Top Ten Running Backs In The NFL Going Into 2023!
Does Derrick Henry keep his number one spot?
Welcome back to the Cool Sports Newsletter! One of our favorite articles from last season was when we ranked the top ten running backs in the NFL going into 2022. And we’re running that back in 2023, but with a ton of question marks. Do breakout running backs like Tony Pollard and Josh Jacobs get high rankings? Who is a star that could blossom this season? Who is the best running back in the NFL? Here are the top ten running backs in the NFL, plus some more, going into 2023!
***When I project a players season, I project it based on if they play 17 games unless there is a suspension or injury that is supposed to keep them off the field for a certain amount of time. That would also be notified when I project that players season***
A running back who isn’t on the list that will be on it next season: Dameon Pierce
Pierce was the definition of a breakout rookie in 2022. A fourth round pick who leveled up his abilities in training camp and worked his way up the rotation. He built off of that as well, running for 939 yards and four touchdowns behind a very below average offensive line with no passing game to give him open opportunities. Now with a more improved passing attack with C.J. Stroud and a more improved offensive line, Pierce should run for about 1100 yards with over 5 yards per attempt, and will be awarded a spot on the list next season!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 195 ATT, 1,092 yards, 9 TD’s
A running back who will go from a starter to a star next season: Khalil Herbert
Assuming the Bears don’t acquire a running back like Jonathan Taylor at some point this year, Herbert is going to have a good season! With a dual threat quarterback like Fields who is yet to develop a consistently accurate arm, the Bears offense is still going to be a rushing offense. And like the 2019 Ravens, an offense with large similarities, their running back will have a lot to do with it. Herbert has proven to have good games when given the opportunity, but he just hasn’t been given the opportunity enough. Expect a breakout season from Herbert in 2023!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 150 ATT, 930 yards, 6 TD’s
***Also, I think James Cook emerges but he could be between 10 and close to it so I won’t include him***
Cook’s 2023 Projection: 193 ATT, 1,042 yards, 6 TD’s | Next years ranking: 9-12
Honorable Mentions:
Kenneth Walker
(Projection) 200 ATT, 1060 yards, 8 TD’s | Next years ranking: 8-12
Dalvin Cook | Last years ranking: 5
(Projection) 156 ATT, 764 yards, 7 TD’s | Next years ranking: N/A
Alvin Kamara | Last years ranking: 6
(Projection) 205 ATT, 922 yards, 10 TD’s | Next years ranking: HM
Breece Hall, Jets | Last years ranking: N/A | Last years projection: N/A
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 80 ATT, 463 yards, 4 TD’s (seven games)
I’d be surprised as well if I saw this! Is there partial bias in me putting one of my favorite NFL players in the top ten after just seven games of an NFL career? Probably. And below another promising rookie Travis Etienne, who proved to be a 1,000 yard rusher in his first year in the league. But talent wise, I’m very confident there are not ten running backs in the game better than Hall. And yes, I’m putting him above his fellow Jet running back Dalvin Cook because of how good this guy was in his small sample size in 2022.
Close to six yards per attempt, over 66 yards per game, 94 yards per game once becoming the starter, a low turnover risk running and an explosion in his final games. Hall is one of the best pure runners in football, and I think he’ll definitely be New York’s RB1 once he’s fully healthy. So while the numbers won’t say explosion due to Cook also being there, Hall is going to EXPLODE in 2023!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 176 ATT, 1,003 yards, 5 TD’s | Next years ranking: 7-10
Tony Pollard, Cowboys | Last years ranking: N/A | Last years projection: N/A
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 193 ATT, 1,007 yards, 9 TD’s
Pollard is one of the more intriguing running backs to look out for in 2023. Dak Prescott had an inconsistent season, and Ezekiel Elliott is no longer with the team. This is Pollard’s time to shine. The 26 year old was 4th in the entire NFL in PFF rating last season, only behind three of the top running backs in the game. He also adds receiving value. The only concern is that he’s never truly been the Cowboys RB1, and he’s going to have to prove he can play this way again with run defenses soley focused on the four year pro. But the versatility and talent is definitely there!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 214 ATT, 967 yards, 12 TD’s | Next years ranking: 8-12
Aaron Jones, Packers | Last years ranking: 9 | Last years projection: 9
Chase’s 2022 Projection: 180 car, 1,044 rushing yards, 6 TD, 45 rec, 360 yds, 7 TD
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 213 carries, 1,121 yards, 2 TD’s, 59 rec, 395 yards, 5 TD’s
Aaron Jones has been one of the top ten running backs in the NFL for a while now. And his abilities on the ground and as a receiver are exceptional. Due to his massive versatility, Jones ranked 6th in the NFL in PFF rating among all running backs in 2022. He’s a consistent rusher who gains over five yards a carry each time he touches the ball. His only problem is the turnover category, as he fumbled the ball five times. But Jones was one of the only bright sparks of Green Bay’s offense in 2022, and I expect another top ten caliber season in 2023!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 223 carries, 1,048 yards, 5 TD’s | Next years ranking: 7-13
Jonathan Taylor, Colts | Last years ranking: 3 | Last years projection: 2
Chase’s 2022 Projection: 317 car, 1,648 rushing yards, 14 TD
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 192 ATT, 861 yards, 4 TD’s (11 games)
