Maurice Jones-Drew: Saquon Barkley NFL’s best running back

Maurice Jones-Drew played nine seasons in the NFL, ran for more than 8,000 yards, gained better than 1,000 yards in three seasons, made three Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro in 2011. If anyone should know what an NFL running back should look like, it’s Jones-Drew.

That’s why it caught my attention that Jones-Drew, now an NFL analyst, named Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants the NFL’s best running back.

Barkley’s rookie campaign speaks for itself. He totaled a league-high 2,028 scrimmage yards and topped off his first season with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Barkley is the undisputed focal point of the offense now that Odell Beckham Jr. is in Cleveland. The uber-talented second-year pro should have another tremendous year with an improved offensive line blocking for him.

Barkley was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after gaining a league-leading 2,028 yards of total offense, becoming just the third rookie in NFL history to surpass the 2,000-yard barrier. He gained 1,307 yards rushing, third in the league, and set a rookie running back record with 91 receptions.

Jones-Drew’s top 5:

1. Barkley
2. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints)
3. Le’Veon Bell (New York Jets)
4. Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys)
5. Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers)