Five running backs cracked Pro Football Network’s NFL Top 100 in 2024, led by San Francisco 49ers workhorse Christian McCaffrey.
Two faces in new places, a second-year standout, and a player returning from a devastating injury round out the ball carriers in PFN’s annual list.
Additionally, while McCaffrey was able to crack the top five overall, no other running back appears until No. 69. Find out who else made the list.
Running Backs in PFN’s NFL Top 100
1) Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers (5th Overall)
The gap between Christian McCaffrey and the rest of the NFL‘s running backs may have been the widest delta between the top player at a position in the league and his cohorts in 2023. CMC posted 2,023 yards from scrimmage despite sitting out Week 18; no other RB put up more than 1,600.
His 21 total touchdowns tied for the NFL lead, while he generated more first downs — both in the passing game (31) and running game (83) — than any other running back.
While many NFL running backs are fungible, McCaffrey is a true outlier at the position.
2) Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens (69th Overall)
While Derrick Henry has played exclusively in the AFC South, he already feels like an AFC North type of running back. He’s led the league in rushing attempts four times in the last five years, including in 2023.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
Capable of true brute force, Henry has managed double-digit touchdowns six times and crossed 1,000 yards in five seasons. In 2020, he topped 2,000 yards, led the league in rushing TDs (17), won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award, and earned a first-team All-Pro nod.
3) Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons (76th Overall)
Don’t judge Bijan Robinson on his counting statistics alone. While he didn’t clear 1,000 rushing yards in his rookie campaign, the Atlanta Falcons only asked him to carry the ball 214 times. With fellow RB Tyler Allgeier handling 186 carries, Robinson didn’t have the opportunity to put up gaudy rookie year numbers.
However, he still managed 1,463 total yards, more than any other rookie RB in 2023. Robinson passed the eye test every week and could be an All-Pro if Atlanta’s new coaching staff gives him more touches in 2024.
4) Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (83rd)
After a bounce-back Pro Bowl campaign in 2022, Saquon Barkley struggled in 2023. The former No. 2 overall pick missed three games with an ankle injury, rushed for just 962 yards, and lagged in efficiency, finishing fourth-worst in the league in rushing success rate.
Playing behind the New York Giants’ porous offensive line certainly didn’t help matters. Now that he’s working with one of the NFL’s best front-fives in Philadelphia, will Barkley look like his old self again?
5) Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns (86th Overall)
Health is the only reason Nick Chubb isn’t ranked higher. He suffered a gruesome knee injury last September, tearing his ACL and damaging his ACL, and he seems unlikely to be available for Week 1. How quickly can Chubb recover and return to the field?
Chubb, 28, topped 1,000 rushing yards and exceeded five yards per carry every season from 2019 to 2022. He earned Pro Bowl nods each year during that stretch and a second-team All-Pro berth in 2022.
