CHESPN: Ranking the NFL Running Back Tandems

1. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
Both players are young, have explosive touchdown-producing ability, can play between the tackles, and have shown the ability to catch the football at some point in their careers.

2. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons
Norwood has quietly gone about business his first three years in the NFL, averaging a very respectable 817 yards rushing and receiving combined.

3. Chris Johnson and LenDale White, Tennessee Titans
They’ve already accomplished a feat that no other duo in the top 15 has: Each rushed for his first 1,000-yard season before he turned 24.

4. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, Minnesota Vikings
Truth be told, this duo was at its best in 2007, when Taylor had more of a role in the running game, and Peterson was a more consistent part of the passing game.

5. LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers

Both backs can do it all offensively, and Sproles has a gear and change of direction that may only exist in a half dozen other players in the NFL.

6. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, New York Jets

7. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants
While his previous role as a No. 3 back hasn’t allowed him to show it, Bradshaw does have the ability to be a two-dimensional back. It was showcased his sophomore season at Marshall when he caught 56 passes.

8. Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
Jackson is one of the most underappreciated No. 2 backs in the NFL. He has shown flashes at times of being a capable starter who can catch and run.

9. Marion Barber and Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Before getting injured last season, Jones showed he is a big-play back that might have spared Barber some punishment down the stretch. Health is the absolute key for this pair.

10. Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins

11. Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

12. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins
This is a more skilled and versatile backfield than credited.

13. Frank Gore and Glen Coffee, San Francisco 49ers
Gore’s versatility is well known, and with Coffee showing a better than expected knack in the passing game, this is easily the second-best veteran/rookie pairing when it comes to doing it all (first goes to Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy).

Addai

14. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts
There are few players who have seen their outside reputation plummet as drastically as Addai in the past 12 months. But those who realize he was playing hurt much of last season (which led to some indecisiveness on his part) still see his great value.

15. Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens

16. Matt Forte and Kevin Jones, Chicago Bears

17. Steve Slaton and Chris Brown, Houston Texans
Slaton’s overall ability and Brown’s skill level when healthy put them in the middle of the pack. But make no mistake, this is a tandem that easily has top-10 potential if everything were to fall into place.

18. Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints

19. Steven Jackson and Samkon Gado, St. Louis Rams

20. Maurice Jones-Drew and Greg Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars

21. Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris, Detroit Lions

22. Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris, New England Patriots
The occasional carry going to other backs further down the depth chart (Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney, BenJarvus Green-Ellis) weakens the overall tandem as well.

23. Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson, Green Bay Packers

24. Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

25. Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers