The NFL teams in need of a running back for 2019

The running back position is one of the positions that has continued to be debated year in and year out leading into the NFL draft.

Once a position that was a near lock to be featured in the top five to ten picks, eventually faded to zero running backs being picked in either the 2013 or 2014 NFL drafts. That philosophy all changed back in 2015 with a draft class that featured both Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon going 10th and 15th overall. Since the 2015 NFL Draft, eight running backs have been selected in the first round.

The football world turns to the 2019 NFL draft, the running back position will be heavily featured as teams look to find the next Todd Gurley or Ezekiel Elliott. The 2019 NFL Draft is a solid class on paper and one that could see a minimum of two running backs being selected while as many as five depending on how the position performs over the next month at the 2019 NFL combine and at their College Pro Days.

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Here is a look at three teams who could use a top tier running back to solidify their offense during the 2019 NFL season.

Baltimore Ravens

After watching the Baltimore Ravens transform their offense from a struggling running attack to one of the top in the NFL down the stretch during the 2018 NFL season with rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson under center, it led many experts to question what the team would be like with a top tier back like Todd Gurley or Ezekiel Elliott in their backfield.

While the Ravens draft in the bottom half of the first round, the team could still have a chance at drafting Damien Harris from Alabama, Justice Hill from Oklahoma State or Mike Weber from Ohio State.

Potential Draft Pick: Damien Harris, Justice Hill, Mike Weber

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Despite spending a second round pick on Ronald Jones during the 2018 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers saw very little production from the position during the season finishing the season with the fourth-fewest amount of rushing yards in the NFL while averaging just 3.9 yards per carry.

As the team makes a new transition with a new head coach, the idea of adding another weapon out of the backfield for Jameis Winston makes a ton of sense for a club that continues to struggle at times. One name that comes to mind for the Buccaneers is Josh Jacobs from Alabama who many experts have going within the top five to ten picks of the first round. The team could also elect to trade down to target someone like Darrell Henderson or Damien Harris.

Potential Draft Pick: Josh Jacobs, Darrell Henderson, Damien Harris

New York Jets

Here is another team that struggled to find a running attack last season while finishing with the seventh fewest amount of yards in the NFL (1,622). While many have the Jets linked to Le’Veon Bell due to their large salary cap space, the Jets could also elect to add another weapon through the NFL draft.

Currently, the Jets hold the third overall pick during the 2019 NFL draft but possible a pick way to high to reach for a running back. The Jets could target a trade back into the late first round to draft someone like Damien Harris or elect to go with Justice Hill in the second round.

Potential Draft Pick: Damien Harris, Justice Hill, Bennie Snell Jr

Other NFL teams who could target a running back early in the 2019 NFL Draft include the Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.