The NFC is absolutely loaded with star power at the running back position, and may feature no fewer than four viable candidates for NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2026.
In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to see some of the running backs in the NFC compete for the NFL MVP award under the right circumstances.
As loaded as this conference is at the running back position, how does every team's starter stack up against each other? Our newest NFL Power Rankings are going to attempt to rank each team's top back as the regular season draws closer by the day.
NFL Power Rankings: Updated NFC RB rankings as preseason comes to a close
16. Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks (rookie)
The Seattle Seahawks made the bold decision to move on from Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker this offseason, and they have pushed all their chips into the center on rookie Jadarian Price.
Price is an exceptional talent with great size, speed, and big play ability. With Zach Charbonnet on the shelf until he recovers from a knee injury, the Seahawks' running game is going to be the Jadarian Price show. And it wouldn't be shocking -- in the slightest -- to see him do really well.
Price was never the featured back at Notre Dame. Now he'll open his NFL career as the unquestioned RB1 on the reigning Super Bowl champion. Funny how that works, isn't it?
15. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals (rookie)
Jeremiyah Love was. the 3rd overall pick in this year's draft, and as a result, he will enter the NFL with incredibly high expectations.
As we have seen with other top 10 picks at the running back position, including Ashton Jeanty last year, this type of draft status doesn't immediately equate to on-field success. Love is going to have to prove himself just like everybody else, but the skill set is there for him to be special at the NFL level.
The major question right now is whether or not he's in the type of situation to succeed. Based on the team around them, it wouldn't be surprising to see Love's old Notre Dame teammate Jadarian Price put up better numbers as a rookie.
14. Aaron Jones/Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have one of the more uninspiring running back duos in the entire NFL right now.
That doesn't mean they can't be productive, but this is a tandem that is listed as co-starters on the Vikings' official depth chart, and they produced some decent numbers together in 2025. Although Aaron Jones was limited to just 12 games, this duo racked up over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and a combined 9 touchdowns.
Jones, even as he gets older, is still the primary pass-catching back for the Vikings.
While it feels like these two players can be a quality tandem, neither stands out as a strong option individually.
13. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
More affectionately known as "Bill", Croskey-Merritt had over 800 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns as a rookie for the Commanders. And he didn't hurt himself doing the Ice Bucket Challenge.
The Commanders brought in Rachaad White to help take on some of the pass-catching duties, but that's still an area where we need to see Croskey-Merritt grow in year two. He only caught 9 passes in 17 games last season, so the Commanders are going to have to figure out ways to get him involved, or teams will know exactly what they're doing when he comes onto the field.
Still, averaging 4.6 yards per carry as a rookie, Croskey-Merritt showed some RB1 promise and he has a great opportunity to entrench himself there in 2026.
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