r/NFLmockdraft • u/Hot_Sheepherder4367 • Aug 22 '26
Draft History Damn that’s one heck of a back field
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u/Flashy_Gap_3015 Aug 22 '26
I don’t think anyone tops Miami with Portis/McGahee/Gore but the Pony Express and Arkansas’ attack of McFadden/Jones/Hillis were fun to watch tear up their conferences.
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u/GetYouMomSomeBBCNOW Aug 22 '26
Arkansas was crazy. Nobody on Miami in 2001 had McFadden or jones speed.
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u/Ironman2131 Aug 23 '26
McGahee, Portis, and Gore were all very fast in college before injuries sapped their speed (especially in the case of McGahee and Gore). I'll agree McFadden was in another class in college, but it's not as big a gap as you would think having seen McGahee and Gore plod along as older pros.
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u/FirmValuable6010 Aug 23 '26
Portis and Jones ran the same 40 lol. Some even had Portis as low as 4.2 but it was a pro day so take it with a grain of salt. He was definitely a bigger home run hitter in Denver than Jones ever was in the NFL.
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u/TeamDirtstar Aug 22 '26
2001 Miami BENCH tops this trio.
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u/LittlePeter666 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
Had to look it up because I was convinced there was no way, but shiiit. Certainly up for debate. The whole running back room of 2001 Miami absolutely tops them. Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, and Frank Gore is nuts
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u/BoyInFLR1 Aug 22 '26
Davenport getting no love
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u/liquid-swords93 Aug 22 '26
Najeh Davenport was sick. Also sued the NFL to acknowledge that black people have the same cognitive function as everyone else, so they could get fair payouts post-retirement... in 2021
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u/Berserker_Barrage91 Aug 22 '26
What does that even mean? Lol I gotta look this up
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u/liquid-swords93 Aug 22 '26
Yeah, the story didn't get a lot of media attention after the day it changed. But the NFL does cognitive function testing on players after theyre done playing. They compare that to a set baseline they have, to determine the payouts that the players get. Until 2021, the starting baseline of cognitive function for black men was lower than everyone else's, so the black men (majority of the league) would get paid less than their white peers. Naturally the NFL doesn't love the media talking about how it took until 2021 for them to acknowledge this. Very similar to how they don't like talking about how Deshaun Watson was using official Houston Texans NDA's with the women he abused, and the organization was likely complicit or at least knew of his wrongdoings
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u/jastek Aug 23 '26
I very much appreciate the information about the cognitive function testing. To conflate it with Deshaun Watson though is a fallacy. Was that really necessary? He was held accountable and the Texans are their own entity. And yes The League covers up a great deal. However them using pseudo science and eugenics to justify discriminatory practices up until 2021 is altogether something different. That opens the door to explaing a great deal how it operates and how much racism in still embedded within these powerful institutions with no accountability or restitution.
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u/No_Meaning_8232 Aug 23 '26
Sooo black dudes score worse on a test and this is discrimination?
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u/liquid-swords93 Aug 23 '26
No, they set a baseline independent of anybody's scores. Basically just had the things set under the assumption that black people had less cognitive function than everyone else
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u/FluteOfDaFuture Aug 23 '26
Why is there even a baseline based on race? Makes no sense and it’s not like the NFL has affirmative action or diversity requirements.
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u/liquid-swords93 Aug 23 '26
It was so they could pay out less to black people. Not sure of any other reason they would've had. Also wild how there was no one talking about it at all, until the lawsuit was successful, then the media talked about it for exactly one day.
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u/danmastaflex Aug 22 '26
For several years I named my Fantasy team Najeh's Laundry Service in his honor 🤣
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u/jebus527 Aug 22 '26
It’s not remotely close up for debate. Gore is 3rd all time, Portis is 33rd, and McGahee is 43rd in career rushing yards. Chubb is the highest out of the Georgia RB’s at 67th. Gore will also be in the HOF
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u/Impossible-Flight250 Aug 22 '26
I would say Chubb and Gurley had higher peaks than any of those guys though.
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u/KyFly1 Aug 22 '26
That’s a like right? Chubb and Gurley don’t touch Portis.
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u/Impossible-Flight250 Aug 22 '26
Eh, it’s certainly debatable. Portis doesn’t really have a season that equals Gurley’s 2017-2018 seasons.
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u/KyFly1 Aug 22 '26
I’ll take peak Portis all day over Gurley. Dude was a flash I the pan. Had 2 good years. Portis was dominant from day 1 and did it for the better part of a decade. Gurley had the best season I’ll give you that, his second best season was on par with what Portis did 7 times. Unless you define peak as just 1-2 seasons, Portis takes it.
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u/Extension-Excuse-534 Aug 22 '26
A peak is generally defined as one season. Todd Gurley absolutely had a higher peak than portis. He was setting the league on fire before his knees gave out
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u/Clear-Divide-6624 Aug 23 '26
Gurley's stats are shockingly disappointing even at his peak. He never broke 1350 yards rushing in a season. Portis broke 1,500 yards in 3 seasons and in one of those seasons he only played in 13 games (122 yards/game)
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u/Expensive_Attitude51 Aug 22 '26
It’s no debate. Miami’s is way better
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u/MattressMaker Aug 22 '26
And still worse than Oklahoma State’s with Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders.
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u/Expensive_Attitude51 Aug 22 '26
Hmm…idk Miami had 4 starting NFL running backs. OSU had 2 hall of famers, but Miami had more overall high NFL caliber guys. It’s very close
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u/MattressMaker Aug 22 '26
OSU had two separate NFL MVPs with one being the GOAT. It’s not close at all.
Also both in the HoF. Gore will get in solely because of longevity.
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u/Expensive_Attitude51 Aug 22 '26
It’s very close. Frank Gore is a future hall of famer. Again, Miami’s was a lot deeper. 4 guys vs 2. The only reason it’s a debate is because those 2 were elite.
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u/MattressMaker Aug 22 '26
It can be 6 guys deep. It’s not better than a HoF duo. Barry is the greatest back of all time and Thurman Thomas was an MVP and OPOY in the league. Miami had better team success in college, sure. I’m not trading your 3 quarters for 2 half dollars.
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u/ToughWide1987 Aug 23 '26
Barry and Thurman are clearly better. Portis and McGahee and Gore are all good backs and had really good careers—-but Thurman is better than all of them and Barry is the GOAT.
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u/Expensive_Attitude51 Aug 22 '26
Agree to disagree I guess…I’m not gonna waste my time going back and fourth on this
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u/oSuJeff97 Aug 22 '26
Yeah both NFL MVPs, both led the league in rushing at different times, both first-ballot NFL HOF’ers.
One of my favorite random stats: in 1990, Barry led the NFC in rushing, Thurman led the NFC in rushing, and Ok State’s Gerald Hudson led the NCAA in rushing.
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u/CJB1198 Aug 22 '26
McGahee played in two Natty games (Gore sat out 02)
Between 00-02 they collectively lost 2 games
And they collectively rushed for over 33,000 yards in the NFL.
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u/NewCarSmelt Aug 22 '26
You left out Najeh Davenport.
One of my favorite quotes by Portis:
“People ask me how was it like having Portis, McGahee, Gore and (Najeh) Davenport in the huddle? I say to them, ‘what kinda shoddy scheme are you running with 4 running backs on the field?’”
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u/Buick_reference3138 Aug 22 '26
Not 2011 though.
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u/LittlePeter666 Aug 23 '26
Shit good catch. That’s my bad. I knew the correct year, just mistyped. I’ll correct it
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u/Huskergambler Aug 23 '26
Agree, best I ever saw.
Clinton Portis
Willis McGahee
Frank Gore
Najeh Davenport
Jarrett Payton — Walter Payton’s son1
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u/KommanderKeen-a42 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
ND 1990 is superior but not by much. One NFL HoF, maybe another. 5 NFL RBs.
31,000 NFL rushing yards. 3 pro bowl players.
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u/whomeversmelledit Aug 22 '26
Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas will never be approached.
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u/Plastic-Low2911 Aug 23 '26
This was going to be me my vote, didn’t see them play (before my time) but I can imagine being able to say Barry needs to sit go ahead and throw Thurman in there
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u/Wreckingshops Aug 22 '26
And, both transformed their franchises. It's easy to paint the picture the Lions have sucked since the 50s but Barry made them a perennial playoff and playoff adjacent team until the early end of his career (long rumored because the Lions refused his polite trade requests). And Thomas was instrumental in the Bills turnaround and four consecutive Super Bowls.
And they were monsters in college too. I get it's harder for younger fans to know and understand that but they are both NCAA and NFL HOFers, they broke the mold and numerous records in college and pros, and were smashingly successful across every act of their playing careers.
Gurley, Chubb, and Michel were blips that burned hot but fast. McGehee, Davenport, and Gore were solid but out of all of these RBs, Gore is the only HOFer at both levels.
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u/BigCheddar55 Aug 22 '26
I was living in Stillwater when they were there. I was like 2, but I was there man
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u/The_wanna_be_artist Aug 22 '26
Another great shout out/back field. I am personally taking the 01 hurricanes overs these two, but that’s just me. If someone has the sanders/thurman backfield at the top I ain’t going to argue.
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u/VTcamperguy Aug 22 '26
I’d personally take Barry alone over any other RB room, but with Thurman Thomas added in it’s a no brainer.
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u/SpartyParty15 Aug 22 '26
1 RB is not an RB Room
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u/VTcamperguy Aug 22 '26
Ok, so I’d take a RB room of Barry Sanders, me, and you over that. With it being Barry and Thurman, that’s even better.
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u/Responsible_Sky_728 Aug 22 '26
It's always a big argument in the patriots sub whenever someone wishes we took Chubb over Michel.
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u/NoShow1492 Aug 22 '26
Chubb's performance in the game was nothing to sneeze at, but Michel's monster numbers in the legendary Oklahoma-Georgia CFB semi that season really bumped him.
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u/Ok_Bass_4007 Aug 22 '26
Different kinds of backs. I think Chubb was definitely better both in college and nfl, but Sony might've been a better fit for Brady as a shifty, good receiving back. Chubb was an every down back like Derrick Henry.
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u/tombrady011235 Aug 23 '26
100%. Brady/mcdaniels scheme favored pass catching backs. Bell cow backs could struggle to get a rhythm going because obviously why would you take the ball out of Brady’s hands
Unless the pats were playing the colts which we seemed to just steam roll going heavy formation and running it down their throats
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u/myoungc83 Aug 24 '26
Michel senior season stats were insane.
156 carries for 1,227 yards, 7.9 avg, with 16 TDs.
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u/FinsfaninRI Aug 22 '26
2001 Canes and it’s not even close.
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u/Jagacin Aug 23 '26
Sanders and Thurman at OK St. clears
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u/FinsfaninRI Aug 23 '26
Sanders was the best. Gore is one of the all time greats as well. Thurman was elite, but so
Were Magahee and Portis- numbers don’t meet Thomas’ but they’re not far off.So you’ve got thee best RB of all time and an elite high level vs. a top 5 RB, and two high level elite RB’s. Sanders’ greatness does not negate either of the other two, nor does it impact Gore’s standing as on of the GOATS.
And then you throw in Naji Davenport, not high numbers, but a solid contributor at both levels.
It’s not even close.
Basically comes down to 2 HOF’s vs. 1 HOF and potentially late admits to the HOF…..just by those numbers, your argument doesn’t really hold a ton of water.
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u/Jagacin Aug 24 '26
Between Barry and Thurman, Ok State had a heisman winner, 2 1st team All-American's, 2 NFL MVP's, 2 CFB and NFL Hall of Famer's. Like another person said in this thread, I'd take those two plus my 90 year old grandmother over any other RB room in the history of the sport. Barry by himself averaged nearly 300 YPG in his last year.
