NFL Analysis
11/8/24
12 min read
Ranking NFL's Top 25 Running Backs At 2024 Midseason
It’s been a bit of a renaissance for the running back position this offseason. After years of the position being devalued and running back by committees taking the league by storm, we are seeing several running backs post massive stats to start the season. But which running backs have been the best this season? We ranked the top 25 running backs in the NFL going into Week 10.
For the purposes of this article, we are only looking at running backs with at least 90 carries through Week 9.
We included rushing success rate (via Pro Football Reference), which helps show which running backs have been the most helpful to their offenses. So, without further ado, here is our list from No. 1 to No. 25.
Midseason NFL Running Back Rankings
1. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens 
Rushing Stats: 168 carries for 1,052 yards and 11 TDs
Success Rate: 54.8% (9/36)
The No. 1 running back in the NFL this season couldn’t be any clearer. Going into Week 10, Derrick Henry leads the NFL in attempts, yards, rushing touchdowns, yards scrimmage, and scrimmage touchdowns.
He is averaging a whopping 117 rushing yards per game on top of averaging 6.3 yards per rush. Henry is a perfect fit for Baltimore’s offense, and the fact that he’s already more than 12,000 yards from scrimmage with 106 total touchdowns makes him a lock for the Hall of Fame.
2. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Rushing Stats: 157 carries for 925 yards and 6 TDs
Success Rate: 53.5% (11/36)
A change of scenery is exactly what Saquon Barkley needed to remind everyone just how talented he is as a player. Barkley is averaging a career-high 115.6 rushing yards per game on top of 5.9 yards per carry.
He hasn’t been used much as a receiver, but that doesn’t matter when he’s been that effective as a runner. It's a shame that Barkley wasn't on a better team earlier in his career, but now you are seeing why he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
3. Jahymr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Rushing Stats: 103 carries for 656 yards and 7 TDs
Success Rate: 63.1% (1/36)
Jahmyr Gibbs couldn’t be any different from Derrick Henry. While Henry racks up the touches, Gibbs is the league’s most efficient back.
He’s No. 1 in success rate among all running backs, and he’s averaging 6.7 yards per touch this year. Gibbs is a big-play machine, and the fact that he continues to rack up the touchdowns makes him an easy pick at No. 3.
4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Rushing Stats: 135 carries for 632 yards and 4 TDs
Success Rate: 56.3% (6/36)
Bijan Robinson had a successful rookie season, but there is no doubt he is a better player in Year 2. His numbers are up across the board, and he’s developed into a real weapon for the Falcons.
He’s one of the toughest running backs to tackle in the open field, but his inside running ability has significantly improved. Robinson in on pace to rack up more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage, and that seems attainable at this point in the year.
5. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Rushing Stats: 133 carries for 665 yards and 5 TDs
Success Rate: 57.9% (3/36)
The Panthers rewarded Chuba Hubbard with a contract extension on Thursday, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s third in the NFL in success rate among running backs, but he’s No. 1 among running backs with at least 125 carries.
He’s averaging a career-high 5.0 yards per carry despite playing on one of the worst offenses in the league. Time will tell how he’ll split work with Jonathon Brooks, but Hubbard is one of the league’s best backs this season.
6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Rushing Stats: 109 carries for 496 yards and 7 TDs
Success Rate: 56.0% (7/36)
James Cook has been exactly the player the Bills have needed for a while to take their offense to the next level. Not only is he a dynamic running back, but he is a great receiver who can be a real weapon in the passing game.
The Bills have done a good job of making him the featured back, but also leaning into Ray Davis to spell him. Cook has already scored a career-high eight touchdowns on just 128 touches and gives them another weapon to take the pressure off of Josh Allen.
7. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Rushing Stats: 158 carries for 762 yards and 3 TDs
Success Rate: 52.5% (15/36)
The decision to swap out Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs has been a smart one so far for the Packers. He’s averaging nearly 100 yards from scrimmage per game this season, and his 4.8 yards per carry is among the best in the league among running backs with 150 or more carries.
