The ground game of the NFL continues to evolve from one NFL season to the next as many if not most of the teams around the league turn their offensive approaches to the pass play. However, that does not take away anything from the talent level at the running back position as the league is filled with a ton of playmakers at the position including Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers who is as explosive as any running back within the league. McCaffrey’s ability to play a role in the team’s ground game attack as well as the passing game lands the 49ers All-Pro running back atop the Top 10 NFL Running Backs 2024 Rankings.

McCaffrey enters the upcoming 2024 NFL schedule coming off leading the NFL in rushing yards with 1,459 while also ranking second among the group in receiving yards with 564 yards.

Now as one of the main weapons in the 49ers offensive game plan, McCaffrey has forced teams to focus on his ability to make a big play, opening up the offense’s overall passing game.

Joining McCaffrey among the best running backs in the NFL include second year standout Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons, Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens, Travis Etienne Jr of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Breece Hall of the New York Jets. 

Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Running Backs 2024 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Raheem Mostert

Team: Miami Dolphins

2023 STATS: 209 ATT, 1012 YDS, 18 TD, 4.8 AVG

Just missing the Top 10 NFL Running Backs 2024 Rankings list is the Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert.

From a physical tool’s perspective, Mostert ranks among the games best running backs while displaying that potential last season while finding the endzone 18 times to lead the NFL.

However, Mostert has had a history of injury concerns while appearing in just 15 games three times since entering the league during the 2015 NFL season.

Nonetheless, Mostert should continue to produce while being a main red zone threat of one of the league’s top overall offenses. 

Jahmyr Gibbs

Team: Detroit Lions

2023 STATS: 182 ATT, 945 YDS, 10 TD, 5.2 AVG

Looking at one second year running back set to take his game to the next level is the former Alabama Crimson star Jahmyr Gibbs. Splitting time during his rookie season alongside veteran running back David Montgomery, the combo formed one of the top tandems in the NFL combining for 1,960 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns on the ground.

Entering season two, Gibbs should continue to play a significant role in the team’s offense using his speed, elusiveness, and breakaway speed to top his rookie performance.

Gibbs will enter the 2024 season looking to top the 1,000-yard mark after finishing with just 945 yards while also surpassing his 10 rushing touchdowns. Gibbs also adds a sure handed receiver out of the backfield after posting 52 catches and 316 receiving yards in his first season.

Top 10 NFL Running Backs 2024 Rankings

10. Joe Mixon

Team: Houston Texans

2023 STATS: 257 ATT, 1034 YDS, 9 TD, 4.0 AVG

Sliding in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Running Backs 2024 Rankings list is the former Cincinnati Bengals and current Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon.

Mixon, who has been one of the top passing attacks in the NFL continues to rank among the most consistent running backs in the NFL while also ranking among the best in protecting the football.

Since arriving during the 2017 NFL season, Mixon has posted just three career fumbles over 1,571 career rushing attempts. Mixon delivers a powerful attack using his entire frame at six foot one inches and 228 pounds to move the ball down field while also being a red zone touchdown threat.

The production does not stop there as the Texans will also receive a strong receiving running back who has posted back-to-back season seasons with at least 52 catches.

9. D’Andre Swift

Team: Chicago Bears

2023 STATS: 229 ATT, 1049 YDS, 5 TD, 4.6 AVG

Big questions surround D’Andre Swift as he enters year five and begins a fresh start with the Chicago Bears after signing a big deal during the off-season.

Swift is coming off his best overall season of his career playing in 16 games for the first time while also topping the 1,000-yard mark (1,049) for the first time. He is a dynamic all around running back who is a threat on the ground and in the team’s passing attack while also having the ability to turn a broken play into a big play.

Only question mark heading into 2024 is how much did the big physical Philadelphia Eagles offensive line play into his success?

8. James Conner

Team: Arizona Cardinals

2023 STATS: 208 ATT, 1040 YDS, 7 TD, 5 AVG

One running back that is often overlooked is the Arizona Cardinals veteran running back and former Pittsburgh Steeler James Conner.

Conner is coming off his best season of his NFL career in regard to yards including topping the 1,000-yard mark for the first time of his NFL career (1,040).

After posting a career high 15 touchdowns in his first season with the Cardinals, Conner has added seven touchdowns in each the past two seasons while posting a career high 57 first downs last season.

Conner is a bigger physical running back that also is a strong role player in pass blocking. Even more impressive was the five-yard average per carry mark helping him to reach 1,000 yards in just 13 total games.

7. Travis Etienne Jr.

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

2023 STATS: 267 ATT, 1008 YDS, 11 TD, 3.8 AVG

When it comes to versatility at the running back position it is hard to look past Travis Etienne Jr of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While the Jaguars third year running back does not rank among the top overall rushing leaders, the former Clemson Tigers star makes up for it with his ability to make plays in the team’s passing attack.

