NFL Post-Free Agency Running Back Power Rankings: Projecting All 32 Starters in 2026

April 3, 2026

Quincy's NFL RB power rankings for post-free agency. He ranks all 32 starting NFL quarterbacks before the NFL Draft, from Bijan Robinson to Aaron Jones Sr.

Running back has some of the most turnovers in the NFL. Teams often cycle through various running backs over the course of a couple of seasons. Unless a team has a truly elite player, such as Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, or Bijan Robinson, they are generally able to replace production with relative ease.

Running back free agency can be hit or miss, and usually depends on the incoming draft class. When the draft class is strong, teams usually save their money during free agency. In a weak draft class, running backs usually get paid during free agency. This season, we have a weaker-than-usual draft class on its way into the league. As such, a few running backs, such as Kenneth Walker III, received solid contracts.

With free agency behind us and a weaker running back draft class on its way in, we can project Week 1's starters with relative confidence. Who could be elite? Who could be replaced midseason? Let's dive in and see where everyone stands.

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No. 32: Aaron Jones Sr. - Minnesota Vikings

It seemed as though Jones was on his way out of Minnesota this season, but Minnesota ended up retaining him on a modified contract. At this point in his career, Jones is mostly a locker room leader, but he can still contribute solid play on the field in spurts.

No. 31: Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans

Here is where projections start to get interesting. The Titans hold the No. 4 pick and have been heavily linked to running back Jeremiyah Love. However, would head coach Robert Saleh pass up on one of the top defensive options to draft a running back this high? As of now, Love to the Titans feels too good to be true, so Pollard will retain his job for the purposes of these projections.

No. 30: Tyler Allgeier - Arizona Cardinals

Allgeier looks to be the new man in town for Arizona. The Cardinals signed him to a contract with solid money, suggesting that he will be a large part of the offense. Arizona also brought back respected veteran James Conner on a modified contract. However, Conner is likely going to be a secondary option to Allgeier in 2026.

No. 29: Bhayshul Tuten - Jacksonville Jaguars

As a 2025 fourth-round pick, Tuten may have found his way into a starting gig with the departure of Travis Etienne Jr. Tuten flashed in spurts as a rookie, and he was a fantastic goal-line running back. Given his status as a Day 3 selection, he could easily be replaced, but this regime seems to like him quite a bit.

No. 28: Cam Skattebo - New York Giants

Skattebo is coming off a serious ankle injury, but he seems poised to retain his starting gig once healthy. The Giants still have Tyrone Tracy Jr., and they retained Devin Singletary despite suggestions that he may be cut. The team has enough other needs that it can likely roll into the new season with its current stable of running backs.

Cam Skattebo's first career TD!

NYGvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/I5vYpPw2WF

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

No. 27: Rico Dowdle - Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren may be the incumbent starter in Pittsburgh, but Dowdle seems poised to take the job this coming season. Dowdle has a history with the new Steelers head coach, Mike McCarthy, from their days in Dallas. Additionally, Dowdle has carved out a serious role for himself as a bruiser over the last couple of years. This may be a 50/50 split, but do not be surprised if Dowdle receives the first carries.

No. 26: Quinshon Judkins - Cleveland Browns

Judkins was a bright spot for the Browns in 2025. He runs hard, is a talented pass catcher, and is tough. He should fit well in new head coach Todd Monken's running scheme. The Browns should see some level of improvement this coming season, and Judkins should be able to capitalize on that improvement with a solid second season.

No. 25: Nicholas Singleton - Seattle Seahawks

As the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Seahawks have very few roster holes. Running back is a glaring one with the departure of Kenneth Walker III and injuries to Zach Charbonnet. This team will need to address the position in the draft. Singleton was a solid back throughout his college career. He could be a solid addition on Day 2 or 3.

No. 24: David Montgomery - Houston Texans

Montgomery was recently traded to the Texans. He has slowed down a bit as he approaches the running back age cliff, but he should still contribute a solid year or two for the Texans. Montgomery craved a new opportunity to keep his hands on the football rather than playing second-fiddle to Jahmyr Gibbs. We will see how it pans out.

No. 23: Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers

Hubbard has his job back with Dowdle bolting in free agency. As of now, there does not seem to be an obvious path for the Panthers to draft a running back capable of replacing Hubbard, at least initially.

No. 22: Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders

Jeanty suffered behind the league's worst offensive line in 2025. Insert a new regime that has already done significant work to improve that offensive line. New head coach Klint Kubiak also employs the use of a proven running scheme. As such, Jeanty should have a lot more room to run in 2026. He may find himself in more of a committee, but that could serve to keep him very fresh.

No. 21: J.K. Dobbins - Denver Broncos

The Broncos are tricky to project. They retained Dobbins, which suggests they'd like him to be their starter. However, the Broncos seem like a candidate to draft a running back this year. Can a Day 2 or 3 running back challenge for this starting gig in Week 1? That remains to be seen.

No. 20: D'Andre Swift - Chicago Bears

Swift received a lot of work in 2025, but backup running back Kyle Monangai is coming for this position. Monangai seems like he has a higher ceiling compared to Swift's. If he takes a big Year 2 leap, we could be having a different conversation by midseason.

No. 19: Jeremiyah Love - Washington Commanders

Love may not make it to the Commanders at No. 7, but this feels like a great fit. Washington requires a true difference maker in the backfield. The team has other needs, but they have done a solid job plugging holes throughout free agency. Head coach Dan Quinn may lean toward defense here, but he knows the power of a good running game, and the team may not be able to pass on Love if he makes it this far.

