Fabulous Five: Top Running Backs

The Fabulous Five series aims to set the record on who the best are at every position as we look ahead to the 2023 NFL season. This past season (2022) plays a big part in determining these rankings, but a player’s entire body of work is fair consideration. Consistency and availability will count as much as a high total of stats just from one season.

*Image credit to Jeffrey Becker/USAToday Sports*

The running back position has taken a drastic turn in terms of its value in the past few years. Think back to just about a decade ago: guys like Adrian Peterson were running wild as the faces of their franchises. Even in the draft, Saquon Barkley was the second overall pick in 2018. Only three running backs have been taken in the first round since then, with most going in the second round these days. Guys like Jonathan Taylor, Javonte Williams, and Breece Hall were all taken in the second round. While the value may have dropped, the importance of the position has not. The list of players below are key pieces in their offenses, with some being their offense’s entire identity. When it comes to running backs, there are plenty of fish in the sea. These guys below just happen to be the sharks. If you missed any other entry in the Fabulous Five series counting down the best players at each position, or just want to revisit a position group, you can do so below. Otherwise, onto the honorable mentions!

Coaches

Honorable Mentions

Josh Jacobs just led the league in rushing, but I’m not quite ready to put him on the same pedestal as the other guys down below. Had it not been for Jacobs, the Raiders’ season would have been even more disappointing. He got the franchise tag placed on him, ironic reward for a career year following the declining of his fifth year option. He’ll have a chance to cash in if another strong season ensues.

It’s been said the Nick Chubb is the best pure runner in the league. While that may be true, Chubb has been unable to pick up the slack for Cleveland as some others have for their offenses. It’s also helped that Chubb had a great partner in the Browns’ backfield in Kareem Hunt. With Hunt now gone, maybe Chubb can plant his flag as not just one of the best pure runners, but now just one of the best.

This is where the list gets tricky, because Saquon Barkley feels like a top 5 running back. As you know though, I weigh in not just this previous season, but previous years as well. This was maybe Barkley’s best work, rivaled only by his rookie season. Getting him healthy was a major factor in the Giants getting back to the playoffs, and then knocking off the Vikings. I do hope to once again see Saquon at full strength in 2023.

#1 - Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers

Run-CMC is back! I know I just knocked Barkley for injuries only to put McCaffrey in the top spot, but I really wanted to show some love for who snagged the #5 spot. Besides, McCaffrey differs from Barkley in that he can’t be truly stopped - only slowed down. This was clearly evidenced by CMC’s unorthodox hat trick - a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown all in one game. He also got traded mid season, and didn’t take long to get acclimated to his new digs. When he plays, McCaffrey is unstoppable. And in my book, he is not injury prone. He’ll be a godsend to whoever is the 49ers quarterback in 2023 and beyond.

#2 - Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Awesome Excellence as been just that for the Chargers over the last few seasons. No skill position player has scored more touchdowns in the past two years than Ekeler, and he gets it done in the running and receiving game. A true dual threat running back as become the standard in today’s NFL, and Ekeler is the mold. The Chargers have a decision to make on their franchise playmaker, as he requested a trade this offseason. He revolves solely round his contract however, so if LA can find some extra cap room (ask the roommate Rams), this may get resolved. Keeping Ekeler or not could be the deciding factor in the Chargers getting back to playoffs in a crowded AFC.

#3 - Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

*Image credit to Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images*

King Henry is the Titans. Most teams have a franchise quarterback to spearhead their offense, but the Titans have Henry instead. In 2019 and 2020, Henry looked unstoppable as he led the Titans to the AFC championship game and ran for over 2,000 yards in a season, respectively. He appeared to once again be on a warpath in 2021 before a foot injury knocked out Henry for the rest of the regular season. But he continued to lead the league in rushing yards for several weeks after the injury. He didn’t just build that personal lead. The Titans secured the #1 seed in the AFC despite missing their franchise player. Henry returned to Earth a bit in 2022 as the Titans faltered down the second half of the season. Now, he joins Ekeler in trade speculation. Tennessee had a bit of a “talent exodus”, parting ways with many big names on both sides of the ball. A reset seems inevitable, and the king’s throne may be vulnerable.

#4 - Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor took over for Derrick Henry in that aforementioned 2021 season, running wild and scoring seemingly at will. The cut run for a score against New England on a Saturday night in December 2021 will go down in Colts history, icing a rare win over Bill Belichik and his Pats. The 2022 season didn’t go the way Taylor nor the Colts were hoping. JT suffered an ankle injury, seemingly returned too early, and was eventually shut down as the season mercifully came to a close. But with new head coach Shane Steichen in town, Taylor and the rest of the Colts (especially the offense) hope to get back on track in 2023.

#5 - Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones is a top 5 running back, and I’m tired of pretending that he’s not! All of last year heading into the 2022 season, I said that the Packers should run their offense through Aaron Jones and backfield running mate AJ Dillon. Like everyone on this list, you just want to see Jones get the ball in his hands. Whether it’s a carry or a catch, a big play is sure to happen sooner rather than later. The “other” Aaron in Titletown should soon have that distinction to himself with Aaron Rodgers getting traded to the New York Jets any day now. Jones should take the reigns before Jordan Love does, because I think that will be more beneficial for everyone up in Green Bay.