Best NFL Running Backs In 2024

So many things go into being one of the game’s best running backs. You need to have speed, skill, size, a great offensive line, and of course, a bit of luck.

And what makes you a great running back?

Is it having the most rushing yards in a season, the most rushing touchdowns, or what about all-purpose yards from scrimmage?

Christian McCaffrey showed fans last year that he was no doubt the best running back in the league.

Not only did he lead all backs with 1,459 rushing yards, he also had 564 receiving yards, giving him the most all-purpose yards of any player last season.

Betting On NFL Running Backs

Sportsbooks today provide many options for betting on NFL running backs.

Season-long futures bets predict which player will have the most rushing yards and most rushing TDs, or you can find bets determining which RB will have the most yards from scrimmage. (Rushing + Receiving)

Player prop bets will allow bettors to wager on an RB’s season total for rushing yards or individual game rushing yards.

One of the most popular prop bets of the NFL season is for a player to score an anytime touchdown.

Running backs will combine to score many touchdowns this year and make an intriguing betting option each week.

The most popular futures bet for NFL running backs is always trying to determine who will lead the league in rushing yards at the end of the season.

RBs are asked to do a lot of different things. But ultimately, we still want to judge them on their ability to run the rock.

2023 All-Purpose Yards Leaders – Running Backs

Name	Rush Yds	Rec. Yds	Total Yds
Christian McCaffrey	1,459	564	2,023
Breece Hall	994	591	1,585
James Cook	1,122	445	1,567
Rachaad White	990	549	1,539
Travis Etienne Jr.	1,008	476	1,484

McCaffrey also led the league in rushing touchdowns, with 14, and total TDs, with 21.

But part of being a great player also means staying healthy, something McCaffrey is not this year.

And while he won’t win any individual accolades in 2024, there are several running backs poised to do just that.

Here are some of the candidates.

Who Is The NFL’s Best Running Back?

Saquon Barkley (+500) – Philadelphia Eagles: Most Yards From Scrimmage

If there is one running back on this list that could match McCaffrey’s success from a year ago, it’s likely Saquon Barkley.

He could finish the season with the most rushing yards, all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns and nobody would be overly surprised.

Through Week 4, he is averaging 130 total yards per game and has found the endzone five times, including four on the ground.

His move from New York to Philadelphia will no doubt help his numbers as the Eagles’ time of possession is much higher than the Giants.

Derrick Henry (+500) – Baltimore Ravens: Most Rushing Touchdowns

The Ravens’ running back is a touchdown machine.

Since 2018, Henry has 85 rushing TDs. What’s most impressive about that is the fact he is 30 ahead of the next closest player, which happens to be Josh Allen.

And let’s not forget, he was doing this while playing for the Titans, who were not as good as the current version of the Ravens.

Through Week 4, Henry has scored at least one rushing touchdown in each game and is tied for the league lead with five.

If he stays healthy, the two-time rushing touchdown leader will easily hit double digits for the seventh straight season and surpass his career-high 17 he achieved back in 2020.

Alvin Kamara (+800) – New Orleans Saints: Most Yards From Scrimmage

The Saints’ running back has been a dual threat from the moment he entered the league.

In fact, since 2017, Kamara has over 11,200 all-purpose yards, more than any player in the league during that time.

He has at least 400 yards receiving in all seven seasons he has played. And if the start of 2024 is any indication, he is well on his way to an eighth straight year.

Through Week 4, Kamara already leads the league with 536 total yards, and it appears he will be a big part of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s game plan all season long.

Jonathan Taylor – Indianapolis Colts: Most Rushing Yards (+2500)

When healthy, there is arguably no running back who is as talented as Jonathan Taylor.

He is hoping to recapture the magic that earned him the 2018 rushing yards title.

But to do that, he will need to avoid injury, something he has been unable to do over the past two years.

A high ankle sprain and a thumb injury cost him 13 games over the last two seasons.

And while he got off to a great start this year, he needs to avoid missing a large chunk of games to have a chance to be in the conversation as best running back in the NFL.

2023 NFL Rushing Yards Leaders

In 2023, Derrick Henry was the betting favorite to lead the league in rushing.

But Christian McCaffrey surprised many, winning the rushing title by almost 300 yards over King Henry.

Player	Games Played	Rushing Yards	Yards / Game
Christian McCaffrey	16	1,459	91.2
Derrick Henry	17	1,167	68.6
Kyren Williams	12	1,144	95.3
James Cook	17	1,122	66.0
D’Andre Swift	16	1,049	65.6

2023 NFL Yards From Scrimmage Leaders

Offenses are constantly adapting.

Teams continuously look to create a mismatch and an advantage when they have the ball.

Today, RBs must be able to catch the ball, as well as their traditional RB duties. Offenses are built around teams using backs in multiple ways.

Player	Games	Scrimmage Yards	Team
Christian McCaffrey – RB	16	2,053	49ers
CeeDee Lamb – WR	17	1,862	Cowboys
Tyreek Hill – WR	16	1,814	Dolphins
Breece Hall – RB	17	1,585	Jets
Puka Nacua – WR	17	1,575	Rams

Last 10 Running Backs To Lead NFL In Rushing

Names like Derrick Henry, Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson, and others show us that the elite backs often lead the league in total rushing yards.

Year	Player	Rushing Yards	Team
2023	Christian McCaffery	1459	49ers
2022	Josh Jacobs	1,653	Raiders
2021	Jonathan Taylor	1,811	Colts
2020	Derrick Henry	2,027	Titans
2019	Derrick Henry	1,540	Titans
2018	Ezekiel Elliott	1,434	Cowboys
2017	Kareem Hunt	1,327	Chiefs
2016	Ezekiel Elliott	1,631	Cowboys
2015	Adrian Peterson	1,485	Vikings
2014	DeMarco Murray	1,845	Cowboys

Only King Henry of the Titans has gone over 2,000 rushing yards in the last nine years in a single season. Henry did that in 2020 before the league expanded to 17 regular season games.

What Is The Best Way To Handicap The Odds?

Sportsbooks always have the edge when it comes to betting.

They research every little stat to ensure the line is set at a number that will have bettors scratching their heads.

Most people don’t have time to spend hours in front of a computer trying to analyze every statistic in hopes of gaining the upper hand.

That’s where tools like www.touchdownalgorithm.com come into play. If you enjoy making prop bets involving touchdowns, you will want to check this out.

It does all the work for you and is a must-have for a higher chance to win your wager.

Always Shop Around

It’s important to remember that the more you shop around on different betting sites, the better chance you have to win more money.

Don’t just settle on the first set of odds you see. Why would you bet Derrick Henry on FanDuel at +300 when you can get him at 5-1 odds on Bet365?

A $20 bet will earn you an extra 40 dollars if you take the time and find the best number.

So, shop around for your Best Odds and get every edge you can over the sportsbooks.