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Yahoo
16 hours ago
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Best NFL running backs 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL running backs right now
The 2024 NFL season demonstrated the value of running backs with the likes of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and even rookie Bucky Irving proving incredibly valuable to their offenses. Heading into the 2025 season, the question becomes, who is the best running back in the NFL? Here, we're ranking the 10 best NFL running backs heading into the regular season. 1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Saquon Barkley stats (2024): 2,005 rushing yards, 5.8 yards per carry, 13 rushing touchdowns, 33 receptions, 278 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 2,283 scrimmage yards, 6 yards per touch Advertisement Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley excelled in the perfect environment last season. He certainly benefited from running behind the best offensive line in football, but he was also the best all-purpose back in the NFL. He led the NFL in scrimmage yards with a 169-yard edge over Derrick Henry and he averaged 12.3 more rushing yards per game than Henry. While he didn't break Eric Dickerson's single-season NFL record for rushing yards (2,105), he did record the 12th-most scrimmage yards (2,283) in a single season. Read More: NFL power rankings 2025, evaluating all 32 teams 2. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Derrick Henry stats (2024): 1,921 rushing yards, 5.9 yards per carry, 16 rushing touchdowns, 19 receptions, 193 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 2,114 scrimmage yards, 6.1 yards per touch Advertisement The Baltimore Ravens had coveted Derrick Henry for a while before finally landing him in NFL free agency. He immediately exceeded expectations, proving to be the only active running back who is defying Father Time. Last season, Henry led the NFL in yards after contact (909), yards after contact per attempt (2.8) and broken tackles (42). As a 31-year-old, Henry finished first in Player Profiler's Explosive Rating (31.9) and he led the NFL in breakaway runs (25). Heading into the 2025 season, ranked 19th on the all-time rushing yardage list, Henry has a legitimate chance at a 2,000-yard season. If he does so, it will catapult him ahead of Eric Dickerson (13,259) for the ninth-most rushing yards in NFL history. 3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Jahmyr Gibbs stats (2024): 1,412 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per carry, 16 rushing touchdowns, 52 receptions, 517 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 1,929 scrimmage yards, 6.4 yards per touch Many questioned the Detroit Lions for the selection of Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. All he's done since is become one of the best NFL running backs, earning consecutive Pro Bowl selections and finishing as the co-leader in rushing touchdowns last season. While splitting touches with David Montgomery 'limited' him to only recording the third-most scrimmage yards (1,929), Gibbs led the NFL in yards per touch (6.4) among all players with 300-plus touches and he recorded the most scrimmage touchdowns (20). Before you give too much credit to the Lions' offensive line, note that Gibbs' yards before contact per attempt (3.3) just narrowly ranked ahead of Derrick Henry (3.1). With new offensive coordinator John Morton, we should see even more of Gibbs' playmaking ability as a pass-catcher in 2025. Advertisement Read More: NFL defense rankings 2025, evaluating all 32 defenses 4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Bijan Robinson stats (2024): 1,456 rushing yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 14 rushing touchdowns, 61 receptions, 431 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 1,887 scrimmage yards, 5.2 yards per touch Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson looked like the caliber of offensive weapon in 2024 that many thought he could become when he entered the NFL Draft. He recorded the fourth-most scrimmage yards (1,887) in the NFL, while leading the league in yards created (1,392). Robinson also generated the third-most evaded tackles (83) and his work in the passing game – 72 targets (4th among RBs) and 294 routes run (5th) – highlights his exceptional three-down ability. If quarterback Michael Penix Jr. breaks out this year, we could see improved efficiency from Robinson with a shot at averaging over 5 yards per carry for the first time as a pro. 5. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Christian McCaffrey stats (2024): 202 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 15 receptions, 146 receiving yards, 348 scrimmage yards, 5.4 yards per touch in four games Advertisement Christian McCaffrey is coming off an injury-marred season, which unfortunately could become a trend as he nears his age-30 season. When healthy, he's been a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan's scheme and is the centerpiece of the San Francisco 49ers offense. In his last full season, he had the third-highest yards after contact per attempt (2.2) among running backs with 200-plus carries. McCaffrey also led the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,023) with no other running back clearing 1,600. However, the All-Pro offensive weapon has missed double-digit games three times since the 2020 season. Read More: Best NFL coaches 2025 6. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Josh Jacobs stats (2024): 1,329 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry, 15 rushing touchdowns, 36 receptions, 342 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 1,671 scrimmage yards, 5.0 yards per touch Advertisement The Green Bay Packers opted to replace fan-favorite Aaron Jones with Josh Jacobs last offseason. While it was a risky movie at the time, it worked out. Not only did Jacobs start all 17 games, but he also ranked third among backs with 200-plus touches in yards after contact per attempt (2.4). He also had the third-most attempts per broken tackle (8.6) while finishing with the second-most evaded tackles (88) and the 11th-most breakaway runs (11). Heading into his age-27 season, Jacobs' yards-per-carry average (4.4) could climb even higher next season if the improved physicality of the Packers' interior offensive line generates a few more positive runs. 7. