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Stadium Rant
The Top 10 Running Backs In The NFL For 2024
By Ryan Stella,
20 hours ago
The running back position consists of some of the most talented and athletic players in the NFL, and despite the league becoming more pass-heavy, the position is still alive and well. Who are the best rushers in the league? Here are the top 10 running backs in the NFL for 2024.
Honorable Mentions
Josh Jacobs, GB
Kenneth Walker III, SEA
Alvin Kamara, NO
Tony Pollard, TEN
De'Von Achane, MIA
Rachaad White, TB
10: Travis Etienne, JAX, Age: 25
Travis Etienne has put together two excellent seasons to start his NFL career. Not only has he been great rushing, but he's also a threat in the passing game. Etienne would be higher, but he was inconsistent last year compared to his rookie year when he went from 5.1 yards per carry to 3.8 yards per carry.
Either way, Etienne showed how important he is to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was one of the main reasons they started 8-3 before star quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered multiple injuries. Etienne is in for another big year, especially if Jacksonville continues to improve its offensive line.
Kyren Williams had an unbelievable season, making the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro second team despite only playing 12 games. Williams led the NFL in rushing yards per game at 95.3, and if he had played the whole season, he would've had a real shot at making the All-Pro first team.
The Rams continue to find ways to succeed no matter what is thrown their way. Williams was a fifth-round draft pick in 2022, and he's quickly proving he was one of the top steals of his class. Williams's age of 23 is also something to be excited about because this means his best years in the NFL are ahead.
Jahmyr Gibbs was excellent in his rookie season, even though he shared carries with David Montgomery. Gibbs showed that he is one of the fastest and shiftiest running backs in the NFL. He will undoubtedly have significantly more touches in 2024 and should quickly establish himself as the leader of the Detroit backfield.
Many fans thought taking Gibbs 12th overall in the 2023 draft was a reach and would be a mistake, but nobody is saying that anymore. Detroit will again be one of the best teams in the NFC with the help of Gibbs. Expect 1,000 plus rushing yards and 500 plus receiving yards from him this season.
Saquon Barkley is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and will be running behind one of the best offensive line groups in the NFL. This would lead many to believe Barkley should be higher on the list, but his injury history is scary. His goal-line touches may also be limited due to Jalen Hurts and the "tush push."
Barkley missed three games last season but still put together an excellent year, and as long as he stays healthy, the Eagles will be even scarier than they have been in the past few years. Barkley will surely open up opportunities for other teammates, including Hurts, who likes to run the ball himself.
Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year
6: Breece Hall, NYJ, Age: 23
Breece Hall returned from his ACL tear by putting up over 1,500 yards from scrimmage. Hall looked like he had never been injured, which was an excellent sign for the New York Jets. He is great in the receiving game, and Aaron Rodgers finally being healthy will only help his receiving numbers.
Hall is only going to get better, and within a few years, he may be in the conversation for Offensive Player of the Year, considering how impactful he is running the ball and in the receiving game. The Jets are looking to return to the playoffs, and a healthy Hall and Rodgers duo would do wonders for them.
Jonathan Taylor was the best running back in football in 2021 after he put up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns. After 2021, Taylor has dealt with multiple injuries as he's only played in 21 games over the last two years combined. When healthy, Taylor is as good as any running back in the league, but he's becoming unreliable with his injuries.
Taylor and young quarterback Anthony Richardson have the potential to dominate the run game as long as they both stay healthy. The Colts continue to improve, and Taylor has many years left in the tank. The NFL is better when he's healthy. Taylor has a great combination of size and speed, and he's nearly impossible to bring down in the open field.
Bijan Robinson had a great rookie year, but Arthur Smith still didn't use him to his full potential, which was puzzling. Robinson now has a reliable quarterback in Kirk Cousins, so his receiving production will only increase along with his rushing attempts. Robinson is incredibly shifty and can evade any defender trying to bring him down.
Robinson should be at the top of the league in touches; there's no explanation for why his touches were limited last year. The Falcons are heading in the right direction and should be in playoff contention within a couple of years with Robinson in the backfield. Like Breece Hall, Robinson should easily put up more than 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards.
Nick Chubb had the best season of his career in 2022 before suffering that horrific injury against the Steelers last season. Chubb's mix of size and speed is unbelievable to watch. As long as he can come back healthy, he'll be in contention for the number one running back in the NFL. The Browns' excellent offensive line and Chubb's running ability are a match made in heaven.
Chubb has bounced back from serious injuries before, so there's no reason to assume his career is on the decline, at least for another few years, and even if he's not as explosive as he was before the injury, his size will still make it difficult to stop. The Browns are at their best when Chubb is running, so Browns fans should be optimistic.
2023 Stats: 2 G, 28 Att, 170 Rush Yds, 0 TD
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl
2: Derrick Henry, BAL, Age: 30
Every year, many fans predict Derrick Henry will regress and become mediocre, but that hasn't happened. Henry is now a Baltimore Raven, which means he will be in one of the best-rushing systems in the NFL with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Henry is a monster with the ball in his hands, and he's been the hardest player to bring down over the past five-plus years.
The Ravens came up short again as they lost in the AFC Championship, but Henry might be the missing piece to help them dominate even more this season. Henry is 30 years old, but he's shown no signs of thinking about retiring anytime soon, so he finds himself firmly in the number two spot.
Christian McCaffrey is the consensus number-one running back in the NFL after winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. He put up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage with 21 total touchdowns. McCaffrey is the best receiving back in the NFL on top of his elite rushing ability and breakaway speed. McCaffrey has an injury history, but he's put together two straight, fully healthy seasons.
McCaffrey was also an MVP finalist, finishing in third place. The 49ers will be right back in Super Bowl contention and McCaffrey may win Offensive Player of the Year again. If Brandon Aiyuk gets traded, McCaffrey has a real chance to put up over 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards like he did in 2019.
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