2023 Pre-Season Rank #122, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #132 2021 Pre-Season Rank #101, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #100.  2018-19/2021-23

Barkley was the stud that we expected him to be as a rookie, earning a Pro Bowl and leading the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage.  His output dropped as a sophomore but was still strong, and there was no reason to think he couldn’t dominate in 2020, but a torn ACL early took that away.  Barkley started 2021 on the IR, and when Running Backs get hurt, they struggle to regain top form more than other position players.  Barkley had that return he needed in 2022 with a career-high in Rushing Yards (1,312), a second Pro Bowl, and another decent year in 2023 (962 RY), and he is now a Philadelphia Eagle.

Barkley has a lot of catch-up to do regarding his initial Hall of Fame promise.  A player injured that badly and early always struggles, and Barkley is no different.

2023 Pre-Season Rank #55 Pre-Season Rank #66, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #76, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #81. Peak Period: 2017-18/2021-23

McCaffrey had a decent rookie year, a good second year, and a fantastic third season, where he led the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage (2,392) and Touchdowns (19).  The Running Back also rushed for over 1,000 Yards and caught passes over 1,000 Yards, a rare feat!  Due to injury, he could not follow up in the two years that followed, but when he was healthy in 2022 and returned to Pro Bowl form, he was surrounded by a team that threw in the towel and traded him to San Francisco.  McCaffrey is one of the most versatile Running Backs, but his position is meant for ailments. 

Last year, we said, “What he does in 2024 might decide whether he has a shot at the Hall”. McCaffrey’s response was to win his first Rushing Title (1,459) and Offensive Player of the Year while also topping the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage (2,023) and Touchdowns (21) for the second time in his career. 

2023 Pre-Season #28, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #33, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #48, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #66.  Peak Period: 2017-21

Alvin Kamara has never had a 1,000-Yard Rushing Season, but the Saints Running Back has been one of the most complete dual-threat Running Backs since he debuted in 2017.

Named to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons, Kamara won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and was the league leader in Touchdowns (21) in 2020.  He might be slowing down, and if so, his Hall of Fame chances will plummet, but as we enter 2024, Kamara is one of New Orleans’s top offensive weapons.

What he accomplishes in 2024 could tell the tale of his Hall of Fame chances.

2023 Pre-Season Rank #100, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #112. 2021 Pre-Season Rank #106, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #117.  Peak Period: 2017-19/2022-23

In 2018, Jared Goff led the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl appearance.  They did not win, and although he won two Pro Bowls, the Rams gave up on him and traded the Quarterback to the Detroit Lions.  In Stafford’s first season in L.A., he won a Super Bowl, making Goff look bad in the process, but years later, it is Goff and the Lions who are the superior team.

Goff brought Detroit to the NFC Championship Game last year and was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2022.  Goff passed for 59 TDs and 9,013 Yards in the previous two seasons, and he has the supporting cast to do even better over the next two years.