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Joe Nicely dives into NFL Running Back unit grades for RotoBaller. Analysis, review, and outlooks for every NFL team's backfield ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
2025 NFL Running Back Report Card: Grades for Every Team's Backfield
We take a look at every NFL team’s current backfield, offering analysis and outlooks for the 2025 season. Read ahead for our grades for every team’s backfield…
Arizona Cardinals
Notable RBs on Roster: James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter, DeeJay Dallas
James Conner continued to impress in 2024, posting his second consecutive season with over 1,000 rushing yards. Conner also flashed in dual-threat chops, by hauling in 47 receptions out of the Cardinals backfield. Many expected third-round rookie Trey Benson to put some pressure on the 30-year-old Conner, though that failed to come to fruition, as Benson logged just 63 rushing attempts in his first pro campaign. We’re largely grading Conner here, as he’s this engine that drives the Arizona backfield.
Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons
Notable RBs on Roster: Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan
Robinson solidified himself as one of the NFL’s best running backs in his second pro season, accounting for nearly 1,900 all-purpose yards in a new look Atlanta offense that increased his carries from 214 in 2023 to 304 last year. Despite Arthur Smith’s departure, Tyler Allgeier still played a sizeable, if reduced, role in the Falcons backfield. It’s tough to argue with his production, as he picked up 4.7 yards per carry. In Robinson and Allgeier, Atlanta has one of the league’s best 1-2 punch duos.
Grade: A+
Baltimore Ravens
Notable RBs on Roster: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell
Many in the know expected Derrick Henry to be a perfect fit for the Ravens offense. The King didn’t disappoint, rumbling for an eye-popping 1,921 yards and 18 TDs in his first year in Baltimore – a campaign that the team recently rewarded with a new contract extension worth $25 million in guaranteed money. Hill is the perfect compliment to Henry. He hauled in 42 catches in 2024, playing primarily in passing-down situations.
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
Notable RBs on Roster: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson
Buffalo possesses a young, athletic backfield, spearheaded by Cook, who topped 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season and scored a career-high 18 TDs in 2024. Kentucky rookie Ray Davis flashed in a back-up role in his first pro campaign, averaging 4.9 yards per touch with six scores.
Grade: B
Carolina Panthers
Notable RBs on Roster: Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne, Jonathan Brooks (PUP-R)
Hubbard was a bright spot for the lowly Panthers in 2024. The fourth-year back posted career highs in rushing yards, receptions, and TDs while solidifying himself as the RB1 in Carolina for the foreseeable future. The Panthers have (wisely) moved on from ill-fated free-agent signing Miles Sanders, and signed former Dallas back Rico Dowdle to compliment Hubbard. Dowdle posted a career year himself in 2024, topping 1,000 rushing yards while getting the opportunity to be the lead man for the Cowboys. Sadly, Jonathan Brooks will miss the entirety of 2025 after suffering another ACL injury last season.
Grade: B-
Chicago Bears
Notable RBs on Roster: D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, Travis Homer
Somewhat surprisingly, the Bears elected not to address the running back position early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Chicago snagged Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai in the seventh round, but otherwise, very little has changed on the backfield depth chart. D’Andre Swift failed to live up to the contract he signed ahead of 2024, but perhaps a reunion with former Detroit offensive coordinator – and new Chicago head coach – Ben Johnson will spark something in Swift? Roschon Johnson remains a rather limited, early-down grinder, and could be a potential cut candidate if the Bears elect to bring in a veteran back such as Nick Chubb or J.K. Dobbins.
Grade: F
Cincinnati Bengals
Notable RBs on Roster: Chase Brown, Zack Moss, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks
It was a breakout campaign for Brown in 2024, as the second-year pro totaled 1,350 all-purpose yards and 11 TDs in Cincinnati’s high-octane offense. Brown picked up the load after the veteran Moss was lost for the season to an injury, and he managed to fend off mid-season acquisition Khalil Herbert from any meaningful work. The Bengals elected to bring in veteran Perine this offseason. A dependable option, he’ll mix in more than most expect.
