The position technically designated as the “halfback” in football has been the subject of contention over the years. Experts begin to see less and less value in running the ball and the entire game finds itself favoring airing out the ball in every opportunity that it makes sense. For some teams, they’ll even pass when it doesn’t make sense, but to take their shot at a big play.

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Of course, the idea that running backs are incapable of the big plays is silly. Great teams never truly abandon the run in the NFL. And, as the professional Madden NFL 22 players will no doubt demonstrate again this year, a great run game drains the clock, keeps defenses tired, and doesn’t take risks with turnovers. Gamers that want to win this way will want to favor teams with these RBs on them.

Updated on April 24th, 2022 by Hodey Johns: Lifelong football fans will have a hard time remembering a season as turbulent as this one. Through the first stretch of the season, no team was immune to defeat, no matter how hot of a streak they are riding. The first half of 2021 was the worst season for home teams in the history of the game so far. Running backs are in higher demand now more than ever as they provide some consistency to otherwise streaky teams. Just look at the playoff teams to see how much a difference they can make. This list has been updated for adjustments made over the complete 2021 season.

10 Josh Jacobs – 88

There is only one newcomer to this list between the beginning and end of the year and there are few fans that can’t be happy that this player is Josh Jacobs. Jacobs is too often lost in the shuffle thanks to Derek Carr and Pro-Bowl caliber receivers doing their thing.

But this is only possible thanks to a running game that is worthy of fear. Jacobs is fast on sweeps and bruising up the middle. There is no play he can’t run and he figures to be a feature for the Raiders for as long as he is healthy.

9 Ezekiel Elliott – 88

The Cowboys were a disaster on defense in 2020 and basically had to abandon the run game. And with Prescott’s injury, opponents stacked the box against the run because they no longer had to fear the pass. Ezekiel Elliott returned to form in 2021 thanks to an overall improved team.

Behind an offensive line that is always competing for the top spot in the business, Elliott was back to four-digit yardage totals and two-digit touchdown totals. Some expected more during the season, but with so many weapons, the Cowboys had too many tools for any one player to bust up the stat sheet.

8 Aaron Jones – 90

Green Bay Packers fans will think of their offense and justifiably picture back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers front and center. But Rodgers is a dynamic quarterback; his passing only works if the run game can take the heat off.

Jones is more than a simple distraction. As a threat to run and catch, he demands attention that defenses don’t like to give him when Adams and Rodgers are on the field. His persistence has given him an extra point since the year has begun.

7 Alvin Kamara – 91

The Saints are in a rough state and losing the head coach and Hall of Fame quarterback within the last few years has been rough. They also just lost one of the best offensive linemen in the game to free agency. Despite some rocky play from the team, Alvin Kamara continues to shine with every opportunity.

Kamara is special because he is lethal through the air just as much as he is on the ground. That’s not an overstatement; his receiving yards are right in line with his rushing yards for each of his five years in the NFL. He doesn’t need a perfect team to shine, he’ll find a way to make a statement every game.

6 Jonathan Taylor – 92

Jonathan Taylor started the year in 89 and while he has increased three points in OVR, there’s a case to be made that he should have gone up ten points. He led the league in every running back category: rushing yards, rushing attempts, games played, games started, touchdowns, 40+ yard runs, and 20+ yard runs. His 83-yard run was also the longest run of any running back in 2021.

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The Colts will take some solace about his rise and eagerly anticipate him getting the recognition he deserves in the next game. If Taylor is not the top-ranked halfback in 2022, fans in Indianapolis deserve to be upset.

5 Joe Mixon – 93

The Bengals lost Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon about halfway through the season in 2020. In 2021, they made a run that ended in the Super Bowl when both were healthy. That’s really saying something about the one-two punch these two possess.

In 2021, Mixon was a touchdown machine despite playing behind an offensive line routinely considered the worst in the NFL. The ratings adjusters have taken notice and given him a necessary three-point bump since the game was first released. Who knows what will happen next year behind the Bengals’ new and improved O-Line.

4 Dalvin Cook – 95

It’s generally believed that to have a great run game, teams must first get some incredible talent on the offensive line. However, despite the Vikings ranking among the bottom of O-Line units, Dalvin Cook has shined.

In only fourteen games, Cook broke 1500 yards in 2020, to go along with sixteen touchdowns. In, Dalvin Cook fought through a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder. A lesser running back might have had the entire season derailed, but Cook still managed to get over 1100 yards and six touchdowns in just thirteen games where he wasn’t at full strength.

3 Nick Chubb – 96

Running back committees tend to keep player potential limited. But Nick Chubb defies these rules. He’s always been a fan of doing what players did not know was possible on the field.

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In college, he ran behind Todd Gurley. Then, he went to the Browns as a third-string option behind Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde. In 2020, Cleveland picked up Kareem Hunt. With respect to all of these great backs, Chubb has outplayed them all. He got over 1200 yards in twelve games last year and the upcoming season is just another opportunity for him to break out.

2 Christian McCaffrey – 96

After putting up a season even Marshall Faulk would be envious of in 2019, an injury sidelined McCaffrey for most of 2020. Madden NFL 22 won’t add any new game modes, but the ones it has that reward speed, catching, and running already make Christian McCaffrey a superstar.

Sadly, after missing a few weeks early, Christian McCaffrey came back for a few games, looked good, and then suffered another season-ending injury. Fans are hoping that these injuries don’t permanently strangle the career of a generational talent.

1 Derrick Henry – 97

In 2020, he became only the eighth running back in NFL history to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark. If players are going to be assigned the best X-Factors, the folks designing the game probably owe Derrick Henry every factor a halfback can own.

The 96 given to Henry at the game’s debut was downright disrespectful and predictably, he’s up to a 97. After missing the first half of the season, Henry proved that patience is a virtue by racking up over 900 yards in a mere eight games.

Madden NFL 22 was released on August 20th, 2021, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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