Best NFL Running Backs Going Into the 2019 Season

1. 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

   I truly think Saquon is the best running back in the NFL right now. He's an MVP candidate going into only his second season. Considering the state of the Giants right now, I expect him to score the majority of their touchdowns in 2019. He was well worth the number 2 overall selection in 2018.

2. 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

   Zeke may be having a bit of off-field issues, but most certainly none on the field. He already has two Pro Bowls to his name and is looking for a third in 2019. With an offensive line like his and the talent around him on offense, he'll soar in 2019.

3. Todd Gurley

   

   Todd Gurley II (born 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.

   He would have been my best had it not been for his nagging knee injury. This could be a major issue going forward, and even the Rams said that Gurley won't be their workhorse in 2019. Still, he's an elite talent at running back in the NFL who won Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.

4. 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

   I honestly think McCaffrey is better than NFL South rival Alvin Kamara. Sure, Kamara has the Pro Bowls and touchdowns, but McCaffrey is more consistent and gets the much-needed yards. Not to mention, he's a better receiver. If Cam Newton's shoulder is a big issue in 2019, expect McCaffrey to get a lot more snaps.

   He's the best that there is. Period.

5. Alvin Kamara

   

   Since coming onto the scene as a rookie in 2017, Kamara has been one of the league's best running backs. He had a great duo with Mark Ingram for two years, but now that he's gone, expect an even bigger workload on Kamara.

6. Melvin Gordon

   

   Melvin Gordon III is an 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.

   Gordon wants a new contract from the Chargers, and I think he deserves one. Sure, Austin Ekeler is a capable back, but he's got nothing on Gordon.

7. Le’Veon Bell

   

   Bell hasn't played since January 2018, so I honestly don't know what to expect from him. With the Jets, I can see him being their featured back, pending Adam Gase still wants him there.

8. Phillip Lindsay

   

   Phillip Lindsay is an American football running back who has 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 Pro... read more

   Lindsay came into 2018 as an undrafted free agent and a long shot to make the Broncos' 53-man roster. Fast forward to December 2018, and he's a 1,000-yard rusher and a Pro Bowler. This is quite the underdog story, and I'm excited to see it continue to play out in 2019, with him coming off a season-ending wrist injury. Perhaps Terrell Davis' number has some magic to it.

9. Chris Carson

   

   The former 7th round pick is a severely underrated back who rushed for over 1,100 yards in 2018. It didn't result in a Pro Bowl or All-Pro, but Carson is just the solid and underrated running back the Seahawks need, especially with a depleted receiving room.

10. 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

    I debated whether or not to put Johnson on this list and then realized he made more of an impact in Arizona's 3-13 season than most thought. I think David Johnson can get back to Pro Bowl form again, especially now that the Cardinals have rookie Kyler Murray at quarterback.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Lamar Jackson

    

    Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. (born January 7, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL)... read more

12. ?

    Peyton Barber

The Contenders

13. 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

14. Matt Breida

    

    He led the league in rushing last year until he dealt with the first of multiple injuries. Watching his film with the 49ers, I find it shocking that he went undrafted.

15. Kareem Hunt

    

16. James Conner

    

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

17. Dalvin Cook

    

18. Kerryon Johnson

    

19. 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

20. 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

21. Aaron Jones

    

    Aaron LaRae Jones, born on December 2, 1994, is an American professional football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTEP Miners and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In seven... read more

22. Marlon Mack

    

    Marlon Devon Mack (born March 7, 1996) is a former American professional football running back. He played college football for the South Florida Bulls and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

23. Leonard Fournette

    

    Leonard Joseph Fournette III is an American 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. As of 2024, he is a free agent.

24. 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

25. Mark Ingram

    

    Mark Ingram Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2009 while playing at the University of Alabama. Ingram began his NFL career in 2011 and has since earned multiple Pro Bowl selections.

26. Adrian Peterson

    

    Adrian Lewis Peterson is a former American football running back who played primarily for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. He later joined several other teams, including the Washington Redskins. Peterson won the NFL MVP award in 2012 after rushing for over 2,000 yards that season... read more

27. Lamar Miller

    

    Lamar Miller is a former American football running back who played in the NFL from 2012 to 2021. He began his career with the Miami Dolphins and later played for the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Washington Football Team, and New Orleans Saints. He has not been signed to any NFL... read more