PTF 2007 HALFBACK ROOM POWER RANKINGS
Who owns the league’s best backfield — and which teams have enough depth to survive a long season?
HOW THE RANKINGS WORK
This ranking uses the refreshed custom NOVR calculation for halfbacks.
HB Room Score = 75% HB1 + 25% HB2
The weighting is no longer just a judgment call. The 2006 PTF rushing data shows that the two most-used halfbacks on each team split their combined carries almost exactly 75/25 across the league.
Across all 32 teams, the median top-two HB workload split was about 75.5% HB1 / 24.5% HB2, while the aggregate attempt split was about 75.1% / 24.9%. That makes 75/25 a strong empirical fit for how PTF actually distributed carries.
HB1 therefore remains the clear driver of the room score, but HB2 still matters substantially more than QB2 because second backs receive real offensive touches even when HB1 is healthy.
HB1 and HB2 are ordered by refreshed NOVR rather than an official depth chart.
Only currently rostered players count toward team rankings. Unassigned/free-agent HBs remain part of the league-wide NOVR distribution but do not improve a team score.
League-average HB-room score: 87.8
League median HB-room score: 89.6
For the youth sections, young = age 25 or younger.
THE FULL LEAGUE HB ROOM POWER RANKING
1. Titans — 98.0 — Avg Age 27.5 — Willis McGahee 99 | Jonathan Wells 95
2. Jaguars — 97.5 — Avg Age 28.5 — Ricky Williams 98 | Lamar Gordon 96
3. Saints — 96.2 — Avg Age 28.0 — Deuce McAllister 99 | Michael Turner 88
4. Bears — 93.8 — Avg Age 29.5 — Edgerrin James 97 | Anthony Thomas 84
5. Cowboys — 93.5 — Avg Age 26.0 — Steven Jackson 96 | Chester Taylor 86
6. Falcons — 93.2 — Avg Age 25.5 — T.J. Duckett 99 | Kevin Jones 76
7. Ravens — 92.2 — Avg Age 25.5 — Jamal Lewis 99 | Cedric Houston 72
8. Bills — 92.0 — Avg Age 25.0 — Eric Shelton 92 | Erik Bickerstaff 92
9. Texans — 91.8 — Avg Age 25.5 — Larry Johnson 99 | Cedric Cobbs 70
T10. Raiders — 91.2 — Avg Age 26.5 — Casey Moore 97 | Justin Fargas 74
T10. Jets — 91.2 — Avg Age 31.0 — Thomas Jones 96 | Stephen Davis 77
T12. Cardinals — 90.8 — Avg Age 28.0 — Ahman Green 96 | Greg Jones 75
T12. Chargers — 90.8 — Avg Age 26.5 — DeShaun Foster 93 | ReShard Lee 84
T14. Browns — 90.5 — Avg Age 27.5 — LaMont Jordan 94 | Willie Parker 80
T14. Lions — 90.5 — Avg Age 26.0 — Kevan Barlow 91 | Brandon Jacobs 89
16. Patriots — 89.8 — Avg Age 26.5 — DeAngelo Williams 90 | Travis Henry 89
17. Vikings — 89.5 — Avg Age 25.0 — Clinton Portis 97 | Cedric Humes 67
18. Panthers — 89.2 — Avg Age 29.0 — Fred Taylor 94 | Earnest Graham 75
19. Steelers — 89.0 — Avg Age 26.0 — LaDainian Tomlinson 99 | Lionel Gates 59
20. Giants — 88.8 — Avg Age 25.5 — Najeh Davenport 95 | Brian Leonard 70
21. Broncos — 88.2 — Avg Age 26.0 — Ron Dayne 99 | P.J. Pope 56
T22. 49ers — 87.0 — Avg Age 28.5 — Rudi Johnson 96 | James Mungro 60
T22. Seahawks — 87.0 — Avg Age 26.0 — Shaun Alexander 94 | DJ Ware 66
24. Colts — 85.0 — Avg Age 26.0 — Frank Gore 86 | William Green 82
25. Dolphins — 83.8 — Avg Age 27.0 — Marcel Shipp 84 | Marion Barber III 83
26. Rams — 83.5 — Avg Age 26.0 — Michael Robinson 92 | Dominic Rhodes 58
27. Redskins — 82.8 — Avg Age 26.0 — Ladell Betts 88 | Joseph Addai 67
28. Buccaneers — 78.2 — Avg Age 27.5 — Chris Perry 87 | John Simon 52
29. Chiefs — 75.2 — Avg Age 24.5 — Cedric Benson 79 | Ryan Moats 64
30. Eagles — 74.2 — Avg Age 28.0 — Brian Westbrook 78 | Maurice Morris 63
31. Packers — 73.0 — Avg Age 22.0 — LenDale White 74 | Marshawn Lynch 70
32. Bengals — 71.0 — Avg Age 26.5 — Michael Bennett 75 | Nate Ilaoa 59
Titans takes the top spot at 98.0. Willis McGahee (99) gives the room elite HB1 quality, while Jonathan Wells (95) is strong enough that the offense barely loses quality when the second back is involved.
