RADIO
As Super Bowl LIX gets underway, NFL fans and fantasy managers should focus on the changing dynamic at the running back position. Here, we examine which NFL running backs have emerged as the best of the best heading into Super Bowl LIX to conclude the 2024-25 NFL playoffs. These running backs are among the premier players at their position and should be started in fantasy football with confidence.
No. 6 - Will Shipley (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Shipley broke free for 77 yards in the NFC Championship, but that was a product of the Eagles’ big lead over the Commanders. We don’t expect Philadelphia to take such a big lead over Kansas City to the point where they start playing depth options, like Shipley.
Furthermore, the Super Bowl is a different beast from the regular season and even the playoffs. As a rookie who is third on the depth chart, Shipley faces an uphill battle to log playing time in a game where experience is key.
Shipley could log a couple of touches, but he’s not a dependable fantasy option in a tough matchup against the Chiefs coupled with his depth role.
No. 5 - Samaje Perine (Kansas City Chiefs) at Philadelphia Eagles
Perine has just one touch in the playoffs, and it came on a reception during the final play to ice the AFC Championship win over Buffalo. As a result, his low usage keeps him in the No. 5 slot for Sunday’s big game.
With that said, Andy Reid likes his veteran pass-catchers in the Super Bowl. Over the last two years, Jerick McKinnon totaled five Super Bowl receptions — two in 2024 and three in 2023 against the Eagles.
Perine isn’t quite as established in the Kansas City backfield as McKinnon was, but he’s still a candidate to get the ball in his hands, especially when the Chiefs need yardage in a critical moment.
No. 4 - Kenneth Gainwell (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Gainwell has made the most of his opportunities as a change-of-pace and garbage-time running back this year, taking a backseat to Saquon Barkley.
He remains the No. 2 option out of the backfield heading into the Super Bowl, which means he’ll likely earn somewhere between two to five touches.
If Gainwell can capitalize on his limited opportunities or catch a few passes, he could usurp Isiah Pacheco for the No. 3 ranking. Otherwise, we feel pretty comfortable listing him at No. 4.
No. 3 - Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) at Philadelphia Eagles
Pacheco has been a letdown time and time again since returning from his fibula injury, yet we still let him crack the top three for the Super Bowl.
For starters, there aren’t many better depth options than Pacheco. Saquon Barkley and Kareem Hunt have carved out pretty sizable roles, leaving Pacheco primed to fare better than players like Kenneth Gainwell or Samaje Perine.
Furthermore, Pacheco has been quite inefficient, but he’s seen modest volume. He averaged 16 opportunities between Weeks 14 and 15, and he still managed to command seven touches in his backup role behind Hunt in the AFC Championship.
No. 2 - Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) at Philadelphia Eagles
Hunt has been a much-welcomed addition to the Chiefs. Originally thought to be a temporary fill-in when Isiah Pacheco was injured, the veteran running back has remained Kansas City’s primary option out of the backfield.
That trend has continued throughout the playoffs, and it won’t change in the Super Bowl. Hunt remains the Chiefs’ No. 1 running back and is a strong candidate to earn north of 15 touches.
Finding the end zone seems to be a safe bet with Hunt, too. He scored a touchdown in both of the Chiefs’ playoff games so far.
No. 1 - Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Barkley had 122 total yards and three touchdowns in the NFC Championship. One week earlier, he had 232 total yards and two touchdowns.
The best signing of last offseason in the NFL — and the Giants’ worst nightmare — Barkley has been playing at an otherworldly level.
He’s the RB1 this week, and you should be ridiculed if you try to argue otherwise.
