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A star running back can completely flip a game at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s a bruising bell cow or a shifty speedster, running backs can punish undisciplined defenses and score in bunches. With teams relying on more pass-heavy schemes, some of the league’s most talented backs have emerged as elite pass catchers who are security blankets for their QBs. Today, we’re looking at each NFL team’s starting running back heading into 2024 and ranking those 32 runners from worst to best.
32. Zamir White — Las Vegas Raiders
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2023 Stats: 17 games (4 starts), 104 attempts, 451 rush yards, 1 rush TD, 4.3 AVG, 15 receptions, 98 rec yards
The Raiders’ Zamir White unfortunately finds himself at the 32 spot of the NFL’s starting running backs. He’s a young back with some upside, but a lot of unknowns. He backed up Josh Jacobs last season in Las Vegas and carried the ball six times per game on average for a season total of 451 yards. With only one touchdown on the year, White, like the Raiders, has a lot of work to do in 2024.
31. Ezekiel Elliott? — Dallas Cowboys
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2023 Stats: 17 games (5 starts), 184 attempts, 642 rush yards, 3 rush TD, 3.5 AVG, 51 receptions, 313 rec yards, 2 rec TD
Zeke is back in Dallas, but rumors have circulated that he may not be with the team come Week 1. Any football fan who has watched Ohio State and the Dallas Cowboys in the last 10 years will tell you how electrifying Elliot was during his prime. Unfortunately, he is no longer the same. His production and workload have both fallen considerably, and the downward trend will likely continue. The other option in Dallas is Rico Dowdle, who only got 89 rushing attempts last year. If nothing changes, Dallas will be heavily reliant on Dak Prescott and the passing attack.
30. Javonte Williams — Denver Broncos
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2023 Stats: 16 games (13 starts), 217 attempts, 774 rush yards, 3 rush TD, 3.6 AVG, 47 receptions, 228 rec yards, 2 rec TD
Javonte Williams had a stellar rookie year in 2021, and many thought he might be Denver’s bell cow back for years to come. Unfortunately, Williams tore his ACL and LCL in 2022, cutting his year short. Last year he showed flashes of his former play that thrust him into starter conversation, but it was inconsistent. Low touchdown numbers and potential mechanical concerns put an extremely talented athlete’s future into question.
29. Zack Moss — Cincinnati Bengals
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2023 Stats: 14 games (8 starts), 183 attempts, 794 rush yards, 5 rush TD, 4.3 AVG, 27 receptions, 192 rec yards, 2 rec TD
Zack Moss is a solid pickup for the Bengals, but not a great replacement for Joe Mixon. Moss has yet to play a full season in his four-year career. Coming off a career year in Indianapolis however, the tides may be changing. Moss did not necessarily underperform, he saw 183 attempts and averaged 4.3 yards per carry, but he is likely not the running back to elevate your team from contender to championship winner.
28. Austin Ekeler — Washington Commanders
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2023 Stats: 14 games, 179 attempts, 628 rush yards, 5 rush TD, 3.5 AVG, 51 receptions, 436 rec yards, 1 rec TD
Just two seasons ago, Austin Ekeler tallied 1,600 yards of total offense and 18 touchdowns with the Chargers. Last season was not the same. Watching Ekeler run with the ball last season, it seemed like he had lost a step. His top-end speed looked dramatically slower, and he found the endzone only six times while he fumbled on five occasions. His counterpart, Brian Robinson Jr., had a decent second year in Washington. A switch in the depth chart at some point in the season may not be a reach.
27. Devin Singletary — New York Giants
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2023 Stats: 17 games (10 starts), 216 attempts, 898 rush yards, 4 rush TD, 4.2 AVG, 30 receptions, 193 rec yards
Devin Singletary will have some big shoes to fill this season in a city where underdelivering is not well tolerated. In his five-year career, Devin Singletary’s best ability has been availability. The importance of durability cannot be understated, especially at the running back position. The former Bill has only missed one game in his last four seasons and is seemingly always good for 800 yards and a few scores. Although nowhere near as explosive as Saquon Barkley, Singletary brings consistency to a team that is in serious need of it.
