The Silcoff RB Rankings: The Top 15 Running Backs Ahead of the 2026 Season

With the NFL season right around the corner, I've started my positional rankings for the upcoming season. A few days ago, I posted and following my rankings of the 32 starting quarterbacks.

Now, it's time to head to the back field and take a look at the running backs.

This list will only look at (what I think are) the top 15 running backs in the league heading into the year and unlike the QB list, this one will not be tiered.

Additionally, rookie running backs like Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were not included, as ranking players before they set foot on an NFL field seemed a bit unfair.

Let's get into it.

15: Javonte Williams - Dallas Cowboys

Williams revived his career in Dallas last year after showing some potential in Denver but did battle a ton of injuries. Securing a 1,000-yard campaign last year provided more than enough proof that he belongs among the top 15 backs in the league.

14: Travis Etienne - New Orleans Saints

Now with the New Orleans Saints after his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Etienne remains one of the better dual-threat options in the league. While he is solid in the run game, I actually like him a lot in the passing game.

13: Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals

Much like Etienne, Chase Brown has proven to be a reliable option and one of the league's better pass-catching backs. While Cincinnati's offensive line struggles have limited his ability to break through holes on pure runs, utilizing him more in the passing game would significantly relieve pressure on Joe Burrow.

12: Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders

This may seem a bit low, but heading into his second year, Ashton Jeanty sits at number 12. Despite getting a ton of work (266 carries), Jeanty failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie. His first season felt somewhat disappointing relative to expectations for a 6th overall pick and historic college prospect. I more or less blame those "struggles" on poor coaching from Pete Carroll's staff and being in a ton of games where the Raiders trailed, which limited his impact. With better quarterback play and a healthy Brock Bowers, Jeanty should climb these rankings as the season progresses.

11: Breece Hall - New York Jets

Hall remains one of the most underrated talents in the NFL, largely due to the Jets' overall struggles. I'm upset with him committing his prime years to New York by agreeing to a contract extension this offseason, but I can't blame him. Behind a respectable offensive line and with what I expect to be a run-heavy scheme designed to protect Geno Smith from turning the ball over, Hall should get tons of runs this season.

10: Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers

Jacobs is the motor of the Packers' offense. Although his explosive plays and raw efficiency have slightly dipped over the last two seasons, he remains a touchdown machine. Green Bay relies heavily on his workload, and he is firmly a top 10 player at his position.

9: Kenneth Walker III - Kansas City Chiefs

The Super Bowl MVP joined the Kansas City Chiefs this spring after winning a title in Seattle last season. While health has occasionally been a concern throughout his career, last year he played in every game and was often managed via a shared workload with Zach Charbonnet. Once Charbonnet went down with a torn ACL in the divisional round, Walker was relied upon and demonstrated his elite, patient, explosive running style on the biggest stage. Joining Kansas City, where Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL and the receiving corps is thin, Walker could see a heavy workload, which has been rare for running backs in an Andy Reid offense.

8: De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins

Achane is just so good. His elite speed, acceleration, and pass-catching ability out of the backfield make him so hard for defenses to catch. Even with very low expectations in Miami for the Dolphins as a team this year, Achane could be their lone bright spot.

7: Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers

While McCaffrey played every game last season and contributed heavily as a receiver, his rushing efficiency did decline somewhat. Wear and tear remains a question mark for his long-term durability, and while he is still elite, he is no longer at the absolute peak of his career.

6: Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens

Henry continues to defy age with his ability to break off 90-yard touchdown runs at any moment. As a pure downhill runner, he is still arguably the best in the league. However, lower pass-catching involvement and fumble issues last year keep him just outside the top five. He remains the focal point for a championship-contending Ravens team.

5: James Cook - Buffalo Bills

Coming off winning the league-rushing title in 2025, Cook was unbelievable for Buffalo last season. With Joe Brady taking over as full-time head coach, I think the Bills will transition into a more run-focused offence to take pressure off Josh Allen, setting Cook up for another massive year.

4: Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles

After a dominant 2024 campaign near the 2,000-yard mark, Barkley had a somewhat major statistical regression last season. I expect a bounce-back season from the former offensive player of the year, and with the departure of A.J. Brown to the Patriots, Philadelphia will rely heavily on Barkley to control games.

3: Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts

Taylor put together a remarkable resurgence last season, where he ran for 1500+ yards and 18 touchdowns. There was even a mid-season stretch last year where he was routinely scoring three touchdowns a game as he carried the Colts to a 7-1 start and built a legitimate MVP and Offensive Player of the Year case. He returns to the top tier of NFL backs with massive momentum going into 2026.

2: Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions

Gibbs represents the ultimate modern dual-threat back. His high-end speed, open-field agility, and pass-catching ability make him an instant home-run threat whenever he touches the ball.

1: Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons

For me, Robinson is the clear best overall running back in the NFL. He possesses a complete skill set, being so patient and having elite vision, and is also a high-level receiver. With Kevin Stefanski taking over the offense, who is known for loving to establish the run game, Robinson is positioned for a career-defining season, regardless of questions surrounding Atlanta as a whole.

The Complete List:

1. Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons)

2. Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions)

3. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)

4. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)

5. James Cook (Buffalo Bills)

6. Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens)

7. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers)

8. De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins)

9. Kenneth Walker (Kansas City Chiefs)

10. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers)

11. Breece Hall (New York Jets)

12. Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders)

13. Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals)

14. Travis Etienne (New Orleans Saints)

15. Javonte Williams (Dallas Cowboys)