NFL offenses relied on the run in a bag way in the 2024 season. Five players rushed for 1,400 yards or more, something that has not happened since 2012. If offensive coordinators continue to build their gameplans around this trend, having a game-changing player in the backfield will be more important than it has been in some time. A few teams throughout the league are lucky enough to have this player already. Today, we will be looking at the top five running backs heading into the upcoming season..
5. Jahmyr Gibbs – Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs is one half of arguably the most dynamic backfield in the NFL. Both David Montgomery and Gibbs have combined for 4,147 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns since Gibbs came into the league in 2023. Gibbs seemed to step into the premier role in the Lions offense last season, carrying the ball 250 times for 1,412 yards. Alongside his ability to run the ball, Gibbs is a reliable option in the pass game as well. Catching 52 passes for 517 yards in 2024, the Alabama product is an example of what the running back position has evolved to over the past decade. Look for Gibbs to continue being a focal point in Detroit’s offense this season.
4. Bijan Robinson – Atlanta Falcons
Selected 4 picks ahead of Jahmyr Gibbs in the 2023 draft, Bijan Robinson was the first running back to be drafted in the top 10 since Saquaon Barkley in 2018. Coming off a season with 1894 yards from scrimmage in his final season at Texas, it’s easy to see why. Although Robninson did not eclipse the 1,000 yard mark in his rookie season, he came close with 976. Last season was a different story, under new Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson, Bijan ran for an impressive 1,456 yards and scored 14 times. Add to that his 431 yards through the air and you can start to see Robinson making an impact on the Falcons offense for many years to come.
3. Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
The next player on our list was also selected 8th overall in his respective draft. Since entering the league in 2017, McCaffrey has been the pinnacle of a do-it-all type of back. Over his career, he has averaged 4.7 yards per carry and 8.5 yards per reception. In 2019, he even ran for 1,387 yards while catching 116 passes for 1,006 yards through the air. Add to this the fact that he is a reliable pass blocker and there is not much more you could ask for out of a player. Coming off a down year last year that was hindered by injuries, McCaffery is still one of the best backs in the league right now.
2. Derrick Henry – Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry is single-handedly disproving the notion that running backs have a steep decline as soon as they reach 30. Aging like a fine wine, Henry is coming off a season where he had the second most rushing yards in his career, just 79 yards short of the 2,000 mark. He ran for 16 scores while averaging 5.9 yards per carry, which is one of the most impressive stat lines coming out of last season. Having Lamar Jackson paired up with Henry seems to indicate they are both primed to have another explosive season.
1. Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley is coming off of a historic 2,000 yard season and could have potentially broken the single season rushing record had he opted to play in the final game of the season. The Eagles ran all the way to a super bowl victory on the shoulders of Barkley who had a staggering 11 games with at least 100 rushing yards last season, on top of three more throughout the postseason. Saquon was truly unstoppable last season as he accounted for roughly 35% of the Eagles total yards in 2024. It was only right that he earned Offensive Player of the Year honors. Considering the fact that he just turned 28 at the end of last season, barring any surprise retirement announcement, it’s safe to say that Barkley will remain a top running back for years to come.
If you enjoyed this article please follow us here on MSN! Thank you for reading and have a great day!
