NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Ranking the top 32 NFL running backs for the 2022 season

By Sayre Bedinger

Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 33
Next
NFL 2022
NFL 2022; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

The running back position doesn’t carry the same weight in today’s NFL as it did 15 or 20 years ago, but it’s still crucial. Who are the best in the game?

The running back position used to be king in the NFL. It was such an important position to have a star player at, not unlike the quarterback position in today’s NFL.

At one point, the New Orleans Saints infamously traded an entire draft class (back in 1999) so they could select Texas star running back Ricky Williams.

Running backs were the game changers in the 90s and early 2000s, but the game has changed and evolved. This position is still obviously very important but the NFL is a quarterback-driven league and the running backs are secondary by comparison.

Now with the 2022 NFL Draft in the books, teams have mostly sorted out their rosters. Which teams have the best running backs?

Who are the best running backs in the NFL? We’re going to rank the top 32 from worst to best.

The best running backs in the NFL (that didn’t make the list)

  • Dameon Pierce (Texans)
  • Devin Singletary (Bills)
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs)
  • James Robinson (Jaguars)
  • Chase Edmonds (Dolphins)

Unfortunately, just because this is a list of the top 32 running backs in the NFL does not mean that all 32 teams are represented.

Sorry to the fans of the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans.

All of these players just missed the cut as the list was being assembled, and after picking backs from all 32 teams, these five had to be eliminated.

That’s not to say they can’t make it onto next year’s list, or even a midseason list. They are all talented players capable of making big contributions.

But they’re not in the top 32. These players are.

Home/NFL