10 NFL Running Backs Who Should Be Cut From Their Teams

The modern-era NFL is currently dominated through the air. That's not to say that running back isn't an important position, but quarterbacks currently reign supreme. Look no further than Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow facing off in the AFC Championship Game, where analysts barely discussed any other players on the Kansas City Chiefs or on the Cincinnati Bengals.

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With that in mind, running back isn't as important in 2023 as it was in 1973. Given that is the case in the modern era of football, there are some runners that likely should be moved from their current teams ahead of the next NFL season.

10 Leonard Fournette

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Oh, how things can change. Leonard Fournette was one of the key players that led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in 2020. The following year, he kept the team as a title contender, as he was one of their key offensive weapons.

Sadly, Fournette had a brutal 2022 campaign where he rushed for just 462 yards with three touchdowns on a terrible 3.4 yards a carry. While he just signed a deal last year, one has to think it would be best for the two sides to part ways. Especially given that Tom Brady has now retired, meaning the Bucs will likely have to vastly revamp their running game to have any shot of contending in 2023.

9 Samaje Perine

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While Leonard Fournette should be looking for a new home due to poor performance, Samaje Perine should be doing the same but for different reasons. Currently, the powerful running back sits behind Joe Mixon in Cincinnati.

However, he's improved massively over the last few seasons not only as a runner but as a pass catcher. For 2023, Perine could likely get a solid contract to become a starting running back.

8 Melvin Gordon

It's a bit strange that Melvin Gordon decided to head to the Kansas City Chiefs. A former Pro Bowl selection for the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, the running back signed to the team's practice squad in late November.

Gordon hasn't even taken a snap for the Chiefs due to their crowded running back room. For 2023, the former Pro Bowler can likely get playing time just about anywhere else. Although, it's hard to feel too bad for Gordon, as he might leave Kansas City with a ring.

7 Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs has to be the most man frustrated about the Las Vegas Raiders and their current lack of success. Despite the team being a Super Bowl favorite to enter the season, they instead ended the year in a rebuild and without a franchise quarterback.

Throughout the season, Jacobs voiced his displeasure with the team and their constant losing. Given that the Raiders will begin rebuilding, and that the running back is at the top of his game right now, a trade makes a lot of sense.

6 Ronald Jones

If there's a man who knows how Melvin Gordon is feeling, it's Ronald Jones. Just two seasons removed from being a key player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl run, he signed to Kansas City with hopes of winning another ring.

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The good news is he might get his ring. The bad news is, he's barely played whatsoever. Jones has voiced his displeasure with lack of snaps in the regular season, and that is a sign of things to come for his future in Kansas City. He'll be headed elsewhere in 2023.

5 Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara is in a really rough spot. The former Pro Bowler is one of the biggest offensive weapons on the New Orleans Saints, and he's beloved by the team. However, he's expensive, declining, and the team is rebuilding.

If Kamara wants to capture the magic of prior seasons, the best move is likely to leave the Saints. While it's not known if he will leave in free agency or a trade, there's a good chance he's not in New Orleans to start next season.

4 James Conner

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Life comes at you fast. James Conner entered the 2021 season in Arizona as hopeful after leaving Pittsburgh, and it paid off. He made the Pro Bowl, and had arguably the best season of his career, scoring 15 touchdowns on the ground.

However, 2022 in Arizona was terrible, as the team fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury. With reports of instability with Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins leaving Arizona, James Conner will likely follow suit.

3 Giovani Bernard

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Giovani Bernard had a rough season in Tampa Bay. After spending all of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, he headed to the Buccaneers in 2021, and had a solid first year. However, his 2022 season saw him on the bench for the majority of the time.

When on the field, Bernard showed his age, as he looked a step slower. For 2023, it's very unlikely that he will be staying in Tampa Bay, and it's hard to blame them.

2 Clyde Edwards-Helaire

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Clyde Edwards-Helaire was drafted in 2020 by the Kansas City Chiefs, and had a great rookie season. While the follow-up season saw the running back get hurt and miss time, many fans felt he could be a dominant running back for the team if he could stay healthy.

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Instead, 2022 saw Edwards-Helaire miss the majority of the reason, and lose his job to Isiah Pacheco. If the former first-round pick can stay healthy, he can help teams massively. However, he shouldn't return to the Chiefs next season.

1 Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott might be coming off his final season as a Dallas Cowboy. The team has put the issue off for the last few seasons, paying the former Pro Bowler massive money as he was clearly slowing down. This season, he split time with Tony Pollard.

Given that the Cowboys may already have Elliott's replacement, he won't be around next season in Dallas. Given his massive contract, he won't have much trade value either, as he'll likely be cut and head to free agency for the first time.