A Jordan Howard ranking among other top running backs is certainly something that could start a fight. Many Chicago Bears fans are already set to declare him one of the best in the business. Not sure one should go that far after just one season. Admittedly it was a really good season in 2016 but it takes time to build up credibility in the eyes of experts.
Still, even a humble young man like Howard has an ego. It’s almost impossible to succeed in the realm of sports without one. Players have to go into games with the steadfast belief they’re the absolute best at what they do. Often ways to help spur that on is by getting material from outside sources that help fuel the fire. Namely instants of disrespect.
So it will be interesting to see how Howard would respond to this recent breakdown of the top 10 running backs in the NFL by a collection of Sports Illustrated experts. Needless to say he’s not topping the list, but his actual placement might be a source of debate.
Jordan Howard ranking is all about perspective
Averaging out the rankings of every analyst on the panel, Howard ended up at seventh on the list. Two men had him ninth and another 11th overall. The one man who helped raise his profile was Andy Benoit, who rated him fifth. Why? He explained in detail what makes Howard so underrated and so special.
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“I think he is the best all-around zone runner in the NFL. So inside zone where you’re following your double teams between the tackles and outside zone where your linemen are working in unison to get to the sideline and seal the defense back inside and your job as the runner is to turn that corner. I think when you combine those two skill sets and their different styles of running, I think Jordan Howard is the best all-around pure zone runner in football.”
In truth seventh overall after just one season in the NFL isn’t half bad. One can bet Walter Payton didn’t rank that high after his first season. Howard needed time and a few fortunate breaks to get on the field, but was brilliant when he finally did. His vision, acceleration and power stood out almost immediately. Even in the preseason. For many who understood, it was just a matter of time before he got his chance.
Over 1,300 yards later he went to the Pro Bowl. The first fifth round pick to accomplish that feat for Chicago in the Super Bowl era outside of special teams.
Most believe he is the focal point of the Bears offense moving forward. Rightfully so given the restructuring the team has done at quarterback. He will be the stabilizing force in the backfield. Somebody to lean on when things aren’t clicking. No doubt he has the added motivation of showing Sports Illustrated and everybody else that ranking seventh in the NFL isn’t the career peak he had in mind. Not after what he’s been through.