I love what I'm seeing from running backs this year, from the proven veterans to fresh, young faces who entered the league in April's draft. Now that we are one-third of the way through the 2025 NFL season, I've had a chance to dissect the tape over the first six weeks. Now it's time to identify the top 15 players at the running back position, and boy, this list looks mighty different from my RB1 rankings back in July. Let's jump right in.
2025 stats: 5 games | 83 att | 484 rush yds | 5.8 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 24 rec | 338 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
I already agreed with Raheem Morris that Bijan is the best player in the league. So, of course, he's No. 1 on this list, too. Robinson showed he's for real in Monday night's win over heavyweight Buffalo. He's the main reason the Falcons boast a top two offense in total yards per game. He leads the league in scrimmage yards and is on pace to rush for more than 1,600 yards this season. What's most impressive about Bijan's game is his contribution to Atlanta's passing attack. Through five games, he is second on the team in targets, receptions and receiving yards (behind Drake London in all three categories) but leads the group in yards per catch (14.1) thanks to his uncanny run-after-catch ability. Bijan is turning the Falcons into a playoff contender -- and maybe more.
2025 stats: 6 games | 108 att | 336 rush yds | 3.1 ypc | 1 rush TD | 46 rec | 444 rec yds | 3 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
First off, I do have to give credit to guys like Mac Jones, Kendrick Bourne and Jake Tonges for stepping up in the absence of starters to help this well-coached 49ers squad to a 4-2 start, which has them in first place in the NFC West. OK, back to the main attraction. McCaffrey is handling a huge workload in his ninth season. He's averaging 18 carries per game, his most since the 2020 season, when he was with Carolina. He's doing even more in the pass game with injuries decimating the 49ers' receiving corps. McCaffrey is on pace for 170 targets, 130 receptions and 1,258 receiving yards this season -- which would all be career-high marks. CMC has a chance to notch the second 1,000 yards rushing/1,000 yards receiving campaign of his career.
2025 stats: 6 games | 115 att | 603 rush yds | 5.2 ypc | 7 rush TDs | 20 rec | 147 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Daniel Jones is having a career renaissance in Indy this season, but Taylor deserves -- at the very least -- the same amount of credit for his role in the Colts' early success. Indianapolis doesn't sit 5-1 and atop the AFC without Taylor's contributions. He has posted three 100-yard performances and has rushed for three TDs in two separate games. Taylor leads the NFL in carries, rush yards and rush TDs. He's also No. 1 in Next Gen Stats' explosive runs (15 of at least 10 yards), rush yards after contact (457) and forced missed tackles on run plays (38). With the way the two-time Pro Bowler and the rest of his teammates are playing, the Colts could very well win their first division title since 2014.
2025 stats: 6 games | 107 att | 537 rush yds | 5.0 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 12 rec | 89 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Cook has played well after signing a four-year, $48 million contract extension in August. He ran for 100-plus yards in three of the Bills' first four games of the season (all wins). His production has dropped off the last two weeks (both losses), as he failed to reach 90 yards on the ground in each contest. I'm not worried about that becoming a trend. Cook's presence in the backfield is taking a ton of pressure off Josh Allen, just as it did in the quarterback's 2024 MVP campaign. In fact, Cook ranks fourth in rush yards over expected and sixth in yards after forcing a missed tackle this season, per Next Gen Stats. That's the kind of tough running that a contender like Buffalo needs.
2025 stats: 6 games | 76 att | 390 rush yds | 5.1 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 29 rec | 195 rec yds | 3 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
There's a lot going on in South Beach at the moment, and while it's tough to find a silver lining in all the drama, I'd make the argument that Achane is providing just that with his on-field performance. He's been reliable in averaging over 5 yards per carry and has made plays in the pass game with Tyreek Hill out for the year. Achane has the second-most targets (38) on the team and is tied with Jaylen Waddle for the most receptions with 29.
2025 stats: 6 games | 81 att | 472 rush yds | 5.8 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 12 rec | 104 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Dowdle had a slow start to the season in a backup role behind Chuba Hubbard, rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries (3.0 yards per attempt) through four games. Thrust into the starting role the last two weeks with Hubbard dealing with a calf injury, Dowdle has made the most of his opportunities -- though that feels like an understatement. The first-year Panther posted 234 scrimmage yards in the Week 5 win over Miami and backed that up with a whopping 239 yards against the Cowboys on Sunday. That effort made him the seventh player in NFL history to record at least 230 scrimmage yards in back-to-back games. He's quickly blossoming into a do-it-all weapon for Dave Canales and Bryce Young. There are already questions about how Canales will handle his backs' usage when Hubbard returns.
2025 stats: 6 games | 95 att | 418 rush yds | 4.4 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 18 rec | 155 rec yds | 3 rec TDs | 2 fumbles lost
Williams' production isn't off the charts and his fumbling issues have led to a decrease in carries of late. Williams rebounded from a costly fumble in Week 5 with a rushing touchdown (his first since Week 1) in Sunday's win over Baltimore, though. He's been efficient, averaging roughly 4.8 yards per tote in the past month. Williams has also been an asset in the pass game with three receiving TDs, matching his career-high from 2023.
