We have seen the run game across the NFL make a bit of a comeback in recent years. NFL defenses did seem to crack the code in terms of stopping the deep passing attack, so, in response, offenses are now embracing more of a 'ground and pound' approach.
This has put an insane emphasis on the running back position, and it's really turning back to old-school football. Quarterbacks are increasingly not asked to do as much, so it's always seen as a bonus when a quarterback can expose a defense. As the 2026 NFL Offseason rolls on, we're continuing our NFL power rankings series.
And this time, we're talking about the running backs. Let's start with the loaded AFC and power-rank the best running backs in the conference for the 2026 season. We've taken a look at 2025 production for these rankings, but there's also an emphasis on total skillset as well, which is unrelated to last year's production.
NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the top AFC running backs as the offseason rolls on
11. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard has been the epitome of consistency the past four seasons. Pollard has hit the 1,000-yard mark every year since 2022. He's done this with the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys, and, during this stretch, has not finished with fewer than four yards per carry or five touchdowns.
Pollard actually hasn't been able to hit the 1,100-yard mark in these seasons, as his ability on the ground is largely capped, but he's a high-floor player at a hugely important position and also does have some upside as a pass-catcher.
Not a high-end player or superstar, Pollard is an efficient running back who could head to a new team and still be able to hit 1,000 yards. I'm not saying the Titans would cut or trade him, but he's that kind of player - he's quite good and is able to slide into No. 11 in our AFC running back power rankings as the 2026 offseason rolls on.
10. TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
TreVeyon Henderson's rookie season was quite interesting. Dealing with some struggles at times, Henderson still managed to finish with 911 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, and 221 yards. Henderson was able to eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards and did notch 10 total touchdowns in a solidly productive season.
A legitimate dual-threat running back, Henderson should be able to slide into more of a true RB1 role for the New England Patriots in 2026. He's got solid size for the position and is a rather complete player. Couple that with it not being impossible that he takes a year two jump, and it's easy to see just how good he could be in 2026.
9. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty's talent could thrust him into the top-5 among AFC running backs, but his rookie season was largely forgettable, and it wasn't all his fault. Jeanty was running behind one of the more dysfunctional offensive lines in the NFL, so his immediate impact just wasn't that great, or nearly as great as many thought it would be.
Finishing with 1,346 yards, Jeanty wasn't able to hit 1,000 yards on the ground and wasn't able to hit 4.0 yards per carry, but the potential is there. The Las Vegas Raiders are absolutely going to lean on Jeanty in 2026, no matter who is under center.
He could end up being the best player on that offense, and even if the offensive line is average, Jeanty's production should explode.
8. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Over the past two seasons, Chase Brown has amassed just under 2,800 scrimmage yards and 22 total touchdowns. In 2025, he had a career-high 1,456 scrimmage yards and did run for his first 1,000-yard season.
Brown's success rate has been over 52 percent in each of the last two seasons, so he does tend to make the most of his carries as well. Brown slides into No. 8 in our AFC running back rankings.
7. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
The issue with J.K. Dobbins has obviously never been talent. When healthy, he's consistently one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL. That's the issue, though. In 2025, he had played in the first 10 games for the Denver Broncos, and there was no type of injury threatening him.
However, Dobbins was tackled using an illegal hip-drop move and suffered a season-ending foot injury. He was on pace for over 1,300 rushing yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry. He's averaged 5.2 yard per carry across his career, which is some crazy efficiency.
His 53.6 percent success rate in 2025 was also an elite number, and while he doesn't offer a ton as a pass-catcher, his value as a runner is obvious.
6. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
We'll sneak Kenneth Walker III onto the list here. Not necessarily a special talent, Walker is still an efficient player and has hit the 1,000-yard mark in two of four seasons. He's actually never carried the ball more than 230 times in a regular-season, so his bell-cow ability just might not be there.
However, we all saw how he performed in the playoffs, and his ability as a pure runner and with breaking tackles is among the best in the league. Because Walker isn't a super dynamic player, though, he's a bit limited in our power rankings.
5. Breece Hall, New York Jets
With over 5,000 scrimmage yards in four years in the NFL, Breece Hall continues to bring high-end production to the New York Jets. Only set to play in his age-25 season in 2026, Hall got an extension from the Jets this offseason and was able to cross the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career.
Hall is yet another complete running back in the conference who is a true three-down threat. He's never really had high-end production, but there's a consistent above-average level that Hall brings.
4. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Another AFC running back who landed an extension this offseason, De'Von Achane comes in at No. 4 in our power rankings. Through three years in the NFL, Achane has averaged an other-worldly 5.6 yards per carry and has amassed 4,334 scrimmage yards. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie.
He also has 35 total touchdowns and has finished with double-digit scores in all three years of his career. A truly elite player and a major offensive weapon, Achane is No. 4 in our power rankings as the offseason rolls on.
It'd be a shock if he didn't have a huge load for the Miami Dolphins in 2026, given the state of that offense.
3. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
James Cook led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2024, and led the NFL in rushing yards in 2025. With 41 total touchdowns in four seasons and just over 4,000 yards, Cook had a rather quiet rookie season back in 2022, but he's since followed it up with three 1,000 yard seasons in a row.
Not necessarily an overwhelming talent at the position, Cook does benefit from an elite Buffalo offensive line, but he's sustained high-end production for three years now and is only set to play in his age-27 season in 2026.
Cook lands at No. 3 in our AFC running back rankings.
2. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry finished with 1,595 yards and 17 touchdowns in yet another hyper-productive season. The future Hall of Famer seems to be getting better with age, as he had 307 rushing attempts last year, which was third in the conference.
At this point, there isn't much that Henry hasn't done. He's turned into one of the best backs of this generation, but he is getting up there in age - 33 years old next January, but at the moment, Henry is still among the best.
1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor finished third in the AFC in rushing yards in 2025, racking up 1,585 yards on 307 carries. He finished with 18 rushing touchdowns, which was good for most in the conference
And when we talk about the best running backs in the league, Taylor sticks out. He may be the best pure runner in the league, and even though he doesn't have a ton of upside as a pass-catcher, he truly makes up for it on the ground.
Playing in all 17 games last year, Taylor averaged just under five yards per tote, but his overall efficiency is insane. He's a true bell-cow back and is the best in the AFC ahead of 2026.