Top 5 Rookie Running Backs of Week 2

Top 5 Rookie Running Backs

Make sure to check out last week's rankings first.

There were plenty of exciting storylines from the first week of the 2013 NFL season, but unfortunately none of those headlines mentioned a rookie running back. Although only one of the backs from the Week 1 rankings actually started for their team last week, there has been some movement in this week's rankings.

Eddie Lacy was the lone starter out of this year’s running back class, and the 14 carries he was given were the most of any rookie. Despite the playing time, Lacy was on the losing end of an intense Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers game which was impacted by another highly touted rookie on the 49ers' defense, Eric Reid.

Although not many of the players on this list saw extended playing time, it was to be expected as they were the most inexperienced players on the field who have also proven the least as well. Week 2, however, should be different for a few of the backs on this list, especially Lacy who will presumably be the Packers’ number one back again next week.

While the rankings last week were based off preseason stats and speculation, this week's rankings have been modified based off performance but also includes a certain element of future expectations as well. Now the time has arrived to see which players have made the rankings for the top five rookie running backs at the start of Week 2. Start the slideshow to see the first selection.

Nick Baker is a contributing writer for Rant Sports and you can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and add him to your network on Google.

No. 5 Knile Davis, Last Week: NR

Knile Davis is the lone newcomer to the rankings and comes in at number five because of his limited, but promising role for the Kansas City Chiefs. Davis was given four carries last week for 14 yards and also caught one pass for five yards. He will be playing behind Jamaal Charles all season long barring injury, but if he is able to get between five and ten touches a week Davis could be an important contributor for the Chiefs heading forward.

No. 4 Christine Michael, Last Week: No.3

Christine Michael is the lone player on this list who didn’t touch the ball this past week for his team. The Seattle Seahawks decided to give carries to Robert Turbin instead of Michael, which was a bit of a surprise given the success he had during the preseason. Michael remains on the list and drops one spot because of his talent given what he can do on the field once he is given the opportunity.

No. 3 Montee Ball, Last Week: No. 4

Montee Ball didn’t start for the Denver Broncos like expected, but he was given a fair shot at earning his spot as he was given eight carries, the second most on the team. However, Ball failed to fully take advantage of his carries as he gained just 24 yards giving him a three yards per carry average on the night. No other running backs for the Broncos stood out which is what moved Ball up the list one spot as he will likely be given more opportunities this week to earn the starting job.

No. 2 Eddie Lacy, Last Week: No. 2

Eddie Lacy performed better than any other running back on this list, but he stays in the two spot because of the talent and potential of the back who is number one. Lacy was the featured back for the Packers on Sunday, and going up against a tough 49ers defense he was able to hold his own as he gained 41 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Lacy didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he proved he is physical enough to play in the NFL and break tackles, meaning the rest of the season should be filled with him improving and asserting himself as a starting running back.

No. 1 Giovani Bernard, Last Week: No. 1

While Giovani Bernard was in the backup role for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, he impressed in his limited touches. And thanks to the disappointing performance of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bernard has the opportunity to take over as the team’s starting running back. Bernard carried the ball just four times for 22 yards for an impressive 5.5 yards per carry, but it was also his one catch for eight yards that helped him keep the top spot in the rookie running back rankings. Bernard is a diverse back that can do a lot of things for the offense, and sooner or later he will be the starting running back for the Bengals.