Running backs still carry plenty of value in the NFL. The best in the league again have more competitive salary, now with a $20 million per-season man, Saquon Barkley.
Barkley is coming off a historic season, in which he was the latest back to join the 2,000-yard rushing club and also helped lead his team to victory in Super Bowl 59. Barkley should be again ready for high production, but there are select group of other veteran backs, young and old, capable of similar explosion.
From the most dynamic youngster to an underrated No. 2 back who can see a bigger role soon, here's looking at the NFL's top backs for the 2025 season, with near-future projection carrying much more weight in the rankings than past performance:
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NFL running back rankings 2025
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (age: 23)
It's difficult to believe Gibbs is still so young after his massive production as the centerpiece of the Lions' offense. He brings the quickness and speed as a runner, but he also can power up to finish well in the red zone. He also can be a game-changing receiver, with even some untapped potential in that capacity.
2. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (age: 28)
Barkley is due for some regression and attrition after carrying the ball so much with no druability issues through a long season, including playoffs. Bith the Eagles' fine blocking and the threat of Jalen Hurts also in the backfield, dropping Barkley past this spot is a stretch.
3. Derrick Henry, Ravens (age: 31)
Henry fell 79 yards of his second 2,000-yard rushing entry and also scored 16 TDs while averaging 5.9 yards per carry during his first season in Baltimore. He took advantage of an explosive balanced offense, fine line play and Lamar Jackson making it tricky to defend all apsects of the running game. He should have at least one more rejuvenated season left as he fast-tracks into the Hall of Fame.
4. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (age: 23)
Robinson was taken in the same 2023 draft as Gibbs but needed to wait until '25 to get the coaching staff needed to put him in the best position to succeed as a game-breaking runner and top-flight receiver. He'll be leaned on more with a young QB (Michael Penix Jr.) starting.
5. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (age: 29)
McCaffrey has had plenty of mileage through his massive scrimmage seasons when healthy in Carolina and San Francisco. Last year's lingering injury issues are a hint there's not too much time left for him to the best dual threat back since Marshall Faulk, but he is looking good enough to have one more supernova in him.
6. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (age: 23)
Put him in the club with Gibbs and Robinson going into his second season. The Bucs took a while to trust Bucky with all their high-leverage work, but he has shown some much burst behind a strong line that Rachaad White couldn't.
7. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (age: 21)
Jeanty comes in as the complete package and should see immediate massive volume for Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll, combining finishing power with big-play burst. He should come through as expected with a big rookie season.
8. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (age: 23)
Achane has gone from the ultimate change of pace back who has the speed and quickness to take any carry the distance to a versatile essential receiver in Miami's offense. The only question is whether he hold up with volume as 5-9, 191 pounds.
9. Josh Jacobs, Packers (age: 27)
Jacobs needed a change for a better overall offense to rev up his best Raiders work and Green Bay is perfect for hsi steady compact power running.
10. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (age: 26)
Taylor is well removed from the top of the rushing heap, where he was only four years ago in 2021. The former Wisconsin superstar has battled varied injuries and dealt with an ever-changing offense, especially at QB, around him. Still he proves to be efficient through high volume behind a strong line.
11. Kyren Williams, Rams (age: 25)
Williams also has handled workhorse duties well since entering the league. He may have lost a little explosiveness with some pounding for his size, but he's been durable to give the power the Rams need. He also could do more as a receiver if needed.
12. James Cook, Bills (age: 25)
Cook was touted as a special receiving back to find his complementary role in the offense but he's turned into a prolific scorer and power option for ideal running playing off Josh Allen. Dalvin's brother got paid for what he can still do with a big workload.
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13. Omarion Hampton, Chargers (age: 22)
For most, much didn't separate Jeanty and Hampton as first-round draft talents. Hampton is more power-based for the AFC West, but that plays right into what Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman want to do. Hampton also gives them extra outside burst and a fine outlet receiver when needed.
14. Chase Brown, Bengals (age: 25)
Brown was needed to handle a bigger role to replace Joe Mixon after former Bill Zack Moss never got on track in Cincinnati with his injuries. Brown has some Austin Ekeler-like receiving and red zone qualities to be the key cog for Joe Burrow after his top two wide receivers.
15. James Conner, Cardinals (age: 30
Conner's age is creeping up on him along with the wear he's had carrying the load for both Pittsburgh and Arizona. He has been strong with his inside running and finishing and prove he can reliable on all three downs.
16. Alvin Kamara, Saints (age: 30)
Kamara's career signature as a potential Hall of Famer will be his proliic pass-catching and scoring in better versions of New Orleans' offense. Kellen Moore has promise to fix things overall by finding a true franchsie QB, but for now, Kamara will remain the high-leverage versatile lifeblood.
17. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (age: 24)
Walker has shown plenty of punch when healthy, both as a red zone scorer and with some big-play flair. He's not as efficient as he could be and durability is a concern, but when putting it all together downhill, he's difficult to contain.
18. David Montgomery, Lions (age: 28)
Montgomery found new life leaving Chicago for Ben Johnson's offense in Detroit, taking on a smooth complementary power role with Gibbs. He's been better suited for that with his efficiency vs. a heavier load.
19. Kaleb Johnson, Steelers (age: 22)
Johnson is a power back with great upside as the Steelers have been looking for someone with more burst than Najee Harris. Johnson has a good change of pace to help in Jaylen Warren.
20. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (age: 22)
Rhamondre Stevenson lost his place on this list and now his rookie complement is generating all the buzz in new/old offense with Josh McDaniels because of open-field quickness and key receiving juice.
21. Tony Pollard, Titans (age: 28)
Pollard has been good for Tennessee as the lead since his sneaking signing from the Cowboys, showing some of his big-play ability but more steadiness through the red zone. Both will be key with Tyjae Spears on the shelf again.
22. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (age: 26)
Hubbard is a well-rounded back who does a lot of little things right with his big college experience at Oklahoma State, but he's best at maximizing yardage behind blocking and finishing in the red zone.
23. Breece Hall, Jets (age: 24)
Hall is down to his last chance in the Jets' new Lions-adjacent offense. He's still young and can have a shot to break through in the system from which Gibbs has benefited. The first key is staying healthy on the field and proving the knee issues aren't lingering.
24. Aaron Jones, Vikings (age: 30)
Jones keeps plugging away as a tough back with some hard-running burst. He'll work to keep up his key lead role over former 49ers No. 2 Jordan Mason.
25. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (age: 24)
Charbonnet was outstanding with his vision, burst and toughness when seeing an expanded role for an injured Walker. The new offense that can take better advantage of his quickness can push Charbonnet toward earning more even split work.