Looking across the NFL landscape there are a few teams that eagerly await the up-coming 2019 NFL Draft, to replenish their backfield. Most of the teams near the top of the list still have adequate options, but age or salary become to play major factors moving forward.

The of position of running has changed over the last few years, where a player with exceptional receiving skills is as valued as a guy who can punish between the tackles. The Carolina Panthers who have always relied on a smash-mouth running attack, now feature Christian McCaffrey, who led the team in receptions last season as a rookie (80).

It allows the position to be valued even more by NFL teams looking to mimic the way the New Orleans Saints use Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Then the thoroughbreds like Todd Gurley and Zeke Elliott remain heavy hitting bell-cows in the ground game.

Next years running back class is not up to snuff like we have seen in the last few years, but like any draft, features plenty of talented options that will surely capture the attention of NFL Scouting departments.

New York Jets
The Jets were rumored to very interested in Pittsburgh Steelers Le’Veon Bell when reports circulated he was on the trading block. The team signed Isaiah Crowell early in free agency this past spring and have Bilal Powell (30 years old), becoming a free agent next year.

New York will pursue Bell once again, although they will not be alone in trying to persuade the Pro Bowl running back to sign a big money deal. If the pursuit of Bell fails, then the Jets attention will then be directed to the NFL Draft.

Unlike the last few NFL Draft’s, this group of incoming rookies lacks that iconic back teams are going to jockey in position to capture.

Rodney Anderson of Oklahoma was considered our No. 1 prior to tearing his ACL, in the Sooners second game of the year against UCLA.

He brings three-down material to the position, but his rehab and decision to stay in Norman for another season remains up in the air.

Oakland Raiders
Jon Gruden has made waves since his return to coaching and leaving Monday Night Football. Gruden may have been a beloved figure from the television booth, but it appears he is on a alienating spree, trying to incur the wrath of everyone associated with or loves the Oakland Raiders.

Marshawn Lynch was placed in IR a few weeks ago and likely will not be brought back into the mix in Oakland. Gruden was portrayed as a quarterback guru with his weekly episode’s on EPSN while talking with soon to be rookie quarterbacks.

His forte, his passion is running the football. He loves pounding the rock and finding that next ball carrier to revive the images of Mike Alsott, Warrick Dunn or Michael Pittman is well underway. The Raiders rank 26^th in the league overall in rushing yards per game, roughly close to where his former Tampa Bay Buccaneers teams finished. It is the balanced offense Gruden desires in Oakland.

The Raiders, the proud owners of three first-round draft selections in next April’s draft, have plenty of ammunition to move up and down the draft board. Damien Harris matches the style that Gruden may like to have when running the football. Harris runs angry with violent legs. He is the type of running back to demoralize defenses with his hardnosed running style.

Buffalo Bills
LeSean McCoy is still in Buffalo with the trade deadline one day away. Regardless if he is retained and despite his effectiveness on the field, his time is running to an end (no pun intended), in Buffalo. McCoy hits free agency in 2020 after signing a 5-year, $40,000,000 contract with the Bills in 2015.

There is no heir apparent on the current roster, leaving Buffalo to sort through game tape of all the in-coming draft prospects next season. Like their division opponent in New York (Jets), the Bills selected a rookie quarterback (Josh Allen) and now must find a running back that can help alleviate pressure on the passing game.

Buffalo would likely address the need on day two of the NFL Draft, with no clear-cut No. 1 running back in the first-round for the Bills to take on opening night of the NFL Draft. That places the likes of Benny Snell (Kentucky) or Bryce Love (Stanford).

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan were very excited to utilize Jerick McKinnon in the backfield. A preseason injury robbed McKinnon of being a real factor for San Francisco. The former third-round pick from Georgia Southern, was seldom used in Minnesota, prior to his breakout season.

In his absence, undrafted Matt Breida has shown big play ability, while trying to manage staying on the field with nagging injuries. McKinnon’s rehab and Breida not being a workhorse candidate are the gateway for San Francisco to investigate the up-coming class of running backs.

Shanahan has excelled at running during his tenures as Offensive Coordinator in Washington, Cleveland and Atlanta. In 2010, the Redskins were 30^th in the league rushing and two years after that they were ranked No. 1 in the National Football League. Two years in Atlanta the Falcons went from 19^th to 5^th in the league in the same category. It is just a matter of time before the 49ers rushing attack is one of the more productive in the entire league.

To ensure that outcome another capable yet durable option will need to be acquired, most likely during the week of the 2019 NFL Draft. It is a must to add more ammunition to cover his backside in case McKinnon is slow to recover from his torn ACL.

Carolina Panthers
The Panthers used the eighth pick of the 2017 NFL Draft on Christian McCaffrey. A talented dual threat weapon out of the backfield, due to his exceptional ability to catch the football. Over the years Stephen Davis, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were never doubted for their toughness between the tackles.

McCaffrey’s first 100-yard game did not come until his 19^th of his second year in the NFL. That game also marked the first time in his career the former Stanford running backs had more than 20 carries (28) in a NFL game.

He touches the ball plenty, but his damage is made after quarterback Cam Newton delivers him the football via the pass. That is were the Panthers would be keen to identify another running back to lesson the chances that McCaffrey is not in tip-top condition.

C.J. Anderson is the only other real option and he is a free agent after the season. Leaving the door wide open for the Panthers to take a mid-round running back with some bulk to help soften the defense for McCaffrey to exploit.

Other teams to consider: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins