We are 16 games away from the end of the 2024 regular season, and already, 14 running backs have rushed for 1,000 yards -- with one, Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley, eclipsing 2,000 yards -- and five others are closing in on the mark. There's a reason teams that feature elite running backs -- and, in turn, strong rushing attacks -- will play deep into the postseason.
That said, most teams (even those in the playoffs) will be looking to upgrade their rosters once their respective seasons come to an end. With this being the RB Index, I'm looking at running back rooms and identifying clubs that need to improve their backfields this offseason. Here are my top five.
This won't come as a surprise to any Cowboys fans, as the team's run game has taken significant steps back of late, ranking ninth in 2022, 14th in 2023 and 27th in 2024. Rico Dowdle has come on strong over the last five weeks with four 100-yard rushing performances. Dallas leaned more on the run after Dak Prescott's season-ending injury in Week 9, as Dowdle has averaged nearly 18 carries per game with Cooper Rush at quarterback. After Ezekiel Elliott (who hadn't done much in his return to Big D) earlier this week, and with Dowdle set to hit free agency in March, Dallas needs to invest in the run game this offseason if it wants to stay competitive in the NFC East. My advice is to revamp an offensive line that has been marred by injury (but also played poorly) and draft a running back in the first two rounds.
The Broncos thought they had their guy with Javonte Williams, a second-round draft pick in 2021, but that just hasn't worked out. His carries have steadily decreased as this season has progressed, with second-year pro Jaleel McLaughlin and fifth-round rookie Audric Estim茅 getting more opportunities. That said, Denver has fielded a fairly balanced offense with a run game that ranks 17th in the 撸先生AV and a passing attack that sits at No. 22, an improvement from 2023. Sean Payton's attack has taken a step forward this season with rookie QB Bo Nix making enough plays to put the team on the postseason doorstep. But for Denver to contend with the AFC's best clubs, it must address the ground game this offseason. With Williams heading to free agency, adding another option to go with McLaughlin and Estim茅 would bode well for a team that is led by its defense and should be looking to aid Nix's development in Year 2.
What did the Raiders think was going to happen with the offense when they parted ways with Josh Jacobs last offseason? I'm honestly still trying to figure that out, as Jacobs recorded over 5,500 rush yards in his five seasons with the team. Las Vegas came into 2024 with major questions at quarterback -- a position that has been a revolving door all season -- and a hodgepodge of running backs in the backfield, including Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah (both free agents in 2025), Zamir White and Sincere McCormick. With that bunch, the Raiders rank dead last in rushing yards this season, and only one of them has recorded 100 rush yards in a game this season (Abdullah in Week 17) despite all four earning at least two starts. It's time to go back to the drawing board in terms of the run game.
Like the Raiders, the Giants dumbfoundingly parted ways with an elite running back (Saquon Barkley) last offseason, so a step back in the ground game was expected. Devin Singletary began the year as the starter, but after sustaining an injury in October, he was replaced by Tyrone Tracy Jr. The fifth-round rookie has proven he can be the RB1 moving forward with three 100-yard rushing games to help him reach 1,000 scrimmage yards this season. The Giants need to add to their 22nd-ranked rushing attack moving forward, though, especially now that they might have a rookie at quarterback in 2025.
There are definitely teams with worse backfields, but for what Mike Tomlin wants his Steelers to be, there is much to be desired in the run game. This year's attack ranks third in the 撸先生AV in attempts, 10th in rush yards, 19th in rush TDs (13) and 24th in yards per carry (4.1). The unit has been steady and routinely wears down defenses due to sheer volume and physicality (it has 117 forced missed tackles), but because Arthur Smith's offense leans on that element more than any other, I'd like to see it become more explosive on a regular basis. Pittsburgh's RBs have posted 48 runs of at least 10 yards (fourth in the 撸先生AV) but rank 20th in rush yards over expected with -2(!) on the season, per Next Gen Stats.
Najee Harris has been so solid in his four years with Pittsburgh, racking up 1,000 rush yards in each season, while backup Jaylen Warren has provided the offense with a pass-catching option as a change-of-pace back when healthy. Both are set to become free agents this offseason, with Pittsburgh having declined Harris' fifth-year option. As they potentially move on from Harris, who averages fewer than 4.0 yards per carry for his career, look for the Steelers to bring in a younger, more explosive RB for 2025. And I won't be surprised if they re-sign Warren, who'll be a restricted free agent this offseason.
