The NFL has been a pass-heavy league for several years, but the running back position has finally regained prominence. While it’s exciting to see a quarterback sling the ball, pounding the rock is an effective way to win games.
With the re-emergence of running backs, it’s time to take a look at the best in the game currently. Here are the top 10 running backs heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Kicking things off with the Indianapolis Colts’ talented rusher, Jonathan Taylor. When he’s on the field, 28 is unstoppable, but injuries have reared their ugly head. The 26-year-old hasn’t played a full NFL season since his breakout 2021.
Taylor looked like his old self in 2024. He had 303 carries for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns. He might not hit those 2021 numbers again, but he wasn’t far off. If Taylor can stay on the field, he might find himself as a top-five back once again.
James Cook had a quiet first two seasons in the NFL. He’s always been a reliable rusher, but hadn’t broken out until 2024. Cook played a huge role in the Bills’ offense and was responsible for 18 touchdowns.
While Cook’s rushing yards don’t fly off the page, he’s someone who can be fed the rock and put points on the board. The 25-year-old wants a new contract, and he’ll play with a chip on his shoulder in 2025.
It’s difficult to put Christian McCaffrey on any top 10 list after the 2024 he had. The Madden curse seemingly struck, as CMC missed 13 games and only rushed 50 times for 202 yards.
The reason McCaffrey’s on this list is because when he’s 100%, he’s arguably the best in the league. His 2023 season was a masterclass, one that will be hard to replicate. At 29 years old, CMC has something to prove this year. He’s chasing the crown once again.
It’s certainly early to put rookie running back Ashton Jeanty on this list, but generational talent speaks for itself. Jeanty was taken sixth overall in the 2025 Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. He was the Heisman runner-up after a dominant college run.
Jeanty is a monster who can run the ball over and over again without slowing down. In his final year at Boise State, he had 374 rushes for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. If he can replicate even half of those numbers in 2025, he could win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Miami Dolphins’ running back wasn’t putting up ridiculous numbers in 2024, but his contributions to the team proved invaluable. He’s an explosive runner with impressive speed, but he’s also a dual threat out of the backfield.
Achane managed 907 rushing yards and six touchdowns, along with 592 receiving yards and six more touchdowns. He fits perfectly in Miami’s offense. The 23-year-old is only entering his third season, and he’s only getting better.
After spending five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Josh Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2024. He immediately became a focal point of the offense and had a bounce-back year.
Jacobs had 301 rushes for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 27-year-old is an essential piece of Green Bay’s offense, and his role could increase in 2025.
The Atlanta Falcons had a rough 2024 season. What seemed like a promising season quickly turned sour, and they’re still figuring things out at quarterback. The one constant all season was Bijan Robinson.
Robinson was an absolute stud for Atlanta last year. Racking up 1,456 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 304 carries is terrific. Similar to Achane, Robinson is only entering his third year. If the 23-year-old can build his receiving game, he’ll be a superstar. He’s only getting better, and Atlanta should be excited.
Derrick Henry must have made a deal with Father Time, because what he’s able to do at 30 years old in the NFL is unreal. The Baltimore Ravens’ back rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns in his ninth season.
Henry is the definition of dominance, and he’s taken to Baltimore’s system like a moth to a flame. Over his career, The King has 2,355 rushes for 11,423 yards. The only thing keeping him from the number two spot here is the creeping fear that age and mileage will catch up to him.
The Detroit Lions’ one-two punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is truly special. Montgomery is a great power back, but Gibbs is the future of the franchise. In his second NFL season, he rushed 250 times for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns. He did that splitting carries with Montgomery, who had 185 carries for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Gibbs has all the makings of a great NFL running back. He’s elusive, he’s fast, and he’s a great pass-catcher. His consistency is unreal, and that’s supremely important in this league. Gibbs is second on this list, but could quickly find himself at number one next year.
Sometimes the most obvious pick is the correct one, and Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the NFL. His career year with the Philadelphia Eagles may never be replicated, but if anyone could try, it’s him. He rushed the ball 345 times for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Of course, it’s possible to see Barkley regress in 2025. He’s on the Madden cover, and he’s never played a full NFL season back-to-back due to injuries. The 28-year-old had an unbelievable first year in Philly, and he’s at the top of the mountain until someone knocks him off.
Saquon Barkley is the best of the best right now, but the gap could be closing this year. His magical first season was just that, magic. With the rise of players like Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, the crown might be up for grabs in 2025.
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