NFL running backs are becoming more elite and there are a ton of elite guys in the league. They are being used more in the passing game and there are more players running for 1000 yard and catching for lots of yards. But ranking the top 7 running backs is a huge debate.
#1 Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry -
He is not evolved in the passing game as much as other running backs. He is an old fashioned, big framed running back. He is 6-3, 247 pounds and 27 years old. He has won the rushing title the last two years. In the past two seasons and so far this season has run for a total of 4,350 yards. That's an average of 114.47 yards a game in his last 38 games. He's the 8th player ever to be a part of 2000 yard clubs for a single season. Henry is the fastest running back at the line of scrimmage with 10.87 mph. He also converts 80% of third down conversions.
2020 stats: 378 carries, 2,027 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 19 receptions on 31 targets, 114 receiving yards, 17 total TDs
#2 Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb -
He might be the league's toughest runner. His yards after contact is one of the best in the league. In his last season he averaged 5.6 yards a carry. His 5-11, 227 pound frame allows him to explode through the line and defenders. Nick Chubb runs over defenders and makes them miss at high levels. PFF’s count gives Chubb a missed tackle rate of 1 in every 3.21 carries (or a 31% rate). This is the most by a lot and second is derrick henry.
#3 Dalvin Cook
Dalvin Cook -
Cook followed a contract extension with his best season yet, posting career highs in attempts (312), rushing yards (1,557), rushing touchdowns (16) and yards per carry (5.0).
Cook's 91 rushing first downs [in 2020 ranked] second to Henry's 98 despite 66 fewer carries (378 to 312). He has caught at least 40 passes in each of the past three years and is a one-cut dynamo in the red zone, producing 222 yards on 58 carries inside the 20, highest among backs with more than 30 red zone attempts. He did all this despite missing two games. A full season would have pushed him closer to an 1,800-yard clip.
#4 Christian Mccaffrey
CMC -
When he is healthy he is the second best running back if not number one. In the 2019 season CMC led the NFL in total touches (403), yards from scrimmage (2,392), and total touchdowns (19) while becoming only the third player in NFL history with at least 1,000 rushing yards and at least 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. The 2019 campaign was also McCaffrey's second consecutive season with at least 1,000 rushing yards and at least 100 receptions, making him the first player in NFL history to hit each of those marks in the same season more than once. Injuries have plagued his last 2 seasons which is why he isn't higher because he hasn't had much impact on his team recently.
#5 Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara -
Alvin kamara is a dual threat running back just like dalvin cook and cmc. He is a strong runner but also is very good in the pass game. Last season he had 16 touchdowns and 932 yards rushing. In the passing game he also caught for 756 yards for a total of 1688 yard from the line of scrimmage. 10+ yard runs: 27
10+ pct: 14.14%
15+ mph runs: 40
15+ mph pct: 21.4%
Yard per routes (RB): 2.3, 2nd
Forced missed tackles (pass): 20
TDs outside tackles: 12, 1st
#6 Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley -
He is the 6th best running back in the league because of injuries. In 2019 his last full season he was derailed by a high ankle sprain suffered in Week Three, which forced him to miss several games before he returned to action arguably too early, and plodded through a long Giants losing streak where he lacked his signature burst and elusiveness. Despite all that, Barkley still managed to have his second 1,000+ rushing yard season in as many years in the league. " said ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who wrote the piece. "Veteran linebackers told me you have to put four players on him at one time, because he can break 80 yards at any moment. He is a big, hard runner who takes a lot to take down. This is another guy who if he has been healthy would be much higher but ever since he tore his ACL he hasn't done much for his team but I felt like he had to stay in the top 7.
#7 Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones -
Aaron Jones is behind one of best QBs of all time Aaron Rodgers. Even with the pass heavy offense he still finds a way to be a star when he does get his touches. In 2019 Jones would lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 16, finishing with 19 total touchdowns in the regular season. He then added four more in just two playoff games. Jones makes Green Bay’s offense better when he’s on the field. And with his explosiveness, if a defender misses one tackle, Jones often makes them pay and takes it to the house. He isn't just a runner but can also catch for a lot of yards as well. He is a multi-back who fits perfectly into the Packers offense. Jones is an elite running back but the guys in front of him are so elite as well that it's hard to find a spot for this agile, dual threat running back.