In a league often ruled by headlines, Saquon Barkley led the NFL in rushing yards in 2024 with 2,005 yards. Had he played the final week of the season, he may have broken the single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards.
Yet, it’s Derrick Henry, the 31-year-old bruiser, who earned the higher placement (24th overall to Barkley at 64) on PFSN’s Top 100 Players of 2025, based on our proprietary IMPACT rating.
Why Did Henry Rank Higher Than Barkley Despite Lower Rushing Totals?
Brandon Austin writes for PFSN, “In 2024, Derrick Henry had the single-best RB+ season since we started charting the position. He broke more tackles on the ground than any other back and accumulated a whopping 3.60 yards after contact per carry.
The veteran is not slowing down any time soon and has enough in the tank to outshine the former No. 2 overall pick in Saquon Barkley, who had a career year in 2024.
However, despite leading the league in rushing yards, Barkley’s metrics paled in comparison to Henry’s, which is perhaps the reason why two of Barkley’s offensive linemen made the top 20 of our list.”
The PFSN NFL Top 100 was powered by our new proprietary IMPACT rating, which evaluates players based on their performance in key metrics that play more into an NFL team’s success and are stable yearly and week over week.
We reviewed the data, accounted for injuries, adjusted for overall roster changes, and projected roles within every NFL roster. Thus, we built a clear, consistent picture of every player’s value to their NFL team.
What Makes Henry Such a Unique Running Back?
Henry is a rare hybrid of Eric Dickerson and Earl Campbell. He’s one of the most feared ball carriers in the NFL, able to bulldoze through tackles yet accelerate to outrun safeties.
His ability to change direction and bounce outside belies his 6’3″, 247-pound frame. Baltimore’s multiple-look run scheme gives him plenty of runway and allows him to gather steam. He’s one of the few backs in the NFL who gets better as a game progresses.
Meanwhile, Barkley might be the most athletically gifted back in football. His first-step burst and lateral quickness call to mind Gayle Sayers, while his open-field acceleration rivals any skill player in the league.
He’s a mismatch in the passing game and punishes linebackers when he swings outside. He’s not Barry Sanders, but he’s not far off with a little more muscle behind the pads.
Henry is ranked so much higher because, as mentioned, he is running behind a line that doesn’t have two men in the Top 20. It’s not a knock on Barkley, who plays on one of the most stacked lineups in football. It’s just an empirical evaluation that Henry has to do more with less support around him.