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Bucky Irving stats (2024): 1,122 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 8 rushing touchdowns, 47 receptions, 392 receiving yards, 1514 scrimmage yards, 6.0 yards per touch No one expected a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to become one of the best NFL running backs in 2025. Yet, Bucky Irving truly helped fix the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' ground game. Consider that in 2023, Tampa Bay averaged 3.4 yards per carry (32nd) and 88.9 rushing yards per game (32nd). With Irving in the backfield a year later, the Buccaneers' offense averaged 5.3 yards per carry (2nd) and 149.2 rushing yards per game (4th). Irving also averaged the second-highest yards after contact per attempt (2.7) among running backs with 200-plus carries, just behind Derrick Henry (2.8). In addition, the 5-foot-10 running back ranked sixth in true yards per carry (4.9), third in juke rate (29.5 percent), second in yards created per touch (4.94) and fifth in evaded tackles (75). We can't wait to see what Irving can do as the featured back in 2025. Advertisement Read More: Best NFL general managers 2025 8. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images De'Von Achane stats (2024): 907 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per carry, 6 rushing touchdowns, 78 receptions, 592 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, 1,499 scrimmage yards, 5.3 yards per touch Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane received an expanded role in 2024 following a promising rookie season. He didn't come close to his absurd yards-per-carry average (7.8) as a rookie, but he did set career-bests in scrimmage yards (1,499) and first downs (67) while recording double-digit total touchdowns for the second consecutive year. What makes some of Achane's numbers so impressive 4.5 ypc, 57 evaded tackles and 907 rushing yards – is that he did it behind the second-worst offensive line in the NFL in terms of run blocking. If Miami's run blocking is even marginally better this season, paired with Achane's work as a pass-catching weapon, he'll be a Pro Bowl selection in 2025. 9. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Kyren Williams stats (2024): 1,299 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per carry, 14 rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions, 182 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 1,481 scrimmage yards, 4.6 yards per touch Advertisement A few of the best NFL running backs have been found on Day 3 and that includes Kyren Williams. Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams has been electric in the last two years. From 2023-2024, he's totaled 2,443 rushing yards with 31 total touchdowns, all while averaging 4.6 yards per touch. Williams finished last season with the third-most broken tackles (27) and he ranked eighth in stuff rate (14.6 percent) despite running behind a banged-up Rams offensive line. Related: Highest-paid NFL players, highest paid running backs 10. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders Credit: Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images It certainly might seem premature to label a rookie as one of the best NFL running backs right now. Ashton Jeanty doesn't even have a great offensive line blocking for him with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he is legitimately in that same class of talent entering the league as Saquon Barkley. Jeanty is an excellent fit in Chip Kelly's system and the Raiders' passing game is good enough to keep defenses honest. By the end of the 2025 NFL season, we believe Jeanty could be in the mix to be viewed as a top-six running back. Advertisement Related Headlines
Yahoo
21 hours ago
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Buccaneers Unsung Heroes Earn Credit For Bucky Irving Breakout
Buccaneers Unsung Heroes Earn Credit For Bucky Irving Breakout originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Every offseason, there is change to the roster with players retiring or moving to a different team, so rarely is there a position group that remains unchanged. Advertisement But for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that has happened this offseason, and it has happened to perhaps the one position every team wants continuity at - the offensive line. All five starters, Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, and Luke Goedeke, all return for Josh Grizzard's offense, and all five played a crucial role in the Buccaneers having 146.5 rushing yards per game, with rookie Bucky Irving having his way with defenses. But Bucky knows that without those five brutes up front, he doesn't have the success he had last year. 'We got all them guys are returning, but just being able to have trust in them guys, like you always hear when I come up here and say I don't talk about myself, I talk about the O-line,' Irving said. 'Because without them guys, none of them things are possible. So just being able to give credit to them guys every chance that I get, I'm going to do that.' Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports With the Buccaneers seen as a genuine NFC contender, most point to Baker Mayfield's weapons as the reason why, which is fair because he has a ridiculous number of receivers who can do damage. Advertisement However, perhaps the most underrated and best weapon is the return of all five of his linemen in 2025. The chemistry is there, and the connection is there. With Barton coming into Year 2 as the starting center, he will only improve, calling out checks at the line to put the offense in the best possible position for success. So yes, Mayfield and the Buccaneers have great weapons, one of which is Irving, but don't underestimate what having the same five offensive linemen can do for a team looking to make a serious run at the Super Bowl. Related: Bucs' Bucky Irving Reveals Plan to Not Get 'Stuck' in Year 2 Related: Buccaneers' Mike Evans Among NFL's Best at One Specific Route This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
