The 10 Most Productive Running Backs of 2015

9. LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots

Rushing NEP: 2.91
Rushing Success Rate: 41.21%

LeGarrette Blount was actually the second most productive running back on the New England Patriots this season, behind Dion Lewis, but Lewis' mid-season ACL tear cut his season short at 49 carries, far short of the sample size required to make this list. In fact, Lewis' 0.19 Rushing NEP per rush was third-highest in the league among running backs who logged at least 40 carries this season. 

Even so, Blount was still an effective force in the Patriots' backfield, logging the ninth-highest Rushing NEP among running backs with at least 125 carries this season. Blount's up-the-gut, bruising running style was the perfect complement to Lewis' lateral agility. Through Week 8, the Patriots sported the second-highest total team Rushing NEP despite having the second-highest pass-to-run ratio in the league. That's just ludicrous.

After Lewis' injury, Blount took over the backfield and slowed down a bit as well but still managed to put together some highly effective games, including his 29-carry, 129-yard, 1-touchdowns game against the Redskins in Week 8. But with the smattering of injuries that affected the offensive line and receiving corps, Blount's efficient 0.05 Rushing NEP per carry eventually crept back down to 0.02 before he sustained his season-ending hip injury in Week 13. 

If the Patriots want to rekindle their early-season magic in 2016, the super-efficient tandem of Blount and Lewis should be retained.