August 18th, 2025
As the NFL enters the 2025 season, the role of the running back continues to evolve. Once defined by bruising, every-down backs, the position has become increasingly dynamic, with players now expected to contribute in both the run and pass games. While some teams still rely on a feature back, many have adopted committee approaches, emphasizing versatility over volume.
Despite the league’s shift toward pass-heavy offenses, the run game remains a crucial component. With that in mind, here’s a look at several running backs—veterans, emerging talents, and those adapting to new offensive schemes—who are worth watching this season.
Veteran Running Backs Still Producing at a High Level
Several experienced backs remain key figures in their respective offenses. Leading the way is Saquon Barkley for the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming off one of the greatest seasons a running back has ever had, totaling 2,005 yards rushing and 278 yards receiving. But the real highlight for Barkley was ending the season with his first ever Super Bowl victory, a triumph over the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Derrick Henry, long known for his punishing running style, continues to be a foundational piece for Tennessee. Despite turning 31 this season—an age where most backs see decline—Henry has shown little sign of slowing down. His durability and physicality still make him one of the most feared rushers in the game, and his workload continues to be a point of analysis across platforms like bonuses.com and other football data sources.
Alvin Kamara and Josh Jacobs enter 2025 with high expectations. Kamara, who battled and ultimately missed the final weeks of the 2024 season with a groin injury, remains one of the NFL’s most versatile backs when healthy—he posted 950 rushing yards and 543 receiving yards in just 14 games.
Jacobs, now with the Green Bay Packers, remains one of the top workload backs in the league. In his first year in Green Bay, he carried the ball 301 times for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, establishing himself as a key offensive engine when the scheme plays to his power-running strengths.
These veterans may no longer be the future at the position, but they remain important pieces—especially on teams looking for leadership and consistency.
Emerging Talents Poised for a Breakout
A new generation of backs is coming into focus. Breece Hall, returning from a knee injury in 2024, again demonstrated his three‑down skill set—though his numbers dipped to 876 rushing yards and 483 receiving yards in 16 games. If healthy in 2025 under coordinator Tanner Engstrand, Hall has the tools—vision, speed, receiving ability—to rebound into top‑tier form.
Jahmyr Gibbs, entering his second full season, exploded in 2024 with 1,412 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs, plus over 500 receiving yards, and earned Pro Bowl honors while setting the Lions’ single‑season touchdown record. Early training‑camp usage suggests an even larger role in 2025, especially as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
Rachaad White, in Tampa Bay’s committee, posted 613 rushing yards and 393 receiving yards in about half the snaps during 2024, functioning as a proven runner and catch asset.
As 2025 marks a contract year and Bucky Irving ascends, White’s role may hinge on the new offense’s creative deployment. If used consistently, he could deliver reliable production both rushing and receiving.
This group represents the modern prototype for the position—players who can contribute on all three downs and create mismatches in both the run and pass game.
Backs Adjusting to New Offensive Systems
Coaching changes and scheme overhauls can define a running back’s trajectory. Khalil Herbert, once seen as a north–south runner who could benefit from defined zones, is now in Indianapolis in a change-of-pace role rather than a focal feature as he was with prior teams.
Bijan Robinson enters his third NFL season with lofty expectations—he piled up 1,887 scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns in 2024 and figures to be the centerpiece of a more balanced Atlanta offense under coordinator Zac Robinson.
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler remains a top-tier dual-threat back—but his 2024 was marred by concussions, limiting his usage. How the Commanders deploy him under the current coaching structure will be a defining storyline for his 2025 bounce-back.
Players in these situations often see their fortunes rise or fall based on scheme fit more than raw talent, making them interesting cases to monitor throughout the year.
Looking Ahead
The running back position continues to evolve in response to the modern NFL scene. Whether through committee systems, specialized roles, or traditional feature usage, the backs listed above offer a snapshot of the position’s current state. Veterans provide experience and leadership, younger players inject fresh energy, and scheme fits can make all the difference.
As the 2025 season unfolds, expect these backs, each with different paths and roles, to help shape how their teams move the ball on the ground and beyond. Their impact will be felt not only in rushing totals, but in pass protection, screen game versatility, and red zone execution - critical elements of today’s dynamic offenses. The success of these players will be closely tied to how well coaching staffs adapt systems to their strengths, underscoring the continued strategic importance of the running back in a pass-heavy league.