Grade: C+
Cleveland Browns
Notable RBs on Roster: Jerome Ford, Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Pierre Strong
With franchise legend Nick Chubb looking very unlikely to return, a youth movement is officially underway in the Cleveland backfield. A solid contributor over the last two seasons, Jerome Ford will return in 2025, though he’ll need to fend off some talented youngsters to keep his spot atop the depth chart. The Browns scooped up former Ole Miss & Ohio State superstar Quinshon Judkins early in the second round of the draft and added even more talent with the selection of Tennessee touchdown-maker Dylan Sampson in the fourth. This is a largely unproven, but extremely intriguing group.
Grade: B
Dallas Cowboys
Notable RBs on Roster: Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Jaydon Blue, Deuce Vaughn, Phil Mafa
Dallas will roll into 2025 with a completely retooled backfield. Despite the obvious holes, the Cowboys elected to show restraint in the draft, holding off until the fifth round to grab former Texas Longhorn Jaydon Blue. The rookie will be battling for carries against a couple of castoffs in former Bronco Javonte Williams and former Panther Miles Sanders. The diminutive Vaughn will try to stick on the roster, as will late-round rookie Mafa.
Grade: D+
Denver Broncos
Notable RBs on Roster: R.J. Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime
The Broncos finished middle-of-the-pack in rushing offense last year, but elected to cut ties with former second-round pick Javonte Williams after he failed to average over 3.7 yards per carry for the second consecutive season. McLaughlin has showcased his explosiveness – and should continue to be a factor – but Denver’s second-round selection, R.J. Harvey, could hit the ground running in the Mile High City. The rookie will have a very real chance of getting serious reps for Sean Payton right away.
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions
Notable RBs on the Roster: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds
The envy of many teams, Detroit’s backfield boasts arguably the league’s most potent dynamic duo in Gibbs and Montgomery. The pair compliment each other perfectly with their nicknames of “Sonic” and “Knuckles” being a modern spin on the old “Thunder & Lighting” phrase. Content to share carries, the duo make Detroit almost injury proof at the position, as Gibbs showed while stepping up for an injured Montgomery down the stretch last season.
Grade: A+
Green Bay Packers
Notable RBs on Roster: Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, MarShawn Lloyd, Christopher Brooks
2024 free-agent signing Josh Jacobs proved to be worth every penny for the Packers in his first season with the team. Jacobs romped to 1,329 rushing yards and 16 TDs while being one of the NFL’s true workhorse backs. Third-round rookie Lloyd battled injuries for most of the season and saw little playing time in his first pro season. Wilson proved to be a highly-competent second option for Green Bay, averaging 4.9 YPC while getting just over 100 carries in 2024.
Grade: A-
Houston Texans
Notable RBs on Roster: Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbawale, Woody Marks
Veteran running back Joe Mixon proved that he still had some gas left in the tank in 2024. Mixon shined in his first season with the Texans, amassing 1,325 all-purpose yards and 12 TDs in 14 games. Depth is a concern behind the almost-29 year old Mixon, as Dameon Pierce continued to be undependable, and veteran Ogunbawale has definite limitations. Houston did grab USC’s Marks in the fourth-round of the draft, and it will be interesting to see if he works his way into the backup role during the preseason.
Grade: B-
Indianapolis Colts
Notable RBs on Roster: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson, D.J. Giddens
Though he missed multiple games for the third straight seasons, Jonathan Taylor’s production remained elite in 2024, as he rushed for over 1,400 yards and found the end zone 12 times. Indy’s offseason acquisition of Khalil Herbert and selection of Kansas State running back D.J. Giddens in the fifth round of the draft adds some depth behind the often-injured Taylor, though this Colts backfield is still thin. So… this grade is almost entirely based on Taylor’s superstar ability.
Grade: B-
Jacksonville Jaguars
Notable RBs on Roster: Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, Bhayshul Tuten, D’Ernest Johnson, LeQuint Allen
Former first-round pick Travis Etienne averaged less than 3.8 yards per carry for the second consecutive season, while second-year pro Tank Bigsby picked up 766 yards on 168 attempts in 2024. With new head coach Liam Cohen coming into Jacksonville, it’s likely that no one’s spot on the depth chart is safe. With athleticism off the charts and speed to spare, fourth-round draft pick Tuten could see some immediate opportunities. This is a talented group, but the pecking order – and if there is a true alpha in the bunch – is yet to be determined.
