After the “devaluation” of the running back position swept the NFL for the better part of the last decade, teams are starting to see why the position is so valuable.
It’s becoming “trendy” again, to hand the ball off 25 to 30 times a game.
Us fans have known this all along though.
A running back affects the game in so many ways. It’s far from simply taking a handoff.
Running routes out of the backfield, they have to know protection details, when is the right time to leave and go into the flat as a dump off option for the quarterback.
I could go on and on, because everyone knows that I LOVE the running back position.
So, without further ado, here are the Top 5 running backs in the NFL today.
Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles.
Not only on Barkley lead the entire league in rushing last season (2,005 yards), but he also led the league in carries with 345. That’s a heavy workload, and he played 16 games last season.
You have to account for him coming out of the backfield as well, with 33 catches. He’s a true three-down back, who does a serviceable job in pass blocking.
Any time he touches the football, he can take it for a touchdown. He has the speed to break long runs, and the power to bulldoze his way between the tackles.
No running back had a bigger impact on his team last season than Saquon Barkley did.
Without Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t winning the Super Bowl, they probably don’t even win their division.
Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers.
Absolutely no fan, coach, GM, player, or anybody, can deny the fact the McCaffrey is arguably the best running back in the league, when he’s healthy.
That’s always been the problem with him. His durability is an issue not just season to season, but game to game.
He has sneaky speed. He doesn’t look like he’s running fast, but he’ll take a 3-yard run and turn it into long touchdown before you realize what’s happening.
He’s a far better receiver out of the backfield than Barkley, and maybe the best in the league.
You simply cannot move him out of the Top 5 or even 3, no matter what.
Josh Jacobs – Green Bay Packers.
Josh Jacobs was the real engine that pulled the train in Green Bay last season, it wasn’t quarterback Jordan Love.
His first season as a Packer, erased whatever “stain” people had on him from his final season as a Raider.
The Packers leaned heavily on Jacobs in all situations, enroute to their Wildcard Playoff berth.
Running for 1,329 yards (6th) on 301 carries (6th) and 15 TDs (4th), proved that he’s a bellcow back with the speed and power to do it all.
He had 36 catches out of the backfield and did a great job in pass protection for the Packers.
Derrick Henry – Baltimore Ravens.
Derrick Henry is a throwback running back to the good ole days of football.
Just hand him the football and watch him completely steamroll people.
He’s proven that he can handle a heavy workload throughout his whole career, and showed it again last season.
Rushing for 1,921 yards (2nd), on 325 carries (2nd), he tied for first in the league with 16 TDs.
He’s not going to give you receiving yards out of the backfield or do much of anything in terms of pass protection, but he’s going to break a defense and wear them out throughout the entire game.
Aaron Jones Sr. – Minnesota Vikings.
Jones is your classic slasher type running back. He’s quick with his feet, and once he sees the hole in the line, he’s off and going.
He’s got the speed to break off long runs, and the power to get into the endzone in goalline situations.
He does have durability issues and is quite similar to McCaffrey (see above). He did play all 17 games last season though.
He had 1,138 yards (9th) on 255 carries (9th) to go along with a whooping 51 catches out of the backfield.
He’ll stick his nose in on pass protection, and does a serviceable job in that regard.
With JJ McCarthy (basically a rookie, though it’s officially his 2nd year in the league) now starting at QB, they’ll lean on him even more this season, as he gets his feet wet to the NFL game.
I expect a great start for Jones in 2025.
– Sean McKenzie
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