NFL Divisions ranked by Position groups
In this next iteration of ranking the divisions by positions, we will be focusing on the running back position. With offensive production slowing down recently, running backs have become increasingly vital to the success of offenses around the league. So, looking at the starters for each team, here are the division rankings.
1. NFC North
Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Since coming into the league, Bears running back DeAndre Swift has had an up-and-down career. At the beginning, Swift was struggling in Detroit, and it was not until going to the Eagles in 2023 that the young rusher finally found consistency. After his short stint with the Eagles, Swift signed with the Bears, became their number one option at running back, and rushed for 959 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024. Now, with Ben Johnson as head coach, Swift could have an even better season in 2025.
The Detroit Lions have one of the best running back duos in the league, and this is a scenario where both players have to be considered as the starter. Jahmyr Gibbs uses blistering speed and agility, while David Montgomery uses strength to win in the trenches. They are the perfect complement, and the statistics show this. In 2024, Gibbs had 1,412 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, while Montgomery had 775 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Going into the 2024 season, Josh Jacobs was with a new team for the first time of his career, but that did not stop him from making a massive difference on the Packers. At times last season, it felt like Jacobs was putting the Packers’ offense on his back and single-handedly led them to wins. He wins with power, and in 2024, Jacobs had 35 broken tackles, 1329 rushing yards, and 15 touchdowns.
At 30 years old, Aaron Jones is the oldest starting running back in the NFC North, but last season, he showed no signs of slowing down. Racking up 1138 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, Jones was by far the leading rusher on the roster. This production opened up the Vikings’ offense and allowed QB Sam Darnold the best year of his career.
2. NFC South
Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last season, the Atlanta Falcons had significantly up-and-down passing games, but the main part of the offense that stayed consistent was the rushing attack. Coming off a decent rookie season, Bijan Robinson rapidly rose to become one of the best running backs in the league. Last season, the sophomore rusher had 1456 rushing yards, 431 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. With Michael Penix at QB in 2025, Robinson could be set for an even bigger year.
The Panthers have invested heavily in running backs over the years, but one player slowly became the number one option in Carolina: Chuba Hubbard. Last season, Hubbard finally got over 1000 yards and doubled his touchdown production from the year before. He earned a contract extension, and with Jonathon Brooks tearing his ACL, it is Hubbard’s spot to lose.
The only team in the NFC South with a real veteran running back as their starter is the New Orleans Saints and Alvin Kamara. Entering his 9th season, Kamara has been a dual threat on the ground and in the air. Since Drew Brees’ retirement, the offense has relied on what Alvin Kamara brings to the offense. With an offensive-minded head coach and an improved offensive line, Kamara could have one of the best years of his career.
Returning to the young running backs, Bucky Irving was an essential addition to the Buccaneers’ offense. Last season with Liam Coen as offensive coordinator, Irving had an amazing year, racking up 1,122 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. The real test will be if Irving can continue this great offense without Coen, now the Jaguars’ head coach.
3. NFC West
Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Starting with the Cardinals, their starting running back James Connor has been very consistent for many seasons. Going into the 2023 season, Connor consistently gained around 700 yards a season, but for the past two years, he increased this total to around 1000 each year. The Cardinals offensive line has never been great, but James Connor always finds space and picks up important yards. He may not be a top running back, but he is still important for this offense.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Rams drafted Kyren Williams in 5th round, and his rookie year was nothing to write home about. Williams did not have much production and only had 139 yards on 35 attempts, but in his sophomore year, this is where the Rams knew they hit a home run. In 2023, Williams had 1144 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in only 12 games. Williams needed to show he can stay healthy and build upon his 2023 success, and in 2024, he did just that.
Even with the talent throughout this division, Christian McCaffrey is still by far the best running back… when healthy. McCaffrey has dealt with injuries his whole career, and with the star running back only getting older, this issue is going to become increasingly worrisome. Still, when healthy, McCaffrey is arguably the best running back in the league.
The only team in this division that has more of a questionable running back room is the Seattle Seahawks. Kenneth Walker has been the number one option and can take over games, but last season, with a mixture of injuries and lower rush per attempt averages, Walker had a down year.
4. AFC South
Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
One of the most consistent running backs in the league for years has been Joe Mixon. Mixon worked every season with the Bengals to carry the rushing workload and keep the pressure off the offensive line. With the Texans last season, Mixon had to do the same, and with the offensive line only getting worse, he may have to work even harder to gain yards in 2025.
Since his amazing 2021 season, Jonathan Taylor has dealt with injuries and has been unable to achieve that fantastic season again. In 2024, Taylor started to get back on the right track and had his best season since 2021, finishing with 1,431 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The Colts offensive line took a bit of a hit this offseason, but they should still be a strength of the team. This and Taylor’s health could create a monster season in 2025.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are another team in a very interesting position with their running back room. Travis Etienne has never achieved the stardom level that the Jaguars hoped for, and the hope is that he can get that with Liam Coen in charge. The question is going to be all about ball security and health.
