Madden 19: Fastest running backs (RB & HB)

Running the ball may be less important in the modern NFL, but running the ball well is still a key piece of building an offense. When you can hand the ball off and the defense is scared, that's even better. Fast running backs can break open games and are a threat to score from anywhere on the field both as a runner or receiver.

How to choose the fastest running backs in Madden 19's Franchise Mode

Speed is obviously the key stat here, but for a running back you need good acceleration and agility as well. It's no good having a high top speed if it takes you forever to get there and you can't turn. So while speed is important, make sure you don't ignore the acceleration and agility stats. Here are all the running backs in Madden 19 with a speed of 92 or more.

Corey Grant, Jacksonville Jaguars (OVR 76)

Age: 25

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: 1 year/$2.91m

2018 Cap Hit: $2.91m

Stats: Speed (96), Acceleration (90), Agility (93)

Undrafted in 2015, Corey Grant is the fastest running back in Madden 19. The Jaguars are the ones to benefit from that speed, having picked him up as a free agent after the draft. He barely played in his rookie season, but in 2016 and 2017 he has been a key contributor on special teams as well as a worry for defenses. In his three seasons with the Jaguars Grant has 68 carries for 414 yards, a 6.1-yard average, and has scored four touchdowns in total.

Tavon Austin, Dallas Cowboys (OVR 80)

Age: 28

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: 1 year/$5m

2018 Cap Hit: $5m

Stats: Speed (94), Acceleration (94), Agility (93)

Drafted 8th overall in 2013 by the Rams as a wide receiver, Tavon Austin has been a massive flop in the NFL. He was incredibly inconsistent with the Rams and peaked in 2016 with 58 catches and 509 yards, but as he failed at wide receiver, the Rams tried him out at running back to see if his speed and agility could play there. Results were indifferent, with success coming on trick plays rather than traditional running back ones.

Still, Austin is remarkably fast in Madden 19, and at the Cowboys he has an elite offensive line in front of him. He's not someone you want to run between the tackles very often, but on outside runs he's a threat to break up huge runs.

Keith Marshall, Washington Redskins (OVR 71)

Age: 24

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: 2 years/$1.21m

2018 Cap Hit: $580k

Stats: Speed (94), Acceleration (93), Agility (87)

A seventh-round pick in 2016, Keith Marshall is yet to receive a carry in the NFL. At Georgia he was a secondary player for most of his career. As a freshman he got 117 carries for 759 yards, but was soon relegated to the bench in favor of more talented backs. However, his sheer speed was always clear. At his combine Marshall ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds, and that speed is still with him in Madden 19.

Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons (OVR 86)

Age: 25

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 1 year/$900k

2018 Cap Hit: $900k

Stats: Speed (94), Acceleration (92), Agility (95)

Coleman was drafted in the third-round by Atlanta in 2015 and has been a terrific success for them so far. As part of a tandem with Devonta Freeman, Coleman has been electric and could well receive a big contract offer after the 2018 season. In his three years with the Falcons Coleman has amassed 2,274 yards from scrimmage and scored 20 touchdowns, as well as three in the playoffs.

Coleman can do it all as a back, he can make tough yards through the middle, he can run around defenders on the edge and he can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers (OVR 67)

Age: 26

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: 1 year/$700k

2018 Cap Hit: $700k

Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (94), Agility (87)

The first of several rapid running backs on the San Francisco 49ers, Raheem Mostert was undrafted in 2015. After initially signing with the Eagles he ping-ponged around the league before eventually landing with the 49ers in 2016 and staying put.

Mostert has been used almost exclusively as a kick returner in the NFL after a solid college career at Purdue where he posted 759 yards rushing at an average of 5.6 yards and amassed 2,289 kick return yards with a strong 26.0-yard average. Mostert registered a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, along with a 4.30 short shuttle.

Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers (OVR 85)

Age: 26

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$28m

2018 Cap Hit: $6.79m

Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (93), Agility (96)

Another 49er, McKinnon was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round in 2014. Most of his time with the Vikings was spent as a rotational back, and in his four years he carried the ball 474 times for 1,918 yards, scoring seven touchdowns. He did also see work as a receiver, racking up 142 catches, 984 yards, and five touchdowns.

McKinnon signed with San Francisco as a free agent this offseason, bringing his elite speed with him. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at his combine, and the short shuttle in 4.12 seconds.

Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OVR 77)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$7.05m

2018 Cap Hit: $1.68m

Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (93), Agility (94)

A second-round pick in 2018, Jones comes to Tampa Bay after two consecutive 1,000+ yard seasons at USC. In 2017 he ran for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns, with an average of 5.9 yards per carry. That kind of production is what the Buccaneers have been desperate for over the last few years.

He doesn't just bring outstanding college production with him though; he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at his pro day despite recovering from a hamstring issue.

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts (OVR 74)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$3.13m

2018 Cap Hit: $730k

Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (93), Agility (90)

Another rookie, Nyheim Hines was picked in the fourth round this year by the Indianapolis Colts. As a junior in 2017 Hines ran for 1,112 yards on just 197 carries for North Carolina State and scored 12 touchdowns. At the NFL combine he impressed scouts with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and a 4.35-second short shuttle.

Hines' OVR doesn't seem that great in Madden 19, but his speed makes him a threat all over the field, and he has strong agility too.

Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers (OVR 77)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: 2 years/$1.11m

2018 Cap Hit: $550k

Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (92), Agility (89)

Yet another 49er. Matt Breida joined San Francisco as an undrafted free agent in 2017 after his 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds turned out not to be fast enough to overcome his small school college career.

Breida returned the 49ers faith in him with an impressive rookie season. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry to register 465 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and added 21 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown through the air as well. Breida's speed came to the fore once the 49ers found a passing game, and he shredded the Jaguars defense for 74 yards and a score on just 11 carries.

Khalfani Muhammad, Free Agent (OVR 68)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: N/A

2018 Cap Hit: N/A

Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (91), Agility (92)

A seventh-round pick in 2017, Khalfani Muhammad is currently a free agent after spending last season on the Tennessee Titans practice squad. Muhammad was a successful sprinter in high school, winning the 100 meter and 200 meter title in California. He went to Cal to play college football, but struggled to make a consistent impact until his senior year. He ran for 827 yards on 152 carries in 2016, a 5.4-yard average, and scored two touchdowns.

Muhammad's track background and 4.38-second 40-yard dash at his pro day made him an obvious candidate to be one of the fastest backs in Madden 19.

Other fast running backs