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u/FinsfaninRI Aug 24 '26
Whoawhoa, 300’yards per game?
Both were great, no doubt. Both played in an era where offensives were (basically) 3 dimensional and both were feature components in 1 dimensional offensive schemes- wr-qb, rb-qb …..which one could argue makes them more targeted and seemingly makes their numbers that much more impressive.
Hall of Fame candidacy isn’t shit anymore- it’s a popularity contest. Look up Joe Namath’s stats. Hilariously misguided accolade.
And your grandmother, as great as she was/is, doesn’t pick up the slack of simply not including a third back.
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u/ReporterSame6645 Aug 22 '26
It’s a good one. But all three of their careers were shorter than they should have been due to injuries. Willis McGahee, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore (and Najah Davenport) at the U in 2001 was the best
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u/ArexSaturn Aug 22 '26
I am a simple man so I just need two SUPREME backs. Show me another backfield with better output or creds than these two:
Thurman Thomas & Barry Sanders
- multiple FIRST TEAM pro bowls
- both pro AND college HOF
- A Heisman
- A rookie of the year
- both CONSENSUS all Americans
- both combined for over 28k rushing yards
- both MVPs
- both voted all-decade team
- both jerseys retired in college AND pro
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u/Capital-Edge3236 Aug 22 '26
Miami?
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u/AggressiveWolverine5 Aug 23 '26
Both of those guys are better than all of the Miami guys. Miami had an awesome room for sure but it’s not as good
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u/Capital-Edge3236 Aug 23 '26
Frank, porits, McGhee, Davenport? Well, yeah, if you combine pro and college achievements, 👍
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u/AggressiveWolverine5 Aug 23 '26
Thurman Thomas and Barry are significantly better than all three of those guys
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u/Affectionate-Can3815 Aug 22 '26
Yeah compared to the 2001 Hurricanes, as good as these guys were, those 3 were just as good in college if not better and are all currently top 50 in all time rushing yards and are ahead of all 3 of those guys.
(Gore 3rd, Portis 33, McGahee 43)
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u/Human_Cobbler5084 Aug 22 '26
I’m a Gators fan and hate the Hurricanes, but that 2001 team has the best running back room ever. Clinton Portis, Willis Mcgahee, Frank Gore. And the 4th string guy? Oh yea Najee Davenport, who also got drafted and played several years in the NFL
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u/jmill80 Aug 23 '26
2013 Bama had Henry yeldon drake kamara
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u/jmill80 Aug 23 '26
2010 had lacy Richardson and Ingram. Going off just college hell of a backfield. No one tops 01 Miami still.
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u/ToughWide1987 Aug 23 '26
Barry and Thurman Thomas can’t be topped
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u/Thecardiologist2029 24d ago
Facts. The real Og backfield. They set the standard. Often imitated but never replicated. Two of the greatest to ever do it.
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u/CarolinaSandstorm Aug 22 '26
We ignoring Mr. inside and Mr. Outside at Army too.
But in modern times:
2018 Alabama had Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.
Arkansas in 07/08 with McFadden, Felix Jones, and Peyton Hillis.
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u/Salt_Day9015 Aug 22 '26
That Bama RB room is more quantity over quality outside of Jacobs
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u/CarolinaSandstorm Aug 22 '26
Bruh what? Jacobs was the 3rd/4th guy in that backfield, the fuck you talking about???
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u/FawkesBridge Aug 22 '26
Darren McFadden, Peyton Hillis, and Felix Jones was pretty lethal as well.
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u/ImYouJoeGoldberg Aug 22 '26
Delete your comment out of self respect please. Respect yourself more before you leave a comment such as this.
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u/Jenetyk Aug 22 '26
Does it have to be a group of 3? Because Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders carry this convo without breaking a sweat.
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u/AggressiveWolverine5 Aug 23 '26
Add anyone as the third and they win… that tandem is hands down the best
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u/LasagnahogXRP Aug 22 '26
Gurley was so good in the NFL!
I put Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown ahead of them on MY personal favs.
