8. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
D'Andre Swift has had a really quiet ascent in the last handful of seasons, and might be the most underrated running back in the NFC right now.
After being discarded by the Detroit Lions, Swift had a nice bounce-back year with the Eagles before coming to the Bears, and it's fair to say that everybody on that Bears' offense in 2024 struggled with the circumstances. With Ben Johnson calling the shots for the offense, Swift's game was seemingly unlocked.
He racked up a career-high 1,386 yards from scrimmage, averaging a career-best 4.9 yards per carry with at least 100 rushing attempts. He's getting better with age.
7. Travis Etienne, New Orleans Saints
If D'Andre Swift is the most underrated running back in the NFC, then Travis Etienne is a close second. The big difference is obviously that Etienne is switching teams this year, while Swift is now entering his third season with the Bears overal.
Etienne had 1,399 yards from scrimmage with the Jaguars last season, running for 7 touchdowns and catching 6 more. He became such an outstanding weapon in the passing game under Liam Coen, and that's exactly what he'll be expected to be for Kellen Moore with the Saints.
Etienne has always been able to handle a bigger workload in the passing game, but this past year proved that there are more levels yet to be unlocked. On an exciting Saints offense, Etienne will be expected to repeat (or exceed) that type of success.
6. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
After two really bad years with the Denver Broncos following a knee injury suffered early in the 2022 season, Javonte Williams rediscovered himself as a member of the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.
Williams once looked like one of the most promising running backs in the NFL, showing back in his rookie year that he can create a ton of yards after contact as well as be a valuable asset on passing downs. He averaged a career-high 4.8 yards per carry, over 75 yards per game, and had 13 touchdowns in total (11 rushing, 2 receiving).
He's one of the best all-around backs in the entire NFL right now, and with his confidence restored, he might keep climbing.
5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have one of the best all-around offenses in the NFL, and it feels like pretty much everyone who takes the field for them finds some measure of success.
With that being said, Kyren Williams shouldn't be docked as some product of the system. He can simultaneously benefit from scheme and surroundings while also bringing his own unique wrinkle to the offense. He's averaging 1,454 yards from scrimmage per year over the last three years, and has also scored 44 total touchdowns in that timeframe.
The Rams rely on Williams to help them cash in red zone opportunities, but he's capable of creating offense on his own with over 1,100 yards after contact over the last two seasons combined.
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