26. Chuba Hubbard — Carolina Panthers
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2023 Stats: 17 games (12 starts), 238 attempts, 902 rush yards, 5 rush TD, 3.8 AVG, 39 receptions, 233 rec yards
Unfortunately, Chuba Hubbard’s ranking is largely a product of the bad supporting cast he has around him. The Panthers struggled all season long last year, and it seemed like nothing could really go right. Despite the odds, Hubbard had a decent season himself, rushing for 900 yards and five touchdowns. With only three years under his belt, Hubbard is trending upward, but he will need the team around him to make leaps to improve his production.
25. Rhamondre Stevenson — New England Patriots
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2023 Stats: 12 games, 156 attempts, 619 rush yards, 4 rush TD, 4.0 AVG, 38 receptions, 238 rec yards
The illustrious dynasty that is the New England Patriots has entered a full-blown rebuild. The team was already nearly unrecognizable after losing Tom Brady, but with the departure of Bill Belichick, things look even more different. Rhamondre Stevenson has proved his worth as a rusher in the NFL. He was a member of the 1,000-yard club just two seasons ago, but after a slower year in 2023, poor touchdown production, and low receiving stats, he now finds himself in the lower echelon of his peers.
24. Gus Edwards — Los Angeles Chargers
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2023 Stats: 17 games (9 starts), 198 attempts, 810 rush yards, 13 rush TD, 4.1 AVG, 12 receptions, 180 rec yards
Gus Edwards is another of the many running backs on the move this offseason. Last year in Baltimore, Edwards rushed for a respectable 810 yards. Edwards displayed his value the most around the goal line, scoring 13 touchdowns for the Ravens. It’s hard to lead your team in rushing when your quarterback is one of the most prolific runners in the entire league, so his mundane production cannot be solely placed on his shoulders. However, Edwards provides almost nothing in the passing game. Throughout his five-year career, he has caught 30 passes for zero touchdowns. Edwards and the Harbaugh-led Chargers are in for an interesting season in Los Angeles.
23. Alvin Kamara — New Orleans Saints
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2023 Stats: 13 games (12 starts), 180 attempts, 694 rush yards, 5 rush TD, 3.9 AVG, 75 receptions, 466 rec yards, 1 rec TD
Alvin Kamara, surprisingly, has never rushed for 1,000 yards in his NFL career, and it does not appear that this is the year it will happen. Fortunately, since entering the league, he has been a premier pass-catching back. Coming off a career-low 1,160-yard (rushing plus receiving) season, neither the Saints nor Kamara looks to be in store for a great 2024 season.
22. Tony Pollard — Tennessee Titans
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2023 Stats: 17 games, 252 attempts, 1005 rush yards, 6 rush TD, 4.0 AVG, 55 receptions, 311 rec yards
If Tony Pollard was still a Cowboy, he may be higher on this list, but he is not. Pollard will have to transition from what was a good offensive line in Dallas, to one of the worst in the league last year in Tennessee. Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Pollard appears to be in the prime of his career, but the Titans are going to need a lot of improvement around their RB1.
21. Kenneth Walker III — Seattle Seahawks
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2023 Stats: 15 games, 219 attempts, 905 rush yards, 8 rush TD, 4.1 AVG, 29 receptions, 259 rec yards, 1 rec TD
The Seahawks plan to enter Week 1 of the 2024 season with Kenneth Walker III as their starting running back. Walker has been productive in his two years in the league. Walker is a powerful, explosive runner with solid straight-line speed. This will be Seattle’s first season without their long-time head coach Pete Carrol, so naturally, things are going to look a little bit (or a lot) different. The Geno Smith-led offense took a little step back last year, but retaining DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett ensures his primary weapons will stay in place. Seattle’s offense should look to rely on Walker early and often in games.
20. Rachaad White — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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2023 Stats: 17 games, 272 attempts, 990 rush yards, 6 rush TD, 3.6 AVG, 64 receptions, 549 rec yards, 3 rec TD
The Buccaneers will welcome back Rachaad White for his third year with the team in 2024. White put together a solid 2023 campaign, finishing the year just under 1,000 yards rushing. His numbers are bolstered by 500 yards through the air and a trio of receiving touchdowns. White has shown the ability to be a difference-maker in both the rushing and pass-catching attack. While there is room to grow, White has shown no health concerns in his career and proved last year that he can carry the load of a starting back.