Grade: C+
Kansas City Chiefs
Notable RBs on Roster: Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, Carson Steele, Brashard Smith
With incumbent starter Isiah Pacheco missing 10 games due to injury in 2024, the Chiefs were sent scrambling for viable options. They found a reliable option in a familiar face, bringing in veteran free agent and former Chief, Kareem Hunt, to shoulder some of the load in Pacheco’s absence. While Hunt’s overall production was solid, his 3.6 YPC left a lot to be desired. The offseason acquisition of former Niners RB Eli Mitchell is intriguing. Mitchell is a talented, but seemingly always injured player. If he stays healthy, he could earn some snaps in 2025.
Grade: C-
Las Vegas Raiders
Notable RBs on Roster: Ashton Jeanty, Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick, Zamir White
To say the Raiders needed help at the running back position would be an understatement. They’ve made a concerted effort to address those issues this offseason, the most notable move was the selection of Boise State running back Jeanty with the sixth overall pick of the NFL Draft. While some may debate taking a RB that high, the rookie figures to be a tone setter for the culture change that new head coach Pete Carroll will try to instill in Las Vegas. Veteran Mostert was signed in free agency after finding success for the Dolphins in recent years, and adds depth to this retooled group.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Chargers
Notable RBs on Roster: Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins
Despite the surprisingly strong production put up by J.K. Dobbins for the Chargers in 2024, it feels as though the team has still strengthened the position group via the addition of Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. A free-agent signing, a former first-round pick that’s spent his entire career with the Steelers, Harris is a sturdy back who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in all four of his pro seasons. In Hampton, L.A. adds the consensus No. 2 back of the 2025 draft class. He boasts an NFL-ready body and will see quick action in Greg Roman’s scheme.
Grade: A-
Los Angeles Rams
Notable RBs on Roster: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Jarquez Hunter
The Rams backfield continued to be a one-man show in 2024. Sean McVay fave Kyren Williams garnered a league-high 88.4% snap share and finished third in the NFL with 316 carries. Though rookie Blake Corum scarcely saw meaningful action last season, he’ll be the next man up should Williams break down with an injury in 2025. Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter will look to throw his name in the ring after the Rams selected him in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
Grade: B
Miami Dolphins
Notable RBs on Roster: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Alexander Mattison, Ollie Gordon II
Trading veteran Raheem Mostert for veteran Alexander Mattison is undoubtedly a net negative, though Miami’s backfield is top heavy with Achane at the helm. The speedster remained ruthlessly efficient in his second NFL season, averaging 5.3 yards per touch and leading all running backs in receiving yards. While he had a subdued rookie campaign, Jaylen Wright will certainly be more of a factor in 2025. While Miami’s 2025 sixth-round pick Gordon lacks the blazing speed that the ‘Fins generally target, he possesses a nice downhill, physical running style which should offer a nice change of pace to this backfield.
Grade: A-
Minnesota Vikings
Notable RBs on Roster: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Cam Akers, Ty Chandler
Veteran free-agent acquisition Aaron Jones fit seamlessly into the Minnesota offense in his first year with the Vikings, totaling over 1,500 all-purpose yards with seven TDs. The team’s acquisition of former 49er Jordan Mason is a nice insurance policy for the 30-year-old Jones. Akers and Chandler add depth to this rock-solid Vikings group.
Grade: B
New England Patriots
Notable RBs on Roster: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson
New England’s offseason mission was to upgrade the weapons around young quarterback Drake Maye. That philosophy led them to select Ohio State superstar TreVeyon Henderson early in the second round of the 2025 draft. He’s a dual-threat playmaker with home run capabilities. Stevenson’s 3.8 true yards per carry ranked 49th in the NFL last season, and while some of that can be traced to a messy offensive line, his place atop the Patriots backfield pecking order is in jeopardy.
Grade: C
New Orleans Saints
Notable RBs on Roster: Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Though closing in on 30, Kamara remained one of the NFL’s best dual-threat backs in 2024. He totaled just shy of 1,500 all-purpose yards in 14 games last season. Kendre Miller struggled to get out of former head coach Dennis Allen’s doghouse, perhaps the regime change will improve his production. There’s a chance sixth-round draft pick Devin Neal overtakes Miller on the depth chart before the end of his rookie season.
