Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 06:49 PM

NFL running back rankings, 1-64: How does every starting RB from the 2025 season stack up?

NFL.com Analyst

Maurice Jones-Drew evaluates every running back who started at least one game during the 2025 NFL regular season (min. 20 carries).

Rank

Bijan Robinson

Atlanta Falcons · Year 3

Robinson was the NFL's best running back this season, leading the league with 2,298 scrimmage yards. He's been such a dominant presence for the Falcons backfield in his three years with the club. His 5,648 scrimmage yards is the third-most by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history, trailing only Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (6,145) and Eric Dickerson (5,816). The All-Pro back is a huge draw for whomever is hired to be head coach.

Rank

Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers · Year 9

With all of the injuries the 49ers offense suffered in 2025, McCaffrey had to be exceptional for his team to make the playoffs, let alone play for the NFC's No. 1 seed in Week 18. And boy, was he. He led the NFL with 413 scrimmage touches (44 more than any other player) and was second in scrimmage yards (2,126). It was the third time McCaffrey logged at least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns in a season, tied for most in NFL history with LaDainian Tomlinson.

Rank

Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts · Year 6

Taylor was exceptional in the first half of the season with five 100-yard rushing games, including a 244-yard, three-TD performance in an overtime win over Atlanta in Germany. That was one of four instances in which Taylor rushed for three scores. Unfortunately, Taylor's production trailed off after the injury to Daniel Jones. He still led the league in attempts and rush TDs but fell to third in rush yards. Taylor (2021, 2025) joined Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith (1992, 1995) as the only players in NFL history to have multiple career seasons with 1,500-plus rush yards and 18-plus rush TDs. Imagine what could've been had the injury bug not landed in Indy.

Rank

James Cook

Buffalo Bills · Year 4

After signing an extension in the preseason, Cook showed his worth by leading the NFL in rushing yards. He was an absolute playmaker out of the backfield, so it was no surprise that Buffalo finished No. 1 in the league in rushing offense. Cook ended up with 12 games with 100-plus scrimmage yards (T-most in the NFL) and the Bills were 11-1 in those games. They were 1-4 when he had fewer than 100 yards, further proving his worth to that offense.

Rank

Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions · Year 3

Gibbs wasn't quite the dynamo in the run game this year as he previously was in Ben Johnson's offense, but he still amassed 1,839 scrimmage yards. He was a real problem as a pass catcher, and it was great too see him evolve in that aspect of his game. He posted career highs in targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs. Good things happen when Gibbs gets the ball.

Rank

Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens · Year 10

Other than some early-season fumbling issues, Henry had one hell of a season at 31 years old. In fact, he has now posted back-to-back campaigns with at least 1,500 yards and 15 rush touchdowns -- no other player in NFL history has even one such season at age 30 or older. The ageless wonder continued to trounce defenses and finished the season with an absolute bang, rushing for 570 yards and six touchdowns on 85 carries over the final four games. That's 6.7 per clip. Normally, the football world starts to wonder when 31-year-old running backs will consider hanging 'em up. Henry feels far from it.

Rank

De'Von Achane

Miami Dolphins · Year 3

There weren't a ton of positives for Miami's offense in 2025, but Achane did more than enough to catch my attention. He was great in every way for the Dolphins' rushing attack and continued to be a valuable asset in the pass game. There are likely to be a ton of changes this offseason -- beginning with a new head coach -- but Achane will be a mainstay and is a huge draw for whomever will lead that offense in 2026.

Rank

Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams · Year 4

Fresh off a three-year extension, Williams rushed for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the third consecutive season to help the Rams feature a top-10 rushing attack for the first time since 2020. Blake Corum cut into Williams' workload (Williams had 57 fewer carries in 2025 than he had in 2024) but Williams made the most of his touches. He even logged career highs 50 targets, 36 receptions, 281 receiving yards and three receiving TDs -- illustrating his improvement in the pass game. Was he worth that new contract? You bet!

Rank

Javonte Williams

Dallas Cowboys · Year 5

Williams made the most of his one-year deal in Dallas with his career-best campaign by far. Though the Cowboys sprinkled in Malik Davis and Jaydon Blue at times, Williams was the reason they finished in the top 10 in rushing yards for the first time since 2022, when Ezekiel and Tony Pollard led the charge. Williams has more than earned a new contract with this team this offseason.

Rank

Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles · Year 8

Barkley wasn't the same behind a beat up O-line in 2025. After struggling for the first three quarters of the campaign, the Eagles offense looked slightly better down the stretch due in part to Barkley averaging 20.5 carries and 100 rush yards per game in his last four regular-season contests. Every season can't be historic.