Another rusher who has found consistency in the league is Titans starter Tony Pollard. For the past 3 seasons, Pollard has broken the 1000-yard mark, and that was even behind a horrible offensive line last season. Now, with #1 pick Cam Ward under center and an upgraded offensive line, Pollard could have the best season of his career.
5. NFC East
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
The Cowboys running back room was a massive focus for upgrades in the offseason, but Dallas believed they did not need to make a massive addition even with this need. In the end, they have decided to bring in Javonte Williams, who has struggled to make his mark in the league.
Since Saquan Barkley left last offseason, the Giants have been running back purgatory. As of now, the starting running back is Tyrone Tracy Jr., who had a really good start to his career, finishing with 839 rushing yards. The main question will now be whether Tracy can improve from last season, or if it was because he was the only option.
Speaking of Saquan Barkley, it is time to talk about last season’s best running back. Barkley is coming off a year where he amassed over 2000 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns, won offensive player of the year, and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl win. If the NFC North did not have Barkley, this division would be ranked much lower.
The last team in the NFC North is the Washington Commanders, and they also have an interesting backfield. Brian Robinson has been unable to play a full season and has not gotten over 1,000 yards in his career. The hope is that with better health, Robinson can finally secure that starting spot, but that is nowhere near a guarantee.
6. NFC East
Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Last season, James Cook’s rushing numbers may not have jumped off the page, but the touchdowns are where he stood out. In 2024, Cook had 18 total touchdowns, making the Bills’ offense even more of a threat. Cook’s health is also something we have not seen from the running back position, with him being healthy for almost every season.
Being from the Shanahan scheme, Mike McDaniels and the Miami Dolphins utilize the running back position throughout their scheme. In his rookie season, Davon Achane burst onto the scene as a big-play threat who could change the outlook of a game. He only played 11 games and started 4 in his rookie season, but in 2024, he became the #1 option at running back. His rushing numbers saw a slight increase in yards, but in the passing game, Achane was utilized heavily and had around 500 receiving yards.
With a new head coach in charge, the Patriots could see changes in their running back room. Last season, Rhamondre Stevenson was the top option and had 801 rushing yards. This was behind a bad offensive line, so Stevenson could have a better year in 2025, but with rookie Treyvon Henderson competing for that spot, we could see a new starting option for the Patriots next season.
Last, but not least, we have the Jets in this division. Breece Hall has been the top option for the past two seasons. Since his injury in 2022, Hall has put up decent numbers for the Jets, but has been unable to reach the heights many believed he could get to. After a down season in 2024, there is hope that a new coaching staff can get the most out of Hall before it’s too late.
7. AFC North
Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Similar to the NFC North, the AFC North has a bunch of running back questions, except for one team. The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, with QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry terrorizing defenses. We will not be talking about Jackson here, but focusing on just Henry, he was the second-best running back in the NFL last season. He had nearly 2000 rushing yards and got in the endzone 16 times.
Since Joe Mixon left the Bengals last offseason, Cincinnati has been looking for its long-term answer at running back. As of now, their top options at running back are Chase Brown, who had a decent 2nd season, and Zach Moss, who has actually found some success since leaving the Bills. Brown is going to be the number one option next season, and the hope is that he can further improve in this offense.
Next, we have the Browns, who might have the worst running back group in the NFL. Jerome Ford is the starter, but rookie Quinshon Judkins should fight for that spot early.
The Steelers have done a decent job keeping their running back room pretty consistent, but due to the departure of Najee Harris, 2025 might be the first season in a long time where the Steelers could really struggle running the ball. Maybe Jaylen Warren can slot right into that starting spot and do well, but it is too much of a question mark to guarantee that happening.
8. AFC West
Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos went into the offseason with a big need at running back, and were able to find a decent option. Recently, Denver signed free agent JK Dobbins to a deal, and the hope is he can continue improving upon a career year with the Chargers. Still, Dobbins is not the best player to rely upon, and Denver’s running game could get much worse if an injury occurs.
Next, with the Chiefs, another team that has dealt with injuries at running back. Isiah Pachecoi will be the top option going into 2025, but after returning from his injury last season, the young player did not look the same. The big question is whether Pacheco can have a bounce-back season.
Besides the issues at running back for the previous two teams, the main reason why the AFC West is ranked last is because of the rookies. Starting with the Raiders, their #1 option next season will be Ashton Jeanty. Although I believe he can be amazing in the NFL, going into the season with a rookie as the primary option creates a scenario filled with the unknown.
The other team that should be going into the 2025 season with a starting rookie running back is the Chargers. Omarion Hampton was the second-best running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, and landing with the Chargers was a fantastic scenario for the rookie. Just like with Jeanty and the Raiders, there are too many unknowns with starting a rookie at running back, but this scenario could also propel this division to a higher ranking by the end of the season.
