We’re ranking all 32 starting running backs in the NFL from worst to first based on their performances so far in 2024.
Let’s look around and spot who is bulldozing through defenses and who is struggling to find their groove, coming out of the backfield—from worst to first!
Who are the top starting running backs in the NFL after week 9?
32. Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders: (Last Week #32)
Another disappointing afternoon for Alexander Mattison and the Raiders run game as a whole. Vegas finished with only 60 yards on the ground, and Mattison had 36 of them.
31. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (Last Week #30)
Have to wonder how much longer the Bucs will lean on Rachaad White as their primary ball carrier, as he is averaging well under 4.0 yards per carry.
30. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns: (Last Week #22)
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With the offense struggling through the air, Cleveland’s ground game didn’t fare much better, as Nick Chubb notched just 39 yards on 15 carries.
29. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots: (Last Week #23)
It was tough sledding for Stevenson today as he totaled just 16 yards on 10 carries, but credit to him for at least managing to get in the end zone.
28. Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants: (Not Ranked)
Tyrone Tracy was relatively quiet this week, turning his 16 carries into just 66 yards.
27. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers: (Last Week #31)
With Christian McCaffrey sidelined due to injury, Jordan Mason has stepped up admirably. Mason has accumulated 685 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry—not too shabby for a guy who was a complete unknown coming into the year.
26. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars: (Last Week #16)
Tank Bigsby was a near non-factor for the Jags this week, turning eight carries into only 22 yards.
25. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos: (Last Week #27)
Another quiet game for Javonte Williams, who managed just 42 yards on 12 carries.
24. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: (Last Week #29)
Kenneth Walker III had a nice evening for Seattle, turning his 28 touches into 107 yards from scrimmage.
23. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings: (Last Week #21)
Aaron Jones ran hard on Sunday Night Football but struggled to find any meaningful space to run, finishing with 64 yards on 21 carries.
22. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys: (Not Ranked)
It is official: the Ezekiel Elliott redemption story in Dallas is over, as Rico Dowdle is back getting the majority of the work. He finished Sunday’s game with an impressive 75 yards on 12 carries.
21. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders: (Not Ranked)
Austin Ekeler stepped up in Brian Robinson’s absence, running hard and finding the end zone when his team needed him despite just 42 total yards on 11 carries. His 1-yard touchdown run was the kind of tough, physical play that energizes an offense.
20. James Cook, Buffalo Bills: (Last Week #10)
This was a relatively quiet afternoon for James Cook, who finished the contest with 10 carries for 44 yards but did manage to chip in five catches for 25 yards in the passing game.
19. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers: (Last Week #25)
Chuba Hubbard’s physicality and confidence were apparent, especially on his 16-yard touchdown that gave Carolina the lead, capping off a 72-yard, two-touchdown showing.
18. Breece Hall, New York Jets: (Last Week #11)
Breece Hall took a back seat to the passing game this week but still managed an impressive outing, turning his 15 carries into 74 yards and tacking on two catches for 11 yards through the air.
17. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: (Last Week #26)
Chase Brown stepped up big in Zack Moss’s absence, piling up a career-high 120 rushing yards and adding crucial receptions, five total for 37 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown.
16. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans: (Last Week #20)
Even without practicing all week, Tony Pollard delivered, finishing with 128 rushing yards and consistently moving the chains for a Titans offense that desperately needed a spark.
15. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears: (Last Week #3)
D’Andre Swift looked good in stretches this week, but Eberflus refused to use him as much as he should. The well-known NFL running back finished with 82 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches.
14. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: (Last Week #15)
De’Von Achane looked good this week, turning his 12 carries into 63 yards and a score on the ground and converting eight targets into eight catches for 58 yards and another touchdown.
13. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams: (Last Week #6)
Sunday Night Football was uncharacteristically quiet for Kyren Williams. He finished with 22 carries for 69 yards.
12. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: (Last Week #5)
Jonathan Taylor was not his typical self this week, as the star rusher couldn’t find any space to run. He finished with only 48 yards on 13 carries.
11. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: (Last Week #9)
Jahmyr Gibbs had a solid showing on Sunday in tough conditions, turning his 11 carries into 65 yards and a touchdown and adding one catch for 11 yards.
10. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers: (Last Week #13)
What a start to 2024 for Najee Harris, a guy who has taken a lot of criticism in recent years. He looks like he can hit a whole new gear of explosiveness, and the results are starting to show.
9. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs: (Last Week #12)
Kareem Hunt’s renaissance in Kansas City has been something to behold, as the veteran NFL running back is playing like he has something to prove.
8. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals: (Last Week #18)
James Conner continues to produce. He finished with 107 yards on 18 carries against a tough Bears defense.
7. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers: (Last Week #14)
J.K. Dobbins had a great game this week, turning his 14 carries into 85 yards and two scores.
6. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints: (Last Week #19)
Alvin Kamara had a monster game this week, racking up 155 yards on 29 carries and adding another 60 on his six receptions.
5. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans: (Last Week #5)
Joe Mixon continues to deliver despite Houston’s offensive struggles. The veteran back took 24 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown on Thursday Night Football against a tough Jets defense.
4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: (Last Week #4)
Robinson’s ability to impact the game as both a rusher and a receiver makes him a matchup nightmare and keeps the Falcons’ offense balanced. He finished Sunday with an impressive 145 yards from scrimmage on 26 touches.
3. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers: (Last Week #1)
Josh Jacobs had another strong outing for the Packers, turning 13 carries into 95 yards and adding two catches for 13 through the air, begging the question of why Matt LaFleur went away from the run game so early.
2. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens: (Last Week #8)
Can’t say enough about the way that Derrick Henry has answered the bell in Baltimore. He put up 106 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries and chipped in one catch-and-run for 27 more.
1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: (Last Week #2)
Sunday was a monster game for Saquon Barkley, who continues to earn every dollar the Eagles gave him this offseason. Barkley turned 27 carries into 159 yards and one touchdown on the ground and added three catches for 40 yards and another score in the air.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Running Backs After Week 8 Games Of The 2024 Season
