As the AFC East recovers from the dominance of the Tom Brady and New England Patriots era, the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins look to match their once-dominant run. All this while New England tries to recapture the glory they grew accustomed to. While New England largely did it through the air with Tom Brady's passing leading the offense, this new era of football might be different. How does each team's running backroom compare, and which team has the best one to help try and capture glory?
4) New England Patriots
The Patriots never invested much in the running back position in the old days, and they aren't starting now. Despite going out and signing Antonio Gibson from Washington, the position group still lacks a star and a true number-one back. Gibson is backed up by Rhamondre Stevenson, a solid option who has shown flashes as a receiving back but not much more. This unit primarily relied on an old Ezekiel Elliott last year to help out as a receiving back. If they want to be competitive again, the Patriots need their running backs to step up and show they are more than just average roster fillers.
3) Buffalo Bills
James Cook came to Buffalo last year and did exactly what he was expected to. While nothing special, the second-year player out of Georgia put up 1,567 total yards with six total touchdowns, but he had most of his touchdowns stolen at the goal line by Josh Allen and Latavius Murray. Cook is a solid running back and will be active in the passing game for Buffalo this upcoming season, but there isn't anything else to the room outside of him. Cook's backup is Ray Davis, a 24-year-old rookie out of Kentucky. Given that they have no depth behind Cook, the Bills can't be any higher.
2) Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins run game was a surprise the NFL was unprepared for in 2023. While most expected the Dolphins' passing game to be elite, given that speedsters Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill were there, Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane's one-two punch stunned teams and stole the show. The duo rushed for over 1,800 yards and 26 total touchdowns, not including any passes they caught. The duo is ridiculous, but you must be a fool to believe that will happen again- especially given Mostert's and Achane's injury histories.
1) New York Jets
Breece Hall is an elite NFL running back, and he will be the bellcow for the Jets this season. With Aaron Rodgers getting hurt so early into last season, there was a mixed opinion on whether Hall's stats are real. Are they inflated because of the lack of a passing game, or are they deflated due to a weaker offense? The latter seems to be the case, and given they also drafted Wisconsin's Braelon Allen to back Hall, the Jets have a scary duo in the backfield to keep pressure off Rodgers. This Jets duo will shock many this year; they are a tandem fans won't want to miss.
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