NFL Analysis
8/22/24
12 min read
2024 NFL Power Rankings: Stacking Every Team's Running Back Room
The NFL has devalued the running back position over the last several seasons, and that has led to more teams using a running back-by-committee approach.
There are still a few teams that have true workhorsebacks, but those are few and far between. Which team has the best running back room heading into the 2024 season? And which rooms leave a lot to be desired?
Here is our ranking of each team’s running back stable going into the upcoming season:
>> READ MORE: Power Ranking Every WR Group
2024 Running Back Power Rankings
1. San Francisco 49ers 
The San Francisco 49ers don’t have much depth at running back, but they finish at No. 1 because they have the league's clear-cut top back.
Since joining the 49ers in 2022, Christian McCaffrey has averaged 119.8 yards per game and has scored 31 touchdowns in 27 regular season games. It also helps that McCaffrey has managed to play at least 16 games in the last two seasons, quieting some of the injury concerns. Look for Elijah Mitchell to get a chance to be the primary backup, but keep an eye out for Jordan Mason to eventually take that job.
2. Detroit Lions 
Not many teams have two running backs that would be considered high-caliber starters for most teams. But that’s what the Detroit Lions have in David Montgomery and Jahymr Gibbs.
Montgomery is the inside runner who handles most of the dirty work, while Gibbs is the explosive playmaker who gives the offense juice. Together, they form the NFL's best one-two combo.
3. Miami Dolphins 
Speed, speed, speed. That is the name of the game for the Miami Dolphins, and they have it in bunches at the running back position.
Raheem Mostert had a career year in 2023, leading the NFL in touchdowns with 21. De’Von Achanne had the highest yards per carry ever (7.8) among running backs with at least 100 carries. And now the Dolphins have added another speedster to the unit with Jaylen Wright from Tennessee. They are three-deep at running back, and all three should have big roles in 2024.
4. Atlanta Falcons 
Bijan Robinson had a very strong rookie season, but the expectations are even higher going into Year 2. There aren't many backs who are more talented than Robinson, and he should see a monster workload in 2024.
The Atlanta Falcons also have one of the better backup running backs in the league, Tyler Allegier, who is still expected to be featured in this offense.
5. Seattle Seahawks 
Kenneth Walker doesn’t get enough love, but he is an extremely talented running back who has scored 18 touchdowns in 26 starts. He’ll split snaps with Zach Charbonnet again in 2024, a former second-round pick from the 2023 draft. Together, the Seattle Seahawks have one of the league's better young duos.
6. New York Jets 
It’s amazing what Breece Hall has accomplished in two seasons with the New York Jets despite a major knee injury and poor offensive line play.
He is one of the league’s most dynamic running backs and is poised to have a massive season in 2024. The only real question here is who is the No. 2 running back, and how soon will Braelon Allen take that job? If he can be a factor this season, the Jets could shoot up this list even further.
7. Indianapolis Colts 
Jonathan Taylor has missed a lot of time in the last two seasons, but he has still averaged more than 86 rushing yards per game throughout his four-year career in the NFL.
He’s only 25 and is fully healthy for the first time in two seasons. If he can stay healthy, he’ll have an excellent chance of leading the NFL in rushing yards again.
8. Philadelphia Eagles 
Just how much will a change of scenery help Saquon Barkley? And just how much does he have left?
Those are both fair questions as we enter the 2024 season, but the upside alone is intriguing. If Barkley can stay on the field, the Philadelphia Eagles should have a top-five running back situation in the league.
9. Baltimore Ravens 
The Baltimore Ravens' backfield isn’t too dissimilar to the Eagles', as they hope a better offensive environment will help Derrick Henry prolong his career.
However, Henry is older and has a lot more wear and tear on his body. Keep an eye on Keaton Mitchell here, as he could become a factor in the second half of the season. He is coming off a major knee injury but was highly productive in the second half of last year.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers 
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren form one of the better one-two combos in the league, and their skills complement each other well. Harris is the between-the-tackle grinder, while Warren is the big-play back.
Don’t forget about Cordarrelle Patterson in this backfield either, who should see plenty of touches in Arthur Smith’s offense.
11. Green Bay Packers 
The Green Bay Packers decided to switch out Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs, and that was a wise decision.
Jacobs is a far younger player and is more likely to handle a big workload. MarShawn Lloyd and AJ Dillon give Green Bay solid depth at the position, but Jacobs will see nearly all of the work for the Packers this season.
12. Tennessee Titans 
The Derrick Henry era is officially over in Tennessee, but that doesn’t mean the Titans aren’t talented at running back.
Tony Pollard was signed this offseason, and he appears to be fully healthy again. He’ll be paired up with Tyjae Spears, giving them one of the most explosive backfields in the league.
13. Los Angeles Rams 
Kyren Williams had almost zero production as a rookie. But in Year 2, he exploded, averaging a league-high 95 rushing yards per game. He racked up 1,350 yards from scrimmage in 11 starts, and now the Los Angeles Rams have added Blake Corum to the backfield this offseason.
The Rams have two quality running backs that can handle monster workloads. And that will be needed in Sean McVay’s offense.
14. Chicago Bears 
The Chicago Bears have three quality running backs on their roster — D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Khalil Herbert. But it wouldn’t be surprising if Johnson or Herbert were moved at some point in the season, as there just aren’t enough touches to go around.
Swift is the clear-cut starter in this backfield and is a perfect fit with Caleb Williams and the rest of the offense.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 
Travis Etienne has posted back-to-back 1,400-yard seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but his yards per carry dropped to 3.8 last season. Tank Bigsby must have a bigger role in Year 2 for this unit to rise up the rankings.
16. New Orleans Saints 
The New Orleans Saints have an unusual running back situation as Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams make up the NFL's oldest running back duo.