Jaguars is right behind at 97.5, followed by Saints at 96.2. The 75/25 weighting keeps true superstar HB1s highly valuable while still rewarding teams with a real second back.
This weighting also fixes the biggest concern with 70/30: a perfectly balanced 92/92 room is still extremely valuable, but it no longer too easily jumps a team with a genuine 99-rated workhorse and a usable backup.
THE BEST HALFBACKS IN PTF
1. Larry Johnson, Texans — 99 — Age 25
2. T.J. Duckett, Falcons — 99 — Age 26
3. Willis McGahee, Titans — 99 — Age 27
4. LaDainian Tomlinson, Steelers — 99 — Age 28
5. Jamal Lewis, Ravens — 99 — Age 28
6. Deuce McAllister, Saints — 99 — Age 29
7. Ron Dayne, Broncos — 99 — Age 29
8. Ricky Williams, Jaguars — 98 — Age 30
9. Clinton Portis, Vikings — 97 — Age 26
10. Casey Moore, Raiders — 97 — Age 27
11. Edgerrin James, Bears — 97 — Age 29
12. Steven Jackson, Cowboys — 96 — Age 24
13. Lamar Gordon, Jaguars — 96 — Age 27
14. Rudi Johnson, 49ers — 96 — Age 28
15. Thomas Jones, Jets — 96 — Age 29
16. Ahman Green, Cardinals — 96 — Age 30
17. Najeh Davenport, Giants — 95 — Age 28
18. Jonathan Wells, Titans — 95 — Age 28
19. LaMont Jordan, Browns — 94 — Age 29
20. Shaun Alexander, Seahawks — 94 — Age 30
21. Fred Taylor, Panthers — 94 — Age 31
22. DeShaun Foster, Chargers — 93 — Age 27
23. Michael Robinson, Rams — 92 — Age 24
24. Eric Shelton, Bills — 92 — Age 24
25. Erik Bickerstaff, Bills — 92 — Age 26
The refreshed HB scale has a crowded elite tier, with several backs reaching 99. That makes room construction especially important: once multiple teams own elite HB1s, HB2 quality becomes one of the main separators.
THE BEST HB2s
1. Lamar Gordon, Jaguars — 96 — Age 27
2. Jonathan Wells, Titans — 95 — Age 28
3. Erik Bickerstaff, Bills — 92 — Age 26
4. Brandon Jacobs, Lions — 89 — Age 24
5. Travis Henry, Patriots — 89 — Age 29
6. Michael Turner, Saints — 88 — Age 27
7. Chester Taylor, Cowboys — 86 — Age 28
8. ReShard Lee, Chargers — 84 — Age 26
9. Anthony Thomas, Bears — 84 — Age 30
10. Marion Barber III, Dolphins — 83 — Age 25
11. William Green, Colts — 82 — Age 28
12. Willie Parker, Browns — 80 — Age 26
13. Stephen Davis, Jets — 77 — Age 33
14. Kevin Jones, Falcons — 76 — Age 25
15. Greg Jones, Cardinals — 75 — Age 26
The best HB2s are not just emergency backups. At 25% of the room score, they matter because actual PTF usage shows the second halfback receives roughly one quarter of the top-two HB workload on average.
