5 NFL Running Backs Who Will Improve In 2017 (And 5 Who Won't)

Jordan Howard absolutely had to be at the top of this list. A fifth round pick in the 2016 draft, Howard was the only real bright spot on a team otherwise bleak and miserable in every way.

He burst onto the scene with 1,600 multi-purpose yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games. He had an average of 5.5 yards per carry, fifth in the NFL, and was named to the Pro-Bowl, albeit as an injury replacement. He was great and the Bears will be counting on him continuing that greatness in 2017 and beyond.

It's likely that rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will line up under center for the Bears this year and to be frank, he's a project player. He has all the physical tools to be great, but he'll need to be brought along slowly.

Enter Howard, who will provide the perfect support system for the freshman signal caller. He'll do much of the heavy lifting on offense while Trubisky learns the NFL game. The Bears won't win much, but Howard will post brilliant stat sheets and further cement himself as one of the game's most elite running backs.