The running game in the NFL is definitely making a comeback, and we have seen the Denver Broncos work on rebuilding their running game in recent years. As of now, it does seem like Denver could boast one of the deepest rooms in the NFL, which is ideal for offensive growth.
But when we compare starting RBs across the AFC, it does go to show you just how much talent there is at the position in this league.
Let's rank the starting running backs in the AFC for 2026.
Ranking the AFC's starting running backs for the 2026 NFL Season
16. Bhayshul Tuten/Chris Rodriguez Jr, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bhayshul Tuten was a rookie last year, and Chris Rodriguez Jr just hasn't been on the field that much in his three NFL seasons and doesn't have a notable workload. Both are listed as starters on the Jacksonville Jaguars depth chart, and it feels like this is going to be a true 50/50 split for 2026.
15. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Quinshon Judkins averaged nearly 60 yards per game in his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns and does have an RB1 profile, but he's got a limited sample size and also averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, so he takes a low spot for the time being.
14. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren, not Rico Dowdle, is currently listed as the Pittsburgh Steelers starting running back, but the Steelers did give Dowdle a contract that does prove he'll be on the field quite a bit. Warren had just under 1,300 scrimmage yards in 2025 for the team and is a solid dual-threat option, but even if Dowdle was listed as the starter and ranked here, the ranking would likely be the same. Both are solid, but unspectacular players.
13. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson has just one season in his five years in the NFL with more than 1,000 scrimmage yards, but he has kept up a consistent, productive pace throughout his entire career and had a career-high nine touchdowns in the 2025 season.
12. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Across his nine games in his rookie season, Omarion Hampton was on pace to finish with 1,392 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns. While his season was cut short, the production is there, and his frame is intimidating. Hampton could vault into the top-5 if he stays on the field for a majority of the 2026 season and produces as he did as a rookie.
11. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard has four-straight seasons of 1,000 yards, but he's never had more than 1,082 rushing yards in a season. With that said, Pollard has been remarkably consistent and a flat-out efficient player. He's definitely in the high floor tier but does not necessarily possess any qualities that really stick out as a runner or pass-catcher. He's just a solid all-around player.
10. David Montgomery, Houston Texans
David Montgomery failed to reach 1,000 scrimmage yards for just the first time of his career in 2025, his final season with the Detroit Lions. Montgomery still rushed for 716 yards, which was actually also a career-low figure. While he does have a lot of miles on his tires, there might not be a player with a more 'set' floor of production than the reliable Montgomery.
9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown has gotten better each year of his career, finishing with a career-high 1,456 scrimmage yards in 2025. He's a true dual-threat weapon, but being able to do this again and continue the high-end production is the one thing missing from his resume.
8. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
Some may wonder why Kenneth Walker III is so low in our power rankings, but he's never averaged more than 4.6 yards per carry across his career and has a success rate of just 43.6 in his four NFL seasons. He's not a huge receiving threat and isn't the best in pass protection, either.
It does feel like Walker got the Super Bowl bump this offseason. He's a fine player but far from being among the best.
7. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
In less-than-ideal conditions in 2025, Ashton Jeanty still racked up 1,321 total yards and 10 touchdowns. He wasn't that efficient on a per-touch or per-carry basis, but most seem to agree that the Las Vegas Raiders offensive situation last year was the main thing impacting Jeanty's production.
6. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Injuries have taken away that could have been a stellar career thus far for J.K. Dobbins, but he's averaged 5.2 yards per carry across his career and had a stellar success rate of 53.6 in the 2025 season. He's also averaging 1,094 yards and nine rushing touchdowns across a 17-game season despite all of his injuries.
His high-end efficiency when on the field can't be denied.
5. Breece Hall, New York Jets
Every bit of a dual-threat player, Breece Hall has averaged over 5.0 yards per touch each season of his career and now has three seasons in a row of at least 1,359 scrimmage yards. He's a yards eater, threatening receiving back, and an efficient runner.
Hall is precisely what a complete running back looks like in this league.
4. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
James Cook led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2024 and in rushing yards in 2025. He's gotten better each year of his career and enjoyed yet another Pro Bowl campaign in 2025.
Cook finished with 14 total touchdowns and a whopping 1,912 scrimmage yards this year.
3. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane not only had 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, but he also led the league with 5.7 yards per carry and even averaged 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie.
Achane's ridiculous efficiency and high-end production thus far lands him at No. 3 in our power rankings. He's totaled 35 touchdowns in his three years and had 1,838 scrimmage yards in 2025.
2. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry is a future Hall of Famer. He's now rushed for 3,516 yards and 32 rushing touchdowns over the last two years for the Baltimore Ravens, averaging 5,6 yards per attempt. It's hard to fathom just how excellent Henry has been, as he's also missed just one game the last four years and has had double-digit rushing touchdowns each year since 2018.
There is a non-zero chance Henry ends his career as the best running back of all-time, but I do believe it's warranted to knock him down to the No. 2 spot in our rankings given his age, as he's now set to play in his age-32 season.
1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor takes the top spot. He led the NFL in rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns in 2025. He also wast the unofficial 'triple crown' winner at the position in 2021, leading running backs in attempts, yards, and touchdowns.
Though just six seasons, Taylor has cemented himself as one of the best pure runners of this generation, and he's also already amassed 7,598 yards. To his credit as well, he suited up and started in all 17 games this year, something he hadn't done since that 2021 season.
He's also the active NFL leader in rushing yards per game, with 90.5.
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