AFC East Position Comparison: Running Backs

Starting today, we will look at the rosters of the AFC East, comparing and ranking the players by position among all four division teams. Where else would we start but the quarterback position.

AFC East Position Comparison: Quarterbacks

The first in our series of AFC East player rankings by position.

1. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills - Spiller is the class of the field among the AFC East running backs. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry last year, which tied Adrian Peterson for the league lead among running backs. The Bills have figured out exactly how to use Spiller to maximize his potential, and he has responded.

2012 Stats:

2. Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots - Not far behind Spiller is New England's Ridley. He doesn't have the yards per carry average of the Bills' top guy, but he does have more carries and double the rushing touchdowns of Spiller. Given the Patriots passing offense, that's an accomplishment. Ridley is entering his third season in the league, and could be poised for a breakout season.

2012 Stats:

3. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills - Jackson suffered through a leg injury and a concussion last year, missing game time because of both injuries. Those missed games opened the door to Spiller, who obviously responded. But, that is not a knock on Jackson's ability. Jackson is a big part of the the Bills offense, and will likely remain so, despite the emergence of Spiller. He will lose some carries, and could fall down this list, because of it.

2012 Stats:

4. Bilal Powell, New York Jets - Powell will likely benefit from Shonn Green heading to the Tennessee Titans this offseason. He did not have a great 2012 campaign, but it wasn't a bad season either. The Jets could look to address the position at some point this offseason, but this is likely Powell's position to lose.

2012 Stats:

5. Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins - Miller breaks into the top five simply because he is the starter for the Dolphins after Reggie Bush left. This is a lot of potential bumping him up the rankings, but if he is what Miami expects him to be, he will likely be higher on this ranking by the end of the season.

2012 Stats: