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...
Dolphins Open This Season With A Brutal Outside Message
The Dolphins head into their season opener against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 13, carrying a harsh national view of where this team stands before a snap has been played. ESPNs Adam Schefter has even pointed to Miami as a favorite for the first pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, while preseason projections have the Dolphins landing somewhere in the 3-14 to 5-12 range.
Joe Schads preseason NFL power rankings slot Miami at 30th, a reminder of how little margin for error the team is getting from outside observers. Even with Malik Willis noted as a key offseason addition, the message from the broader league is clear: the Dolphins will have to prove they are better than the expectation attached to them from the start. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins May Be Turning A Lingering O-Line Weakness Into A Strength
Jonah Savaiinaea spent his rookie year learning the hard way, but the Dolphins have seen a different version of the second-year guard this offseason. The added comfort has shown up on both sides of the line, and center Aaron Brewer has noticed the growth in pass protection and in the run game as Miami tries to firm up a spot that was too often a concern a year ago.
Kadyn Proctor has also given the Dolphins reason to believe there is more help coming on the interior, though the real test will arrive once the regular season starts and the pressure changes. For a team that has been looking for stability up front, the encouraging part is not just that one young lineman is progressing, but that there may be multiple options pushing the unit toward becoming a strength instead of a question. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Suddenly Have A Veteran Receiver Decision To Make
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For a Miami offense that can always use more proven depth at receiver, the fit is at least easy to picture. No move has been reported, but Slaytons availability gives the Dolphins another experienced option to weigh as they sort through their roster and look for help around a passing game that values reliable veterans as much as upside. [Read more 🡒]