I love football, especially when it comes to running backs. Every NFL season, I spend a lot of time talking about which teams have the best running backs in their arsenal. Without a doubt, the top running back in the NFL right now is Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans. He has been the most consistent and reliable back since being drafted and he’s shown no signs of slowing down.
Of course, there is a lot of disagreement about who the second best running back is in the NFL. Some will say it’s Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers, while others contend that Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys is the best. Personally, I think Elliott has had an incredible season and is a great runner, but if I had to choose second best it would be McCaffrey.
He’s a dynamo on the field, using his elusiveness, agility, and football IQ to make plays. He’s also an excellent pass catcher, something not too many running backs in in this era are good at. McCaffrey might not have the yardage that Elliott does but he has more touchdowns, receptions and long runs than Elliott. That, combined with his ability to make plays with his feet, makes him one of the best guys around.
Dalvin Cook is another great one, he came off an incredible season and has really asserted himself as one of the elite rushers in the league. He has a great high-motor and is very difficult to take down, which makes him a dangerous runner that opposing defenses have to worry about. Not only that, but he has also become a receiving threat, showing great chemistry with a number of the quarterbacks he’s played with.
Even though he’s older, I have to mention Adrian Peterson. He is still one of the best in the league when it comes to running backs. He’s still got the skill set and the strength to be a dangerous runner. Plus, he has so much experience which is incredibly beneficial for any team.
Then, there’s Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, who is also an exciting player to watch. He is explosive from start to finish and has the power and speed to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. He’s also a great receiver and has some of the best agility and quickness in the NFL.
Finally, I have to mention Joe Mixon of Cincinnati Bengals. He may not have put up massive numbers this season, but he still has the skill set to be a productive running back. He’s got great vision and the ability to find holes in the defense. He’s also got great hands, making him a dual-threat running back.
To conclude these NFL running back rankings, All of these players have gone through their own set of struggles and have worked hard to reach the rankings they’re at today. Every year, the NFL has an influx of young running backs that join the league and fresh talent emerges to compete for the top spot. This is the beauty of the NFL and why the running back rankings keep changing and evolving every season.
After looking at more players, I’d have to say that we are witnessing a young and talented running back class that is entering the NFL and breaking records. It may seem like veterans have the advantage but with the influx of rookies, the talent pool has become incredibly strong and deep. Some of the younger guys like D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor, and Aaron Jones are definitely making their presence felt and I’m sure they’ll continue to rise to the top.
One thing is for sure, Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Adrian Peterson, and Saquon Barkley are firmly entrenched in the top tier of NFL running backs and the race to become the top running back in the league is stiffer than ever. There’s also tier two guys like Ezekiel Elliott, Joe Mixon, James Conner, and Nick Chubb who are always capable of becoming a superstar.
The top running backs in the NFL right now have real staying power and they will continue to dominate for a long time. And with the emergence of talented rookies like D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor, and Aaron Jones, it’s exciting to think of what the future of NFL running back speed and athleticism. will bring.