Jacobs's biggest issue has always been health, not talent, but the fact that he’s held up well despite 177 touches is a great sign for Green Bay.
8. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Rushing Stats: 150 carries for 660 yards and 6 TDs
Success Rate: 53.5% (12/36)
It’s unfortunate that the Saints are having such a poor season because Alvin Kamara is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He is averaging a career-high 73.3 rushing yards per game and has already racked up 46 receptions on the season.
He’s close to matching his 2023 yardage total this year as he leads the NFL in touches. Kamara’s game is aging like a fine wine, and that’s why the Saints were comfortable giving him a contract extension this offseason.
9. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Rushing Stats: 93 carries for 420 yards and 2 TDs
Success Rate: 53.8% (10/36)
We knew that De'Von Achane wouldn’t be able to replicate his 7.8 yards per carry average from last year. But there is no doubt that he’s become a more complete back.
He’s already racked up 302 receiving yards, and most of that has come only when Tua Tagovailoa has been in the lineup. His success rate as a runner and receiver (59.5%) is well above average, and he’s done a better job of staying on the field this year.
10. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Rushing Stats: 105 carries for 502 yards and 5 TDs
Success Rate: 43.8% (31/36)
The constant movement at quarterback has really impacted the efficiency of Jonathan Taylor, but it's not hard to see his talent. He already has three performances this season of at least 100 rushing yards despite playing only six games.
He’s not the best short-yardage runner, which is why his success rate is low, but he is averaging 4.8 yards per rush and has scored five touchdowns on 115 touches.
If he can stay healthy for the second half of the season, look for his success rate to rise and for him to continue to average nearly 100 rushing yards per game the rest of the way.
11. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
Rushing Stats: 110 carries for 488 yards and 7 TDs
Success Rate: 55.5% (8/36)
While Jahmyr Gibbs gets most of the praise in Detroit, David Montgomery has turned himself into one of the league’s most efficient backs.
He has scored seven touchdowns on just 127 touches, and his ability to consistently grind out the tough yards makes him a perfect fit with Gibbs.
12. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Rushing Stats: 147 carries for 664 yards and 4 TDs
Success Rate: 53.1% (13/36)
Even at age 29, James Conner continues to be a productive running back in the NFL. He’s currently 13th in success rate among running backs, and he’s racked up 831 total yards in nine games.
Conner isn’t the same athlete he was a few years ago, but he is a cerebral back who knows how to get what’s blocked and a little bit more.
13. Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders
Rushing Stats: 101 carries for 461 yards and 6 TDs
Success Rate: 52.5% (16/36)
Jayden Daniels is the story in Washington, but Brian Robinson has been a big reason for Washington’s success. He’s averaging a career-high 4.6 yards per carry and gives Washington a physical presence on offense.
Robinson would be higher if he were a more prolific pass catcher, but his ability to be a punishing inside runner is exactly what Washington has needed for a while.
14. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
Rushing Stats: 99 carries for 398 yards and 6 TDs
Success Rate: 43.4% (32/36)
Kenneth Walker has not been the most efficient running back this year, but the offensive line and his early-season injury are to blame.
Walker has been fantastic when it comes to scoring touchdowns. He’s scored seven touchdowns in seven games, and he’s developed as a receiver, catching a career-high 30 passes. Look for Walker to be even better in the second half of the season as he gets healthy.
15. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Rushing Stats: 125 carries for 565 yards and 2 TDs
Success Rate: 52.8% (14/36)
Aaron Jones made the switch from Green Bay to Minnesota this offseason and is having one of the better years of his career.
He’s averaging more than 100 yards per game from scrimmage and has given the Vikings a veteran presence in the backfield that they’ve needed with Sam Darnold under center.
16. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Rushing Stats: 161 carries for 602 yards and 8 TDs
Success Rate: 49.1% (20/36)
Kyren Williams continues to be a workhorse running back for the Rams, racking up 181 touches in eight games.
He isn’t the most efficient running back, but the fact that he can handle a big workload and manage to be productive behind a makeshift offensive line is always impressive.
17. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Rushing Stats: 142 carries for 622 yards and 3 TDs
Success Rate: 46.5% (23/36)
After averaging just 4.0 yards per carry last year in Dallas, Tony Pollard is back up to 4.4 yards per carry and is up to 95 yards per game this season.
He doesn’t quite look as explosive as he did back in 2021 and 2022 in Dallas, but Pollard is a quality NFL starter who can be relied on to handle a big workload on any offense.
18. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Rushing Stats: 126 carries for 609 yards and 6 TDs
Success Rate: 44.4% (27/36)
Joe Mixon is third in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 101.5. He’s already seen 126 carries in just six games (21 attempts/game) and has racked up six touchdowns. He’s given the Texans a physical presence in the run game, but they would be wise to find a suitable backup for him so that he doesn’t wear down by the end of the season.
His success rate is lower because he never comes off the field, and there are some empty calorie runs by him at the end of drives. However, there is no doubt this has been a good year for Mixon so far when he’s on the field.
19. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
Rushing Stats: 134 carries for 685 yards and 3 TDs
Success Rate: 46.3% (25/36)
Jordan Mason did a fantastic job filling in for Christian McCaffrey for the first half of the season. His overall numbers are solid, but a shoulder injury has bothered him in the last few weeks and has impacted his efficiency.
He's not a threat in the passing game, which is why he is lower on our list. However, Mason is a quality player and one of the league's top backup running backs.
20. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rushing Stats: 136 carries for 592 yards and 2 TDs
Success Rate: 46.3 (24/36)
Najee Harris is in the final year of his rookie deal with the Steelers, but this is the best he's looked as a pro since being drafted in 2021.
He looks leaner and confident as Arthur Smith has relied on him to be the workhorse back in Pittsburgh. Harris will never be the most explosive or efficient back, but this is the best version that we've seen yet.
21. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Rushing Stats: 105 carries for 479 yards and 4 TDs
Success Rate: 51.4% (18/36)
It's taken a while for the Bengals to lean into Chase Brown being the No. 1 running back, but the offense is much better for it.
He provides explosiveness in the backfield, and he makes the offense even more dynamic. We'll see how he holds up with a bigger workload, but this has been a nice sophomore breakout season for Brown.
22. Breece Hall, New York Jets
Rushing Stats: 126 carries for 502 yards and 3 TDs
Success Rate: 42.9% (33/36)
There is no arguing that this has been a down season for Breece Hall. He just doesn't quite look like the same athlete that we saw during his rookie season, but things have started to click for him in the last few weeks.
The rest of the offense has dragged down his efficiency, but we know he is talented, and things should get turned around fairly soon.
23. Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Rushing Stats: 111 carries for 414 yards and 5 TDs
Success Rate: 60.4% (2/36)
Kareem Hunt joined the team midseason, but he has had a big impact on the offense. While his yards per carry are low, he's getting exactly what's blocked and has been excellent in short yardage.
It's clear that Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes trust him, which is why he's seen so much work over the last month. And with the No. 2 success rate in the league, we can expect that his massive workload will only continue.
24. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
Rushing Stats: 126 carries for 620 yards and 6 TDs
Success Rate: 41.3% (34/36)
J.K. Dobbins is averaging nearly 5.0 yards per carry this season, but a few long runs have skewed that average quite a bit. He's been among the least efficient backs in the NFL in terms of success rate, but he's given the Chargers a big-play threat that they've needed for a while.
With Gus Edwards returning to the lineup soon, we could see Dobbins' workload shrink. But that might be better for everyone as he is at his best with 12-15 touches per game.
25. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rushing Stats: 125 carries for 438 yards and 4 TDs
Success Rate: 48.2% (22/36)
Rhamondre Stevenson was rewarded with a contract this offseason but was actually benched at one point due to fumbles. He has now seen his yards per carry decrease in three consecutive seasons, and he has not averaged more than 2.6 yards per carry in any of his last three starts.
However, he still earns a huge workload behind one of the league's worst offensive lines and has been fairly productive doing so. But it's pretty clear that there is a big gap between him and the No. 24 running back on this list.
