Runningbacks are one of the hardest to put in tiers and rank. Do you factor in yards per carry as much? What about touchdowns? What about receiving yards? Blocking ability? A lot matters. Some are touchdown machines and some are able to both run the ball and be a threat catching the ball. Let’s get into some of the top NFL runningback tiers…
Tier 1: Franchise-Carrying Weapons…
- Johnathan Taylor, Colts
- Derrick Henry, Titans
These two runningbacks can carry a whole offense and they have. Derrick Henry is the Titans whole offense and has been carrying them for a few years now. Johnathan Taylor had an insane season last year and proved he can carry an offense as well. Henry will be back and better after being injured for most of the year last season.
Tier 2: Elite RBs
- Joe Mixon, Bengals
- Nick Chubb, Browns
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
- Najee Harris, Steelers
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers
- Alvin Kamara, Saints
- James Conner, Cardinals
- Aaron Jones, Packers
These runningbacks are capable of carrying their offense at times and continue to provide relief for their quarterback. Nick Chubb was arguably at times the whole offense for the Browns at times. Austin Ekeler has been capable of being an equal amount of threat while rushing the ball and also being a receiver out of the backfield. These runningbacks are multi-faceted and are Pro-Bowl runningbacks that are a threat every time they touch the ball.
Tier 3: Starting-capable…
- Ezekiel Elliot, Cowboys
- Saquon Barkley, Giants
- Antonio Gibson, Commanders
- David Montgomery, Bears
- Kareem Hunt, Browns
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers
- Damien Harris, Patriots
- Miles Sanders, Eagles
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys
- AJ Dillon, Packers
- Elijah Mitchell, 49ers
Some players on this list include once-elite runningbacks and some that are just average. They’re capable of going on long runs and have shown flashes of eliteness, but most of the time have been okay. If Saquon and Ezekiel can get back to their form? They’d be in the franchise section easily.
Tier 4: Potential Breakouts…
- D’Andre Swift, Lions
- JK Dobbins, Ravens
- Javonte Williams, Broncos
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
In this list of runningbacks, these runningbacks are potential breakouts that I would keep my eyes on. D’andre Swift will be a huge part of the Lions offense and I expect the Jaguars to feed Etienne the ball a lot after drafting him the first round last season.
Tier 5: Meh…
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders
- Cam Akers, Rams
- Chase Edmonds, Dolphins
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons
- Rashaad Penny, Seahawks
- Devin Singletary, Bills
- Marlon Mack, Texans
These running backs have been largely underwhelming. Josh Jacobs looked really promising in his rookie season, but has kind of just been meh, averaging around 4.0 yards per carry. These players are technically starting runningbacks, but could be easily replaced.
Tier 6: Youngins’
- Breece Hall, Jets
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks
- James Cook, Bills
- Dameon Pierce, Texans
I’d keep a distant eye on this list of runningbacks. They could easily move up this list with a solid year in their rookie season. Breece Hall will get a lot of opportunity and I expect Dameon Pierce to put up a fight for a starting spot on the Texans.