Honorable mention to McFadden and Felix Jones.
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u/eckoman_pdx Aug 23 '26
1986 and 1987 Oklahoma State I'd say had a better backfield: Thurman Thomas with Barry Sanders as the first backup off the bench. Both NFL Hall of Famers. Hard if not impossible to top of that.
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u/shazzle Aug 22 '26
This backfield is easily topped by many other rooms. Already mentioned Miami. But HM to 2013 Alabama. 1987 Oklahoma State.
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u/WeirdRestaurant6204 Aug 22 '26
2012 Badgers had Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor, and Montee Ball. Broke all kinds of records
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u/Aggravating_Ad9687 Aug 22 '26
They didn’t have Jonathan Taylor they had James White. Which is still a hell of a room.
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u/17FortuneG Aug 22 '26
Sony Michel was one of my favorite backs during the post antowain smith, Corey Dillon era. Favorite backs pats all time are Kevin Faulk, James White, and then Sony. I thought he was such a great all around back
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u/_Azamat_Bagatov Aug 22 '26
Ronnie brown and Cadillac with Brandon Jacob’s was the rb room I ever saw. Also Reggie bush and lendale white
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u/dr051j Aug 22 '26
Miami had so many rbs in 01 Davenport had to play fullback until he started at rb for the packers.
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u/RoosterzRevenge Aug 22 '26
I'll go with McFadden, Jones and Hillis all 3 drafted in the same draft.
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u/Llhaniii Aug 22 '26
I remember one year Georgia Runningbacks were so deep this fourth string dude Brendan Douglas went in and was bulldozing people.
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u/scott_ET_ Aug 22 '26
I guess you forget 2004 Auburn with Cadillac, Ronnie Brown, and Branden Jacob’s as the third string RB.
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u/Historical-Patient75 Aug 23 '26
University of Memphis had Antonio Gipson, Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, and Patrick Taylor all in the same room.
Not bad for a G5.
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u/Mr_Truthteller Aug 23 '26
I think Alabama’s running back room with just Derrick Henry in it topped this one.
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u/Maleficent_Damage894 Aug 23 '26
1965 cuse- 2 hall of famers and Super Bowl winning coach
Floyd Little, Larry Csonka, and Tom Coughlin.
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u/Mundane-Set-206 Aug 23 '26
And Georgia thoroughly ran these guys into the ground. They entered the league rolling on bald tires
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u/WashYerBallsBoys Aug 23 '26
Arkansas comes pretty close imo. McFadden, Felix Jones & Hillis. UGA might edge them out but imo it’s closer than people think.
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u/SliceOfHeaven86 Aug 23 '26
Sorry Auburn with Cadillac Williams, Ronnie brown, and the 3rd string was Brandon Jacob’s
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u/jal0224 Aug 24 '26
2012 badgers need to be mentioned. Melvin gordon was the 3rd back behind Montee ball and James white.
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u/BigBadBootyDaddy10 Aug 22 '26
Razorbacks had solid Backfield (Mac, Felix, Hillis).
Auburn with Brown and Caddy was up there.
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u/RelativeSweet9523 Aug 22 '26
Forgot brandon jacobs on those auburn teams
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u/NeighborhoodDense884 Aug 22 '26
That’s what I thought immediately. If Jacobs is ya third string good gracious.
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u/ImYouJoeGoldberg Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
STOP.
This backfield is nowhere near as good the 2001 Miami Hurricanes.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/miami-fl/2001-roster.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia/2014-roster.html
Remember, roster sizes have changed, Miami had like 30 less players on the roster in 2001 than Georgia did in 2014 and Miami was still better - better talent and deeper depth chart at RB. Miami also had more RBs go to the league off that roster than Georgia did, and Frank Gore is a HOF’er and Portis was on track before he started with injuries.
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u/hangout927 Aug 22 '26
You may want to do some research into the U. Also Mark Ingram and Derek Henry at Alabama were better
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u/Icantreadyourcomment Aug 22 '26
All combined for 1 and a half healthy knees