I really wish we could have gotten a full season of football from Jonathan Taylor last year! Because when healthy, the guy is good. Now, was he as good as his 2021 self even when healthy in 2022 (?), no! But he has now recorded over 1,000 scrimmage yards in three consecutive seasons. When healthy, Taylor is incredible in short yardage situations and breaks as many tackles as anyone in the game. Give him a healthy season— even though he will technically miss the first four games—and Taylor is going to have a fine season!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 229 ATT, 1,067 yards, 9 TD’s | Next years projection: 3-8
Josh Jacobs, Raiders | Last years ranking: N/A | Last years projection: N/A
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 340 ATT, 1,653 yards, 12 TD’s
This may seem a little low for the guy that led the entire NFL in rushing yards last season. But I have to be fair. Jacobs had one great season, and did it with a passing game that saw Davante Adams put up monster numbers. Jacobs wasn’t even the biggest worry on his own offense, allowing him to get many opportunities. Look, the guy’s good; close to 5 yards per attempt, running back leading PFF rating. Just let me see it again with a lesser of a passing attack!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 243 ATT, 1,044 yards, 8 TD’s | Next years ranking: 6-12
Austin Ekeler, Chargers | Last years ranking: 8 | Last years projection: 10
Chase’s 2022 Projection: 191 car, 993 rushing yards, 8 TD, 75 rec, 675 yds, 9 TD
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 204 ATT, 915 yards, 13 TD’s, 107 rec, 722 yards, 5 TD
Austin Ekeler is a demon! The second most versatile running back in the game. The most valuable fantasy player for whoever gets him. Strong running inside the red zone and consistent average yards per run marks with very little turnovers. Ekeler is one of the more valuable offensive players in the game, and helps the Chargers offense become on the better ones in the entire NFL! Ekeler has led the NFL in scrimmage touchdowns two seasons in a row, and will have another amazing season in 2023!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 214 ATT, 1,112 yards, 10 TD’s, 472 rec yds | Next years: 4-8
Saquon Barkley, Giants | Last years ranking: HM | Last years projection: N/A
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 295 ATT, 1,312 yards, 10 TD’s
It is truly remarkable what Barkley can do when healthy. Career high in rushing yards, double digit touchdowns, efficient running, valuable receiving presence, nasty juke moves, and the star of a Giants offense that made the playoffs in 2022! Barkley is exceptional runner when he can stay on the field, and he’ll have another great season in 2023, maybe his last as a G-Men!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 271 ATT, 1,246 yards, 7 TD’s | Next years ranking: 2-6
Nick Chubb, Browns | Last years ranking: 2 | Last years projection: 3
Chase’s 2022 Projection: 264 car, 1,425 rushing yards, 13 TD
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 302 ATT, 1,525 yards, 12 TD’s
Nick Chubb has an argument to be the best running back in the game. But I’m putting him at 3 only due to the two guys above him. But Chubb is just an absolute monster, ranking third in the NFL in rushing yards, fifth in rushing touchdowns, had the most rushes of 20 or more yards, 5th among running backs in yards per attempt and third in PFF rating among all rushers. Chubb is just a monster, a powerful and fierce runner who is one of the more dominant in the game, and should continue his reign over the entire NFL!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 287 ATT, 1,492 yards, 13 TD's | Next years ranking: 1-3
Derrick Henry, Titans | Last years ranking: 1 | Last years projection: 1
Chase’s 2022 Projection: 359 car, 1,866 rushing yards, 17 TD
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 349 ATT, 1,538 yards, 13 TD’s
Derrick Henry may not have been as good as I anticipated in 2022. But oh did he run the football well last year! Henry carried an offensive with no passing attack whatsoever to nearly a playoff berth, and individually ran for 1500 yards, double digit touchdowns and was durable enough to lead the league in carries at 28 years old! A strong runner to bolster his way through defenders, a red zone threat, and the second best running back in the league! But only behind one guy…
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 338 ATT, 1,453 yards, 9 TD’s | Next years projection: 2-6
1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers | Last years ranking: 4 | Last years projection: 10
Chase’s 2022 Projection: 270 car, 1,188 rushing yards, 9 TD
2022 ACTUAL Numbers: 244 ATT, 1,139 yards, 8 TD’s
Yes folks, Christian McCaffrey is the best running back in the game. And I know I projected McCaffrey to be the 10th best running back in the NFL last season, but that was ridiculous because of what he showed this season. Close to 1900 yards of scrimmage on an offense with three quarterbacks and an injured WR group. The 2nd best running back by PFF rating. A monster through the air and on the ground. A player that can singlehandedly carry an offense on its back. Christian McCaffrey, as it stands today, is the best running back in the league!
Chase’s 2023 Projection: 238 ATT, 1,142 yards, 11 TD’s | Next years ranking: 1-3
So there it is! I think Christian McCaffrey is the best running back in the game, with Henry and Chubb narrowly close behind him. But let’s take a look at my projected top ten running backs a year ago for this time:
1. Derrick Henry (close)
2. Jonathan Taylor (injured)
3. Nick Chubb (Spot on)
4. Elijah Mitchell (Injured but also just a terrible pick)
5. Najee Harris (No)
6. Dalvin Cook (Too high)
7. Alvin Kamara (Too High)
8. Joe Mixon (Too High)
9. Aaron Jones (Pretty close)
10. Austin Ekeler/JK Dobbins/Christian McCaffrey (Obviously Ekeler and C-MAC are too low, but who knows about Dobbins if he stays healthy)
So let’s try this again! Here are my top ten running backs for this time next season!
1. Nick Chubb
2. Christian McCaffrey
3. Jonathan Taylor
4. Saquon Barkley
5. Derrick Henry
6. Austin Ekeler
7. Breece Hall
8. Dameon Pierce
9. Aaron Jones
10. Tony Pollard
We hope you guys enjoyed our article ranking the top ten running backs in the NFL! Please let me know if you disagreed with any of my thoughts! Stay tuned for the quarterback rankings as well coming out soon!
Chase Coburn
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