The running back position is one of the more intriguing positions in all of sports. A strong running game typically sets up a successful passing game, and is crucial to an NFL offense.
However, a running back is only as successful as his offensive line. One of very few exceptions of course, Christian McCaffrey, who put up one of the best running back seasons football fans have ever seen, with an offensive line ranked 18th by Pro Football Focus.
As much credit as the offensive line should get, a good running back can still benefit your offense extremely. Look at the Tennessee Titans last season. Sure Ryan Tannehill performed above expectations, and their defense played very well, but that team is nowhere without Derrick Henry running people over like a mad man on the loose.
The common belief in running backs is to never give them a large contract, and certainly never pay them to lengthy contracts in a row. They simply rarely go over well, and it is certainly possible to have success without them.
The reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers employed a strategy referred to as running back by committee. Which is essentially utilizing a group of running backs, who are often viewed as average at best.
Due to the success teams like the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers have had over the years applying a running back by committee concept, running backs are perceived as easily replaceable.
There are running backs who have pressure on them this year to perform up to a big contract they have already signed, and there are running backs who have pressure on them to earn themselves a wealthy contract. Here are the top five running backs with the most pressure on them this upcoming season.