Best Running Backs in the NFL Tier List
These are the best Running Backs in the NFL going into week 12 ranked according to tiers. The tier rankings are according to overall talent, production so far, and projected production going forward. This is also not accounting for players who are currently injured and not expected this week.
TIER 6:
Jerrick McKinnon:
2022-23 Season Stats: 149 rushing yards, 3.8 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 212 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 24 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Pacheco is the better running back, but McKinnon is a very underrated pass catcher for the Chiefs.
James Cook:
2022-23 Season Stats: 225 rushing yards, 5.8 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 96 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 86 rushing yards, 7.82 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
I really believe in James Cook as a talent and the rookie continues to get more looks.
Latavius Murray:
2022-23 Season Stats: 266 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per attempt, 04 rushing touchdowns, 64 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 49 rushing yards, 2.88 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 23 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Melvin Gordon has been cut and Latavius Murray get’s the chance to be the guy for the Broncos.
Cam Akers:
2022-23 Season Stats: 237 rushing yards, 3.1 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 18 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 61 rushing yards, 4.38 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
With Darrelle Henderson out, it’s now time for Cam Akers to live up to his potential.
Tyler Allgeier:
2022-23 Season Stats: 498 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 87 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 55 rushing yards, 6.88 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 09 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Tyler Allgeier is the in between the tackles running back but he’s no Patterson.
Alexander Mattison:
2022-23 Season Stats: 149 rushing yards, 3.5 yards per attempt, 02 rushing touchdowns, 74 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 0 rushing yards, 0.0 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 08 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
On a contract year, Alexander Mattison is talented but will never be the guy unless Dalvin Cook gets injured or Mattison joins another team.
Elijah Mitchell:
2022-23 Season Stats: 189 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, -1 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 59 rushing yards, 6.56 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Elijah Mitchell is extremely effective, but Christian McCaffrey is the dominant running back for the 49ers.
Samaje Perine:
2022-23 Season Stats: 163 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 178 receiving yards, 04 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 30 rushing yards, 2.73 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 52 receiving yards, 03 receiving touchdowns
If Joe Mixon is out, Samaje Perine has proved to be an extremely impressive pass catcher.
Gus Edwards:
2022-23 Season Stats: 131 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per attempt, 02 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: N/A
As soon as Gus Edwards is healthy, he should become the RB1 for this team without Dobbins.
Kenyan Drake:
2022-23 Season Stats: 390 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 52 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 46 rushing yards, 4.60 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 07 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
This Ravens backfield has been a revolving door with injuries. Kenyan Drake has had a couple of big weeks without Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.
TIER 5:
James Robinson:
2022-23 Season Stats: 415 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 51 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 10 rushing yards, 1.43 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
While I do think James Robinson is very talented, the same can be said for Michael Carter who the Jets invested more draft capital in.
Rachaad White:
2022-23 Season Stats: 222 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 135 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: N/A
This rookie is starting to cement his role for the offense. It’s only a matter of time before he gets more touches than Leonard Fournette.
AJ Dillon:
2022-23 Season Stats: 467 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 109 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 13 rushing yards, 2.17 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 10 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Aaron Jones is the guy. AJ Dillon has proven to be a lot more one-dimensional than though.
Raheem Mostert:
2022-23 Season Stats: 543 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 119 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: N/A
It will continue to be a 1a and 1b with Mostert and Wilson. That being said Mostert has done very well this season.
Jeff Wilson:
2022-23 Season Stats: 638 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 136 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: N/A
I thought it would take some time, but Mike McDaniel has history with Jeff Wilson and he looks to be the best Running Back on this team.
Isiah Pacheco:
2022-23 Season Stats: 386 rushing yards, 5.1 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 13 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 107 rushing yards, 7.13 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire now on injury reserve, Isiah Pacheco has proved he can take on the load for the best offense in the NFL.
Michael Carter:
2022-23 Season Stats: 349 rushing yards, 3.8 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 194 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 19 rushing yards, 2.38 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, -2 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
With the injury to Breece Hall, Michael Carter is now the best running back on this team. It was a dud week for him against the Patriots, but that was the case for the entire offense.