19. James Conner — Arizona Cardinals
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2023 Stats: 13 games, 208 attempts, 1040 rush yards, 7 rush TD, 5.0 AVG, 27 receptions, 165 rec yards, 2 rec TD
James Conner sneakily averaged 80 yards per game en route to a 1,000-yard year with the lackluster Arizona Cardinals last season. Conner has never been much of a factor in the passing attack throughout his career, and it is unlikely that will change in his eighth season as a pro. The Cardinals added former Bengal Jonah Williams to the offensive line this offseason, and of course, drafted Ohio State star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Much of the spotlight will fall on Kyler Murray and Harrison Jr., but a strong run game will be essential for that duo to shine.
18. Aaron Jones — Minnesota Vikings
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2023 Stats: 11 games, 142 attempts, 656 rush yards, 2 rush TD, 4.6 AVG, 30 receptions, 233 rec yards, 1 rec TD
The Minnesota Vikings are one of the biggest question marks in the league for 2024. The immediate question – will Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy be the starting QB? Regardless, Aaron Jones will be Minnesota’s new starter at running back. After hopping across the lake from Green Bay where he shared the backfield with AJ Dillion, Jones will look to have a career resurgence as he approaches the fateful age of 30.
17. James Cook — Buffalo Bills
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2023 Stats: 17 games (13 starts), 237 attempts, 1122 rush yards, 2 rush TD, 4.7 AVG, 44 receptions, 445 rec yards, 4 rec TD
Formerly known as “Dalvin Cook’s brother,” James Cook broke into his own last season. The Bills running back started 13 games for Buffalo in 2023, getting nearly 14 touches per game. The young back has no talent shortage but has lacked production in the points department. With only two rushing touchdowns (compared to his quarterback’s 15), Cook needs to find the endzone more to take his game to the next level.
16. Najee Harris — Pittsburgh Steelers
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2023 Stats: 17 games, 255 attempts, 1035 rush yards, 8 rush TD, 4.1 AVG, 29 receptions, 170 rec yards
Najee Harris gets his fair share of criticism from NFL fans for his seemingly sub-par awareness and hole recognition, but despite that, he had a good year statistically in Pittsburgh. Harris has yet to rush for less than 1,000 yards in his three-year pro career. With a season-long run of just 25 yards, he leaves a little to be desired in the explosive play department, but he has failed to miss a game in his career thus far. Notably, the Steelers spent their first two picks in the 2024 draft on offensive linemen. Whether it will be Fields or Wilson starting under center for the Steelers next season, Najee Harris will likely be staring down the barrel of another 250+ carry season.
15. Jonathan Taylor — Indianapolis Colts
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2023 Stats: 10 games (7 starts), 169 attempts, 741 rush yards, 7 rush TD, 4.4 AVG, 19 receptions, 153 rec yards, 1 rec TD
Jonathan Taylor has not quite looked the same since his spectacular 1,800-yard, 18-touchdown season in 2021. Last season, a muddled cocktail of contract issues and an ankle injury kept the Colts’ star off the field to start the season. He also missed another three games due to a hand injury. Regardless of his time spent off the field, Taylor still found a way to show his value when he did play, finishing in the top 30 of all backs in rushing yards. Health will play a massive role in this upcoming season, but provided he can stay game-ready, Taylor will be a force behind second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
14. Travis Etienne Jr. — Jacksonville Jaguars
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2023 Stats: 17 games, 267 attempts, 1008 rush yards, 11 rush TD, 3.8 AVG, 58 receptions, 476 rec yards, 1 rec TD
The Jaguars had one of the most disappointing seasons of any team in the league last year. However, one bright spot was their young running back, Travis Etienne. A small drop in his yards per carry may be overlooked when considering his increased involvement in the passing game. A better year for Trevor Lawrence after a sizable contract extension would only help to open up running lanes for his star running back.
