Top 10 Best NFL Running Backs Going Into the 2018-2019 Season

Two weeks away from the season kickoff, here is what I feel could be the best tailbacks this year.

The voting period for this list has ended.

The Top Ten

Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley II, born in 1994, is a former American football running back. He played for the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams from 2015 to 2019 and then joined the Atlanta Falcons for the 2020 season. Gurley was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and selected to three Pro Bowls.

Without a doubt, the guy in his prime more than any other player right now is Todd Gurley. He was unbelievable last season, and I expect more consistent yards from him. He's a big impact player for the Rams' offense. While they had a solid passing game, it was Gurley's running attack that came in with a mission to score touchdowns. It doesn't get any more deserving than that, right?

He is the best running back this season, getting 100 yards per game. Now the Rams have C.J. Anderson, who's also getting a lot of yards per game. While that takes some opportunities away from Gurley, he still consistently reaches 100 yards, which is difficult. That's why Todd is definitely number 1!
Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elijah Elliott is an American football running back currently playing for the New England Patriots in the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State University, where he earned second-team All-America honors in 2015. Elliott was drafted fourth overall by the Dallas Cowboys... read more

Ladies and gentlemen, Zeke is going to come hunting for his missing yards from last season, thanks to the NFL screwing him out of half the season. Dak doesn't have many receivers, so let's give it off to the other rookie sensation who could be a great tailback for years. A revenge tour for Zeke is very likely, and while Dallas doesn't look that good on paper, they will have a lethal running game that's dangerous.

It's Ezekiel because bam, juke, bam, spin, touchdown.

The Cowboys are the best, and so is Elliott.
Le'Veon Bell

Le'Veon Andrew Bell is an American professional boxer and former football running back. He played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bell gained recognition with the Steelers for his patient, versatile running style before... read more

I mean, yes, he's a big player who will produce. I like him this year over the other two B's, especially since this could be Bell's final year as a Steeler. If so, it could also mark the end of Ben Roethlisberger. As for Antonio Brown, let's see what the Madden curse does to him down the road. Bell is definitely going to give it his all this season - I believe that - but there are two other backs I would rank above him this year.

I think he's the best, but not right now, obviously. I'm a Steelers fan, and I hope he comes back.
Saquon Barkley

Saquon Rasul Quevis Barkley (born February 9, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he set several school records for offensive production over... read more

He'll probably be better than half of the other tailbacks, considering that the other half are part of committee schemes. There's a good chance that even though you take him high in fantasy, I might avoid him due to the O-line around him, which I wouldn't call great for a running back to be behind.

How is he not in the top 3, let alone ranked at 8? This is disrespectful, especially since Bell never played, Jordan Howard got replaced by Tarik Cohen, and Kareem Hunt was cut later in the season.

Saquon needs to be number 4, but Jordan Howard and Dalvin Cook are good too. Not going to lie, but come on, don't do the rookie like that.
Jordan Howard

We know he can run effectively, but his one minor flaw is not always catching the football. Hopefully, he'll fix that, and if he does, the Bears could be a sneaky good team this season, with Jordan Howard leading the offense with hard runs.
Dalvin Cook

I have a suspicion that Kirk Cousins could disappoint in a new offensive scheme. However, let's not forget the phenom that dominated for the first three games of last season - Dalvin Cook. He could dominate again this season, coming back strong and being a nightmare for the NFC North rivals.
David Johnson

David Jerome Johnson Sr., born December 16, 1991, is a former American football running back. He played college football at Northern Iowa and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Johnson later played for the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints before retiring... read more

What could be a great comeback story for David Johnson, after being out with a wrist injury, might be the one bright spot on this Cardinals offense. For how bad they operate, they'll go out and fight to lose, but all eyes will be on number 31 getting the touches to thrive.
Devonta Freeman

Devonta Freeman is an American football running back who most recently played for the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Freeman earned two Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Falcons and was known... read more

While Matt Ryan mainly got it to Julio for most of the offense (just not in the end zone), Freeman is a solid back to go with as well. He was a big factor last season, especially in tight game situations. Although it's somewhat of a committee approach, Freeman still gets more yardage than what Coleman can produce inconsistently.

My favorite player.
Melvin Gordon

Melvin Gordon III is a former American football running back. He began his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers in 2015 and later played for the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. In 2023, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

To me, he is the second coming of L.T., slowly coming together. The fact that he didn't get as many carries as he should have is a shame - he's the primary back, not Ekeler. Hopefully, L.A.'s B team gets the idea and makes a potential playoff appearance, with what looks to be a top-10 offense in both the rush and pass game.
Kareem Hunt

I'm not sure what young Patrick Mahomes is going to look like in year one, but if I had to guess, they'll commit to Hunt hard like they did before. The only difference is, now we know they have a running game, but the passing game is still somewhat of an unknown with Mahomes at the controls.

Kareem Hunt has amazing speed and is an amazing player all around. He's just a bit underrated but could be the best one day!

The Newcomers

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Jaylen Samuels

He is a monster and destroyed the pats, saints and bengals defense he is amazing and yah
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Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram Jr. is a former American football running back and a current on-air personality for Fox Sports. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2009 while playing at the University of Alabama. Ingram began his NFL career in 2011 and earned three Pro Bowl selections.

The Contenders

Christian McCaffrey

Christian Jackson McCaffrey (born June 7, 1996) is an American professional football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the eighth overall pick in the 2017... read more

McCaffrey could have a big year two after a lukewarm rookie season. He'll probably get all the touches, and he's someone you should definitely have on your radar in fantasy. He could be that sneaky good second-round pick to snatch up.

He should be at least No. 9 or 8. He is such an explosive running back.

He is a good power runner and is very good at running.
Alvin Kamara

Not having him in the top 20 is definitely unjustified, but I should have put him in between here since I have a feeling they will switch to a more passing-heavy offense this season. I feel Drew Brees will remind us why he's one of the best, while Kamara might not have as good of a year as his rookie season. That's why he wouldn't have cracked my top 10.

Alvin Kamara should be in the top 3. Replace Ezekiel Elliott with Kamara.

He's a great RB. Plus, he hurdled people! He should be No. 2. Todd Gurley should be last.
Sony Michel

Sony Michel (born February 17, 1995) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League for five seasons. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. During... read more

Sony Michel was one of the most underrated picks in the 2018 draft. Even though he only had six touchdowns in the regular season, he had six in three games in the postseason. It's crazy to think a rookie put up those kinds of stats. I think he should be higher on the list. He has a great career ahead of him.

He ran for 900 yards in his rookie season, despite missing a quarter of the season due to a knee injury. His second year could be massive if he can avoid injury.

He is a monster running back. He's quick, has great moves, and is always the right guy to give the ball to!
Leonard Fournette

Leonard Joseph Fournette III is an American former professional football running back. He played college football at LSU and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017. He later played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was briefly on the Buffalo Bills roster in 2023.

I'm worried about most of the second-year tailbacks because I avoided Zeke, and that played out exactly how I thought. However, there are two of last year's rookie studs that I still believe will have a strong season. Fournette is the core of their offense, and that can't be ignored compared to others I'm worried about, like Kamara.
Phillip Lindsay

Phillip Lindsay is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League. He joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 after previous stints with the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins. Lindsay made history as the first undrafted offensive rookie to make the... read more

Let him get a block and he is gone.

I think he is around 11 or 12.

Hard to understand... unless you played.
Nick Chubb

Nicholas Jamaal Chubb (born December 27, 1995) is an American professional football running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Across his seven... read more

Cleveland has an unclear running committee, specifically two-thirds of one. Carlos Hyde has fumble issues and is pretty inconsistent. Duke Johnson is okay but also inconsistent. That leaves the bulldog Nick Chubb, who could really benefit this offense.

Chubb has rhino strength to break tackles and amazing breakaway speed.
Joe Mixon

Joseph Tyler Mixon (born July 24, 1996) is an American professional football running back who is currently a free agent. Mixon played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2016. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2017... read more

A bit low, considering he will get a lot of touches in year two, though he wasn't that good in his rookie year. It could pay off big if you believe in taking chances on troubled players like Mixon. He could be vital for both the Bengals' running attack and in fantasy.

I think he's overlooked because of how bad the Bengals were. Despite their horrible offensive line, he managed to lead the AFC in rushing yards, even though he had an injury early in the season.
Chris Carson

This is unbelievable. Chris Carson. Who had the best yards after contact? Chris Carson. Who was the Seahawks' star running back in a rebuilding season? Chris Carson. In my opinion, he should at least be in the Top 12, considering how many times he saved our Seattle Seahawks.

Carson showed he can run even with one of the worst offensive lines, which greatly helps Russell Wilson. As for rookie Rashaad Penny, I don't know what to say, but I feel they might have overreached by drafting him.

He should be number 3.
Derrick Henry

Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. (born January 4, 1994) is an American professional football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed "King Henry," he is known for his imposing style of play and larger build compared to the average running back.... read more

It's a committee run scheme, but I hope he'll get more touches over former Patriot Dion Lewis. Henry has an aggressive running style that can be lethal. A big sign of that was the playoff game against the Chiefs.

Derrick Henry should be No. 1. He is crazy good!
Jamaal Williams

Not sure if Green Bay is going to use a committee at running back or if they are just dealing with injuries again - who knows? But if I have to point at anyone, I'll go with a real tailback and not someone who was originally playing wide receiver, who, by the way, got hurt last night. Jamaal Williams shows signs he can be a decent tailback for the Packers and take some pressure off Aaron Rodgers for a few plays.
Rashaad Penny

Remember that sweet reverse field play in the Vikings game?
James White

Legend. Gotta be in the top 15.

Best running back.
Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Terrell Lynch is an American former football running back. He previously played for the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders, winning one Super Bowl with the Seahawks. Lynch initially retired from professional football in 2016 but returned in 2017 to play for the Raiders. He... read more

Based on his improved burst speed, Beast Mode might have a much better year than he did the first time around.
James Conner

James Earl Conner is an American football running back who plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned numerous accolades. Conner was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL... read more

He's awesome, young, and tougher than Bell.
Alex Collins

Collins looked pretty good in a terrible offense, the only positive thing going for Baltimore, while having a terrible passing game. He could be consistent again if, once again, nothing goes right with Flacco's or Jackson's weapons.