NFL · 1 year ago

Ranking the Top 30 NFL Running Backs for 2024

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

30. Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals
Jonathan Taylor's holdout and thumb injury allowed Zack Moss to take on an expanded role for the Colts last season. Moss impressed, notching 986 scrimmage yards (794 rushing, 192 receiving) and scoring seven touchdowns in 14 games. Now, with the Bengals, the 26-year-old aims to build on last year's breakout effort.
1. Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey remains the gold standard at the position. A three-time First-Team All-Pro selection, the 27-year-old's dual-threat prowess makes him a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan's innovative offense. Since joining the 49ers, McCaffrey has racked up an incredible 2,205 yards rushing, 1,028 yards receiving, and 31 total touchdowns in just 27 games. Unsurprisingly, he's the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy drafts this year.

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2. Breece Hall - New York Jets
After tearing his ACL, Breece Hall returned strong in 2023, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards (994) while showcasing his receiving chops (76 catches for 591 yards). Hall's numbers are even more impressive, considering he was stuck in a dismal Jets offense (15.9 PPG), led by the now-departed Zach Wilson for much of the year. With Aaron Rodgers fully recovered from last season's heartbreaking Achilles injury, Hall is poised for a true breakout.
3. Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson enjoyed a solid debut season, tallying 1,463 total yards and eight touchdowns. With a revamped Falcons offense now led by QB Kirk Cousins, the 22-year-old is set to shine even brighter in Year 2.
4. Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts
The 2023 season was challenging for Jonathan Taylor, marred by a contract holdout and a thumb injury. However, the 25-year-old remains an elite talent. Taylor is fully healthy and contractually secure, and primed to return to his All-Pro form.
5. Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
Moving on from the Giants to divisional rival Eagles, Saquon Barkley is set to run behind the best offensive line of his career, setting the stage for a potentially massive campaign.
6. Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens
After eight dominant years in Nashville, Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens, joining forces with MVP QB Lamar Jackson. Despite being 30 years old, Henry has shown little signs of slowing down, rushing for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns in 17 games last season.
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7. Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs brought the lightning to David Montgomery's thunder in Detroit, tallying 1,216 total yards and 11 touchdowns in an impressive rookie year. Expect his role to grow even more in the Lions' explosive offense.
8. Nick Chubb - Cleveland Browns
When healthy, Nick Chubb is the best pure runner in football, averaging at least 5.0 YPC in each of his six NFL seasons. However, his ranking drops after last season’s devastating knee injury. If Chubb resembles his old self, he'll rise in short order.
9. James Cook - Buffalo Bills
James Cook emerged as a key player for the Bills last season, rushing for 1,122 yards and adding 445 yards receiving. As Buffalo's offense adjusts to life without Stefon Diggs, Cooks's versatility will be more critical than ever in 2024.
10. Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs struggled through an injury-plagued 2023, but he's just two years removed from leading the league in rushing. Now, with the Packers, the former Raider aims to complement an exciting passing attack and reestablish himself as a workhorse back.
11. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne’s rookie season saw him average an impressive 5.1 yards per carry, but 2023 was a different story, with that number dropping to 3.8. However, the blame falls more on Jacksonville’s offense falling apart in the second half of the year than on Etienne’s talent. He’s still one of the most explosive backs in the league, a dual-threat on the ground and in the passing game. Plus, he's proven durable, having yet to miss a single game in his NFL career.
12. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco runs with a violent, aggressive style, making him a key piece in Kansas City’s offense. Across two seasons, the seventh-round pick has accumulated 1,765 rushing yards (4.7 YPC) and added 374 receiving yards, notching 14 total touchdowns. For a late-round flyer, Pacheco has indeed outperformed expectations.
13. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Sean McVay has a knack for finding late-round talent, and Kyren Williams is no exception. Last season, Williams solidified himself as the Rams' top back, rushing for 1,114 yards on 228 carries (5.0 YPC) and racking up 15 total touchdowns in just 12 games. His efforts earned him second-team All-Pro honors, but injuries have been Williams' Achilles' heel. The 23-year-old has missed at least four games in each of his first two seasons, which is the main reason he’s not ranked higher.
14. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane turned heads as a rookie last season, thanks to his blazing 4.32 speed. In just 11 games, the 22-year-old rushed 103 times for 800 yards, posting an eye-popping 7.8 yards per carry. He also found the end zone 11 times (eight rushing, three receiving). While maintaining that level of efficiency will be tough, there's no denying Achane's game-breaking ability - he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
15. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Coming off a career-best season with the Philadelphia Eagles, D'Andre Swift inked a three-year deal with the Bears, where he’s poised to inject some much-needed explosiveness into Chicago’s run game - an area that has been solid but lacking the big-play potential Swift brings.
16. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
David Montgomery made a strong impact in his first season with the Lions, racking up 1,015 rushing yards (4.6 YPC) and 13 touchdowns. Together with teammate Jahmyr Gibbs, they formed one of the most effective running back tandems in the league, giving Detroit a powerful one-two punch.
17. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
Seemingly defying father time, Raheem Mostert is coming off a career year at age 31, rushing for 1,012 yards on 209 carries (4.8 YPC) and scoring 21 total touchdowns. Mostert's elite speed hasn’t wavered, making him a vital part of Miami's backfield alongside fellow speedsters De'Von Achane and rookie Jaylen Wright.
18. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
After an impressive rookie year, Kenneth Walker III hit a sophomore slump, averaging just 4.1 YPC in 2023. Even so, at only 23, he remains one of the league's most explosive runners. Walker could be poised for a bounce back with a new offensive system in Seattle.
19. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Following an offseason trade from Cincinnati, Joe Mixon now leads the Texans' backfield, signing a three-year, $27 million extension in the process. Though he’s averaged just 4.1 YPC in his career, Mixon’s workhorse capabilities and receiving skills bring versatility to an exciting Houston offense.
20. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner has yet to play a full season in his NFL career, but he's consistently effective when he's on the field. Last year, the veteran put up career-best numbers, rushing for 1,040 yards on 209 carries (5.0 YPC) in 13 games. At 29, Conner still profiles as Arizona’s lead back despite the addition of rookie Trey Benson, thanks to his experience and solid production.
21. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
As Alvin Kamara enters his age-29 campaign, his rushing efficiency has dropped, averaging 3.9 yards per carry over the past three seasons. However, the former All-Pro remains one of the league’s most versatile backs, hauling in 75 catches in just 13 games last season.
22. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
In a surprising move, Aaron Jones was released by the Green Bay Packers during the offseason, only to quickly land with the division-rival Minnesota Vikings as their No. 1 back. While durability concerns keep him lower on this list, the 29-year-old finished last season on a high note, stringing together five consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, including in the postseason.
23. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
With three consecutive seasons of at least 255 carries and over 1,000 rushing yards, Najee Harris has solidified his status as a true workhorse. As he eyes a new contract, his ability to grind out tough yards and wear down opposing defenses remains the backbone of Pittsburgh's offensive attack.
24. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
One of the best backup running backs in the NFL, Jaylen Warren, has become a valuable piece in the Steelers' backfield, complementing Najee Harris with his explosiveness and versatility (1,154 total yards last season).
25. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White racked up 1,539 total yards (990 rushing, 549 receiving) last season in a breakout year. Despite a modest 3.6 yards per rush, White's versatility and workhorse mentality have become pivotal for a Buccaneers offense on the rise.
26. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson has showcased his all-around skills despite being stuck in a struggling Patriots offense, including catching 69 passes in 2022. While the going will likely be tough again in 2024, Stevenson's versatility deserves recognition.
27. Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Devin Singletary took over as Houston’s top back last season, stepping in for an ineffective Dameon Pierce and amassing 1,091 scrimmage yards (898 rushing, 193 receiving) along with four touchdowns. The 27-year-old signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the New York Giants in the offseason, where he will look to contribute to a running game that saw Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley leave for the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
28. Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
The first running back selected in the 2024 Draft, Jonathon Brooks starts his NFL career on the non-football injury (NFI) list, recovering from last year's torn ACL. Despite the setback, the 21-year-old is expected to make an immediate impact once he returns, having dazzled at Texas with 1,139 rushing yards (6.1 AVG) and 11 touchdowns in his final collegiate season.
29. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Drafted in the fifth round in 2022, Tyler Allgeier has been a steady presence in the Atlanta backfield, rushing for 1,718 yards (4.3 AVG) the past two seasons. While he will likely take more of a backseat to second-year pro Bijan Robinson, Allgeier is one of the league's better backups.
30. Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals
Jonathan Taylor's holdout and thumb injury allowed Zack Moss to take on an expanded role for the Colts last season. Moss impressed, notching 986 scrimmage yards (794 rushing, 192 receiving) and scoring seven touchdowns in 14 games. Now, with the Bengals, the 26-year-old aims to build on last year's breakout effort.
1. Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey remains the gold standard at the position. A three-time First-Team All-Pro selection, the 27-year-old's dual-threat prowess makes him a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan's innovative offense. Since joining the 49ers, McCaffrey has racked up an incredible 2,205 yards rushing, 1,028 yards receiving, and 31 total touchdowns in just 27 games. Unsurprisingly, he's the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy drafts this year.

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Ranking the Top 30 NFL Running Backs for 2024

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