13. Josh Jacobs — Green Bay Packers
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2023 Stats: 13 games, 233 attempts, 805 rush yards, 6 rush TD, 3.5 AVG, 37 receptions, 296 rec yards
Freed from the grasp of the seemingly cursed Las Vegas Raiders, Josh Jacobs has found a new home in Green Bay. Jacobs saw his lowest season rushing total of his career last year. His four missed games and coaching fluctuations during the season are to blame for at least part of that downturn. If there was a quarterly MVP award in the NFL, his new quarterback likely would have taken one of those trophies home last season. Jordan Love and the Packers offense got hot when it mattered last year, making it to the divisional round of the playoffs. If things continue to trend in the same direction, the post-Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay could be a great one.
12. D’Andre Swift — Chicago Bears
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2023 Stats: 16 games (15 starts), 229 attempts, 1049 rush yards, 5 rush TD, 4.6 AVG, 39 receptions, 214 rec yards, 1 rec TD
The Bears have undergone one of the most dramatic offseason revamps in the league. They drafted what they hope to finally be their franchise quarterback, acquired Keenan Allen, and signed D’Andre Swift. Swift was a top-5 rusher in the league with the Eagles, and at 25, he should still have plenty left in the tank. If the Bears offense is to be as good as anticipated, Swift must play an integral role.
11. Saquon Barkley — Philadelphia Eagles
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2023 Stats: 14 games, 247 attempts, 962 rush yards, 6 rush TD, 3.9 AVG, 41 receptions, 280 rec yards, 4 rec TD
Another new home for another great running back. It’s not an uncommon take that Saquon Barkley was held back by things that were out of his control in New York. This season with Philadelphia, that excuse won’t be there. Losing Jason Kelce to retirement will undoubtedly affect the Eagles’ O-line play as a whole next season, but considering what Barkley had been through with the Giants, he will get by. A productive, efficient Saquon can certainly take the league by storm.
10. Isaiah Pacheco — Kansas City Chiefs
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2023 Stats: 14 games (13 starts), 205 attempts, 935 rush yards, 7 rush TD, 4.6 AVG, 44 receptions, 244 rec yards, 2 rec TD
Isaiah Pacheco will begin his third season with the defending champion Chiefs in 2024. Pacheco averaged 66 yards per game last season, and frankly, that proved to be all the Chiefs needed to get the job done. In the playoffs last year, the young back’s stats all trended up. Kansas City will be a pass-first offense as long as Patrick Mahomes has the reins, but a solid back who does not turn the ball over is always a hot commodity. An improved pass-catching game would take Pacheco and the Chiefs to new heights.
9. David Montgomery — Detroit Lions
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2023 Stats: 14 games, 219 attempts, 1015 rush yards, 13 rush TD, 4.6 AVG, 16 receptions, 117 rec yards
David Montgomery does not seem to get the credit he deserves for the role he played in Detroit’s success last season. Montgomery’s first year with the Lions was the best of his career, surpassing 1,000 yards for the second time, and tallying a career-best 13 trips to the endzone. One would be remiss not to mention his running mate Jahmyr Gibbs when talking about the Lions’ run game. Gibbs did a lot with less in Detroit, falling just shy of his counterpart in both yards (945) and touchdowns (10). The tough running of Montgomery paired with the explosiveness of the second-year speedster should make for another year of massive success in the Motor City.
8. Joe Mixon — Houston Texans
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2023 Stats: 17 games, 257 attempts, 1034 rush yards, 9 rush TD, 4.0 AVG, 52 receptions, 376 rec yards, 3 rec TD
The CJ Stroud-led Texans offense was one of the more exciting offenses in the league last year, but it seemed as though they were missing something. Devin Singletary was a serviceable back for Houston last season, but the addition of former Bengal Joe Mixon should increase that offense’s potency even more. Mixon handled the ball 257 times for Cincinnati last year and did not lose the ball once. Expect a solid year from the Oklahoma product behind a better offensive line and a potent passing attack.
7. Bijan Robinson — Atlanta Falcons
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2023 Stats: 17 games (16 starts), 214 attempts, 976 rush yards, 4 rush TD, 4.6 AVG, 58 receptions, 487 rec yards, 4 rec TD
Bijan Robinson still has a lot to prove in the NFL, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a young back with more talent. Under a largely dysfunctional Falcons coaching and management team, Robinson’s star still shone through. The lack of a consistent starting quarterback killed any chance of an offensive groove for the Falcons last year. This season, Atlanta hopes to change that with Kirk Cousins. If Cousins and the offensive line can remain healthy, it should not come as a surprise if the sophomore running back finishes near the top of the pack in yards.