THE NEXT GENERATION — BEST HBs AGE 25 OR YOUNGER
1. Larry Johnson, Texans — 99 — Age 25
2. Steven Jackson, Cowboys — 96 — Age 24
3. Michael Robinson, Rams — 92 — Age 24
4. Eric Shelton, Bills — 92 — Age 24
5. DeAngelo Williams, Patriots — 90 — Age 24
6. Brandon Jacobs, Lions — 89 — Age 24
7. Frank Gore, Colts — 86 — Age 24
8. Marion Barber III, Dolphins — 83 — Age 25
9. Cedric Benson, Chiefs — 79 — Age 25
10. Mike Bell, Colts — 77 — Age 24
11. Brandon Schnittker, Bills — 76 — Age 23
12. Kevin Jones, Falcons — 76 — Age 25
13. Jammal Lord, Cowboys — 75 — Age 25
14. LenDale White, Packers — 74 — Age 23
15. Cedric Houston, Ravens — 72 — Age 23
16. DeShawn Wynn, Ravens — 71 — Age 24
17. Marshawn Lynch, Packers — 70 — Age 21
18. Tony Hunt, Ravens — 70 — Age 22
19. Laurence Maroney, Jets — 70 — Age 22
20. Brian Leonard, Giants — 70 — Age 23
21. Kolby Smith, Falcons — 67 — Age 23
22. Joseph Addai, Redskins — 67 — Age 24
23. Cedric Humes, Vikings — 67 — Age 24
24. DJ Ware, Seahawks — 66 — Age 22
25. Cadillac Williams, Texans — 66 — Age 25
The most valuable young backs are the ones already strong enough to drive an offense rather than simply carrying developmental value. Larry Johnson and Steven Jackson are the obvious examples.
THE BEST YOUNG HB SITUATIONS
Cowboys
Steven Jackson is only 24 and already one of the highest-rated HBs in PTF. Chester Taylor gives Dallas a strong veteran-quality HB2, creating both present value and a clear long-term centerpiece.
Bills
Eric Shelton is 24 and Buffalo also owns Erik Bickerstaff. The room is balanced enough that the Bills do not collapse when the second back gets touches.
Patriots
DeAngelo Williams is only 24 and already a high-end option. Travis Henry gives New England a strong second back, making the room both young and immediately useful.
Lions
Detroit pairs a strong veteran lead back with 24-year-old Brandon Jacobs, who is already talented enough to handle a much larger role if needed.
Ravens
Baltimore has an elite veteran HB1 in Jamal Lewis plus several younger developmental backs behind him. The current room is starter-driven, but the age structure gives the Ravens multiple future options.
Packers
Green Bay is more of a development room than a finished one, but LenDale White and Marshawn Lynch are both very young and give the roster future upside.
Chiefs
Kansas City is young at both scored HB spots. The present-day room is not elite yet, but the age profile gives the Chiefs time to develop it.
DIVISION-BY-DIVISION BREAKDOWN
AFC EAST
1. Bills — 92.0 — League 8 — Eric Shelton 92 | Erik Bickerstaff 92
2. Jets — 91.2 — League T10 — Thomas Jones 96 | Stephen Davis 77
3. Patriots — 89.8 — League 16 — DeAngelo Williams 90 | Travis Henry 89
4. Dolphins — 83.8 — League 25 — Marcel Shipp 84 | Marion Barber III 83
Buffalo has the best pure balance in the division, while New England combines a young lead back with strong HB2 quality. The Jets are much more dependent on Thomas Jones.
AFC NORTH
1. Ravens — 92.2 — League 7 — Jamal Lewis 99 | Cedric Houston 72
2. Browns — 90.5 — League T14 — LaMont Jordan 94 | Willie Parker 80
3. Steelers — 89.0 — League 19 — LaDainian Tomlinson 99 | Lionel Gates 59
4. Bengals — 71.0 — League 32 — Michael Bennett 75 | Nate Ilaoa 59
Baltimore and Pittsburgh both own 99-rated HB1s, but the 75/25 formula exposes the difference in support behind them. Cleveland and Cincinnati are more balanced but lack that same top-end star power.
AFC SOUTH
1. Titans — 98.0 — League 1 — Willis McGahee 99 | Jonathan Wells 95
2. Jaguars — 97.5 — League 2 — Ricky Williams 98 | Lamar Gordon 96
3. Texans — 91.8 — League 9 — Larry Johnson 99 | Cedric Cobbs 70
4. Colts — 85.0 — League 24 — Frank Gore 86 | William Green 82
This remains the strongest HB division in PTF. Tennessee and Jacksonville own elite two-back rooms, while Houston adds another 99-level HB1.
AFC WEST
1. Raiders — 91.2 — League T10 — Casey Moore 97 | Justin Fargas 74
2. Chargers — 90.8 — League T12 — DeShaun Foster 93 | ReShard Lee 84
3. Broncos — 88.2 — League 21 — Ron Dayne 99 | P.J. Pope 56
4. Chiefs — 75.2 — League 29 — Cedric Benson 79 | Ryan Moats 64
Denver has elite HB1 quality but loses ground because HB2 is weak. San Diego benefits more from having useful talent in both scored spots.
