Top Ten Best Running Backs Going Into the 2020 NFL Season

The Top Ten
1 Christian McCaffrey

Honestly to nobody's surprise CMC is at the top. He was 3rd in rushing yards and TD's with 1,387 and 15 respectively 2nd in the entire league in receptions only Michael Thomas had more. Also did you see the Panthers offense last year? It wasn't good and that's putting it lightly. He played his tail off and was the only highlight to speak of regardless who was at quarterback at least Teddy Bridgewater will bring some stability but they will have to still rely on McCaffrey who's a once in a generation do-it-all talent putting the team on his back. He got some big bucks which was rightfully deserved and I expect him to dominate the league for the next few years to come

McCaffery showed in 2019 why he is arguably the best running back in the NFL. He had a 1,000-1,000 season, and that is something that does not happen often. He carried a bad Panthers offense and made them decent. He is such a valuable player, and that is why he got extended.

I hadn't realized you made this list before me. I made mine similarly because ESPN's rankings were absolute garbage.

2 Derrick Henry

Henry, along with Ryan Tannehill and A.J. Brown, made the Titans a formidable opponent. Going 9-7 once again, the Titans surprised everyone by beating the Patriots and Ravens on their way to an AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs. In their two playoff wins, it was Henry who bowled through the top defenses of the Patriots and Ravens. He needs an extension soon.

McCaffrey is more talented, but this guy is a beast. He basically got the Titans through the playoffs going against the toughest teams. He proved why he's the king.

Last year Derrick Henry had his best year and led the league in yards with over 1,500, as well as rushing touchdowns at 16 and attempts which concerns me because you can only put so much mileage on him but seriously he was a game changer and the backbone of that offense I mean did you see what he did to New England and Baltimore? Yeah he is an absolute Wrecking Ball. Tell me again how ESPN had him all the way down at #5?

3 Saquon Barkley

Somehow ESPN put him at #1? How? He missed a few games had just barely 1,000 yards on the ground only 6 touchdowns and 400+ yards in the air. Obviously he blew up the league like a firecracker in 2018 but last year he was off. To be fair the Giants O line is hot garbage so it's not entirely his fault. If he has a bounce back year then he has a case for top 5 but right now I don't see it

Barkley missed time to injury his second season, but in the time he did play, he showed why he was the second overall pick in the 2018 draft.

4 Ezekiel Elliott Ezekiel Elijah Elliott is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State, where he earned second-team All-America honors in 2015.

This one I agree with ESPN's placement. Zeke wasn't quite as explosive last season but still put up decent numbers on the board 1,357 yards and 12 touchdowns 4th in yards by the way. 2nd in attempts not quite 2018 numbers but solid nonetheless. He does have the advantage of being on the Cowboys with a high powered offense and decent O line but easily a top 5 running back.

Elliot recently signed an extension, and once again rushed for over 1,000 yards en route to another good season.

5 Nick Chubb

Chubb without a doubt deserves a shoutout on the list. One of the more underrated running backs in the game he had 1,494 yards just shy of 1,500 which was 2nd most in the league he also had 8 touchdowns. You could place him top 5 arguably but I have him just outside the top 5 because obviously the Browns have Kareem Hunt who could take some of the workload away from Chubb but he's still a versatile weapon who can do some damage

Chubb is emerging as one of the NFL's best running backs, and it showed last season. He was one of the main reasons the Browns weren't totally irrelevant.

6 Aaron Jones

Jones and Cook are interchangeable on here, though you know I am going to say Jones is better. He finally showed how elite he is by scoring 22 total touchdowns, and leading the league in rushing touchdowns alongside Christian McCaffery. Yet he remains underrated. He wasn't even selected for the Pro Bowl. I hope the Packers are able to extend him.

How did Joe Mixon and Le'Veon Bell make it over hin? It wasn't just one analyst's list either, it was a compilation of lists from many analysts. What does Jones have to do to gain respect around the NFL?

7 Dalvin Cook

Cook is arguably a top 5 running back in the league he improved significantly from his 2018 season having 1135 yards in 14 games and 13 touchdowns. When he's off the Vikings are off He is literally the backbone of that offense. He's due for a big payday soon. Better pay him Minnesota because if not prepare for a significantly worse offense . Say what you Will about paying running backs but Dalvin Cook is an exception he's always had a significant workload for that offense

Injury issues didn't help him in his first two seasons, but Cook finally broke out for the Vikings in 2019, earning his first Pro Bowl berth, and becoming a top ten running back in the NFL.

8 Alvin Kamara

Kamara had a down season in 2019, but still, he remains a top running back in the NFL. The Saints sure think so. In a talented offense, Kamara is one of the best on the field.

9 Josh Jacobs

This is another one I can actually agree with ESPN's placement. Josh Jacobs in his rookie year absolutely tore up the league he had 1150 yards and 7 touchdowns and that was while missing a few games near the end. Now the Raiders have some receivers so they won't have to purely rely on Jacobs but he could actually be a beast for years to come

Jacobs was a 1,000 yard rusher his rookie season, and only looks to get better as the Raiders settle in Las Vegas.

10 Joe Mixon

Mixon was basically the only good offensive player for the Bengals last season, but he was overlooked because of how bad his team was. Mixon is a borderline top ten running back right now.

The Contenders
11 James Conner James Earl Conner is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football at Pittsburgh, and was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
12 Leonard Fournette Leonard Joseph Fournette III is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League.
13 Raheem Mostert
14 Mark Ingram Jr. Mark Ingram, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.

If you picked him in fantasy football he payed off big time
200+ attempts, over 1,000 yards. 10 touchdowns on the ground and 5 touchdowns in the air. He was a major factor on the Ravens offense obviously not as highlighted as Lamar Jackson because he's on his own level and deserves credit but Mark Ingram deserves some credit as well. He played some very solid football last year

15 Austin Ekeler
16 Kenyan Drake
17 Chris Carson
18 Miles Sanders
19 Ray Rice Raymell Mourice Rice (born January 22, 1987) is a former American football running back who played his entire professional career with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Rutgers and was drafted by the Ravens in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He is ranked as the Ravens' second all-time leading rusher behind Jamal Lewis, and is also second in rushing attempts and touchdowns, and third in combined touchdowns. He was a member of the 2012 Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII. ...read more.
BAdd New Item