After a strong rookie season, the Jaguars running back posted another solid season in year two finishing with a career high 11 rushing touchdowns while also posting career highs in rushing attempts (267), receptions (58), receiving yards (476) and first downs (53). 

6. James Cook

Team: Buffalo Bills

2023 STATS: 237 ATT, 1122 YDS, 2 TD, 4.7 AVG

One running back to watch entering the 2024 NFL season is the Buffalo Bills running back James Cook who exploded during his sophomore season.

As the Bills move on from Stefon Diggs, the team will rely on another big season from the former Georgia Bulldogs running back. Cook doubled his production on the ground in season, jumping from 507 yards as a rookie to 1,122 yards last season.

Cook also uses his speed, athleticism, and explosiveness to separate in coverage leading to a 10.1 average yard per catch mark and 445 total receiving yards.

With the NFL moving to heavy passing attacks versatile running backs such as Cook deliver a ton of value at the position. 

5. Breece Hall

Team: New York Jets

2023 STATS: 223 ATT, 994 YDS, 5 TD, 4.5 AVG

Rounding out the Top 5 on the Top 10 NFL Running Backs 2024 Rankings is another young fresh face of the NFL in Breece Hall of the New York Jets.

After missing time as a rookie, Hall took a big step forward in season two despite losing Aaron Rodgers in the first game of the season and failing to find a quarterback to put together strong play under center each week.

Despite the team’s offensive struggles Hall finished the season with 994 rushing yards to go along with 591 receiving yards and nine combined touchdowns.

With a strong quarterback under center in 2024, Hall’s football IQ and field vision should move him among the leaders in multiple rushing statistics. 

4. Bijan Robinson

Team: Atlanta Falcons

2023 STATS: 214 ATT, 976 YDS, 4 TD, 4.6 AVG

After posting a marvelous college football resume with the Texas Longhorns, Bijan Robinson did not waste any time showing his playmaking abilities during his rookie season.

Robinson is a big play threat both on the ground and through the air while posting a season-long 38-yard touchdown run and a 71-yard touchdown reception. He is a strong physical running back that features speed to allow him to get to the outside.

Heading into season two, Robinson will look to top the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career. Overall Robinson finished last season with 1,453 combined rushing/receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

With a new steady quarterback under center in Kirk Cousins, Robinson playmaking abilities should take a step forward in 2024.

3. Kyren Williams

Team: Los Angeles Rams

2023 STATS: 228 ATT, 1144 YDS, 12 TD, 5.0 AVG

After being selected during the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, lofty expectations were set for the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star.

Despite struggling as a rookie, Kyren Williams displayed his physical tools including strong breakaway speed, knack for making big plays, and finding the end zone during season two.

Williams, despite appearing in just 12 games last season ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,144 while also tying for seventh in rushing touchdowns (12). A healthy full season in 2024 could lead to Williams competing for the rushing title while also improving his overall numbers.

On top of the strong overall numbers, the Rams second year running back posted a five yard per carry average over 228 carries after posting just 35 carries as a rookie. 

2. Derrick Henry

Team: Baltimore Ravens

2023 STATS: 280 ATT, 1167 YDS, 12 TD, 4.2 AVG

The former Tennessee Titans workhorse running back finds a new home for the 2024 NFL season as he lands with one of the top overall rushing teams in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens.

As the Titans struggled with consistent play at the quarterback position last season, Derrick Henry continued to produce, posting 1,167 yards to go along with 12 rushing touchdowns.

While the nine-year veteran took a big step back from his numbers a season prior, a move to a dominant running attack with his physical running skills should allow Henry to rank among the top running backs in the NFL. Over the past six seasons, Henry has posted at least 1,000 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in five of six seasons.

1. Christian McCaffrey

Team: San Francisco 49ers

2023 STATS: 272 ATT, 1459 YDS, 14 TD, 5.4 AVG

Headlining the top running backs entering the 2024 NFL season atop the Top 10 NFL Running Backs 2024 Rankings list is the San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey is coming off possibly his best season in the NFL while earning his third All-Pro selection as well as his first NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. The 49ers running back brings a dual threat feature to the running back while adding value both on the ground and in the passing game.

Since arriving in the NFL in 2017, McCaffrey has posted at least 50 catches five times while also adding at least 450 receiving yards in five seasons. Ultimately however McCaffrey’s running skills makes him the player he is, including coming off leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,459) for the first time this past season.

In addition CMC is a key force weapon in moving the changes posting 83 rushing first downs and 31 receiving first downs last season.

How would you rank these players? Rank below to be added in the Running Back Power Rankings.

Related Links:

• Top 10 NFL Draft Grades 2024 Rankings
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