Week 1 is here, and with it comes the kind of running back shakeup that never stays still for long. The talent pool is deep, the workloads are fluid, and the rankings are already set up for weekly movement. But before the first snap changes the conversation, here’s a look at the expected top 15 backs heading into the NFL season.
Kenneth Walker checks in at No. 15, and the setup in Kansas City gives him a real chance to make a statement. He’s healthy, explosive, and now has the backfield to himself after landing a big free agent contract. The Chiefs should give him every opportunity to show what he can do.
Kyren Williams lands at No. 14, even with Blake Corum being worked into the Rams’ offense. Corum may chip away at the workload, but Williams still has plenty of room to produce, and his nose for the end zone keeps him in the mix.
At No. 13, Breece Hall remains one of the most gifted runners in the league.
He just cleared the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career last season, and that feels more like a starting point than a ceiling. The injuries have been rough, but the talent is too obvious to ignore, even if the Jets aren’t exactly helping his case.
Jeremiyah Love comes in at No. 12 with a lot of expectation attached. The ankle injury could slow him early, but once he gets rolling and climbs through Arizona’s depth chart, he has the kind of upside that makes people pay attention.
Derrick Henry rounds out the 15-11 group at No. 11, and the story is the same as ever: he produces. He keeps pounding defenders, keeps piling up yards, and keeps finding the end zone. Even with more involvement in the passing game, his identity never changes - he’s one of the most powerful runners in football.
Ashton Jeanty opens the top 10 at No. 10, and the only thing keeping him from climbing higher is the ankle injury. If he’s ready to go, he has a real shot to rise fast after rushing for 975 yards last year in his second season.
Chase Brown sits at No. 9, and while Cincinnati will always lean heavily on the passing game, he still has a clear role. He does his job well and makes the most of the chances created by Joe Burrow and the rest of that offense.
No. 8 belongs to Omarion Hampton, who enters his second NFL season healthy and ready to show more of what he can do. Being part of Mike McDaniel’s offense should only help him.
Saquon Barkley comes in at No. 7.
He’s another year older, and there was some slippage in 2025, but he’s still one of the league’s best backs in a strong offense. He may give up some work to Tank Bigsby, but his explosiveness keeps him near the top.
James Cook is No. 6, and the path is pretty clear. Josh Allen may take some of the goal-line work, but there isn’t much competition behind him. The passing-game numbers could grow, too, after a 291-yard receiving season.
De’Von Achane lands at No. 5 because his production can come in waves through both the run game and the passing game. The Dolphins don’t have many other offensive threats behind him, so the touches should be there.
Jonathan Taylor checks in at No. 4, and the Colts are expected to lean on him again. Another 18-touchdown season might be a stretch, but he doesn’t need that kind of number to have a strong year.
Christian McCaffrey is No. 3, and the main question is health. If he stays on the field, he’s a monster. The passing-game volume could be massive again, though the 3.9 yards per carry leaves room for more.
Jahmyr Gibbs comes in at No. 2, and the runway is wide open. David Montgomery is now in Houston, and his replacement, Isiah Pacheco, is out for at least the next four games. Gibbs has the dynamism and the workload to match.
Bijan Robinson sits at No. 1, and the Falcons’ offense is built around him no matter who starts at quarterback. With Tua Tagovalioa under center, there’s even a chance Robinson gets a little more work than expected.
In Other News...
Rams Suddenly Face A Tight End Problem After Scary Opener Injury
The Rams season opener against the 49ers took an early turn on a familiar kind of problem for Sean McVays offense: losing a tight end in the middle of the game. Davis Allen took a hard hit in the third quarter, was evaluated for a concussion and eventually carted off the field, leaving Los Angeles to sort through the rest of the day without one of its more useful options at the position.
Allens status was listed as questionable to return, and even if the setback proves temporary, it puts a little more weight on the depth chart heading into the next stretch. The Rams will need more from the other tight ends if Allen cant get back on the field soon, especially in an offense that likes to lean on that group for both protection and passing-game versatility. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Face A Brutal Pregame Swing Against San Francisco
The Rams pregame picture for Melbourne just got tougher on one side and a little more complicated on the other. San Francisco tight end George Kittle has been cleared and taken off the injury list, while Los Angeles will be without Aaron Donald, a notable absence for a defense that usually leans on him to change the games rhythm.
Kyle Shanahan has already said Kittle and Nick Bosa will have limited playing time as the 49ers ease them back from major injuries, which adds another layer to a matchup that was never going to be simple. For the Rams, the challenge is obvious enough: face a division rival on a long trip, with one of the leagues most disruptive defenders unavailable and San Francisco getting a key weapon back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Donald's Comeback Starts With A Rams Reality Fans Won't Love
Aaron Donald wont be part of the Rams Week 1 group in Australia, a reminder that his return to the field is still in the early stages even after the comeback announcement gave Los Angeles a jolt of optimism. The veteran defensive star did not travel with the team for its game against the 49ers, and the Rams are taking a patient approach as he works back into football shape after coming out of retirement.
For a defense that has long leaned on Donald as its centerpiece, the wait is the reality fans were hoping to avoid, even if it was always part of the plan. Donald last played in the NFL in 2023, and the earliest expectation for his return is Week 2, leaving the Rams to navigate the opener without one of the most important players in franchise history. [Read more 🡒]