Operating backs are formally again in an enormous means, and NFL executives, coaches, and scouts simply dropped their definitive rankings for 2025. After years of the passing sport dominating headlines, these ground-pounders are reminding everybody why handing off the ball to your finest athlete by no means goes out of fashion.
Seven groups averaged at the very least 140 speeding yards per sport in 2024, up from simply three the earlier yr. That’s not a coincidence – it’s a full-blown renaissance of old-school soccer blended with trendy athleticism. The message is obvious: elite operating backs can nonetheless change video games and win championships.
Saquon Barkley’s Eagles transformation was completely good
Barkley didn’t simply have a great season – he had a traditionally dominant one which made each voter besides one put him at primary. His transfer from the Giants to Philadelphia wasn’t only a change of surroundings; it was an entire resurrection of his profession.
The numbers are completely staggering. Barkley’s 2,504 mixed speeding yards (common season and playoffs) plus seven scrimmage touchdowns of 60-plus yards are probably the most in a single season in NFL historical past. He hit 20 mph on 9 landing runs, whereas no different participant had greater than two. That’s not simply pace – that’s online game stage dominance.
What makes this much more spectacular is how this vindicated Dave Gettleman’s controversial determination to draft Barkley second total in 2018. Everybody criticized taking a operating again that top, however Barkley simply proved that generational expertise on the place is price each penny while you put them in the precise system.
Derrick Henry refuses to acknowledge Father Time exists
At 31 years previous, Henry must be slowing down. As a substitute, he’s getting higher, which is completely mind-boggling for a place the place most gamers hit a wall round 30. His 830 speeding yards after contact have been 191 greater than the next-closest participant, proving that tackling him continues to be a nightmare no one needs to take care of.
Henry’s 5.9 yards per rush final season was the best mark by any participant with 250 carries since Adrian Peterson in 2012. He’s tied Jim Brown for probably the most video games with 150 speeding yards and two touchdowns in NFL historical past. Whenever you’re being talked about with Jim Brown, you’re doing one thing completely particular.
The Ravens knew precisely what they have been getting once they signed Henry, and he delivered past their wildest expectations. Baltimore’s offense went from good to traditionally nice with him anchoring the bottom sport.
Younger stars Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are taking up
The way forward for the operating again place is in glorious arms with these two 23-year-olds main the cost. Gibbs earned the nickname “Sonic” for apparent causes, main the NFL with 20 touchdowns whereas averaging 6.4 yards per contact – the best mark by any participant with 250 touches prior to now decade.
Robinson bounced again from a disappointing rookie yr to completely dominate in 2024. His 1,456 speeding yards and 14 touchdowns on 304 carries confirmed precisely why Atlanta drafted him so excessive. He’s already joined Corridor of Famers Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson as the one gamers with 2,400 speeding yards and 100 receptions of their first two seasons.
Each gamers characterize the evolution of the place – they’re not simply runners, they’re full offensive weapons who can line up wherever and create mismatches. The league’s defensive coordinators are going to have nightmares about these two for years to come back.
Christian McCaffrey’s sturdiness issues are getting actual
The previous primary dropped to fifth, and it’s not as a result of his expertise disappeared in a single day. McCaffrey has missed 10 or extra video games in three of his previous 5 seasons, which is an enormous purple flag for a place that depends so closely on staying wholesome.
When he’s on the sector, McCaffrey continues to be completely elite. He’s bought 4 seasons with at the very least 1,800 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns, becoming a member of Corridor of Famers in unique firm. However availability is the perfect means, and groups are beginning to issue damage historical past into their evaluations extra closely.
The 49ers know they’ve one thing particular when McCaffrey is wholesome, however in addition they know they’ll’t depend on him being accessible for 17 video games plus playoffs. That uncertainty is what dropped him from the highest spot.
Josh Jacobs proved Inexperienced Bay made the precise funding
The Packers shocked everybody by giving Jacobs a $48 million deal, breaking their long-standing custom of not spending huge on operating backs. That funding paid off instantly with 1,329 speeding yards and 15 touchdowns, displaying that typically you must pay for elite expertise.
Jacobs is the one NFL participant to eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards and 5 touchdowns yearly since 2019. That type of consistency is precisely what championship groups want, and Inexperienced Bay acknowledged that they had a Tremendous Bowl window that required maximizing their offensive weapons.
His mixture of steadiness, energy, imaginative and prescient, and availability makes him the right complement to Jordan Love’s growth. Typically the perfect strikes are those that appear apparent in hindsight.
A number of huge names fell wanting expectations
Essentially the most stunning omissions from the highest 10 embody some gamers who have been anticipated to be locks. Breece Corridor, who appeared like a future famous person earlier than accidents derailed his momentum, obtained votes however couldn’t crack the highest tier. His scenario with the Jets’ struggling offense definitely didn’t assist his case.
De’Von Achane’s explosive pace and big-play means earned him honorable point out standing, however issues about his measurement and sturdiness stored him from the highest 10. The Dolphins know they’ve a weapon, however they’re nonetheless determining the best way to use him with out breaking him.
Aaron Jones, regardless of a stable season with Minnesota, couldn’t overcome age and sturdiness issues to make the lower. At 30, voters are beginning to query how for much longer he can preserve his present stage of manufacturing.
The operating again place is experiencing an enormous resurgence, and these rankings show that groups are recognizing the worth of elite floor video games once more. Whether or not it’s Barkley’s historic season, Henry’s ageless dominance, or the emergence of younger stars like Gibbs and Robinson, the place has by no means been extra thrilling.