promised land. Controlling the time of possession might seem like a lame way to win a game, but it’s the smart way. To do that, teams must have solid ball carriers, running backs especially. These running backs are the best of the best and you’d be wise to have them on your squad in Madden 22.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals – 88
When the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Joe Mixon in 2017, he was entering a group of running backs that already included Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. Mixon started only seven games in his rookie season, but still managed to rush for 626 yards and four touchdowns. The following season, Mixon was elevated to the full-time starter and rushed for over 1,100 yards in both 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, he suffered a right foot injury in 2020 and only appeared in six games.
Mixon provides top-notch speed (91), agility (92), and acceleration (93) to bounce a run to the outside if he can’t find any running lanes up the middle of the field. He also has a considerably high rating in carrying (96), which means Mixon rarely fumbles. Given that he’s only committed four fumbles in 50 career games, that’s notable. Mixon isn’t the best receiving back with an average catch rating (70), but he’s typically good for a few receptions a game.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys – 88
When quarterback Dak Prescott broke his ankle last October, not only did it spell doom for the Dallas Cowboys but also for Ezekiel Elliott. It’s without question that the Cowboys, and Elliott by extension, are better offensive with Prescott under center. In 2018, Elliott led the league in rushing with 1,434 yards and finished fourth in 2019 with 1,357 yards. But when Prescott went down in 2020, Zeke’s yardage plummeted to a career-low 979 yards.
Many seem to have written off Elliott, but the running back is still only 26-years-old. He still has quality speed (89) and agility (94), though fumbling the ball (83) has been a big issue his entire career (21 total). But one of the biggest positives about Elliott is his ability to remain healthy (97). The most games he’s missed in a season were six in 2017, due to a suspension.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders – 89
Since coming into the league in 2019, Josh Jacobs has rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Last year, Jacobs increased his touchdowns from seven to 12 and nearly doubled the amount of receiving yards he collected. Head coach Jon Gruden has incorporated Jacobs more and more into the Raiders offense, and the young ball carrier looks to take another leap this season.
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Compared to other running backs, Jacobs doesn’t possess blinding speed (87), agility (87), or strength (86). He’s only fumbled three times in his career, so he has a high carrying rating (94). Despite having “low” strength, Jacobs is exceptionally good at breaking tackles (93) and trucking (92) over defenders. At only 23-years-old, there are fewer options for a young running back to build a team around than Jacobs.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants – 90
Entering the 2018 NFL Draft, the New York Giants needed to address their quarterback of the future. Long-time starter Eli Manning was getting closer to retirement, so when the Giants received the second-overall pick, many expected the team to draft a new passer. Surprisingly, the Giants selected Saquon Barkley out of Penn State. The transcendent running back led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage in his rookie season (2,028) and scored 15 total touchdowns.
Barkley’s speed (92), acceleration (93), and agility (96) ratings didn’t seem to be affected by the running back coming off a torn ACL injury. The Giants running back handles the ball with extreme care (95), only having one fumble so far in his career. In the face of defenders, Barkley deploys crafting spin (90) and juke (92) moves that’ll break ankles.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers – 91
For the last two seasons, Aaron Jones has operated as the main running back for the Green Bay Packers. In 2019, Jones collected 1,558 total yards from scrimmage and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (16). The following year, Jones was selected to his first career Pro Bowl and then signed a four-year, $48 million extension with the Packers.
With high marks in speed (91), acceleration (93), and agility (94), Jones can be effectively used as a rusher or receiver in an offense. He holds an average catch rating (72), but rarely fumbles (91). Out in the open field, Jones’s juke moves (93) are one of the best in evading defenders.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints – 94
Going from Drew Brees to Jameis Winston will be a huge change in the New Orleans Saints offense. Someone who will definitely be affected, but hopes to continue having immense success is Alvin Kamara. Since he entered the league in 2017, Kamara has been selected to the Pro Bowl every season. Kamara is coming off the best season of his career with 21 total touchdowns and 1,688 total yards from scrimmage.
Kamara’s overall speed (89) is a tad low compared to other backs, but he makes up for it with high acceleration (94) and agility (93). Given that Kamara factors in both the run and pass game, he’s only fumbled seven times in his career (92). After Kamara gets the ball, he’s hard to bring down with high marks in juke moves (94) and the ability to break tackles (94).
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings – 95
In his first two seasons, Dalvin Cook couldn’t stay healthy. First, the running back suffered a torn ACL one month into his rookie season and then a lingering hamstring injury the following year. But Cook’s luck turned around as he experienced (somewhat) healthy seasons in 2019 and 2020. He’s coming off the best season of his career, rushing for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns.
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Cook relies on his agility (95), acceleration (92), and speed (92) to juke (94) opposing defenders in front of him. Cook’s a savvy runner who’s able to change his direction (95) instantly. And along with his ability to break tackles (95), he’s nearly impossible for defenses to take down in the open field.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns – 96
When Nick Chubb became the full-time starting running back for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, he took the job and ran with it. Chubb played in every game and rushed for a career-high 1,494 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite Chubb performing significantly well, the Browns signed troubled free agent Kareem Hunt. Although the addition of Hunt cut into Chubb’s production, he was still able to collect 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Although Chubb is the fourth-ranked running back, he’s number one at breaking tackles (98). Because of his ability to wrestle himself free of tacklers, Chubb attacks defenders with juke moves (87) and his stiff arm (89). His physicality doesn’t slow Chubb down either, as the Browns player has high ratings in speed (92) and acceleration (91).
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans – 96
Despite what Madden 22 tells you, Derrick Henry has been the most dominant rusher in football for the past two seasons. In 2019, Henry led the league in rushing yards (1,540) and touchdowns (16). Thinking that wasn’t quite good enough, Henry followed that up by rushing for the fifth-most yards in a season in NFL history (2,027) and was on top again in touchdowns (17).
Ironically, it’s not Henry’s legs that make him such a devastating rusher; it’s his arms. With a perfect rating in his stiff arm (99), Henry pushes defenders away from him as if he was swatting flies. Combined with his high rating in breaking tackles (95), it may take more than one person to bring him down. And even still, Henry possesses solid speed (92) and juking abilities (86).
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers – 97
In 2019, the Carolina Panthers limped to a 5-11 record and a last-place finish in the NFC South division. Even though the team suffered two more losses than the season prior, there was one shining light through it all: Christian McCaffrey. The running back in his third season became one of the best offensive players in the league, leading the NFL in total yards from scrimmage (2,392) and touchdowns (19).
Although McCaffrey is two points down from his perfect overall rating in Madden 21, he’s still the top-ranked running back in Madden 22. By using his quick feet, McCaffrey is an agile (97) speedster (92) with good acceleration (93). In the open field, defenders don’t stand a chance against his spin (91) or juke (93) moves. Add in McCaffrey’s catching ability as a receiver (81), there’s no denying that he’s the best overall running back in Madden 22.
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