Rank

Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars · Year 5

Etienne bounced back in a big way from a disappointing 2024 campaign. He led the Jags with nearly 1,400 scrimmage yards and a career-high 13 scrimmage TDs. He also led the team with six receiving touchdowns, making him the only RB in the league to pace his team in the category. The Jags would be making a mistake if they let Etienne hit free agency after what he showed he can do in Liam Coen's offense.

Rank

Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers · Year 7

Jacobs dealt with ankle and knee injuries late in the season, which hampered his production down the stretch. In Weeks 1-10, Jacobs averaged 21.1 touches and 93.9 scrimmage yards per game with 11 total TDs. Those numbers fell off from Week 11 on, with Jacobs averaging 13.3 touches and 61 scrimmage yards per game with three total TDs. Despite having nearly 70 fewer carries than he did in his first season with the Packers, Jacobs still was a huge asset in the red zone, posting double-digit rush TDs for the second straight season and fourth time in his career.

Rank

D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears · Year 6

Reuniting with Ben Johnson was just what Swift needed to increase his efficiency. After posting fewer than 4.0 yards per carry last season, Swift averaged 4.9 yards per attempt while splitting time with rookie Kyle Monangai. That allowed him to become the first Bears RB with at least 1,000 rush yards since David Montgomery in 2020. And here's one more bonus nugget for you: Swift is one of five backs drafted outside of Round 1 since 2000 with five-plus rush TDs in each of his first six seasons, joining Montgomery, Derrick Henry, Clinton Portis and yours truly. You love to see it.

Rank

Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks · Year 4

Walker split carries with Zach Charbonnet but logged 1,000 receiving yards for the second time in his career. He's a big reason the Seahawks finished the campaign strong, as they averaged 171.3 rush yards per game in the final three weeks of the season when the division and NFC's top seed were on the line. Walker showed his worth in a contract year and should make some good money in free agency, whether from Seattle or another team.

Rank

Rico Dowdle

Carolina Panthers · Year 6

Dowdle made the most of his opportunity with the Panthers by posting his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. The highlight of his campaign came in Weeks 5-9 when he rushed for a league-high 130.4 yards per game. His production tailed off in the season's second half, when he averaged just 42.6 rush yards per game, leaving a question mark about whether the Panthers will re-sign him in the offseason. For the record, I still think they should.

Rank

Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals · Year 3

Brown registered career highs in carries, rush yards, targets, receptions and TD receptions in 2025. He's a dynamic player but deserves more touches in Cincinnati's pass-heavy offense. The Bengals ranked in the bottom four of the league in carries and rushing. I would love to see them play with a little more balance and get Brown, who posted 10 games with at least 90 scrimmage yards since Week 7, more attempts.

Rank

Breece Hall

New York Jets · Year 4

Give Hall his flowers for logging 1,000 rush yards in that offense. The fourth-year pro was easily the biggest bright spot on the 2025 Jets and should earn a big payday this offseason. He's a top-seven back when it comes to talent. With better pieces around him, he could easily rank even higher. The Jets must re-sign him.

Rank

Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans · Year 7

The Titans offense showed some improvement in December, and Pollard played a big part in that success. The veteran running back rushed for 100-plus yards in three straight games -- the Titans won two of those contests -- to help him surpass 1,000 rush yards for the fourth straight campaign.

Rank

Cam Skattebo

New York Giants · Rookie

Skattebo made a huge impact on a young Giants offense prior to his season-ending ankle injury just eight games into his rookie campaign. He was the best running back in this year's rookie class and was on his way to becoming a top-10 player at the position prior to the injury, thanks to some noteworthy performances (SEE: three TDs vs. Philly). If he makes a full recovery and can stay healthy, Skattebo should build off his promising campaign next season under a new regime.

Rank

Quinshon Judkins

Cleveland Browns · Rookie

There wasn't much to get excited about in the Browns offense this season, as the unit ranked 31st in scoring and 30th in yards. The rookie class was a bright spot, though, and Judkins put some nice things on tape, including a 110-yard rushing outing in London. Despite his season ending in Week 16 with a gruesome leg injury, Judkins finished third in rush yards among rookies.

Rank

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Washington Commanders · Rookie

The Commanders had four running backs with starts this season and couldn't shake the injury bug at really any position. Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. took turns starting after Austin Ekeler's season-ending injury in Week 2. JCM had a pair of notable performances in which he rushed for more than 100 yards and had multiple rush TDs (Weeks 5 and 17). The seventh-round rookie has talent but needs to find more consistency.

Rank

J.K. Dobbins

Denver Broncos · Year 6

Dobbins was having a great season before a Lisfanc injury landed him on IR. Despite playing in 10 games, the physical vet led the Broncos in rush yards for the season. He was a great fit in Sean Payton's offense, and even with Dobbins' injury history, I would be surprised if Denver doesn't bring him back on a team-friendly deal this offseason.