Brian Robinson:
2022-23 Season Stats: 362 rushing yards, 3.4 yards per attempt, 02 rushing touchdowns, 07 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 57 rushing yards, 3.80 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
This man is a bruiser. He will carry defenders with him into the endzone.
TIER 4:
D’Andre Swift:
2022-23 Season Stats: 273 rushing yards, 6.1 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 162 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 20 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 12 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
I really thought he could potentially be one of the top 10 best running backs in the NFL this season. Injuries and Jamaal Williams prevented that from happening.
Kareem Hunt:
2022-23 Season Stats: 346 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 149 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 32 rushing yards, 6.40 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 22 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Kareem Hunt could be the RB1 for a lot of teams in the NFL. Too bad Nick Chubb is the alpha for the Browns.
Devin Singletary:
2022-23 Season Stats: 480 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 218 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 86 rushing yards, 4.78 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 11 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
This Buffalo Bills offense is scary good. When teams focus on the passing attack, Devin Singletary is there to produce.
Antonio Gibson:
2022-23 Season Stats: 444 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 284 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 72 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 31 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Brian Robinson is the bruiser, but Antonio Gibson is the one that can do it all pass catching-wise.
Damien Harris:
2022-23 Season Stats: 367 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 75 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 65 rushing yards, 8.13 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 28 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Damien Harris was very efficient this past week, but it’s still Rhamondre Stevenson’s RB1 job.
D’Onte Foreman:
2022-23 Season Stats: 450 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per attempt, 04 rushing touchdowns, 25 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 24 rushing yards, 2.18 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
It was a dud week for D’Onte Foreman, but you can’t forget about weeks previous.
Jamaal Williams:
2022-23 Season Stats: 668 rushing yards, 4.2 yards per attempt, 12 rushing touchdowns, 57 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 64 rushing yards, 3.76 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
This man has developed into a touchdown machine. It has been a revelation for this Lions team.
Ezekiel Elliott:
2022-23 Season Stats: 485 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per attempt, 06 rushing touchdowns, 37 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 42 rushing yards, 2.80 yards per attempt, 02 rushing touchdowns, 05 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
It’s clear Tony Pollard is the more talented running back. That being said Ezekiel Elliott is very efficient near the goal line vulturing those touchdowns.
TIER 3:
James Conner:
2022-23 Season Stats: 356 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per attempt, 04 rushing touchdowns, 151 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 42 rushing yards, 3.0 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 12 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Now seemingly healthy, James Conner is one of the better dual threat running backs that doesn’t get talked about.
David Montgomery:
2022-23 Season Stats: 501 rushing yards, 3.8 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 204 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 67 rushing yards, 3.94 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 54 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
With Khalil Herbert on injury reserve, the door is open for David Montgomery to rise on the running back rankings.
Leonard Fournette:
2022-23 Season Stats: 462 rushing yards, 3.4 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 315 receiving yards, 03 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: N/A
Rachaad White is rising up my board. I wouldn’t be shocked if he continues to be a thorn in the production of Leonard Fournette going forward.
Miles Sanders:
2022-23 Season Stats: 757 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per attempt, 06 rushing touchdowns, 43 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 47 rushing yards, 3.62 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 01 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
The Philadelphia Eagles offensive line is so good that most running backs would succeed behind it. Miles Sanders isn’t just any running back though.
Najee Harris:
2022-23 Season Stats: 550 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 138 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 90 rushing yards, 4.50 yards per attempt, 02 rushing touchdowns, 26 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
People were quick to discount Najee Harris, but forget how he has played through injuries. He passed the eye test with flying colors last week.
Tony Pollard:
2022-23 Season Stats: 701 rushing yards, 5.9 yards per attempt, 06 rushing touchdowns, 243 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 80 rushing yards, 5.33 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 109 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
I was very, very close to ranking him in the second tier. If Ezekiel Elliott wasn’t on this team, his stock would be sky high due to his tremendous efficiency.
Cordarrelle Patterson:
2022-23 Season Stats: 454 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per attempt, 05 rushing touchdowns, 46 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 52 rushing yards, 5.20 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 07 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Cordarrelle Patterson just broke the record for most kick return touchdowns ever. He is also one of the best running backs in the NFL that rarely gets used to his potential on offense.