First collegiate touchdown for @JeremiyahLove 🫡#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/YVrSZyEq7Y

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 2, 2023

No. 18: Bucky Erving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Erving has the backfield to himself with Rachaad White having left for Washington. Erving will need a solid running mate to stay healthy. He has been in and out of the lineup throughout his first two years in the league. Hopefully, 2026 will resemble Erving's 2024 rookie breakout.

No. 17: Travis Etienne Jr. - New Orleans Saints

The Alvin Kamara era is over in New Orleans. Etienne was signed to a contract that suggests he is going to receive a healthy workload in the bayou this season. Etienne is coming off a resurgent season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and his new contract is well deserved. He could have a massive season in store in 2026.

No. 16: Omarion Hampton - Los Angeles Chargers

Hampton is on his way to a massive season with the backfield fully to himself. The Chargers did nothing this offseason that suggests Hampton will be a part of a committee. The 2025 first-round pick should see a massive workload and will be one of the top backs in the league by season's end.

No. 15: Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals

The former fifth-round pick, Brown, continues to demonstrate to the Bengals that he is deserving of the starting position. He logged his first 1,000-yard season in 2025, and he continues to be a touchdown machine. His production is very similar to what Austin Ekeler used to provide with the Chargers.

No. 14: Javonte Williams - Dallas Cowboys

After a career riddled by injury, Williams earned himself a new contract in Dallas. He looks to be the running back of the future in the Big D. Williams was solid in 2025. He was a touchdown machine, and he looked explosive, leading to a career year.

DAK FLIPS IT TO JAVONTE WILLIAMS AND THE COWBOYS TAKE THE LEAD BACK 🤠

KCvsDAL on CBS/Paramount+
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/25aUHSUmQo

— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2025

No. 13: Rhamondre Stevenson/TreVeyon Henderson - New England Patriots

The combination of Stevenson and Henderson should be potent in 2026. Henderson should take a step forward as a sophomore, and Stevenson was a solid presence in a resurgent 2025 season. The Patriots will be right back in the mix this season with these two running wild.

No. 12: Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams

Williams still has the starting job in Los Angeles, but he looks like he may begin to have some competition with Blake Corum, who made a name for himself in 2025. However, both players are very solid and should be able to coexist.

No. 11: Breece Hall - New York Jets

In 2025, the tea leaves suggested that Hall was on his way out of New York this offseason. All the team did was franchise tag him to hold onto him for at least one more year. The vibes are strange in New York, and Hall will continue to play below his potential on a bad team.

No. 10: Kenneth Walker III - Kansas City Chiefs

Walker is the new starter in Kansas City after signing during free agency. Walker should thrive in this offense, given all the creative ways Andy Reid can get him the ball in space. There could be a career year in store for Walker.

No. 9: Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles

Barkley will return to the Eagles as he looks to get back to his former MVP-level form. The Eagles' offense substantially regressed in 2025 under a new offensive coordinator and an inferior offensive line. Both items have been addressed this offseason, so perhaps that will bode well for Barkley this season.

No. 8: Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers

Jacobs will look to continue scoring touchdowns at a high clip in 2026. He has thrived in Green Bay's offense as the main focal point. He is beginning to age, but his running style suggests that he will have solid longevity.

No. 7: Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts

Taylor is back in Indianapolis as he looks to build on his stellar 2025 campaign. At one point last season, Taylor was on a historic pace. Unfortunately, injuries throughout the offense derailed Taylor's season. Still, he is one of the truly elite running backs in the NFL. He is capable of impacting each game in a huge way.

No. 6: De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins

Achane seems to be the last man standing from what was very recently an extremely talented Dolphins' offense. He is going to receive a lot of volume this coming season as Miami looks to turn the page with a new regime. Achane is also due to get paid very soon. He was plagued by injuries early in his career, but he was healthy in Year 3. That will complicate negotiations.

De’Von Achane jukes and scores from 48 yards out! 🔥

CINvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/LmbRm35dj1

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

No. 5: Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens

Henry continues to get the job done at a high level in Baltimore. Despite squarely entering his 30s, Henry has displayed no signs of slowing down. Eventually, this train has to stop running, right?...right?

No. 4: James Cook - Buffalo Bills

Cook has earned himself a position among the top five running backs in the league. The guy has been a touchdown monster over the last couple of seasons. Every time he touches the ball, it feels like he could rip off a 40-yard score. Cook will continue to thrive under head coach Joe Brady.

No. 3: Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions

Gibbs has entrenched himself among the top running backs in the league. The guy is unbelievably explosive, and he cannot stop scoring touchdowns at an incredibly high clip. Gibbs could be in store for his best season yet with David Montgomery departing for Houston. Isiah Pacheco is joining Gibbs in the backfield, but he does not stand to poach touchdowns the same way Montgomery always did.

No. 2: Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers

McCaffrey is coming off another season in which he received a massive workload. He tends to follow up these seasons with unfortunate injury luck. That type of volume can cause serious wear and tear on the bodies of running backs. Hopefully, as McCaffrey enters his 30s, he can put some of those injury issues behind him.

No. 1: Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons

Robinson is the newly coined best running back in the league. He has unlocked another tier of play as both a bruiser and big-play maker. Robinson is also about to cash in on a huge payday as he enters his fourth season. Hopefully, the Falcons can start pushing for the playoffs while he is still in his prime and able to make a serious impact.

.@Bijan5Robinson is the man that will make you miss 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/1uvWa7JdRr

— NFL (@NFL) May 8, 2024

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