Some of the best running backs in the NFL have been rewarded with huge contracts.
But who really stands out when Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry are compared with Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley?
Who is the best running back in the NFL in 2026?
Buffalo’s James Cook topped the NFL last season with 1,621 rushing yards, while Miami’s De’Von Achane (1,350 yards) cracked the top five and should receive even more attention this year as the Dolphins move on from Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.
It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on Breece Hall, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, Ashton Jeanty and rookie Jeremiyah Love as the 2026 NFL season unfolds — especially if you’re a fantasy football devotee searching for weekly running back points.
The new football campaign kicks off on September 9 with a Super Bowl LX rematch between New England Seattle, which will feature London-born Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde trying to slow down the Patriots.
McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers then face Kyren Williams and the Los Angeles Rams on September 10 as the NFL opens its expanded international schedule in Melbourne, Australia.
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Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton decorate talkSPORT’s in-depth list of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
LaDainian Tomlinson stands out in talkSPORT’s look at the most single-season rushing touchdowns in football.
Now, it’s time to dive into a definitive ranking of the best running backs in the NFL right now.
10. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
The 5ft 9in and 191lb Achane captures modern running backs in the NFL.
He ran for 2,376 yards and 21 touchdowns in college at Texas A&M but wasn’t drafted until the third round (No. 84 overall) by Miami in 2023.
Achane then rose from a rookie backup to a consistent starter, breaking through last season with 1,350 yards and a league-high 5.7 average yards per carry.
The rebuilding Dolphins will need their top 10 back even more in 2026.
2025 statistics: 238 rushes, 1,350 yards, 8 TDs
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9. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
When you have Myles Garrett and Matthew Stafford on the same team, all you have to do is do your part.
Williams is underrated entering his fifth season, despite rushing for at least 1,144 yards the last three years.
He’s also a capable pass catcher and an ideal complement to Stafford’s passing attack in Sean McVay’s LA offense.
Stats: 259 rushes, 1,252 yards, 10 TDs
8. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
From Super Bowl MVP to Patrick Mahomes’ new teammate.
Walker has quickly embraced his key role with the Chiefs, who are trying to add another trophy to Andy Reid’s dynasty case.
This will be a big year for Walker, who’s never topped the 1,100-yard mark but was rewarded with a three-year, $43 million contract after winning it all with the Seahawks.
Stats: 221 rushes, 1,025 yards, 5 TDs
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7. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor has three Pro Bowl honors and finished second in NFL Offensive Player of the Year voting in 2021.
He’s put up back-to-back impressive campaigns, while leading the league in rushing attempts (323), rushing TDs (18) and first downs (84) last year.
The former Wisconsin star is essential to Indy’s offense and pairs well with QB Daniel Jones.
Stats: 323 rushes, 1,585 yards, 18 TDs
6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Every NFL fantasy owner knows Cook’s name now, after he topped the league in rushing yards and starred in the same backfield with Josh Allen.
The biggest question for the Bills’ offense in 2026 is if they can get similar production from the second-team All Pro from Georgia.
Stats: 309 rushes, 1,621 yards, 12 TDs
5. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Henry is one of the best running backs in the NFL right now and of all time.
That’s how powerful the 32-year-old from Alabama still is, and a prestigious spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame could be Henry’s final NFL reward.
Stats: 307 rushes, 1,595 yards, 16 TDs
NFL’s Greatest……
Ranking the top 10……
4. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Last year was a down year for Barkley — and he still finished with 1,140 rushing yards, 273 receiving yards and nine total TDs.
The 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year saw his rushing attempts decline by 65 last season.
The Eagles need to get Barkley back to his Super Bowl self to return to the big game in 2026.
Stats: 280 rushes, 1,140 yards, 7 TDs
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs inked a $67.5m deal after watching the Lions trade David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
Wrap those two things together, and it’s clear that Detroit runs through Gibbs in 2026.
He’s racked up 3,580 yards and 39 TDs in three pro seasons, despite not always being the No. 1 back in Detroit.
With 1,449 career receiving yards already in the books, this is Gibbs’ time to become the best back in the league and a true dual threat who lifts up Jared Goff.
Stats: 243 rushes, 1,223 yards, 13 TDs
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey accounted for 2,126 yards from scrimmage last season, starting all 17 games and reclaiming his status as one of the most unstoppable players in the league.
He has four Pro Bowl selections, three All Pro honors, an NFL Offensive Player of the Year award and a Comeback Player of the Year trophy.
If you’re starting an NFL team from scratch, McCaffrey is the perfect template for a modern running back.
Stats: 311 rushes, 1,202 yards, 10 TDs
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1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson’s $66.7m contract is a reminder that the running back wheel is always rotating in the NFL.
Just imagine if he played on an elite pro team that could win the Super Bowl in 2026.
With Tagovailoa battling Michael Penix Jr. for Atlanta’s starting QB job, it’s already obvious that Robinson will be more important than ever to the Falcons for weekly yards, TDs, points and success.
Stats: 287 rushes, 1,478 yards, 7 TDs