Kendre Miller figures to be a part of this backfield in 2024 after earning just 41 carries in his rookie season. And we should mention that Taysom Hill will see plenty of touches. Who knows what his actual position is, but together, Hill, Kamara, and Williams make up a pretty good unit for New Orleans.
17. Cleveland Browns 
The Cleveland Browns are arguably the hardest team to rank on this list due to Nick Chubb's health. If he were fully healthy, the Browns would easily be inside the top five. But with his status still unknown for the 2024 season, they finish near the middle of the pack.
D’Onta Foreman and Jerome Ford are capable but unspectacular runners. Look for Foreman to be the lead back, with Chubb likely out for the first month of the season, and Ford to provide some speed and juice.
18. Buffalo Bills 
James Cook was red-hot to finish the 2023 season, averaging nearly 4.8 yards per carry. He finished the year with 1,500 yards from scrimmage, as the Buffalo Bills leaned on him heavily down the stretch.
He is one of the better starters in the league, but look for Ray Davis, a Day 3 rookie from Kentucky, to see the field some this season. If Davis can become a factor, the Bills should shoot up this list.
19. Kansas City Chiefs 
If you were to rank the No. 1 running backs on this list, Isiah Pacheco would be inside the top 15. However, the Kansas City Chiefs just don’t have much depth, and it’s the reason why they are ranked lower.
Pacheco reached career highs in rushing yards and touchdowns last season, and it’s reasonable to expect him to be even better in 2024. But who will be his primary backup this season? That has yet to be determined.
20. Minnesota Vikings 
How much does Aaron Jones have left in the tank? The Minnesota Vikings believe quite a bit after signing him away from the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
The good news is that Ty Chandler is a good backup and should have a solid role in the offense.
21. New England Patriots 
Rhamondre Stevenson earned a big contract extension, and he’s proven to be a quality starter when he’s on the field.
The biggest issue for the New England Patriots is their lack of depth, but the hope is that Antonio Gibson can be the No. 2 RB. If not, the Patriots might be in the running back market after the final cutdowns.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Rachaad White recorded more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage last year and scored nine touchdowns.
However, his 3.6 yards per carry left a lot to be desired. That’s probably why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Bucky Irving in the middle rounds this year. White will still be the starter, but look for Irving to get more work as the season progresses.
23. Houston Texans 
Just how much does Joe Mixon have left? The Houston Texans are betting that he can still be a featured back after acquiring him this offseason from the Bengals.
They have a capable backup in Dameon Pierce, just in case Mixon doesn’t have it.
24. Washington Commanders 
Brian Robinson is one of the more underappreciated runners in the league. He saw his numbers improve across the board last season, too.
Robinson racked up more than 1,100 yards last season and scored nine touchdowns, but the Washington Commanders signed Austin Ekeler to be their passing back. Ekeler didn’t look like the same player from last year, but a reduced role could benefit him. Don’t be surprised if this is a better-than-expected group this year.
25. Carolina Panthers 
The Carolina Panthers traded up for Jonathon Brooks during the 2024 draft, making him the first back off the board. He likely won’t be ready for the start of the year as he rehabs from a torn ACL, but Chuba Hubbard will start in his place.
The Panthers also have Miles Sanders on the roster, a former Pro Bowl running back from the Eagles. However, he was effectively benched last year. There is a good chance he will be traded at some point during the season, especially once Brooks is healthy.
26. Arizona Cardinals 
The Arizona Cardinals might be No. 26 on this list, but they are still in a good spot. James Conner is still a capable starter, even at 29.
But they now have an explosive replacement in Trey Benson, who was selected early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Conner is still the clear-cut starter, but look for Benson to get plenty of work during his rookie season.
27. Cincinnati Bengals 
The Cincinnati Bengals moved on from Joe Mixon this offseason, trading him to the Texans. They reshaped their backfield after signing Zack Moss to a nice deal.
Moss should handle most of the between-the-tackles work, while Chase Brown should provide the big plays in the passing game. Moss and Brown should make up a solid duo, but it’s a relatively unproven group.
28. Denver Broncos 
Javonte Williams is a bit of an enigma, but it appears he’ll win the Denver Broncos' starting job. Williams averaged a mediocre 3.6 yards per carry last season, but he appears much healthier after returning from a major knee injury.
Denver has a lot of depth in its backfield, but keep an eye on Audric Estime. The former Notre Dame star fell due to a slow 40-yard dash time, but his size and power could play a factor during his rookie season.
29. Las Vegas Raiders 
The Las Vegas Raiders are expecting big things from Zamir White in Year 3. So much so that they let Josh Jacobs leave in free agency for a modest price.
But keep an eye on Dylan Laube, a sixth-round pick from New Hampshire. He should be a big weapon in the passing game right away.
30. New York Giants 
Replacing Saquon Barkley will be difficult, but the New York Giants are excited about Devin Singletary, who played under Brian Daboll in Buffalo.
However, there are two young players worth watching: Eric Gray and Tyrone Tracy. Both players had fantastic preseason performances and could be big factors this season.
31. Los Angeles Chargers 
The Los Angeles Chargers are relying on J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to lead their backfield, and both have a significant injury history. Dobbins is younger but hasn't recorded more than 100 carries in a season since 2020 due to several major injuries.
Edwards is already dealing with another injury, and his status is in question for Week 1. The Chargers could be in the market for a veteran running back early in the 2024 season.
32. Dallas Cowboys 
Is there any doubt that the Dallas Cowboys would be at the bottom of the list? They brought back 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott, and the only other veterans on the roster are Rico Dowdle and Royce Freeman.
Deuce Vaughn could have a role as a passing-down back, that is, if he makes the roster. The Cowboys are a team primed to add another back during the final cutdowns.
