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- All statistics were pulled from the 2017 NFL season
- These rankings are strictly for 2018 (no long-term projections)
TIER 1 – ELITE
These running backs are the best of the best, year in and year out. They are true game-changers and legitimate MVP candidates. They earn Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro consideration each year.
1-4 are essentially interchangeable.
1. Todd Gurley II, LAR: 279 att, 1,305 rushing yards, 4.7 YPC, 13 rushing TD; 64 rec, 788 receiving yards, 12.3 YPR, 6 receiving TD (15 games)
2. Le’Veon Bell, PIT: 321 att, 1,291 rushing yards, 4.0 YPC, 9 rushing TD; 85 rec, 655 receiving yards, 7.7 YPR, 2 TD (15 games)
3. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL: 242 att, 983 rushing yards, 4.1 YPC, 7 rushing TD; 26 rec, 269 receiving yards, 10.3 YPR, 2 TD (10 games)
4. David Johnson, ARI: 11 ATT, 23 rushing yards, 2.1 YPC, 0 rushing TD; 6 rec, 67 receiving yards, 11.2 YPR, 0 receiving TD (1 game)
TIER 2 – GOOD-TO-VERY GOOD STARTERS
These are above average, difference-making running backs. They have Pro Bowl ability in their best years (Barkley and Guice are complete projections).
5. LeSean McCoy, BUF: 287 ATT, 1,138 rushing yards, 4.0 YPC, 6 TD; 59 rec, 448 receiving yards, 7.6 YPR, 2 receiving TD (16 games)
6. Saquon Barkley, NYG: N/A
7. Kareem Hunt, KC: 272 att, 1,327 rushing yards, 4.9 YPC, 8 rushing TD; 53 rec, 455 receiving yards, 8.6 YPR, 3 receiving TD (16 games)
8. Alvin Kamara, NO: 120 att, 728 rushing yards, 6.1 YPC, 8 rushing TD; 81 rec, 826 receiving yards, 10.2 YPR, 5 receiving TD (16 games)
9. Mark Ingram II, NO: 230 att, 1,124 rushing yards, 4.9 YPC, 12 rushing TD; 58 rec, 416 receiving yards, 7.2 YPR 0 TD (16 games)
10. Leonard Fournette, JAX: 268 att, 1,040 rushing yards, 3.9 YPC, 9 rushing TD; 36 rec, 302 receiving yards, 8.4 YPR, 1 receiving TD (13 games)
TIER 2 – GOOD-TO-VERY GOOD STARTERS (CONTINUED)
11. Dalvin Cook, MIN: 74 att, 354 rushing yards, 4.8 YPC, 2 rushing TD; 11 rec, 90 receiving yards, 8.2 YPR, 0 TD (4 games)
12. Derrius Guice, WAS: N/A
13. Devonta Freeman, ATL: 196 att, 865 rushing yards, 4.4 YPC, 7 rushing TD; 36 rec, 317 receiving yards, 8.8 YPR, 1 receiving TD (14 games)
14. Jordan Howard, CHI: 276 att, 1,122 rushing yards, 4.1 YPC, 9 rushing TD; 23 rec, 125 receiving yards, 5.4 YPR, 0 TD (16 games)
15. Melvin Gordon III, LAC: 284 att, 1,105 rushing yards, 3.9 YPC, 8 rushing TD; 58 rec, 476 receiving yards, 8.2 YPR, 4 receiving TD (16 games)
TIER 3 – SOLID STARTERS
These running backs generally won’t make the Pro Bowl, but they are solid contributors in a workhorse role.
16. Jay Ajayi, PHI: 70 att, 408 rush yards, 5.8 YPC, 1 rush TD; 10 rec, 91 rec yards, 9.1 YPR, 1 rec TD (7 games)
17. Alex Collins, BAL: 212 att, 973 rush yards, 4.6 YPC, 6 rushing TD; 23 rec, 187 rec yards, 8.1 YPR, 0 rec TD (15 games)
18. Sony Michel, NE: N/A
19. Nick Chubb, CLE: N/A
20. Dion Lewis, TEN: 180 att, 896 rush yards, 5.0 YPC, 6 rush TD; 32 rec, 214 rec yards, 6.7 YPR, 3 rec TD (16 games)
TIER 4 – AVERAGE STARTERS
These running backs can be serviceable in a workhorse role, but are best utilized as a primary ball-carrier in a committee backfield approach.
21. Christian McCaffrey, CAR: 117 att, 435 rush yards, 3.7 YPC, 2 rush TD; 80 rec, 651 rec yards, 8.1 YPR, 5 rec TD (16 games)
22. Tevin Coleman, ATL: 156 att, 628 rush yards, 4.0 YPC, 5 rush TD; 27 rec, 299 rec yards, 11.1 YPR, 3 rec TD (15 games)
23. Derrick Henry, TEN: 176 att, 744 rush yards, 4.2 YPC, 5 rush TD; 11 rec, 136 rec yards, 12.4 YPR, 1 rec TD (16 games)
24. Carlos Hyde, CLE: 240 att, 938 rush yards, 3.9 YPC, 8 rush TD; 59 rec, 350 rec yards, 5.9 YPR, 0 rec TD (16 games)
25. Marshawn Lynch, OAK: 207 att, 891 rush yards, 4.3 YPC, 7 rush TD; 20 rec, 151 rec yards, 7.6 YPR, 0 rec TD (15 games)
TIER 4 – AVERAGE STARTERS (CONTINUED)
26. Kenyan Drake, MIA: 133 att, 644 rush yards, 4.8 YPC, 3 rush TD; 32 rec, 239 rec yards, 7.5 YPR, 1 rec TD (16 games)
27. Bilal Powell, NYJ: 178 att, 772 rush yards, 4.3 YPC, 5 rush TD; 23 rec, 170 rec yards, 7.4 YPR, 0 TD (15 games)
28. Lamar Miller, HOU: 238 att, 888 rush yards, 3.7 YPC, 3 rush TD; 36 rec, 327 rec yards, 9.1 YPR, 3 rec TD (16 games)
29. Joe Mixon, CIN: 178 att, 626 rush yards, 3.5 YPC, 4 rush TD; 30 rec, 287 rec yards, 9.6 YPR, 0 rec TD (14 games)
TIER 5 – BELOW AVERAGE STARTERS/COMMITTEE RUNNING BACKS
These running backs are role players, unproven rookies or they’re below average in a workhorse role.
30. Jerick McKinnon, SF: 150 att, 570 rush yards, 3.8 YPC, 3 rush TD; 51 rec, 421 rec yards, 8.3 YPR, 2 rec TD (16 games)
31. Kerryon Johnson, DET: N/A
32. Aaron Jones, GB: 81 att, 448 rush yards, 5.5 YPC, 4 rec TD; 9 rec, 22 rec yards, 2.4 YPR, 0 rec TD (12 games)
