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Quincy Milton projects and ranks all 32 starting NFL running backs for the 2025 season. From Saquon Barkley to Rhamondre Stevenson, see where each running back falls ahead of training camp.
NFL Running Back Power Rankings
NFL training camp is almost upon us, and soon we will be inundated with camp reports that will provide the illusion that sleeper running backs are climbing their depth charts. While that is partially true, many running back depth charts around the league have already taken shape. Mini camp reports gave NFL fans a solid indication as to where everyone stands. Let’s dive in and see where each running back ranks ahead of training camp.
32. Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson remains the starter in New England, but rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has impressed to this point. Henderson is far more electric than Stevenson, and Stevenson has been on thin ice for the past couple of seasons anyway. In a couple of months, this section could be written about Henderson.
31. Tyrone Tracy Jr. - New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr. will likely split backfield duties with rookie Cam Skattebo and veteran Devin Singletary this season. Still, he is likely the main back who will receive the bulk of work.
30. Jerome Ford/Quinshon Judkins - Cleveland Browns
Jerome Ford is the elder statesman of this backfield and will likely begin the season as the starter. However, Quinshon Judkins was not selected in the second-round of the NFL Draft to sit idly by. Reports suggest that Judkins is quickly growing into a larger role in the office.
29. Javonte Williams - Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams will likely split some backfield duties with the plethora of backs behind him in Dallas. Still, Williams has a golden opportunity to resurrect his career after injuries derailed it. He will be running behind a great offensive line which will boost his chances of high-end success.
28. Travis Etienne Jr./Tank Bigsby - Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne Jr. seems to be reclaiming this backfield after ceding a lot of work to Tank Bigsby in 2024. The Jaguars’ offensive coaches are suggesting that Etienne will be the main running back this season. He has displayed the talent to be the main player, but time will tell if he is able to deliver in 2025.
27. Isiah Pacheco - Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco remains the No. 1 running back in Kansas City after injuries caused him to fall short of ascending to new heights in 2024. The Chiefs added Elijah Mitchell to the backfield and retained Kareem Hunt. However, Pacheco has enough talent to dispel both players.
26. Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. does not face any new threats to his positioning as the top back in Washington. Robinson is going to be a solid contributor for a Washington offense that should be excellent once again.
25. RJ Harvey - Denver Broncos
RJ Harvey was viewed by many as a reach in the second-round of April’s draft. However, head coach Sean Payton identified his guy and went and got him. Expect Harvey to begin in a timeshare. With no clear alpha in Denver’s backfield, Harvey could quickly separate himself from the pack.
24. D'Andre Swift - Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift is one of the biggest offseason winners at the running back position. The Bears did not add competition to the backfield and signed head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson orchestrated one of the best running games in the league in Detroit in 2024.
23. Jaylen Warren/Kaleb Johnson - Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren is the new starter in Pittsburgh, but Kaleb Johnson seems to have earned a spot on this list. Johnson has separated himself as someone the Steelers’ brass is falling in love with. He is their type of player and should slot into Najee Harris’ old role seamlessly.
22. Najee Harris/Omarion Hampton - Los Angeles Chargers
Let’s add Omarion Hampton here as he continues to emerge as a huge piece of the Chargers’ backfield. Hampton is younger and more spry than Harris. He very well could be the main workhorse running back in this backfield by the end of the season.
21. Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard is returning as the Titans’ main running back. The team is hoping for offensive improvements with rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Pollard ran well in 2024 and should continue to enjoy solid success in 2025 with an improved team.
20. Joe Mixon - Houston Texans
Joe Mixon has a new running mate with Nick Chubb coming to town. Mixon figures to continue as the main running back in the offense, but Chubb will give Mixon opportunities to rest. Still, Mixon is aging and has never been the most explosive running back.
19. Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III is already battling injuries in camp. He has reportedly been dealing with an ankle injury. Walker is playing for a coach who did not draft him, and he is in a contract year. The team could look to shift to other options if Walker cannot stay healthy.
18. Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara has continued to slow down and become less efficient as he ages. However, he has remained effective as a pass catcher and veteran running back. The Saints’ offense could have a rough time in 2025. Kamara’s years of dominance are certainly well behind him.
17. Breece Hall - New York Jets
Breece Hall is in a contract season and figures to have a big year in 2025. If he does not, his payday is unlikely to come. Hall should see decent running lanes with a solid offensive line and a running quarterback in place.
16. Aaron Jones - Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones has a new running mate in Jordan Mason for 2024. Mason is a quality back who will certainly eat into Jones’ workload, but for now, Jones remains the unquestioned starting running back in Minnesota.
15. De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane will reportedly cede carries to second-year back Jaylen Wright in an effort to preserve Achane’s body. It remains to be seen whether that will actually come to fruition. For now, we will have to wait and see.
14. Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown appears to be on his way to a true workhorse role in Cincinnati’s offense. The team will have Zack Moss back from injury, but Brown was already taking over prior to Moss’ injury in 2024.
13. James Conner - Arizona Cardinals
James Conner will continue to be the solid running back that he is in 2025. Conner has been the heart and soul of the Cardinals’ offense for the last few seasons. The team trusts him and he delivers.
12. Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard has a chance to fully level up in 2025. He had already made huge strides in 2024, and the Panthers’ offense will only be better this coming season. Hubbard is squarely in his prime at just 26 years old.
11. Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty will begin his rookie season near the top of the power rankings based on talent alone. The Raiders are not the most talented team, so time will tell if Jeanty is able to have an otherworldly season or an average season.
10. Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving was a pleasant surprise as a fourth-round rookie in 2024. He has now outright won the starting job over Rachaad White. Irving has the potential for a monster season in 2025 if his body can hold up.
9. Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams will step into his normal workhorse role in a contract year. If no deal gets done before the season, Williams should be extra motivated to produce and earn as much money as he can next offseason.
8. James Cook - Buffalo Bills
James Cook is still entrenched in a contract negotiation battle with the Bills. It is unclear whether the stalemate will force Cook to hold out in 2025, but the Bills need him, and frankly, Cook needs the Bills.
7. Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor has a chance for a massive season in 2025. However, he will need his depleted offensive line to deliver. The Colts face challenges at their quarterback position as well. Either way, Taylor will receive a lot of work in 2025.
6. Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs is entering Year 2 as the Packers’ main running back. He was stellar in 2024 as a touchdown machine. Jacobs could be even better in 2025 if quarterback Jordan Love can remain healthy for the full season.
5. Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey has had issues staying healthy in recent seasons. All reports suggest that he is healthy and ready to go after missing the majority of 2024. If healthy, McCaffrey is as good a bet as anyone to finish the season as the best running back in the league. However, each unhealthy season leads to additional aging for McCaffrey.
4. Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson appears to be ready to take the league by storm. He is an emerging running back who passes every eye test. The Falcons’ offense could be very prolific in 2024, which would boost Robinson’s prospects for ascension.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery - Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are synonymous with each other at this point. Gibbs is an electric runner with big-play ability. Montgomery is the thumper who wears down a defense. Both players are better when the other is in the lineup. That is unlikely to change in 2025.
2. Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry continues to run through the league and leave a figurative trail of bodies behind him as he does it. Henry should continue to do is in 2025 as he has shown no signs of slowing down. This guy is a runaway train who is on his way to breaking records at this point.
1. Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley is the top back in the league after his monstrous 2024 season. Barkley is the total package and should continue to perform at a high level in an Eagles’ offense that remains largely unchanged in 2025. A repeat of his 2024 season is unlikely, but do not expect Barkley to slow down.