Top 15 running backs
Former 撸先生AV rushing leader and current 撸先生AV Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew will survey all running backs and rank his top 15 each week of the 2024 season. His rankings are based on this season's efforts. Here is MJD's list heading into Week 18, with up/down arrows reflecting movement from the last edition's pecking order.
2024 stats: 16 games | 345 att | 2,005 rush yds | 5.8 ypc | 13 rush TDs | 33 rec | 278 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
We're running out of superlatives to describe Barkley's record-setting 2024 campaign. After back-to-back 150-plus-yard rushing performances, he became the ninth player in 撸先生AV history to earn 2,000 rushing yards in a season and the first player to hit the mark in his first season with a team. He'll have a chance to beat Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record (2,105) in Week 18. That is if the Eagles play their starters after clinching the NFC East on Sunday, seeing how they're now locked into the No. 2 seed.
2024 stats: 16 games | 305 att | 1,783 rush yds | 5.8 ypc | 14 rush TDs | 17 rec | 170 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
The Ravens played in a pair of marquee games over the last two weeks, earning convincing wins over the Steelers -- which was huge in the race for the AFC North -- and the Texans on Christmas Day. Henry, who rebounded quickly after being tackled for a safety in the Week 17 tilt, totaled an insane 309 rush yards against run defenses that ranked fourth (Pittsburgh) and 11th (Houston) heading into those contests. Henry continues to impose his will on tired defenses late in the season, as he's done so many times throughout his career.
2024 stats: 16 games | 295 att | 1,285 rush yds | 4.4 ypc | 14 rush TD | 35 rec | 340 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 3 fumbles lost
Jacobs has scored a rushing touchdown in seven straight games to bring his total to 14, the fifth-most in a season in Green Bay's franchise history. Jacobs kickstarted a stuck-in-the-mud Packers attack in Sunday's loss to Minnesota with a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He was thisclose to another, but a holding penalty negated a BEASTLY would-be score.
2024 stats: 16 games | 227 att | 1,273 rush yds | 5.6 ypc | 13 rush TDs | 47 rec | 486 rec yds | 3 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
Gibbs has started the last two games for Detroit with David Montgomery sidelined by a knee injury. In those two games (both wins), the second-year back has combined for 228 rush yards and a pair of touchdowns on 41 carries. Sure, Detroit's backfield is better when both players are healthy, with their skill sets complementing each other nicely in Ben Johnson's scheme, but Gibbs more than fits the bill as an RB1. The Lions' rushing attack should be just fine if Montgomery can't return for the postseason.
2024 stats: 16 games | 276 att | 1,286 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 12 rush TD | 59 rec | 428 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Robinson has significantly aided quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the rookie's first two starts. He has compiled more than 100 scrimmage yards in back-to-back games and scored four rushing touchdowns in those contests. The Falcons aren't in an envious position going into the final week of the regular season, sitting one game behind the Bucs in the division, but they should feel optimistic about this pair's future.
2024 stats: 16 games | 316 att | 1,299 rush yds | 4.1 ypc | 14 rush TDs | 34 rec | 182 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 3 fumbles lost
The Rams' offense has slowed the last few weeks, scoring fewer than 20 points in each of its past three wins. Williams has been very solid in that three-game stretch, with his best performance coming against the Jets in Week 16, when he averaged 5.3 yards per carry to help him record his fourth 100-yard game this season. With one more contest remaining in the regular season, Williams already has career highs in carries and rush yards.
2024 stats: 16 games | 188 att | 1,033 rush yds | 5.5 ypc | 7 rush TDs | 45 rec | 397 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 1 fumble lost
Irving and the Bucs played with major urgency in Sunday's beatdown of the Panthers to help keep Tampa's playoff hopes alive and well heading into the final week of the regular season. The rookie rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and caught all four of his targets for 77 yards. Irving, who has made just two starts this season, leads all first-year players in rush yards, rush TDs and scrimmage yards (1,430). General manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Liam Coen have to be thrilled about what their fourth-round pick has shown in Year 1.
