Life as a running back in the NFL can be unpredictable, to say the least. One week, you are on top of the world as the focal point of your team’s offense – the next, you never know when your next touch is going to come.
That said, their importance is often greatly underrated, and having a top back can really make a difference. Let’s take a look around the league and see where everyone stacks up.
Who are the top running backs in the league after week three of games?
32. Las Vegas Raiders: Zamir White (Last Week #30)
The Raiders’ run game was non-existent, managing only 55 yards. Zamir White was a huge part of the problem, as he finished the game with just 34 yards on 10 carries.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad White (Last Week #29)
Rachaad White was mighty quiet this week for Tampa Bay, as rookie running mate Bucky Irving outperformed him massively. White managed just 17 yards on his six carries, which was simply abysmal production.
30. Houston Texans: Cam Akers (Not Ranked)
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With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce sidelined, the Texans turned to former Rams standout Cam Akers, to be their lead back this week, and the results were not pretty. Akers scored one garbage-time touchdown, but he only managed 21 yards on nine carries and looked out of sorts in blocking during the passing game.
29. Denver Broncos: Javonte Williams (Last Week #31)
Javonte Williams really struggled to get much going this week against a stout front for Tampa Bay. He only managed 12 yards on five carries. Yikes.
28. Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard (Last Week #27)
While Will Levis caught a lot of the flack, his lead running back didn’t do much to help take the defense’s attention off him. Tony Pollard was unable to get anything going all game and finished the contest against Green Bay with just 14 yards on six carries.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott (Last Week #32)
The Cowboys’ run game was almost non-existent, totaling just 70 yards and averaging a paltry 3.2 yards per carry. Elliott was even less of a factor, notching three carries for six yards.
Also Read: Former Miami Dolphins 3-Time Pro Bowl Electric Running Back Has Tragically Passed Away
26. Chicago Bears: D'Andre Swift (Last Week #26)
With the way that the passing game has struggled, there haven’t been a ton of great running lanes for D’Andre Swift. Still, you would expect more out of a back of his caliber than 13 carries for 20 yards.
25. Kansas City Chiefs: Carson Steele (Not Ranked)
No one is going to mistake the UCLA product for Isaiah Pacheco, but the Chiefs understudy ran hard on Sunday night and converted 17 carries into 72 yards. His efforts were enough to keep the offense balanced enough for KC to secure the win.
24. Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard (Last Week #28)
Chuba Hubbard was dynamic, rushing for 114 yards and adding 55 yards and a touchdown through the air. His presence made a big difference for the Panthers, as he took a lot of pressure off Dalton.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Zack Moss (Last Week #23)
The Bengals’ run game was largely ineffective, with Zack Moss scoring a late 1-yard touchdown but doing little else. The absence of a consistent rushing attack forced Cincinnati to rely a little too heavily on Burrow’s arm.
22. Cleveland Browns: Jerome Ford (Last Week #21)
It was another challenging week for Nick Chubb’s stand-in, Jerome Ford. The Browns’ de facto RB1 finished with just 37 yards on 10 carries, though he did manage to chip in 33 yards on three receptions.
21. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Mason (Last Week #16)
The counting numbers were alright for Jordan Mason, as he turned 19 carries into 77 yards, but the ground game couldn’t generate any consistent momentum.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet (Last Week #25)
Seattle looked great on Sunday, moving to 3-0, and Zach Charbonnet was a big part of that. He ran for 91 yards and two scores as the Seahawks put the screws to Miami.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne Jr. (Last Week #15)
Travis Etienne was mostly a non-factor, as Jacksonville abandoned the run early after falling behind by multiple scores. He finished the game with just 68 yards on 11 carries.
18. Los Angeles Chargers: J.K. Dobbins (Last Week #5)
Los Angeles couldn’t establish any sort of consistency on the ground, forcing them to rely on a hampered Herbert. J.K. Dobbins, to his credit, has had a great start to the season, but Week 3 left much to be desired as he finished with just 44 yards on 15 carries.
17. New England Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson (Last Week #19)
Tough night for Rhamondre Stevenson as New England gave up on the run game early, and he finished with just six carries for 23 yards.
16. Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane (Last Week #10)
Week 3 was not the week for De’Von Achane, as the speedy running back couldn’t get anything going against a stout Seattle front. When all was said and done, he finished averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 11 attempts.
15. Arizona Cardinals: James Conner (Last Week #6)
Sunday was not a good day for James Conner, who is typically one of the league’s more productive backs. Arizona’s lead back finished with just 17 yards on nine carries.
14. Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs (Last Week #2)
Perhaps suspecting that Tennessee would be prepared for a Josh Jacobs-heavy game plan, Matt LaFleur and the Packers zagged and went away from their star running back this week, even with QB1 Jordan Love out of action. Jacobs finished the contest with just 48 yards on 15 touches from scrimmage.
13. Buffalo Bills: James Cook (Last Week #3)
James Cook put together another nice game, taking his 15 touches from scrimmage for just under 90 yards and a touchdown.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones (Last Week #24)
Week 3 was a big one for Aaron Jones. The veteran running back stepped up for the Vikings, rushing for 102 yards and catching five passes for 46 yards.
11. Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson (Last Week #8)
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler provided the balance Washington needed while their passing attack did most of the work. Robinson’s yardage was low, but he scored a big touchdown early that helped set the tone.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris (Last Week #17)
Najee Harris did what Najee Harris does and grinded it out on Sunday for the Steelers. He turned 18 carries into 70 hard-fought yards and helped wear down a sound Chargers defense en route to a huge win for Pittsburgh.
9. New York Giants: Devin Singletary (Last Week #14)
Devin Singletary has started to come into his own of late. The Giants lead back had a solid outing against the Browns. He went for 65 yards and one touchdown against the Browns this past week, helping the Giants to a much-needed win.
8. Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams (Last Week #20)
Kyren Williams was the heart of the Rams’ offense, rushing for two touchdowns and catching another. His ability to grind out tough yards and make plays was crucial in giving Los Angeles the offensive boost it needed to get a season-saving win with its stars out of action.
7. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs (Last Week #11)
Jahmyr Gibbs played second fiddle to David Montgomery this week, as he racked up 105 yards and a score on the ground. Gibbs was no slouch either, as he turned 16 carries into 83 yards.
6. New York Jets: Breece Hall (Last Week #9)
It was a relatively quiet evening for Breece Hall, though he did find the end zone on a 1-yard plunge that capped off a dominant Jets drive. He didn’t light up the stat sheet with only 54 yards on 16 carries, but that’s in part due to the platooning approach New York seems to be taking to keep Hall healthy and fresh all year.
5. New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara (Last Week #1)
Credit to Alvin Kamara for fighting tough for yardage, as he was carrying a heavy load this week. When all was said and done, he put up a nice afternoon, finishing with 87 yards, but found little room to break free against a disciplined Eagles’ front.
4. Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry (Last Week #13)
Week 3 was a vintage performance for King Henry as the Ravens’ new running back racked up 25 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson (Last Week #12)
Bijan Robinson was one of the top bright spots for the Falcons this week and thus far through the season. Plus, he was able to get in for a score to keep the game in striking distance.
2. Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor (Last Week #4)
Jonathan Taylor was the centerpiece of the Colts’ offense, grinding out 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns in spite of a banged-up offensive line. The man is an instant offense!
1. Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley (Last Week #7)
After a tough finish to Week 2, Saquon Barkley came out guns blazing against a strong Saints defense and almost single-handedly won Philly this game. The brutish running back finished with 147 yards and two scores on 17 carries.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Running Backs After Week 2 Games Of The 2024 Season
