The NFL's Best Dual Threat RBs

Who are the dual-threat running backs — the guys who can do it all out of the backfield? Today, I examine the players who can consistently produce in both the running and the passing game — and some big-time rushers aren’t on the list.

The Dual Threat

What is a dual-threat running back?

In my opinion, it’s a back who can produce in the downhill running game and act as another weapon in the passing game. They are match-up nightmares for defenses, and we see them putting up numbers out of the backfield in both the rushing and receiving category.  

Take Marshall Faulk, for example, a guy I was privileged to play with early in my career in St. Louis. Marshall was, and still is, the best example of a dual-threat player in the NFL. He could do it all out of the backfield, could line up in the slot or at wide receiver, and always made plays. Defenses didn’t know how to prepare for him, and the mismatches he caused every Sunday were fun to watch.

He’s the best overall offensive talent I’ve ever seen play the game.

Sure, when we talk about the best pure running backs in the NFL, the conversation always turn to Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson — but he’s strictly a runner, a power back with speed. He doesn’t offer much in the passing game.

Likewise, when we talk about the best receiving threat out of the backfield in the NFL, we usually talk about New Orleans’ Reggie Bush, but he still hasn’t shown that he can run between the tackles.

Great in one aspect of the game, lacking in another. That’s not a dual-threat back.

So who are the Marshall Faulks of today? Who are the guys that can beat you on the ground and through the air? Who are the guys that cause game plan nightmares for defensive coordinators?

Let’s list them and discuss.

The Top 10 Dual-Threat Backs

1. Brain Westbrook, Eagles (233-936-9TD/54 rec-402-5TD)

Westbrook’s numbers were down last season because of injuries (he had 90 receptions in’07), but he still is considered the toughest match-up for defenses in the NFL. He can align in the slot and at the “X” position on the backside of formations. Five receiving TDs is a big number for a running back.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (197-824-12TD/62 rec-565-2TD)

MJD is the next big thing in the NFL. He becomes the feature back for the Jaguars in ‘09, and he can put up numbers whenever the football in his hands. He runs like a bowling ball and has the agility to make guys miss in the open field. Averaged over nine yards per reception.

3. Matt Forte, Bears (316-1,238-8TD/63 rec-477-4TD)

Forte surprised a lot of us in his ’08 rookie season. We knew he could run the football, but he also led the Bears in receptions with 63. With Jay Cutler now at QB, I expect the Bears to get creative with Forte and align him more in the slot or removed from the formation — and get him the ball in more productive positions.

4. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (292-1,110-11TD/52 rec-426-1TD)

I’m not convinced that LT is finished as a marquee back in this league, and his numbers from last season — although down from previous years — still show us that the guy can play and produce in the Chargers’ offense. Averaged over eight yards a reception and has over 1,100 yards. A lot of teams would take that right now.

5. Marshawn Lynch, Bills (250-1,036-8 TD/47 rec-300-1TD)

I really like Lynch’s game because he plays the position the way it was meant to be played. He can run with power and break tackles and also has some shake to him once he breaks through the line. Plus, he’s another weapon in the passing game that only looks to become more productive as his career moves on.

6. Leon Washington, Jets (76-448-6TD/47-355-2TD)

It’s hard not to notice Washington’s electric style of play in the open field, and although he doesn’t posses the monster numbers in the rushing game due to Thomas Jones, he still averages 5.9 yards per carry and 7.6 yards per reception. The numbers don’t lie, folks — he’s a dual threat out of the backfield.

7. Frank Gore, 49ers (240-1,036-8TD/43 rec-373-2TD)

Gore doesn’t get the respect he deserves, but he can play with any of these guys when it comes to producing in the run and pass game. I know from personal experience that Gore can turn the corner and run past anyone, and although he missed some time in ’08 because of injury, he still rushed for more than 1,000 yards and averaged almost nine yards (8.7) a reception. He’s a force.

8. Steve Slaton, Texans (268-1,282-9TD/30 rec-377-1TD)

Slaton is a lot like Lynch in the way he plays, and he’s the type of game-breaker who can also be used at various spots on the field. He’s another weapon for an already loaded Texans offense at the skill positions, and he averaged 7.5 yards a catch to go along with almost 1,300-yards rushing — as a rookie. He’s going to be a special player if he stays healthy.

9. Kevin Faulk, Patriots (83-507-3TD/58 rec-486-3TD)

The veteran continues to do it year after year despite a reduced role. When a running back averages over six yards a carry and over eight yards a reception, he’s a dual-threat back. This guy can play, and he makes something happen every time he touches the football. That’s why he’s still so valuable to the Patriots offense — he produces whenever he’s on the field.

10. Chris Johnson, Titans (251-1,288-9TD/43 rec-260-1TD)

Chris Johnson is a game-breaker — no question about it. He has the speed to turn the corner and the ability to break off big runs every Sunday. But he can also catch the ball out of the backfield and hauled in 43 passes in ’08 — a number I expect to increase in ’09. He averaged only six yards a catch, but it’s hard to ignore a rookie back who catches over 40 passes and racks up almost 1,300 yards.

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