Curt Popejoy
June 6, 2024 1:45 am ET
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a two-headed rushing attack consisting of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Harris has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first NFL seasons and Warren came on strong last season and showed he can offer something different in the run game.
But in the NFL there are lots of elite running backs and sorting out who the 32 best are is quite a challenge. Nevertheless, we gave it our shot and ranked our Top 32 running backs heading into the 2024 NFL regular season.
1
Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball against Elandon Roberts #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half of a game at Acrisure Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
2
Nick Chubb – Cleveland Browns
Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is stopped by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
3
Bijan Robinson – Atlanta Falcons
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
4
Breece Hall – New York Jets
Oct 2, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (left) and defensive end DeMarvin Leal (98) tackle New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
5
Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts
On Christmas Day, football fans will get a good look at Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, who burned the Patriots for 170 yards and a touchdown last week.
Syndication The Indianapolis Star
6
De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins
Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs the ball against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the second half of a 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
7
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball while defended by Damontae Kazee #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Acrisure Stadium on November 02, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
8
Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 17: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball against Micah Kiser #43 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on October 17, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
9
Aaron Jones - Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during their football game on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Lions won the game, 34-20.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
10
Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs the ball in the first quarter of the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
11
Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
Nov 6, 2022; Phoenix, AZ, United States; Arizona Cardinals linebbacker Markus Golden (44) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic
Nfl Cardinals Vs Seahawks Seattle Seahawks At Arizona Cardinals
12
Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams
October 15, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the football against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
13
Najee Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 23: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to a game agains the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
14
Raheem Mostert - Miami Dolphins
Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) scores a touchdown as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) during the second quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
15
Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov 26, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs the ball as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) and safety Jordan Battle (27) make the tackle during the third quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
16
Isaiah Pacheco - Kansas City Chiefs
Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs the ball as Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (6) defends in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
17
Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Dec 9, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
18
Travis Etienne - Jacksonville Jaguars
Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) commits a face-mask penalty during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
19
Joe Mixon - Houston Texans
Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
20
Tony Pollard - Houston Texans
Nov 8, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
21
James Connor - Arizona Cardinals
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Ariz, United States; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) looks to get around San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
22
James Cook - Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) tries to escape a tackle by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92).
23
D'Andre Swift - Chicago Bears
Oct 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) avoids tackle by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) in overtime at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
24
Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots
Sep 18, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. The Patriots won 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
25
Austin Ekeler - Washington Commanders
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Tanner Vallejo (51) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
26
David Montgomery - Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) practices during mini camp at Detroit Lions headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
27
Devin Singletary - New York Giants
Oct 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) is pushed out of bounds by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Arthur Maulet (35) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
28
Jonathon Brooks - Carolina Panthers
AUSTIN, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 04: Jonathon Brooks #24 of the Texas Longhorns runs the ball in the second quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
29
Rachaad White - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) and defensive end Dean Lowry (94) and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) as guard Luke Goedeke (67) attempts to block during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
30
Ezekiel Elliott - Dallas Cowboys
Nov 8, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
31
Javonte Williams - Denver Broncos
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 10: Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos stiff arms Arthur Maulet #35 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field on October 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
32
Tyjae Spears - Tennessee Titans
Running back Tyjae Spears (2) goes through warmups during Tennessee Titans practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
