Most Underrated RBs of the Season written by Ben Hoyt

There are many big name superstar running backs in the league today. There is LaDainian Tomlinson, Clinton Portis, Adrian Peterson, and the list goes on and on. But what about the little named guys, the underrated running backs. Most of these players, who you probably never have heard of, may become the next big thing. Here is a list some of the 2008 season most underrated running backs:

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mewelde Moore came into the spotlight after starter Willie Parker missed several games with a shoulder injury and rookie Rashard Mendenhall went out for the season after fracturing his shoulder. Moore has created a dominate run game for the Steelers. Moore has played in all nine games this season, starting four. He has rushed for 377 yards on 93 carries with 5 touchdowns.

Arizona Cardinals’ Tim Hightower is rookie running back out of the University of Richmond. A fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft, Hightower has taken the starting job from veteran Edgerrin James. Hightower has played in all 9 games this season starting two. He has rushed for 264 yards on 84 carries with an amazing 7 touchdowns.

Tennessee Titans’ LenDale White has become one of the league’s toughest running backs. White, who shares snaps with rookie Chris Johnson, is a hard nose runner. He is used a lot in the red zone and goal line plays. White has rushed for 418 yards on 108 carries with a league high 11 touchdowns.

Houston Texans’ Steve Slaton is another rookie running back making a big name for himself. Slaton was a huge college football star when he was at West Virginia and has brought his skills into the NFL. Slaton, a third-round pick, was named the starter in Week 2 and has never looked back. Slaton has rushed for 545 yards on 124 carries and 5 touchdowns.

New York Giants’ Derrick Ward is another tough running back. Ward is part of the Giants’ triple threat running back core. The core is often called Earth, Wind, and Fire. Starter Brandon Jacobs is Earth, Ward is Wind, and third-string running back Admad Bradshaw is Fire. Ward has averaged 5.5 yards per carry through nine games this season. Ward has rushed for 490 yards on 89 carries and one touchdown.

Atlanta Falcons’ Jerious Norwood is one of the league top backup running backs. Norwood is the backup to starter Michael Turner, who come to Atlanta from San Diego in the offseason. He could probably be a starter on most teams in the league with his excellent skills. Norwood has rushed for 365 yards on 64 carries with 2 touchdowns in 9 games this season.

New England Patriots’ BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a rookie who has really made a name for himself in the last few weeks. Green-Ellis got his chance after starter Laurence Maroney went on injured reserve in Week 6. Backups Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk were hurt in the Week 6 game against the San Diego Chargers paving the way for him to get in the game. In Weeks 8 and 9, the Patriots named him the starter. Green-Ellis has rushed for 243 yards on 63 carries with 4 touchdowns in 5 games.
Write these players’ names down and remember them because one or all these players may be a future MVP or a superstar in the league.