Rank

Ashton Jeanty

Las Vegas Raiders · Rookie

Jeanty's rookie season didn't go quite as we thought it would. The Raiders underperformed in most offensive areas, starting with the offensive line, and it led to the firing of OC Chip Kelly in late November. Jeanty did put some positives on tape and I'm not going to write off his 1,321 scrimmage yards, which broke Josh Jacobs' team record for most by a Raiders rookie, but there's a lot more to be desired with this talented young back. Hopefully, we'll see just how special he is under a new regime.

Rank

Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Year 2

Irving struggled to stay healthy a year after his rookie breakout campaign. He scored only once on the ground in 10 games and rushed for more than 4.0 yards per tote in only two of those games. Irving still led the team in carries and rush yards, which pretty much sums up the Bucs offense in 2025. The next offensive coordinator must find ways to get this backfield going.

Rank

TreVeyon Henderson

New England Patriots · Rooke

The Patriots don't have a top-six rushing attack without the dependable backfield duo of Henderson and veteran Rhamondre Stevenson. The rookie led the team in carries, rush yards, rush TDs and scrimmage yards (1,132), and his success was highlighted by his explosiveness. Henderson posted four rush touchdowns of 50-plus yards in 2025, tied for the most by a rookie in NFL history.

Rank

Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots · Year 5

Stevenson slots in right behind his teammate. He has an equally dynamic skill set but was banged up some and had a slower start to the campaign. In his first 10 games, Stevenson averaged 32.4 rush yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. In his final four games, the vet had 69.8 rush yards per game and 9.6 yards per carry. It was nice to see a strong finish.

Rank

Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers · Year 5

After a superb 2024 campaign in which the Panthers extended Hubbard midseason, his production dropped significantly in 2025 when partnering with Rico Dowdle in the backfield. Hubbard lost the starting job midway through 2025 and finished the year with only one rush TD and without a 100-yard rushing performance (he had four such games in 2024).

Rank

Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers · Year 4

In his first season as the starter, Warren posted career highs in carries, rush yards, rush TDs and receiving TDs. He mainly struggled with consistency, posting only two 100-yard rushing performances in Weeks 7 and 16. As I mentioned last month, Pittsburgh needs an improved run game in 2026, so the pressure is on Warren to become more consistent in his second year as the team's lead back.

Rank

Woody Marks

Houston Texans · Rookie

The rookie was a consistent player for the Texans, though his 3.6 yards per carry were the second-fewest among 52 players with at least 100 carries in 2025. Marks showed a lot more in his first pro season than I saw from him at USC.

Rank

Kimani Vidal

Los Angeles Chargers · Year 2

The sixth-round rookie found his way onto the field after early-season injuries to both Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. Vidal, who rushed for an impressive 124 yards on 18 carries in his first-career start in Week 6, ended up leading the team in carries and rush yards.

Rank

Jordan Mason

Minnesota Vikings · Year 4

Mason was great in his first season in Minnesota and led the team in most rushing categories out of the backfield. The Vikings ranked in the bottom six in rushing attempts -- surprising considering all of the QB troubles -- and Mason's 4.8 rush yards per attempt should've swayed Kevin O'Connell to lean more heavily on the physical fourth-year back. I'm curious to see if O'Connell uses Mason more in his second season with the club.

Rank

Kyle Monangai

Chicago Bears · Rookie

The rookie was a perfect fit for Ben Johnson's offense and a great complement to veteran Swift. Monangai gradually worked his way onto the field, earning his first double-digit carry outing in Week 6 and finishing the campaign with two 100-yard performances. Monangai and Swift became the second pair of Bears RBs to each have 750-plus rush yards in the same season, joining Hall of Famer Walter Payton and Roland Harper in 1978. Monangai showed a lot of promise in Year 1, a great foundation of what's to come in this offense.

Rank

Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs · Year 9

The Chiefs didn't have much of a run game in 2025 as the team shuffled through backs frequently. An injury to Isiah Pacheco led to Hunt gaining a bigger role, and he ended up leading the team in carries, rush yards and rush TDs. Hunt is a free agent and so is Pacheco. This backfield needs a reset.

Rank

Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants · Year 2

After jumping on the scene as a rookie, Tracy's production dipped in Year 2. He began the season as the starter but quickly lost that job to rookie Cam Skattebo, only to reclaim it when Skattebo was lost for the season in late October. Tracy had one 100-yard rushing performance (Week 18) and didn't elevate the struggling offense enough when he was on the field.

Rank

Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings · Year 9

The 31-year-old struggled to stay healthy and eventually took a backseat to Jordan Mason, who logged more carries, rush yards and rush TDs than Jones. The nine-year vet was still efficient when available and looked explosive at times, but you have to wonder what his role will look like in Kevin O'Connell's offense in 2026.

