Honestly, if you listen to the analytics crowd, starting running backs in the NFL are basically a relic of the past, like fax machines or corded home phones. They’ll tell you the position is "devalued" and that you can just find some guy in the sixth round to give you 80% of the production for 10% of the cost.
But then you watch the 2025 season.
You see James Cook in Buffalo, who basically became the engine of that offense after signing his $48 million extension. Or Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, who just wrapped up a year with a staggering 2,298 scrimmage yards. Suddenly, the "running backs don't matter" argument starts to feel a little thin.
We’re in a weird spot in football history. The league is pass-heavy, sure. But the elite starting running backs in the NFL have evolved. They aren't just guys who run into a pile of linemen 25 times a game anymore. They’re hybrid weapons, frequently lining up in the slot or leading their teams in receptions.
The 2025 Stat Leaders: Who Actually Ruled the Backfield?
The hierarchy of the position shifted quite a bit this past season. While veterans like Christian McCaffrey (now 30) are still incredibly productive, the young guns are taking over the top tier of the rankings.
James Cook actually led the league in rushing yards this year, finishing with 1,621. That’s a massive statement for a guy many thought was just a "change of pace" back a few years ago. Buffalo went 11-1 in games where he had over 100 scrimmage yards. When he struggled, they lost. It's that simple.
Then you have Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis. He had a resurgent year, putting up 1,585 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He joined Emmitt Smith as one of the only players with multiple seasons of 1,500+ yards and 18+ scores. Even when the Colts lost Daniel Jones to injury mid-season, Taylor kept them afloat.
Here is how the top of the food chain looks after the 2025 regular season:
- The Scrimmage King: Bijan Robinson (Falcons) – 1,478 rush yards, 820 receiving yards.
- The Iron Man: Christian McCaffrey (49ers) – Led the league with 413 total touches.
- The Home Run Hitter: TreVeyon Henderson (Patriots) – The rookie had four TD runs of 50+ yards.
- The Workhorse: Jonathan Taylor (Colts) – Led the league in carries (323) and rushing TDs (18).
The "Rookie Takeover" and the 2026 Draft Outlook
If you think the current crop of starting running backs in the NFL is talented, wait until you see the 2026 draft class. Scouts are already drooling over Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame. He’s projected as a first-round talent because he has that rare "track speed" combined with the ability to catch passes like a seasoned wideout.
We also saw a major shift in how rookies were used this past season. TreVeyon Henderson in New England and RJ Harvey in Denver didn't just sit on the bench; they took the starting jobs and ran with them. Henderson, in particular, completely changed the dynamic in Foxborough, outperforming veteran Rhamondre Stevenson for much of the year.
Starting Running Backs in the NFL: The Contract Crisis
There is a massive elephant in the room: money.
Teams are still terrified of long-term deals for RBs. Saquon Barkley is currently sitting on a contract worth about $20.6 million per year with the Eagles, and McCaffrey is right behind him at $19 million. But look at the drop-off after the top five or six guys.
The middle class of the position is disappearing.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, we have some huge names hitting free agency. Breece Hall (Jets), Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks), and Travis Etienne Jr. (Jaguars) are all looking for big paydays. The problem? Teams are looking at the success of guys like Cam Skattebo or Rico Dowdle—who played on relatively cheap deals—and wondering if they really need to pay $12 million a year for a "star."
Breece Hall is the most interesting case. He’s a borderline elite talent, but the Jets have a lot of holes to fill. Will they franchise tag him, or let him test a market that hasn't always been kind to 25-year-old backs?
Misconceptions About the Modern RB1
One thing people get wrong is the "committee" obsession. Fans think every team uses a 50/50 split now. That’s not quite true.
While teams like the Lions successfully use a "1A/1B" approach with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the true "bellcow" still exists for the elite. If you have a guy like Isiah Pacheco in Kansas City or Kyren Williams with the Rams, you aren't taking them off the field unless they’re gasping for air.
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The "committee" is often a solution for teams that don't have a superstar, not necessarily a preferred strategy for those that do.
Why the Position Still Matters for Winning
Look at the playoff teams from 2025. Almost every single one had a definitive answer at the running back position. Whether it was Derrick Henry still defying age in Baltimore or Josh Jacobs grinding out yards in Green Bay, the ability to run the ball when the defense knows you're going to run is what wins in January.
It’s about "Success Rate," a stat that coaches love more than total yards. Can you get 4 yards on 1st and 10? Can you pick up the 3rd and 2 without needing a miracle throw from your QB?
What to Watch for Next
If you’re trying to keep track of the landscape, here is what you should be looking at over the next few months:
- The Franchise Tag Circus: Watch Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker. If they don't get tagged, the market is going to be chaotic.
- The 2026 Combine: Keep an eye on Jeremiyah Love's 40-yard dash. If he hits the numbers people expect, he could be the first RB taken in the top 15 in years.
- Injury Recoveries: Alvin Kamara had a rough, injury-plagued 2025. At 30 years old, his role in New Orleans (or elsewhere) is a major question mark.
- Depth Chart Shifts: In Denver, RJ Harvey has seemingly taken the reins, but Jaleel McLaughlin is always one big game away from making it a true split backfield again.
The narrative that running backs are interchangeable is starting to crack. The best starting running backs in the NFL are proving they are the heartbeat of their respective offenses. They provide the balance that allows the $50-million-a-year quarterbacks to actually do their jobs.
Keep an eye on the waiver wires and the transaction logs. The 2026 season is going to be a referendum on the value of the position, and the tape from 2025 suggests the stars aren't going anywhere.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason:
- Monitor the legal tampering period starting in March to see which teams prioritize RB help over drafting a rookie.
- Follow Next Gen Stats for "Rush Yards Over Expected" (RYOE) to see which starters are actually creating yards and which are just following good blocking.
- Check the Patriots' backfield camp battles—Henderson looks like the future, but Stevenson's contract makes it a complicated situation.