Chase Brown’s breakout stretch last season wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in ESPN’s top-10 running back rankings, according to a survey of coaches, scouts and executives.
Brown got off to a rough start in 2024, and the numbers reflected it. Through Week 5, he was averaging just 2.46 yards per carry, a slump that came while Joe Burrow was sidelined and Jake Browning made four starts. The tide turned after Joe Flacco replaced Browning and then Burrow returned, and Brown finished with a much stronger 5.14 yards per carry after that point.
Even with that turnaround, Brown did not crack the top 10 in the league-wide survey. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explained how the ranking was built: voters submitted their own top 10 at the position, and ESPN compiled the results using the number of top-10 votes, composite average and input from more than 70 voters, along with research, film study and follow-up calls.
The final top 10 featured Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons, Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions, Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles, Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens, James Cook III of the Buffalo Bills, De’Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins, Kenneth Walker III of the Kansas City Chiefs and Breece Hall of the New York Jets.
It’s not hard to understand why Brown landed outside the top seven. Walker is also coming off a Super Bowl MVP performance. Still, Brown could make a case that he belongs ahead of Hall.
What stands out most is that Brown didn’t even make the honorable-mention group. That list included Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers, Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams and Quinshon Judkins of the Cleveland Browns.
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