Four-time All Pro Adrian Peterson is commonly viewed as the NFL's premier power back, but is he the most complete running back in the league?
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall believes that honor belongs to new teammate Matt Forte.
"This is a guy that, to me, over the past eight years has been the best all-around back our league has had," Marshall told NJ Advance Media. "I think it's going to be a treat for all of New York to just sit back and watch him really work.
"He does it all. He picks up blitzes, he puts his nose in there, he catches the ball out of the backfield. He has amazing vision. He's a leader. He's the type of guy you want in your locker room."
Marshall and Forte have been reunited in New Jersey after playing together with the Chicago Bears from 2012 to 2014.
Although Peterson is far superior as a runner, Forte has a decisive edge as a route runner, pass catcher and blocker.
Since entering the NFL out of Tulane in 2008, no player has tallied more yards from scrimmage than Forte's 12,718. LaDainian Tomlinson, Ricky Watters and Hall of Famers Curtis Martin and Barry Sanders are the only other players to total at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage in each of their first eight seasons.
The next decade likely will be dominated by dynamic dual-threat backs such as the Steelers' Le'Veon Bell, the Rams' Todd Gurley, the Cardinals' David Johnson and Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott. The last decade belonged to Forte and Peterson.