Dameon Pierce:
2022-23 Season Stats: 780 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 135 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 08 rushing yards, 0.80 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 09 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Davis Mills has kept this Texans team scraping from the bottom of the barrel. Thankfully, Dameon Pierce gives this franchise hope for the future.
TIER 2:
Dalvin Cook:
2022-23 Season Stats: 799 rushing yards, 5.1 yards per attempt, 06 rushing touchdowns, 146 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 72 rushing yards, 6.55 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
The Vikings keep winning but the production of Dalvin Cook has not been the same as last season. Blame that on the Vikings new “pass first” approach.
Joe Mixon:
2022-23 Season Stats: 605 rushing yards, 3.8 yards per attempt, 06 rushing touchdowns, 314 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 20 rushing yards, 2.86 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 42 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
He has had his dud games, and then comes back for a 5 touchdown performance. That inconsistency leaves him off tier 1.
Alvin Kamara:
2022-23 Season Stats: 511 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 385 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 42 rushing yards, 3.50 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 47 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
The New Orleans Saints have been extremely inconsistent this season. The same goes for Alvin Kamara’s production.
Aaron Jones:
2022-23 Season Stats: 778 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per attempt, 02 rushing touchdowns, 248 receiving yards, 03 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 40 rushing yards, 3.33 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 20 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
The disappointing Packers have learned to win they need to keep feeding the ball to Aaron Jones.
Kenneth Walker:
2022-23 Season Stats: 587 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per attempt, 07 rushing touchdowns, 103 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: N/A
The injury to Rashaad Penny has opened the door for this freak of a rookie Running Back. The Seahawks surprise dominance can be largely credited to Walker.
Travis Etienne:
2022-23 Season Stats: 725 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per attempt, 04 rushing touchdowns, 202 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: N/A
Coming off a rookie season in which he couldn’t play a single game due to injury, Travis Etienne has developed into one of the best dual threat Running Backs in the NFL.
Jonathan Taylor:
2022-23 Season Stats: 693 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per attempt, 03 rushing touchdowns, 97 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 84 rushing yards, 3.82 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 10 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
It was a very disappointing start for Jonathan Taylor and the Colts, but he now is catching stride.
Rhamondre Stevenson:
2022-23 Season Stats: 644 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per attempt, 04 rushing touchdowns, 283 receiving yards, 01 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 26 rushing yards, 1.73 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 56 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Rhamondre Stevenson has been a very pleasant surprise for the Patriots this season. Someone that big shouldn’t be able to catch passes as fluid as Rhamondre.
TIER 1:
Nick Chubb:
2022-23 Season Stats: 923 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per attempt, 11 rushing touchdowns, 136 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 19 rushing yards, 1.36 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 48 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Nick Chubb is the best pure runner in the NFL. The Browns offense would be nothing without him this season.
Derrick Henry:
2022-23 Season Stats: 1010 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per attempt, 10 rushing touchdowns, 199 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 87 rushing yards, 3.11 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 45 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
King Henry continues to be a freak of nature. This Titans offense will continue to run through him.
Christian McCaffrey:
2022-23 Season Stats: 602 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per attempt, 04 rushing touchdowns, 462 receiving yards, 02 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 39 rushing yards, 5.57 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 67 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
My vote for best pass catching running back in the NFL. Christian McCaffrey has transformed the 49ers into Super Bowl contenders.
Austin Ekeler:
2022-23 Season Stats: 534 rushing yards, 4.3 yards per attempt, 07 rushing touchdowns, 437 receiving yards, 04 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 83 rushing yards, 4.37 yards per attempt, 01 rushing touchdowns, 17 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Arguably the best pass catching running back in the NFL, Austin Ekeler is the much needed safety valve for Justin Herbert.
Saquon Barkley:
2022-23 Season Stats: 953 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per attempt, 06 rushing touchdowns, 210 receiving yards, 04 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 22 rushing yards, 1.47 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 13 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Saquon Barkley has come back from injury to become one of the best Running Backs in the NFL.
Josh Jacobs:
2022-23 Season Stats: 930 rushing yards, 5.1 yards per attempt, 07 rushing touchdowns, 251 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Week 11 Stats: 109 rushing yards, 4.54 yards per attempt, 0 rushing touchdowns, 51 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
While this Raiders team has disappointed, Josh Jacobs continues to be a shining light with his production.
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