Reflecting on the running back position over the years, we’ve witnessed some players burst onto the scene with insane breakouts while others have battled through significant injuries. As we prepare for next season, let’s assess the current landscape of the running back position. Here are my top ten running backs going into next season:
1- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey at the number one spot is easy. Since leaving Stanford and being drafted inside the top ten by the Carolina Panthers, we have seen nothing short of dominance from him. McCaffrey is a unique back: he has an uncanny receiving ability, which makes it that much harder to cover his dominant running presence. When McCaffrey was traded to San Francisco, we saw him get even better, taking home the Offensive Player of the Year award and being widely considered one of the best in his generation. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has made McCaffrey the ultimate chess piece for the Niners, allowing McCaffrey to shine. Evidently, Shanahan’s strategy worked: last year, McCaffrey had 83 first downs (yes, 83).
2- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Despite Barkley’s down year last season, when on the field, I still think he is close to being the best running back in the league. The only concern is his health, which is no small issue, but after being selected second overall by the New York Giants in 2018, Barkley was incredible. In his stint with the Giants, Barkley totaled 5,000 yards and was the focal point of the Giants’ offense for years. On the Eagles, Barkley will go to a much better team with a way better offensive line and other weapons to take some pressure off him in the backfield. Barkley is a true all-around back with his vision, blocking, and receiving abilities.
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3- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Coming out of Texas, Robinson was one of the best running back prospects in recent memory and was dominant at the college level. Since being drafted that dominance has continued. Robinson is the best cutter in the league and insanely elusive, slipping away from defenders and maximizing yardage. His ability to make tremendous gains out of plays that are seemingly dead is uncanny. And while his numbers weren’t the best in his rookie season with Arthur Smith, I think with Zac Robinson and the chance to have a bigger workload, the sky’s the limit for the Texas product. With the footwork and tackle-breaking ability to go along with the receiving game, Robinson is unbelievable.
4- Breece Hall, New York Jets
The only real knock you could argue on Hall is that his long speed may not be the best. But besides that, you are looking at a very complete back. Hall, despite the terrible line the Jets had last season, was impressively efficient and has been very consistent in the receiving game as well. Hall is a fierce and tenacious runner, can make people miss in open field, and is a great threat on dumps and screens. With the Jets improving their offensive line this season with Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, and Olu Fashanu, we are in for a very special season from the Iowa State alum.
5- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Going into the 2023 NFL Draft, Gibbs was viewed as a late day one or early day two guy, but he took the NFL by storm when he was selected number 12 overall by the Detroit Lions. The NFL media and football community, including myself, slammed and criticized the pick, but Gibbs proved all of us wrong. The thing that stands out to me about Gibbs is his speed and contact balance. When he gets the ball in open space, there is true home run ability with his power to make people miss. There’s no question that the Lions’ dominant offensive line played a part in his season, but Gibbs was phenomenal both in the receiving game and on the ground and will only get better going into his next year.
6-Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Henry dominated for years in Tennessee. Now, similar to the Barkley situation, Henry will be in a better situation in Baltimore. The Titans’ offense relied on Henry for years. But now, as a Raven with Lamar Jackson in the same backfield, hopefully Henry will carry less of the load. One positive going into the next phase of Henry’s career is that I think his skill set is fit to last longer in the league than others. Henry stands at 6’3” and is more of a power back with no real-concerning injury history compared to a lot of these other backs, so expect the Ravens to give Henry a big workload next season, as that is the Ravens’ identity.
7- Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
While it hurts me to put Chubb at number seven, his injury history is deeply concerning, as is his age. If he can stay healthy, we are looking at one of the premier backs in football. Unfortunately, staying on the field has been a challenge for Chubb. Chubb will be coming off a very serious ACL tear and will be 29 by mid-season. However, I think Chubb’s game isn’t necessarily successful because he is fast and speedy; it’s because he is physical and dominant in the trenches.
8- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor’s first two seasons in the league were dominant, averaging around 1,700 yards. Unfortunately, the years caught up to him after that, and his seasons were cut short or kept him sidelined for extended periods of time. Nevertheless, last season we saw 10 games of Taylor, and while they weren’t the best, we saw flashes of the special talent he has. If Taylor can stay healthy next season under Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson, expect a big year from the former Wisconsin back.
9- Kenneth Walker III , Seattle Seahawks
Walker is a player I am higher on than most. He probably wouldn’t make most people’s top ten, but he does for me; in fact, he could be as high as five for me. Walker’s vision is so impressive, especially taking into account the offensive line the Seahawks had last season, which was far from great. Last season, Walker single-handedly moved the chains for the Seahawks and showcased his ability to be tenacious and tough as a runner. Zach Charbonnet, who the Seahawks took in the second round last season, also split touches with Walker, so we have to include that when going into production.
10- James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook, like Walker, is another player, in my opinion, who is underrated compared to the consensus among most people. Cook had almost a 60% success rate last season as a receiver and was pretty impressive as a runner as well, surpassing 1,200 yards. The Bills must find ways to leverage Cook’s unique skill set, one that boasts exceptional receiving ability and tough running. Cook can do a little bit of everything and finds his way into the top ten for me due to his versatility in the Bills offense.
HM: Kyren Williams and De’Von Achane
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