6. Raheem Mostert — Miami Dolphins
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2023 Stats: 15 games, 209 attempts, 1012 rush yards, 18 rush TD, 4.8 AVG, 25 receptions, 175 rec yards, 3 rec TD
The league leader in rushing touchdowns is no goal-line merchant. Raheem Mostert recorded the third-fastest in-game speed of any player in the league last season. The two players ahead of him? His teammates Tyreek Hill and fellow back De’Von Achane. Miami’s monster backfield of Mostert, Achane, Wright, and Wilson Jr. may lead to fewer overall touches for their number one guy, but with top-end speed like his, any given play could break off big.
5. Kyren Williams — Los Angeles Rams
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2023 Stats: 12 games (11 starts), 228 attempts, 1144 rush yards, 12 rush TD, 5.0 AVG, 32 receptions, 206 rec yards, 3 rec TD
At just 23 years old, Rams running back Kyren Williams is one of the youngest starting rushers in the league. In 12 games for Los Angeles last season, Williams managed to finish third in total rushing yards, averaging 95 yards per game, the highest in the league. In what will hopefully be his first full season as a starter, Williams should complement the passing attack of the Rams nicely.
4. Breece Hall — New York Jets
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2023 Stats: 17 games (16 starts), 223 attempts, 994 rush yards, 5 rush TD, 4.5 AVG, 76 receptions, 591 rec yards, 4 rec TD
Third-year Jets running back Breece Hall is poised to have a career year this season in New York. The 23-year-old showed flashes of greatness in his first pro campaign but was cut down by an ACL injury. In his sophomore season in 2023, Hall came into his own, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and tallying 994 yards on the year. As the clear-cut RB1 for the Jets, Hall has the return of Aaron Rodgers to look forward to this year. The elder statesman quarterback’s presence alone should open up running lanes that Hall has yet to see.
3. Derrick Henry — Baltimore Ravens
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2023 Stats: 17 games, 280 attempts, 1167 rush yards, 12 rush TD, 4.2 AVG, 28 receptions, 214 rec yards
A familiar face in a new place, Derrick Henry will look to start his Ravens career on a high. Three seasons removed from his 2,000-yard season with the Titans, the 30-year-old showed that he’s still got it. After losing three starters on the offensive line this offseason, Baltimore may experience some struggles early in the season. If Henry can duplicate even his 4.2 yards per carry from last year, he and reigning MVP Lamar Jackson will appear to be a match made in heaven.
2. Nick Chubb — Cleveland Browns
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2023 Stats: 2 games, 28 attempts, 170 yards, 6.1 AVG, 4 receptions, 21 rec yards
Cleveland bell cow Nick Chubb is set to return in 2024 after playing in just two games last season for the Browns. Chubb’s ACL tear against the Steelers was about as gruesome as they get, and eerily similar to his devastating knee injury during his collegiate career when he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL. This July, to the pleasure of his fans, Chubb shared a video to social media of him squatting an insane 585 pounds just eight months post-knee surgery. In his five NFL seasons preceding his injury-shortened 2023, Chubb rushed for over 1,000 yards every season (except for his rookie year where he came up 4 yards shy). Scoring no less than eight touchdowns in each of his first five seasons with the Browns, Chubb has proven there isn’t a better pure rusher in today’s league.
1. Christian McCaffrey — San Francisco 49ers
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2023 Stats: 16 games, 272 attempts, 1459 rush yards, 14 rush TD, 5.4 AVG, 67 receptions, 564 rec yards, 7 rec TD
Number one may be the most clear-cut spot on this list. Christian McCaffrey separated himself from the pack last season by nearly becoming the first non-quarterback to win the NFL’s MVP award since Adrian Peterson in 2012. In his eighth professional season, the former Carolina Panther accounted for 2,023 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns. One knock (one of the very few) on the 49ers starting running back is his ability to stay healthy for the duration of a full season, but in his last two campaigns in San Francisco, McCaffrey has only missed one regular-season game due to injury. With much of his supporting cast still in place, McCaffrey is poised to have another huge year in 2024.
