I don’t know about you guys, but it is starting to feel like running back importance is coming back around. We saw some very impressive performances in Week 2 – so how about we look around the league and rank all 32 starters from worst to first?
Who are the top running backs in the NFL after week two of games?
32. Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott couldn’t get anything going in Week 2 against an apparently staunch Saints defense. The veteran back finished with six carries for 16 yards.
31. Denver Broncos: Javonte Williams
To say that Javonte Williams’s impact was minimal is a massive understatement. The Broncos running back wasn’t able to get anything going on the ground all game and finished with only 17 yards on 11 carries.
30. Las Vegas Raiders: Zamir White
Zamir White was a complete nonfactor for the Raiders in their big win against the Ravens. The speedy running back took nine carries for just 24 yards.
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29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad White
Week 2 left much to be desired for Rachaad White, the Bucs lead back. He was swallowed up by the Lions defensive line all game and finished with a measly 18 yards on 10 carries.
28. Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard
Chuba Hubbard wasn’t great on Sunday, but the Panthers running back still managed to make up the bulk of their offense, turning 10 carries into 64 yards and adding another 12 on four catches.
27. Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard
No one was mistaking Tony Pollard for his predecessor, Derrick Henry, this week, but he had a nice afternoon going for 102 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches.
26. Chicago Bears: D'Andre Swift
D’Andre Swift was quiet as a church mouse on Sunday Night Football, taking his 14 carries for a pedestrian 18 yards. His struggles were exacerbated by the offensive line’s inability to open up running lanes, but you expect a player of Swift’s caliber to create a little more out of nothing!
25. Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet
Zach Charbonnet managed to get into the end zone on Sunday but didn’t do much else on the ground, managing just 38 yards on 14 carries.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones
Considering he had the same number of rushing yards as Sam Darnold—32—it is hard to sing Aaron Jones’s praises after Week 2. To his credit, though, he did manage to turn five catches into an additional 36 yards.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Zack Moss
To say that Zack Moss has been quiet thus far is an understatement. With Joe Mixon’s departure, there was a lot of pressure put on Moss, and he, frankly, has not been able to deliver. Twelve carries for 34 yards is not going to cut it.
22. Houston Texans: Joe Mixon
After a massive Texans debut, Joe Mixon struggled to find much running room this week. Chicago’s defense closed in on him early and often, even bumping him from the game briefly with an ankle injury. When all was said and done, the star running back finished with just 25 yards on nine carries.
21. Cleveland Browns: Jerome Ford
Jerome Ford wasn’t putting up eye-popping numbers, but his 64 yards on the ground were enough to keep the Jaguars defense honest.
20. Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams
Week 2 was not Kyren Williams’s day. Granted, the speedy running back had his work cut out for him, as the Rams offense couldn’t get anything going all game, but still, we’ve come to expect more from him than what he mustered up Sunday. When all was said and done, he had just 25 yards on 12 carries, one of which went for a pointless score.
19. New England Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson was exceptionally solid for New England at home against Seattle this week. He took 21 carries for 81 yards and a score and managed to take on two catches for nine yards.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco
Isiah Pacheco is the future of the Chiefs’ backfield, but his day ended with him in a walking boot and crutches, which is a massive concern. Before the injury, he was off to a great start, hauling in five catches and taking 19 carries for 111 all-purpose yards.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris
Najee Harris wasn’t anything special on Sunday, but he does look like he has another gear than he did last year—a little bit of extra burst. He finished the contest with 17 carries for 69 yards and an additional five yards on his lone reception.
16. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Mason
Jordan Mason had a nice follow-up performance in Week 2 with Christian McCaffrey moving to the IR, turning his 20 carries into 100 yards, though he did have a fumble that struck fear into the San Fran staff.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne Jr.
Travis Etienne’s 52 rushing yards were enough to move him up Jacksonville’s all-time rushing list, but that’s little consolation in a loss like this. That said, he did have a couple of nice runs and the Jags’ only touchdown of the day.
14. New York Giants: Devin Singletary
Devin Singletary was running with purpose for the Giants on Sunday. New York’s veteran running back finished with 95 yards and a score on 16 powerful carries.
13. Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry may have lost a step or two since his prime Tractorcito days, but he looked like the bruising back Ravens fans were hoping for when they signed him. After a slow start to the game, he came alive in the second half, finishing with 84 yards on the ground and a bulldozing touchdown in the fourth quarter that was perfectly vintage King Henry.
12. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson
Bijan Robinson continued to show why he’s one of the most exciting young running backs in the league, rushing for 97 yards on 14 carries and contributing an additional 25 receiving yards in the process. The Texas product may really start to take off in the coming weeks.
11. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs showed his explosive ability again this week, turning 13 carries into 84 yards and tacking on seven catches, albeit for just 22 yards.
10. Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane
De’Von Achane was the lone bright spot for the Dolphins offense on Sunday, as the speedy running back converted his 22 carries into just under 100 yards—96 to be exact—albeit in a losing effort.
9. New York Jets: Breece Hall
While it was his running mate, Braelon Allen, who stole the show with his two-touchdown performance, Breece Hall still had himself a nice afternoon on Sunday. He took 14 carries for 62 yards and converted his seven receptions into 52 yards through the air.
8. Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Robinson Jr. put on a show, running for a career-high 133 yards and providing the offensive shot in the arm that Washington needed. He was an integral part of keeping Washington in the game all afternoon and continued to deliver when they needed him most.
7. Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley didn’t have the showstopping performance that he had in Week 1, but the former All-Pro running back continued his hot start with his new team, turning 22 carries into 95 yards and four catches for 21 yards.
6. Arizona Cardinals: James Conner
James Conner was super impressive for the Cardinals this weekend, as the veteran running back shredded up the Rams’ defense. Conner turned 21 carries into 122 yards and one touchdown as the Cards cruised to an easy victory.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: J.K. Dobbins
J.K. Dobbins loves playing on Harbaugh’s offense. He ran with power, speed, and elusiveness on Sunday, making Carolina’s defense look foolish all game to the tune of 131 yards and a score.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor was the most effective aspect of the offense in Week 2 during an otherwise frustrating game for the Colts. Taylor rushed for 103 yards on just 12 carries, averaging an impressive 8.6 yards per carry, and added two catches for 32 yards.
3. Buffalo Bills: James Cook
James Cook—what a week! The man was unstoppable, racking up 95 yards from scrimmage, two rushing touchdowns, and another receiving score, making life miserable for Miami’s defense all game.
2. Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs was in vintage form this past week and looked like an absolute workhorse for the Packers, running for 151 yards on 32 carries. The veteran running back carried his team to a gutsy win without their QB1.
1. New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara
After a couple of seasons in which Kamara was plagued by injuries, he reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous playmakers in the league on Sunday. His four-touchdown performance, including a 57-yard screen pass that turned into a highlight-reel score, was vintage, as he finished with 180 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Running Backs After Week 1 Games Of The 2024 Season
