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8.3k voters

Who Is the Best Running Back in the NFL Right Now?

Updated September 21, 2020 74.8k votes 8.3k voters 58.2k views62 items

List RulesVote up the most accomplished running backs currently playing in the NFL.

Using a combination of speed, strength, and agility, NFL running backs must carry the football through elite defenses. During the rush to a touchdown, they must avoid getting tackled and fumbling the ball, which sounds easier than it is. Only the most athletic halfbacks, tailbacks, and fullbacks are able to juke and spin their way onto this list of the best running backs in the NFL right now. Some of whom might even end up among the greatest running backs in football history.

In his rookie year, Dallas Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott lead the league in yards rushed and first downs rushed. However, New England Patriot LeGarrette Blount lead other RBs with 18 rushing touchdowns. Other notable running backs include Chicago Bear Jordan Howard, Tennessee Titan DeMarco Murray, and Pittsburgh Steeler Le'Veon Bell.

Vote up the athletes you think are the best running backs in the NFL right now. Even if the player is a rookie or a veteran, just vote up the halfbacks, tailbacks, and fullbacks who are currently playing well in the league. Feel free to add other great running backs missing from the list. If you're a fantasy football player, head over and help decide the best fantasy football RBs of 2019.

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1
1,538
740
Derrick Henry
Tennessee Titans
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Yulee, FL, United States of America
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#1 of 91 The Best Alabama Crimson Tide Football Players of All Time#13 of 83 The Best Heisman Trophy Winners of All Time
2
2,344
1,205
Christian McCaffrey
Carolina Panthers
Position: Running back, Return specialist
3
1,215
738
Dalvin Cook
Minnesota Vikings
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Miami, Fl, United States of America
4
1,284
818
Nick Chubb
Cleveland Browns
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Cedartown, GA, United States of America
5
2,544
1,673
Alvin Kamara
New Orleans Saints
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Norcross, GA, United States of America
6
2,876
1,901
Saquon Barkley
New York Giants
Position: Running back
7
773
515
Aaron Jones
Green Bay Packers
Position: Running back
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#89 of 286 The Best Green Bay Packers Of All Time#9 of 32 The Best Green Bay Packers Running Backs of All Time
8
3,276
2,340
Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas Cowboys
Position: Running back
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
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#406 of 1,323 The Best Football Players Ever#48 of 206 The Best NFL Running Backs of All Time
9
462
296
Josh Jacobs
Oakland Raiders
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma
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#8 of 32 Every First-Round Pick In The 2019 NFL Draft, Ranked#5 of 41 The Best Alabama Crimson Tide Running Backs of All Time
10
2,688
2,099
Todd Gurley
Los Angeles Rams
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Tarboro, North Carolina
Age: 26
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#6 of 44 The Best University of Georgia Football Players of All Time#16 of 34 The Most Overpaid Professional Athletes Right Now
11
613
529
Chris Carson
Seattle Seahawks
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Biloxi, MS, United States of America
12
1,028
918
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Baltimore Ravens
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Hackensack, New Jersey
Age: 30
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#40 of 95 The Best Baltimore Ravens of All Time#5 of 59 Short NFL Players Who Show Size Doesn't Matter
13
689
617
Joe Mixon
Cincinnati Bengals
Position: Running Back
Birthplace: Oakley, CA, United States of America

14
360
310
Phillip Lindsay
Denver Broncos
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
Age: 26
15
1,927
1,840
Le'Veon Bell
New York Jets
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Age: 23
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#2 of 54 The Best Michigan State Football Players of All Time#24 of 41 The 41 Hottest Men in the NFL
16
1,162
1,098
Leonard Fournette
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#4 of 146 The Best LSU Football Players of All Time#9 of 76 Every Athlete Signed To Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports, Ranked
17
1,320
1,259
Kareem Hunt
Cleveland Browns
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Elyria, OH, United States of America
Age: 25
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#284 of 329 The Most Obnoxious Athletes#16 of 61 The Best NFL Players From Ohio
18
1,120
1,103
Melvin Gordon
Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Kenosha, Wisconsin
19
650
671
James Conner
Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Erie, Pennsylvania
Age: 25
20
757
817
Adrian Peterson
Washington Redskins
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Palestine, Texas, United States of America
Age: 30
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#443 of 583 The Greatest Entertainers of All Time#1149 of 1,427 The Best Athletes Of All Time
21
670
781
David Johnson
Arizona Cardinals
Position: Running back
22
752
895
Devonta Freeman
Atlanta Falcons
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Baxley, Georgia, United States of America
Age: 23
23
799
979
LeSean McCoy
Buffalo Bills
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Age: 32
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#19 of 24 The Most Hated Players In The NFL Right Now#16 of 86 The Best NFL Players From Pennsylvania

24
516
628
Sony Michel
New England Patriots
Position: Running back
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida
Age: 25
25
411
516
James White
New England Patriots
Position: Running back