Don’t look now but running backs are making a comeback. This past free agency period is evidence of that, as several high-end backs got serious pay-days from their new teams, including Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley. You certainly don’t need to tell the Seahawks that an effective rushing attack can still win you games – as their failures to stop the run were a big reason they lost several close ones over the last two years.
The proliferation of two-high safety shells and defenses generally doing all they can to take away home run balls isn’t going away anytime soon, so let’s take stock and see who the best in the game are at this position. Seattle has at least one strong candidate here. However, as you will see, several teams are far, far more loaded than others in this department, including the Dolphins, Lions and Falcons.
Here’s how we rank the top 32 running backs in the league, including a few rookies we expect to be making an impact no later than season’s end.
Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) walks…Oct 15, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs in for…Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) before playing the…Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) pushes Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) out of…Oct 9, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) celebrates with…Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26)…Jan 2, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs…Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the…Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown past New…Dec 19, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) carries…NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 24: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball…Oct 23, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) hands the ball…Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) leaves the…Jan 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrates with fans…Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) rushes the ball…Lions running back David Montgomery celebrates a touchdown against the Cowboys with quarterback Jared Goff during…Oct 23, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) runs for…Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs the ball…Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during…Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is tackled near the sideline by Buffalo Bills…Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is tackled…Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) fakes a handoff to running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1)…SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 31: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball…Dec 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running…Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) runs for…Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) rests between drives in the fourth quarter of the…Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) tackles Cleveland Browns…Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) tackles Chicago Bears…Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) jumps over Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Pearson (21)…Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson (3) fends off…HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after defeating the…Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (0) dodges Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Andru Phillips (23) to…
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