Opinion: 4 NFL running backs who are worth their big contracts

Life is hard for NFL running backs these days. They take an incredible pounding, and they’re considered past their prime at 28, which is when most of their teammates are peaking. The expectations are huge, so you’d think the rewards would be even larger.

Except they’re not. Running backs may be are the most underpaid players on the field when you consider what they’re asked to do, although there are plenty of arguments to be made there. Management’s perception is that they’re basically interchangeable parts, easily replaced by a mid- or late-round draft pick with the athleticism to handle the position.

But a few guys have managed to cash in and give good value. They may not have long-term contracts, but they do make serious money, and these four running backs have earned it and then some by providing exceptional production.

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Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

Henry was something of an afterthought when he hit free agency during the offseason. He turned 30 in January, which is beyond the kiss of death for any NFL running back. That was especially true for Henry given his ruthlessly violent running style, but the assumption was that he’d lost a step and his style didn’t suit today’s motion-based NFL offenses.

If you’ve watched Henry at all this year, you already knew going into last night’sgame against Buffalo that that’s nonsense. His 87-yard sprint was the icing on the cake, but Henry has been doing this all year, bringing the thunder to go with Lamar Jackson’s lightning.

Henry is making just over $10 million to do what he does this year, and his presence alone makes that money pocket change by NFL standards. Plenty of teams regret passing on him—just ask Jerry Jones about that—and the physicality he provides is borderline priceless for the Ravens, who thrive on the kind of punishment Henry can dish out.

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are scuffling at 2-2 as Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni try to sort out their issues, but Philly would be in far worse shape if it wasn’t for Barkley. He looked slow and stodgy last year in New York, but it was hard to tell if the culprit was the line or the fact that Barkley is now heading into his late twenties.

That question is easy to answer now. Freed from the cage that is the Giants offense, Barkley is making plays as a receiver and a runner. He looks explosive again, and while the Philly situation is a ticking time bomb that feels like it could go off at any minute, Barkley is a big part of the reason they’re at .500.

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

Green Bay knew there was risk in letting Jones go at the not-so-tender age of 29, but they elected to pay Josh Jacobs instead. While Jacobs is making almost $15 million, Jones will earn half of that with the Vikings, and his cap hit is just $3.5 million.

He’s given Minnesota some serious production for the money, with 300 yards rushing while averaging five yards a carry and proving surprising effective as a receiver, catching 16 passes in four games. Sam Darnold has been the big story for the Vikings, but Jones is a huge factor in Minnesota’s surprising start.

*Christian McCaffrey is one of the NFL’s biggest question marks

If you’ve followed McCaffrey's career at all, you already know what the asterisk in front of his name is about. McCaffrey makes $16 million, and he’s been worth every penny to date given the dual-threat production he gives San Francisco, especially since he's been able to stay healthy until this year.

But McCaffrey has been on the shelf so far with what was originally described as a calf pull, which makes that tiny little asterisk huge. San Francisco has replaced his running production effectively with undrafted free agent Jordan Mason, but at times the 49ers have missed the X-factor production he brings to their offense as a receiver.

If he can get back on the field soon and perform effectively, he’ll still be worth the money. But if that calf pull is actually an Achilles tear waiting to happen, all bets are off. The Niners’ passing game looked formidable again against the hapless Patriots, but McCaffrey’s health remains one of the biggest questions in the league now that we’re about to pass the quarter pole.

This article was originally written by Bob McCullough