The NFL is fortunate to have a strong generation of running backs in the league today. The standard at the position seems to improve greatly every season following the addition of rookies.
Here is a countdown of the top five running backs following the 2022 regular season campaign.
5. Saquon Barkley (New York Giants)
The New York Giants selected running back Saquon Barkley as the number two overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in his opening season in the league.
Giants RBs with multiple seasons of 1300+ rushing yards and 300+ receiving yards
Tiki Barber
Saquon Barkley pic.twitter.com/wp0lrcE16V— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 9, 2023
Barkley played all 16 matches for the Giants in the 2022/23 regular season. He had a career-best of 1,312 rushing yards across those games. His performances played a big part in the NFC East team qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Now he is over his injury troubles, he looks to be making up for lost time.
4. Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings)
Minnesota Vikings’ Dalvin Cook has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last four seasons. His best total came in 2020 when he was involved in a great battle with Henry for the leading rusher award, but unfortunately for the former Florida State player, he had to settle for second place with 1,557 yards.
https://twitter.com/SKORNorth/status/1617993411981725704
Cook is an explosive RB who can cause defenses real problems. He showed that in a week 10 victory against the Buffalo Bills, running 81 yards for a touchdown in an excellent victory over the number two seeds in the AFC Championship this season. The Vikings were one of the highest scorers in the NFC Conference in 2022 as a result of Cook and quarterback Kirk Cousins.
3. Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders)
As you can see at www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats, with 1,653 rushing yards, Josh Jacobs had more rushing yards than any other player in the 2022/23 regular season. Despite the Las Vegas Raiders having a difficult season, he still consistently shined in their offense.
Jacobs has only been in the NFL for four years now, and he is already closing in on 5,000 rushing yards. Barring an injury, he should get to that milestone in the early stages of the 2023 campaign. Before then, the Raiders RB is set to feature in the Pro Bowl this year where he will represent the AFC.
2. Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans)
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020. He was on course to do the same in 2021, but an injury ruled him out for the second half of the season.
The King reigns SUPREME! @KingHenry_2 @Titans #Titans #TitanUp https://t.co/nDWuqAHEnj
— BS (@mni_sota1) January 24, 2023
As reported at https://titanswire.usatoday.com, Henry is one of only eight players in the history of the NFL to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. He achieved that feat in 2020 when he was unstoppable, ending the campaign as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. At the age of 29, he remains at his peak and is the biggest threat in the Titans’ team.
1. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers)
I’m forever grateful for all of the people who have helped make these past 5 1/2 years so special for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Carolina, I will always love you💙#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/0rBS8Ajhgy
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) October 21, 2022
Former first-round pick Christian McCaffrey was involved in one of the biggest trades of the 2022 NFL season. The San Francisco 49ers gave up a second, third, and fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL to secure his services from the Carolina Panthers.
With McCaffrey at running back, the 49ers have become Super Bowl contenders this season. The 27-year-old has shown why he is considered the leading RB in the league with great consistency across the season. The NFC West champions are +500 on www.bodog.eu/super-bowl-betting. Only the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are ahead of them in the betting.
All five of the above players will be in contention for the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award for 2022 which will be announced 24 hours before Super Bowl LVII.
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