While the NFL is not exactly throwing it back to the 90s, the running back position has seen substantially increased value in recent years. With teams moving to two-high shell looks defensively, NFL teams have had to adapt offensively, and the running back position is no longer playing such a secondary role as it was for a number of years.
Running the ball is not only en vogue, it’s mission-critical. Teams are slowly but surely adapting to that in terms of their roster construction, but there’s never been a time where having a jack-of-all-trades skill set has been so important in the NFL.
In the AFC, there are a lot of young backs about to make their mark in 2025, but there are also a few established superstars as well. In our latest NFL Power Rankings, we’re going to take one final look at the best running backs on every team in the AFC and the situation in front of them this season.
NFL Power Rankings: Every AFC team’s best RB ranked worst to best in 2025
16. Cleveland Browns: Dylan Sampson
It’s difficult to tell who is going to be the lead ball-carrier for the Cleveland Browns when the season begins, but Dylan Sampson seems like as good of a bet as any right now. Quinshon Judkins still has an unresolved situation, and the team obviously doesn’t have the most confidence in Jerome Ford given the NFL Draft investments they made at the position. Sampson was running with the starting offense during camp and reportedly looked good in his opportunities. He might be a sleeper.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaylen Warren
Over the last three seasons, Jaylen Warren has quietly played a major role for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. He’s racked up 2,568 yards of offense over the last three years, including over 800 in each of the past two seasons. He’s never started for the Steelers with Najee Harris on the roster, but he could be their RB1 this year with Kaleb Johnson coming in via the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s averaged a really solid 5.4 yards per play over the course of his career, but ball security has been a bit of an issue.
14. Kansas City Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco
The novelty of Isiah Pacheco has worn off a little bit. He’s projected to still be the top back for the Kansas City Chiefs, and is capable of being a really good weapon for them, but injuries have started to add up. Even though the sample was smaller, last year was his worst as a pro, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. The Chiefs don’t have a great running back situation overall, but Pacheco could be a lot higher on this list if he returns to the form we saw from him back in 2023.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton
The Los Angeles Chargers signed Najee Harris in NFL Free Agency and then turned around and used a first-round pick on Omarion Hampton. As the season rolls along, I fully expect Hampton to take over as the team’s RB1, so that’s why he’s on this list over Harris. Not to mention the fact that Harris’s situation is still unknown after his fireworks incident in July. Hampton is a big, powerful back who creates yardage after contact. He gets downfield in a hurry and Jim Harbaugh needs that to keep his operation humming.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tank Bigsby
By the time the 2025 season is over, we might be talking about Bigsby as one of the most underrated players on a list like this. He showed a little something last year for the Jaguars, running for 766 yards and seven touchdowns. Whether or not the Jaguars decide to keep Travis Etienne could dictate whether or not this is a true breakout year for Bigsby, but he seems poised for a breakout year either way. He was one of the best backs in the NFL last year in tackles avoided and yards after contact.
11. New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson
Say what you want about draft status, but TreVeyon Henderson was my 2nd-ranked back in this year’s rookie class behind Ashton Jeanty, and he might prove to be one of the biggest steals of the class before too long. Henderson is a tremendous three-down back who also adds value on special teams for the Patriots, which we saw during the preseason as well. Even though there’s a bit of a logjam with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in New England, I think Henderson is going to emerge as the best of that bunch.
10. Denver Broncos: JK Dobbins
Last year was a banner year for the NFL career of JK Dobbins. Despite his lengthy injury history, Dobbins was one of the best backs in the NFL for the games he played (13). He was one of the league leaders in yards after contact per attempt and broken tackles, and he eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage with nine touchdowns on the season. The Chargers letting him go was a surprise, but he’s got a chance to make a huge impact for the Denver Broncos, who had a horrendous running game in 2024.
9. Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard has very quietly put together four straight seasons with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and three straight seasons with over 1,300. He’s had three straight seasons with over 1,000 yards rushing. Pollard is just a really solid all-around player, though he’s not the same big play threat that he was in Dallas. That’s what happens when your usage goes up considerably. The Titans need him to be the same level of consistency now with a rookie QB under center.
8. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders used the 6th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Ashton Jeanty, and for good reason. Taking running backs that high in the NFL is not the wisest investment, but Jeanty is a unique type of player and a potential game-changer. He was so dominant at the college level last season that his yards after contact alone would have led the nation in rushing. He is the total package out of the backfield and a huge upgrade for the Raiders.
7. New York Jets: Breece Hall
Breece Hall was so good as a rookie that he’s been a bit underrated the past two seasons. He had over 1,500 yards from scrimmage in 2023 and over 1,300 in 2024. The Jets are under new management now, but Hall should still be a focal point of the offense entering a contract year. He’s a three-down back with outstanding pass-catching abilities and breakaway speed. The Jets are planning on Braelon Allen taking a big step this year as well, so their backfield will be fascinating to monitor.
6. Houston Texans: Joe Mixon
The Houston Texans have Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, and Dameon Pierce in their backfield right now, but Mixon is the best of the bunch based on what we’ve seen in recent years. He’s dealing with an injury right now that could cast some doubt over his 2025 projection, in which case, the Texans’ starting back – whoever that is – would probably move to the bottom of this list (or close to it). But Mixon is a stud when he’s on the field, and gets the job done on all three downs. He was in the Pro Bowl last year and has 49 total touchdowns over the last four seasons.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown
Chase Brown really came into his own over the back half of the 2024 season for the Cincinnati Bengals, proving himself as the team’s RB1 going forward. Even though he only played 686 snaps last season, he still managed to rack up 1,350 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. The Bengals desperately needed a breakout from someone like Brown, and they got it. Now, we’ll see what he can do with a follow-up performance in 2025. His value as a receiver was undeniable last season with 54 receptions.
4. Miami Dolphins: De’Von Achane
If De’Von Achane is fully healthy, the Dolphins might have themselves the best all-around running back in the entire AFC. He’s not necessarily a power guy, but Achane has proven that he can be effective with both a heavy volume of work and in tandem with other backs. Last year, Achane had nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage with 12 total touchdowns on 281 touches overall. He looks a lot like a young Alvin Kamara with how dynamic he is in the passing game.
3. Buffalo Bills: James Cook
The Buffalo Bills made a difficult decision last offseason to trade Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, and they needed someone to fill the void of a true go-to option in the offense. James Cook, although not a wide receiver, answered the call. Cook was outstanding as both a runner and receiver last year, averaging 5.3 yards per touch with a whopping 18 touchdowns on the season. He led the Bills with 239 total touches on the season, more than a 100 more than the next guy (Ray Davis). And now, he’s got himself a new contract in place.
2. Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor
For the running back purists out there, Jonathan Taylor is probably one of the most beloved players in the NFL. Taylor is somewhat of a throwback at the position, a bruising 226-pound back who can absolutely take over games. He’s not only physical, but Taylor has exceptional breakaway speed. The Colts, when they are able to filter their offense through him, were at their best last season. He had 1,567 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns last year, the second-most in his NFL career in both categories. He would have had a 13th touchdown but he left it at the goal line in Denver.
1. Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry
Speaking of throwback running backs, Derrick Henry is the Holy Grail. The Baltimore Ravens signed Henry in free agency last year, and there’s no question he was one of the most impactful additions made by any team, regardless of position. Henry’s dominance combined with the Ravens’ outstanding offensive line helped Lamar Jackson to one of the “easiest” seasons of his NFL career. At the age of 30, Henry was able to tie his career-high with 18 total touchdowns, and he nearly reached 2,000 yards rushing…again.