Rank

Kenneth Gainwell

Pittsburgh Steelers · Year 5

Gainwell played a huge role in the Steelers' dink-and-dunk pass offense. The fifth-year pro led the team in receptions after logging five-plus catches in six of his last eight regular-season contests. Pittsburgh's 25th-ranked overall offense would have been far worse without Gainwell in the backfield.

Rank

RJ Harvey

Denver Broncos · Rookie

The rookie took on the role of featured back after J.K. Dobbins went down with an injury in Week 10, averaging 16.9 touches per game from that point through the end of the regular season. He's gotten good volume but his efficiency in the run game hasn't been all that great (3.7 yards per carry). I will say that he's been a great asset in the pass game and a beast near the goal line. He led all Broncos and rookies with 12 scrimmage touchdowns in 2025.

Rank

Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons · Year 4

Allgeier didn't get much shine with Bijan heavily featured in the Falcons attack, but he served as a great change-of-pace back and made his money in the red zone with a team-high eight rush touchdowns. If Atlanta lets Allgeier hit free agency, he'll likely earn an upgraded role on another team.

Rank

Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints · Year 9

I'm still surprised how little Kellen Moore used a healthy Kamara early in the season. The five-time Pro Bowler averaged his lowest attempts per game (11.9) since his rookie season (7.5), when he backed up Mark Ingram. But now that the quarterback position seems a little more settled, maybe Moore will look to get Kamara more involved.

Rank

Omarion Hampton

Los Angeles Chargers · Rookie

Hampton's talent is undeniable but the injuries limited him too often in 2025. He was efficient when he was available, averaging 60.6 rush yards per game, the most by a Chargers rookie since LaDainian Tomlinson. But with all the O-line injuries his team endured this season, Los Angeles needed him on the field.

Rank

Rachaad White

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Year 4

White's production has decreased in each of the last three seasons. It's telling that, in the games White started when RB1 Bucky Irving was sidelined, Sean Tucker got a lot of carries. In fact, Tucker was the only Bucs running back to rush for 100 yards in a game in 2025. White is a free agent this offseason and will likely get a fresh start elsewhere.

Rank

Nick Chubb

Houston Texans · Year 8

Chubb began the season as Houston's starter but was passed up by rookie Woody Marks midway through the season. He was banged up some and never had more than 10 carries in a game after Week 9. What should be a concern for Houston is that Chubb's three rush TDs led the team.

Rank

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Washington Commanders · Year 3

A majority of Rodriguez's carries came in the second half of the season. He also scored in five of Washington's final seven games. A restricted free agent this offseason, the three-year pro should be back next season to build on the best campaign of his young career.

Rank

Ollie Gordon II

Miami Dolphins · Rookie

The sixth-round rookie had at least one carry in all but one game and flashed at times. The big-bodied back was a key contributor near the goal line and in short-yardage situations. Jaylen Wright was a more efficient runner but only played in 10 games, which is why I ranked the dependable and available Gordon higher in this list.

Rank

Emanuel Wilson

Green Bay Packers · Year 3

Wilson has carved out a nice role in Matt LaFleur's offense, as he's gotten more touches in each of his three seasons in Green Bay. He played 31 percent of the team's offensive snaps and even returned kickoffs late in the year. The soon-to-be free agent's best outing came in Week 13, when he rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries as the spot starter for an injured Josh Jacobs.

Rank

Devin Singletary

New York Giants · Year 7

Singletary saw the bulk of his carries in the second half of the season, and much like the rest of the Giants offense during that nine-game skid, his performances were mostly forgettable. The one that stands out was his two-TD showing in a Week 11 loss to Green Bay.

Rank

Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs · Year 4

A knee injury sidelined Pacheco in late October and he never was able to really get going when he returned nearly a month later. It was a forgettable season for the fourth-year pro, who failed to rush for more than 60 yards in any game. The soon-to-be free agent could be headed elsewhere.

Rank

Michael Carter

Arizona Cardinals · Year 5

The Cardinals went through a laundry list of starters at the running back position because no one could stay healthy. Though Bam Knight had the most starts (eight), Carter led the team in carries and rush yards and was a dependable target for Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett. Carter is a free agent in March.

Rank

Samaje Perine

Cincinnati Bengals · Year 9

In rejoining the Bengals after two seasons in Denver and Kansas City, Perine was a solid change-of-pace option for Cincinnati's rushing attack. His three rush TDs matched his career high in a single season (2020).

Rank

Tank Bigsby

Philadelphia Eagles · Year 3

Bigsby was traded from Jacksonville to Philly after the opening week of the regular season. He handled return duty early in the campaign and was an efficient backup to Saquon Barkley, averaging nearly 6.0 yards per carry.

Rank

Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans · Year 3

Rank

Bam Knight

Arizona Cardinals · Year 4

Rank

Jaylen Wright

Miami Dolphins · Year 2

Rank

Dylan Sampson

Cleveland Browns · Rookie