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Buccaneers' Second-Year Running Back Bucky Irving Not Content with Rookie Campaign
Buccaneers' Second-Year Running Back Bucky Irving Not Content with Rookie Campaign originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving brought new life to a very dead rushing attack last season. Advertisement In 2024, alongside then-new offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, Irving helped improve a Bucs running game from one of the worst in the league to a top-five unit. The three-headed monster of Rachaad White, Irving and Sean Tucker led a massively improved rushing game that helped the team to a record-tying fourth straight NFC South division title. Irving began the season splitting time with White, but quickly took over the majority of the carries. But he's not content with that effort and is ready to improve next season. 'I feel like once you always start something new, it's going to have to slow down for you a little bit,' Irving told 'When I first got thrown in, the game was moving pretty fast for me but yeah, as I just settled down and let the game – and just think about it like, 'it's just football.' And not think about too many other things that are going on out there. But yeah, just always going back and looking at the film and looking at things that you can get better at and improve in and also not getting satisfied and stuck in last year, because it's a new year. Nobody cares about what you did last year. Advertisement "It's, 'What can you do for me now?' But I've always been that guy that pretty much never gets stuck in the past ... and work hard every day.' Related: Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return Related: Mike Florio Hints at a 'Bill Belichick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Scenario This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Can Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Squash Sophomore Slump?
Can Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Squash Sophomore Slump? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The rise of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving from backup to bonafide starter in his rookie season was a sight to behold. Advertisement Initially starting behind Rachaad White, Irving proved with each touch that he was the star of the running back room, and eventually usurped White as the starter for Liam Coen. A rookie season that ended with 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 47 receptions for 392 yards, paints the picture of a fourth-round pick exceeding expectations in a big way. But as we turn for 2025, the big question facing Bucky is, can he do it again? ESPN's Mike Clay thinks so. In his 2025 projections, Irving continues his ascension to be one of the best backs in football. Irving's 2025 projection: 1,227 yards, eight touchdowns, 53 receptions, 409 yards, three touchdowns. Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images So 1,636 all-purpose yards and 11 combined touchdowns isn't too bad for your second act in the NFL. Advertisement That would likely equate to Pro Bowl buzz for Bucky and further establish his standing as the clear No. 1 back behind Baker Mayfield. With his bruising, yet speedy running style, plus his ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, Irving is the very definition of a dual-threat back, and one that new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard will be leaning on in 2025. Yes, this is just a projection, but there is nothing stopping Irving from hitting the numbers Clay put up, and if he does, it would mark quite the start to an NFL career for a running back who just 12 months ago wasn't even the starter. No sophomore slump here, folks. Advertisement Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Named 'Borderline Star' In QB Tiers Related: Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers projections: Will Bucky Irving surpass his 2024 total yards?
Bucky Irving made his presence felt immediately in 2024, finishing his rookie campaign with 1,514 scrimmage yards — 1,122 rushing and 392 receiving, which was the most by any rookie and good for 10th in the NFL overall. Now, entering Year 2 in Tampa Bay's offense, Irving has a clear path to build on that breakout season. And all signs point to a bigger role and even bigger production. Irving thrived in 2024 under then–passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard, who's now been promoted to offensive coordinator. That continuity matters. The Buccaneers aren't changing the system that allowed Irving to average 5.4 yards per carry and catch 47 passes out of the backfield. With Rachaad White still in the mix, Tampa is expected to run more two-back sets, which is a perfect scenario for a player like Irving, whose ability to create in space and contribute as a receiver makes him a matchup nightmare. His late-season surge saw him take over primary duties, logging 60–70% of the snaps down the stretch. Bucky Irving is poised for a breakout season Irving showed no signs of hitting a rookie wall. He had three 100+ yard games in the final six weeks and won NFC Offensive Player of the Week once. His balance, acceleration, and pass-catching make him more than a complementary option — he's a featured weapon. Tampa's scheme should open up even more for him in 2025, with rookie receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson adding deep speed to stretch defenses and leave more room underneath for Irving to operate. As well as the return of Godwin Jr's underrated blocking to help open up holes down the field. If Irving's usage climbs slightly, even to 8–12 more touches over the full year, he's positioned to deliver a jump in production. Rushing yards: 1,200Receiving yards: 450Total scrimmage yards: 1,650
