Everyone says the running back is dead. They’ve been saying it for years. "Don't pay them," the analysts scream. "Draft them in the late rounds," the fantasy gurus whisper. Honestly? They’re mostly wrong. If you watched even a single snap of the 2025 season, you saw that a truly elite back isn't just a luxury—they’re the entire engine.
The league has changed, sure. But it hasn't moved away from the ground game; it has just demanded more from the humans doing the running. You can't just be a "bruiser" anymore. You have to be a slot receiver, a pass protector, and a home-run hitter all at once. Basically, you have to be a unicorn.
The 2,000-Yard Club is Getting Crowded
Remember when 2,000 scrimmage yards was a once-in-a-career miracle? In 2025, we had two guys do it simultaneously. Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey basically broke the game.
Bijan is the one everyone is talking about right now, and for good reason. The kid finished the 2025 regular season with 2,298 scrimmage yards. That is the third-most by any player in their first three seasons in the history of the NFL. Only LaDainian Tomlinson and Eric Dickerson had better starts. Think about that for a second. We are watching a guy who is literally on a Hall of Fame trajectory before he can even rent a car without an extra fee. He’s the reason the Atlanta Falcons actually looked like a playoff threat last year.
Then there’s CMC. Christian McCaffrey is 29 now. In "running back years," that’s basically 104. But the guy just refuses to slow down. He led the league with 413 scrimmage touches in 2025. That’s insane. He’s now tied with LT for the most seasons in NFL history (three) with at least 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. If the Niners' receiving core hadn't been a walking infirmary last year, maybe he wouldn't have had to carry the ball 311 times, but he did it. And he didn't fumble once. Not once.
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NFL Top Running Backs: The New Guard vs. The Old Power
The weirdest thing about the current NFL top running backs landscape is the sheer variety. You have James Cook in Buffalo, who just led the league in pure rushing yards with 1,621. He’s not a massive guy, but he’s shifty as hell. The Bills were 11-1 when he hit 100 scrimmage yards and 1-4 when he didn't. That’s not a coincidence.
Then you’ve got Jonathan Taylor. JT is a throwback who somehow feels futuristic. He started 2025 on an absolute tear, including a 244-yard masterpiece against Atlanta in Germany. He finished with 18 rushing touchdowns, joining Emmitt Smith as the only players ever to have multiple seasons with 1,500 yards and 18 scores. It’s a shame Daniel Jones got hurt in Indy because Taylor was on pace to challenge records before the offense lost its rhythm.
Why We Should Stop Retiring Derrick Henry
People have been trying to put Derrick Henry in a rocking chair since 2022. It hasn't worked. Even in a "down" 2025 where the Ravens' offensive line struggled and Lamar Jackson dealt with a hamstring issue, Henry still passed 13,000 career rushing yards.
Is he as explosive as he was in Tennessee? No. But he’s still 247 pounds of "I don't want to tackle that." His yards after contact took a dip to 3.19 per carry, which sounds bad until you realize the league average is way lower. He's currently 10th all-time in rushing yards and 4th in touchdowns. We're witnessing a living legend, and we should probably appreciate it while it lasts.
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The Lions' "Problem" (That Everyone Wants)
Detroit has a fascinating situation. Jahmyr Gibbs is clearly the superstar-in-waiting. He racked up 1,839 scrimmage yards in 2025 and became a genuine threat in the passing game with 77 catches. But David Montgomery is still there, lurking.
People get frustrated that Montgomery still takes 30-40% of the snaps, but that’s why Gibbs is so healthy and explosive. When Montgomery was out for three weeks late in the season, Gibbs went "bonkers," averaging over 32 fantasy points a game. He's a top-three back, period. But the Lions' philosophy of keeping him fresh is exactly why they’re a powerhouse.
What's Next? Looking Toward the 2026 Draft
If you’re a GM looking at the 2026 class, you’re probably salivating over Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. He’s the consensus RB1 for a reason. He’s about 215 pounds, runs like a sprinter, and catches the ball like a wideout.
The depth behind him is... questionable. Jonah Coleman from Washington is a tank, but there are speed concerns. Most scouts think this is a "top-heavy" class. If you need a franchise-changer, you better be picking in the top 15 to grab Love.
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The Reality Check
Look, the "running backs don't matter" crowd has a point about longevity. It’s a brutal job. Breece Hall finally hit 1,000 yards for the Jets, but he’s already heading into free agency with a lot of miles on those tires. Saquon Barkley is still a freak athlete, but he only topped 100 yards in three regular-season games for Philly last year despite that great O-line.
The value isn't in the position; it’s in the person. There are maybe five or six guys on the planet who can do what Bijan or CMC do. Everyone else is replaceable.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
- Watch the Age Apex: If you're a fan or a fantasy manager, keep a close eye on McCaffrey's training camp reports. 29 is the cliff for many, though he seems to be built of different stuff.
- Follow the Scrimmage Yards: Don't just look at rushing totals. The best backs in 2026 will be the ones who record 60+ receptions.
- Draft Strategy: In the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, watch where Jeremiyah Love lands. If he goes to a team with a creative play-caller (think Lions, Niners, or Rams), he’s an immediate Pro Bowl candidate.
The position isn't dying. It's just evolving into something faster, leaner, and much more expensive to keep. If you have a top-tier back, cherish them. They’re the only thing standing between a stagnant offense and a Super Bowl run.