NFC EAST
1. Cowboys — 93.5 — League 5 — Steven Jackson 96 | Chester Taylor 86
2. Giants — 88.8 — League 20 — Najeh Davenport 95 | Brian Leonard 70
3. Redskins — 82.8 — League 27 — Ladell Betts 88 | Joseph Addai 67
4. Eagles — 74.2 — League 30 — Brian Westbrook 78 | Maurice Morris 63
Dallas clearly owns the division because Steven Jackson gives the Cowboys elite HB1 quality without sacrificing HB2 competence.
NFC NORTH
1. Bears — 93.8 — League 4 — Edgerrin James 97 | Anthony Thomas 84
2. Lions — 90.5 — League T14 — Kevan Barlow 91 | Brandon Jacobs 89
3. Vikings — 89.5 — League 17 — Clinton Portis 97 | Cedric Humes 67
4. Packers — 73.0 — League 31 — LenDale White 74 | Marshawn Lynch 70
Chicago has the highest-end starter in the division, while Detroit gains more from overall room balance.
NFC SOUTH
1. Saints — 96.2 — League 3 — Deuce McAllister 99 | Michael Turner 88
2. Falcons — 93.2 — League 6 — T.J. Duckett 99 | Kevin Jones 76
3. Panthers — 89.2 — League 18 — Fred Taylor 94 | Earnest Graham 75
4. Buccaneers — 78.2 — League 28 — Chris Perry 87 | John Simon 52
New Orleans leads the division with an excellent two-back combination. Atlanta is more starter-heavy and therefore more sensitive to the 75/25 split.
NFC WEST
1. Cardinals — 90.8 — League T12 — Ahman Green 96 | Greg Jones 75
2. 49ers — 87.0 — League T22 — Rudi Johnson 96 | James Mungro 60
3. Seahawks — 87.0 — League T22 — Shaun Alexander 94 | DJ Ware 66
4. Rams — 83.5 — League 26 — Michael Robinson 92 | Dominic Rhodes 58
Arizona owns the strongest overall room in the division, while Seattle and San Francisco lose ground because their second-back quality is weaker.
DIVISION STRENGTH RANKING
1. AFC SOUTH — 93.06
2. NFC SOUTH — 89.25
3. AFC EAST — 89.19
4. NFC WEST — 87.06
5. NFC NORTH — 86.69
6. AFC WEST — 86.38
7. AFC NORTH — 85.69
8. NFC EAST — 84.81
The strongest divisions are the ones that combine elite HB1s with enough second-back quality to survive the quarter of top-two carries that HB2s typically receive.
GM TAKEAWAYS
1. 75/25 is supported by actual PTF usage. The 2006 top-two HB attempt split was almost exactly 75% for HB1 and 25% for HB2.
2. HB2 matters materially more than QB2. The second back is not just injury insurance; league usage shows he receives roughly one quarter of the top-two HB workload.
3. Elite HB1s should still dominate the ranking. Moving from 70/30 to 75/25 prevents balanced-but-nonelite tandems from too easily leapfrogging true superstar starters.
4. Great depth still matters. Tennessee, Jacksonville, Buffalo, New England and Detroit all benefit because their offenses do not fall apart when HB2 is involved.
5. Weak HB2s are a real roster risk. A team can own a 99 HB1 and still have a noticeably weaker room if the second back is far below league quality.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The 75/25 formula gives us a better balance between star power and actual backfield usage than the original 70/30 approach.
HB1 remains the clear centerpiece of the offense, which matches how PTF distributes carries. But HB2 is still important enough to move team rankings because second backs are not sitting idle: across the league, they account for roughly one quarter of the workload between the top two HBs.
Titans finishes #1 because it combines an elite 99-rated HB1 with a 95-rated HB2. That is exactly the kind of room the formula is designed to reward.
The teams that fall most sharply are the ones with a superstar starter and very weak depth. That does not mean the starter is being undervalued; it means the team is exposed for the portion of the season when HB2 inevitably gets carries.
Most importantly, the weighting now has an empirical foundation. We are not simply saying that HB2 “feels” like 25% of the room. The 2006 PTF rushing data says the same thing.
ONE IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT HB NOVR
Across the full 151-HB NOVR pool:
- 27 HBs are 90+
- 18 HBs are 95+
- 7 HBs are 99
- Average NOVR: 68.51
- Median NOVR: 67
The HB scale remains more top-heavy than the QB scale. The full distribution still uses a wide range, but the elite tier is crowded enough that it is worth monitoring whether 97–99 should eventually be separated more aggressively.
For now, however, the room-ranking issue is solved more cleanly by using the empirically supported 75/25 workload split rather than changing the NOVR formula itself.
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