2024 stats: 13 games | 269 att | 1,254 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 10 rush TDs | 17 rec | 133 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
Taylor's inexplicable goal-line fumble against the Broncos in Week 15 must have lit a fire in him. Taylor rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns in Indy's one-score win over Tennessee the following week, and he compiled 125 yards and two scores on 32 carries in Sunday's loss to the Giants. With strong outings late in the year, Taylor secured his third career season with at least 1,000 rush yards and 10 rush touchdowns, breaking the tie with Marshall Faulk for the second-most such campaigns in franchise history. Only Edgerrin James (four) has more.
2024 stats: 15 games | 197 att | 981 rush yds | 5.0 ypc | 15 rush TDs | 32 rec | 258 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Cook is rounding into tip-top form down the stretch, putting up two 100-yard rushing performances with five total touchdowns in the last three games. Josh Allen has done a nice job of spreading the ball around as he makes one final push toward the MVP award, but it's been great to see Cook, who hasn't had more than 15 touches in a game since Week 10, take advantage of his opportunities when he gets them. The 撸先生AV's leader in rushing touchdowns has been especially great in the red zone for Buffalo.
2024 stats: 16 games | 245 att | 1,093 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 46 rec | 378 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 3 fumbles lost
Jones has been steady for a Vikings offense that appears to be peaking at the right time. Though he hasn't cracked 100 rush yards in either of the last two games, Jones has now reached 1,000 yards for the fourth time in his career. Keep an eye on the quad contusion that sidelined him during Week 17's win. Minnesota will need him Sunday night with the NFC's No. 1 seed on the line.
2024 stats: 16 games | 236 att | 1,094 rush yds | 4.6 ypc | 8 rush TDs | 47 rec | 414 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
Conner has been battling a knee injury, first dealing with the aliment in Arizona's overtime loss to Carolina in Week 16. He had 117 rush yards and a touchdown, plus 49 yards on four receptions, before exiting that game. He tried to go last week against the Rams but was sidelined after just six touches. It's been an unfortunate close to another fine season for Conner.
2024 stats: 13 games | 240 att | 993 rush yds | 4.1 ypc | 11 rush TD | 35 rec | 304 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
The Texans' offensive success really hinges on Mixon. In Houston's losses over the past two weeks to the Chiefs and Ravens, the Texans have scored a total of 21 points (two of them occurring on a safety). In those games, Mixon has rushed for 83 yards combined. The rushing attack is far from the force we saw early in the year, as it hasn't gone for more than 90 yards in a game since the Week 14 bye. Mixon and the offensive line must find a way to move the ball consistently or Houston could be one-and-done in the postseason.
2024 stats: 15 games | 250 att | 1,195 rush yds | 4.8 ypc | 8 rush TDs | 43 rec | 171 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 3 fumbles lost
Hubbard has only played one game since my last rankings came out, but he had a remarkable 152 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries in that contest, a Week 16 overtime victory over Arizona. Hubbard will end the season on IR after suffering a calf injury. It's not considered serious, but the team didn't want to risk making the injury worse, per 撸先生AV Network Insider Tom Pelissero. Hubbard should feel quite good about what he's done this season.
2024 stats: 16 games | 251 att | 1,007 rush yds | 4.0 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 32 rec | 263 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Pittsburgh's had a tough go over the last few weeks, losing to a trio of playoff teams (the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs). He only toted the rock 28 times across those three games but averaged 4.6 yards per carry. In a division matchup with the Bengals on Saturday that has plenty of playoff implications, Harris needs a big day. Harris rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries against Cincinnati in Week 13.
2024 stats: 15 games | 213 att | 1,007 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 1 rush TD | 37 rec | 237 rec yds | 3 rec TD | 2 fumbles lost
As mentioned above, Dowdle has been great for the Cowboys over the last six weeks, a span in which they have gone 4-2. He has posted four 100-yard games with his biggest performance coming in a Week 15 road win over Carolina, when he rushed for 149 yards on 25 carries (an impressive 6.0 yards per tote). He's making a good impression with free agency looming in March.
DROPPED OUT: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (previously No. 7); Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (No. 15).