2025 stats: 6 games | 88 att | 410 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 0 rush TDs | 17 rec | 150 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
There hasn't been a lot to be excited about when it comes to the Jets, the only winless team remaining. Hall has had a solid campaign so far, though, leading the way with 560 scrimmage yards. It's time he finds the end zone, though, as he's the only player in the NFL with at least 50 touches and no touchdowns. With his contract due to expire in March and New York's season spiraling before the midway point, I won't be surprised if he's dealt before the trade deadline.
2025 stats: 6 games | 92 att | 476 rush yds | 5.2 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 22 rec | 83 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
Williams' performance has been a pleasant surprise, as he ranks fourth in rush yards six weeks into the season. I had him ranked dead last among RB1s coming into the season due to Dallas' crowded backfield (Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue) and the hunch that Brian Schottenheimer would lean on his electric passing attack. Entering Week 7, it's been all Williams for the Cowboys' run game, and it'll likely stay that way with Sanders recently landing on season-ending injured reserve. Williams' stats don't necessarily jump off the page, but his efficiency has played a major role in helping Dallas extend drives and boast a top-five scoring offense. He ranks among the top four in the NFL in rush yards over expected and rush first downs, per NGS.
2025 stats: 6 games | 89 att | 470 rush yds | 5.3 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 13 rec | 69 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
I'm very impressed by the season Etienne is putting together in Jacksonville under a new regime. After an offseason in which there were discussions about who would be the primary back in Liam Coen's offense, Etienne dashed out to a monster performance in Week 1 (143 rush yards) and hasn't looked back. His explosiveness, playmaking ability and consistency have helped the Jaguars begin the season 4-2 despite the team's struggles with drops in the passing game.
2025 stats: 5 games | 98 att | 359 rush yds | 3.7 ypc | 6 rush TDs | 15 rec | 176 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Even with the Packers adding to the pass game this offseason (namely, first-round pick Matthew Golden), Jacobs remains an integral part of Matt LaFleur's offense, once again providing balance and forcing defenses to honor the run. Jacobs has been heating up over the last two games with 157 and 150 scrimmage yards, respectively, and continues to be a scoring machine. With his six rushing scores this season, the veteran has 20 in his last 15 games (dating back to Week 8 of 2024).
2025 stats: 6 games | 87 att | 390 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 23 rec | 112 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
It's great to see Detroit's RB duo of Gibbs and David Montgomery getting a lot of burn in John Morton's offense, ranking tops in the league in nearly every category among RB tandems. Gibbs leads the Lions in rush yards and scrimmage yards. His five scrimmage TDs are tied for the fifth-most among RBs this season. We've been accustomed to seeing big days from Gibbs, and though we haven't seen that monster single-game production yet in 2025, it feels like it's only a matter of time.
2025 stats: 6 games | 82 att | 338 rush yds | 4.1 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 20 rec | 155 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
I love the energy and moxie Skattebo and fellow rookie Jaxson Dart have brought to this Giants team. The former gradually earned a bigger role over the first month of the season, eventually taking over as the team's starter with Tyrone Tracy Jr. dealing with a shoulder injury. Skattebo has certainly made the most of his touches since Week 3, recording 425 scrimmage yards (seventh in the NFL) and four scrimmage TDs (tied for fourth) in that span. His pinball-like rushing style wears down defenders, as it takes multiple hits to get him on the turf on almost every play. It's easy to root for this guy, especially when he scores three touchdowns against a division rival in prime time.
2025 stats: 6 games | 105 att | 424 rush yds | 4.0 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 14 rec | 73 rec yds | 2 rec TDs | 1 fumble lost
Jeanty has been steady early in his rookie season -- which, honestly, is what the Raiders need with Geno Smith struggling to take care of the football. Jeanty has posted at least 80 scrimmage yards in three straight games, and his breakout performance came in Week 4 with 138 rush yards and three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving) against the Bears. I still believe there's room for improvement, but I love seeing Jeanty's tenacious attitude week in and week out. He's forced 34 missed tackles on runs (second-most in the NFL) and gained 193 yards off them (third-most).
Jeanty leads all rookies in touches and scrimmage yards, but he falls behind Skattebo in my list because I believe the Giants RB has made a larger overall impact so far. New York has won two of its last three games, upsetting the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles last week.
2025 stats: 6 games | 95 att | 325 rush yds | 3.4 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 19 rec | 137 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
It was naive of me to think Barkley could continue his unreal pace from 2024 this season. It is a surprise, however, to see just how significant the drop-off has been. With fewer than 60 rush yards in four of his six games this season, Barkley's per-carry average (3.4) has dropped more than 2 yards from last season. In fact, he has never averaged fewer than 3.7 yards per carry in a season in which he played at least 13 games. His natural talent, explosiveness and the way he can cut on a dime are still prevalent in Year 8, but his production won't start adding up until the Eagles' predictable, stagnant offense under new coordinator Kevin Patullo turns a corner.