Grade: B-
New York Giants
Notable RBs on Roster: Tyrone Tracy Jr., Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary, Eric Gray
Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. showed plenty of promise in 2024, racking up over 1,000 all-purpose yards and solidifying himself as New York’s running back of the future. The G-Men selected Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo in the fourth round of the NFL draft in hopes that he’ll be a nice compliment to Tracy. Veteran Singletary is a reliable presence who manufactures production despite his lack of explosiveness.
Grade: C+
New York Jets
Notable RBs on Roster: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Donovan Edwards
Though he remains one of the most talented dual-threat backs in the NFL, Hall’s efficiency has continued to drop, as he’s received over 200 carries in each of the last two years. While he’ll still be New York’s top option, new head coach Aaron Glenn might look to involve Allen and Davis more in an effort to keep Hall healthy. Allen impressed early in his rookie campaign, while Davis averaged an eye-opening 5.8 yards per carry on limited attempts.
Grade: B
Philadelphia Eagles
Notable RBs on Roster: Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Avery Williams
To say that the free-agent signing of Barkley was a success would be the understatement of the century. In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley led the NFL in rushing with just over 2,000 yards, while also hauling in 33 catches for 278 yards. The only thing that could slow Barkley down in 2025 would be an injury. With Kenneth Gainwell off to Pittsburgh in free agency, second-year pro Will Shipley and former Green Bay Packer A.J. Dillon will compete for work behind Barkley.
Grade: A
Pittsburgh Steelers
Notable RBs on Roster: Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kenneth Gainwell
The Steelers elected to let longtime workhorse Najee Harris bolt to the Chargers in free agency. However, they drafted what appears to be the perfect replacement for him in Kaleb Johnson, a powerful back who rushed for over 1,500 yards and 21 TDs last year at Iowa. Warren figures to see more opportunities in Harris’ absence. He averaged an efficient 5.2 yards per touch in 2024.
Grade: B-
San Francisco 49ers
Notable RBs on Roster: Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, Jordan James
The outlook for this Niners backfield rests almost entirely on the health of McCaffrey, who only managed to suit up four times in 2024. Assuming he’s back to himself in 2025, the production should again be elite. Jordan Mason filled in admirably for CMC in 2025, but was surprisingly dealt to Minnesota following the season. Rookie Guerendo also looked sturdy with his opportunities, averaging 5.0 YPC on 84 carries. He’ll be the primary backup to McCaffrey, though the fifth-round selection of Oregon’s Jordan James shouldn’t be overlooked.
Grade: A
Seattle Seahawks
Notable RBs on Roster: Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, Damien Martinez, George Halani
Walker battled through injuries for much of 2024, and as a result, put forth the least productive campaign of his career while suiting up in just 11 games. Second-year pro Charbonnet filled in admirably, tallying just over 900 all-purpose yards with nine TDs. The Seattle backfield should continue to be a two-man approach in 2025 with Walker and Charbonnet combining for one of the league’s best 1-2 combinations.
Grade: A-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Notable RBs on Roster: Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker
The Tampa Bay rushing attack was elite in 2024, setting a new franchise record with 2,536 total rushing yards. Irving and White were one of two NFL running back duos to have over 1,000 rushing yards each with the other being Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery of the Lions. Irving led all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,514), rushing yards (1,122) and rushing touchdowns (eight) in 2024. White’s statistical production regressed due to the emergence of Irving, though he remains Tampa’s best pass protecting back. Second-year pro Sean Tucker’s contributions can’t be ignored, as he averaged an eye-popping 6.2 YPC in limited action.
Grade: A
Tennessee Titans
Notable RBs on Roster: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Kalel Mullings
Splashy free-agent signing Tony Pollard topped 1,000 rushing yards in his first season with the Titans. Many expected a big leap from second-year pro Tyjae Spears, but injuries largely derailed his 2025 campaign, as he averaged just 3.7 YPC in 12 games played.
Grade: C+
Washington Commanders
Notable RBs on Roster: Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Washington’s backfield holds many question marks heading into 2025. Brian Robinson started the 2024 season strong, but injuries limited him to just 14 games, and he failed to top 100 total yards in any of the Commanders last seven games. Veteran Austin Ekeler also dealt with injuries, appearing in only 12 games, however, he was efficient when healthy and averaged 6.5 yards per touch. With the injury history of both Robinson and Ekeler, seventh-round draft pick Croskey-Merritt could play a larger role than anyone expects during his rookie season.
Grade: C+
