The early-season running back picture is already starting to take shape, and Week 2 made a few things clear: some backs are piling up volume, some are cashing in on scoring chances, and a few are doing just enough to keep their spot near the top. The rankings are still moving fast, but the names at the front are beginning to separate from the pack.
Jahmyr Gibbs holds the No. 1 spot after another productive night for Detroit, even in a game where the Lions spent most of the evening chasing the Buffalo Bills. Gibbs ran 16 times for 52 yards, which is hardly eye-popping, but he saved the day through the air with six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Behind him, Bijan Robinson stays at No. 2 despite a quieter line than his usual standard. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 16 attempts, but he didn’t score and managed only three receptions for nine yards. With Michael Penix returning this week, that at least gives Atlanta something to feel good about.
Jonathan Taylor continues to look as locked in as any back in the league. He has now posted back-to-back games with two rushing touchdowns and is averaging 95 rushing yards per game. He also added four catches for 40 yards last week, and whatever concerns exist elsewhere in Indianapolis haven’t slowed him down.
Kenneth Walker III is making a strong case in Kansas City, where he has stepped into the lead role and is benefiting from playing alongside a healthy Patrick Mahomes. The production has been better than expected, and the rise looks real.
Christian McCaffrey lands at No. 5, though Week 2 was more about the touchdowns than the total yardage. He scored twice, but he also finished with just 23 rushing yards on 10 carries and added four catches for 43 yards. The workload was smaller than usual, but the 49ers likely didn’t need much from him in a game they could have blown the Miami Dolphins out of without him.
James Cook moved back up after a much better Week 2. After getting only 13 carries in Week 1, he responded with 21 attempts, 6.4 yards per carry, and his first touchdown of the season. At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be much standing in his way.
Ashton Jeanty is already carrying a big load for Las Vegas, and that’s exactly how the Raiders want it. He handled 21 carries and added four catches, but the day still lacked the kind of impact that comes with a touchdown or more efficient rushing numbers. The role is there; the production just needs to follow.
Derrick Henry did what Derrick Henry always seems to do: score a touchdown. Baltimore’s home loss to the New Orleans Saints made the game feel strange overall, but Henry still put up 68 yards on 16 carries and reminded everyone what he brings.
Saquon Barkley’s week was interrupted early by a stinger, which kept him on the sideline for most of the game. He finished with four carries for nine yards and one catch for 11 yards. The good news is that he should be ready for next week, and he’s still looking for his first touchdown of the season.
Omarion Hampton scored for the second straight week, and that’s the kind of trend the Chargers can build on. He did lose a fumble, but he also ran for 94 yards on 23 carries. The offense around him still needs work, though.
Chase Brown stays steady at No. 14.
He didn’t score, but he was dependable again with 80 rushing yards on 20 carries. His receiving work was minimal - three catches for two yards - but the overall package remains useful.
TreVeyon Henderson rounds out the group at No. 15 after a strong showing for New England. He got 10 more touches than Rhamondre Stevenson, which stood out, and he made the most of them with 16 carries for 76 yards and a 39-yard touchdown run. He wasn’t involved in the passing game, but the touch split was a notable development.
D’Andre Swift sits at No. 13 after a quieter outing in Chicago’s offense, though the weather and Caleb Williams’ injury were part of the story. Even so, Swift’s receiving usage was encouraging, and he finished with five receptions for 54 yards.
Kyren Williams comes in at No. 12, and the workload remains the main thing to watch in Los Angeles. He is in a timeshare with Blake Corum, but he still has the edge in touches. On Monday, he turned that into 12 carries for 85 yards, plus two catches for 12 yards and a touchdown.
De’Von Achane lands at No. 11 after another rough week for Miami. The volume was there - 20 carries - but the efficiency wasn’t, as he averaged just 3.7 yards per rush and added three catches for 19 yards. The Dolphins need more than touches; they need better output.
In Other News...
Chargers Suddenly Face A Derwin James Problem They Can't Ignore
Derwin James is pushing through a fractured pinky finger and intends to keep playing the rest of the season in a cast, which immediately puts the Chargers in a familiar but uncomfortable spot. For a defense that leans heavily on James versatility and edge, even a hand injury can matter, and the team is already keeping a close eye on how it might affect his performance moving forward.
Elijah Moldens hamstring issue adds another layer to the equation, even if Los Angeles does have options behind him. Tony Jefferson and R.J. Mickens give the Chargers some safety depth, and the front office could look at veteran free agents if it feels the room needs more insurance, but James remains the player who changes the conversation the most. The question now is less whether he will play and more how much the injury will ask him to give. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Suddenly Have A Tight End Problem They Can't Ignore
The Chargers had to make a quick fix at tight end after injuries thinned the position group, adding Hayden Rucci off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. The move came after David Njoku and Charlie Kolar were placed on injured reserve, leaving Los Angeles suddenly short on depth at a spot that can matter just as much in protection as it does in the passing game.
Oronde Gadsden is now the only other healthy tight end on the active roster, which gives Rucci a fast track into a room with very little margin for error. He brings limited NFL experience, but he does at least know Mike McDaniels offensive system from his time with the Miami Dolphins, a detail that should help the Chargers get him up to speed sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Sean Payton Just Put A Broncos Assistant In The Spotlight
After a rough Week 1 for Denvers offense, Sean Payton made a point of highlighting offensive coordinator Davis Webb for the way he responded and adjusted going into the next stretch. It was the kind of public nod that can matter inside a staff room, especially early in a season when first impressions tend to linger and every decision gets magnified.
For the Chargers, the broader AFC West picture only sharpens the focus. Jim Harbaugh has been adamant about cleaning up an 0-2 start, and Derwin James has stressed the need for honesty and improvement, while Kansas City is already managing Kenneth Walkers workload and leaning toward a bigger role for rookie Emmett Johnson. In a division where small fixes can quickly become major turning points, Denvers coaching spotlight is just one more reminder of how little margin anyone has right now. [Read more 🡒]