RB Index: 2023 NFL season ranking of all 72 starting running backs
Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday will officially conclude the 2023 NFL season and the sixth season of the RB Index. But before we leave, I’m taking on the daunting task of ranking every running back who appeared in a game during the 23 season. This is my ranking, from 1 to 72.
From the beginning of the season, when he dominated Week 1 with a season-high 152 rush yards and a touchdown, to the end, when he was the only player who wasn’t a quarterback to make the MVP finalist list, McCaffrey was the best running back in the league. In terms of rushing yards, touches, scrimmage yards, and scrimmage touchdowns, McCaffrey was the league leader. He made it simple to place him first in this area for the second consecutive year in
Early in the season, the Rams sent Cam Akers to Minnesota, putting all of their eggs in Williams’ basket. The second-year pro finished the season leading the league in rush yards per game (95.3), surpassing expectations by amassing more than 100 scrimmage yards in nine of his twelve games. He fits Sean McVay’s offense perfectly.
Despite having a relatively quiet season by his standards, “King Henry” led the league in carries and second-most rushing yards. Henry, who has led the NFL in attempts in four of the last five years, had a workload that was consistent with previous seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler’s career in Tennessee is probably coming to an end, but his days as a starter
Despite missing the last two games of the regular season due to injuries to his knee and ankle, Mostert set a franchise record for the Dolphins with his 18 rushing touchdowns, leading the NFL, and his 21 scrimmage scores. In addition, the ninth-year back gained 1,000 rush yards and made his first-ever Pro Bowl trip. Even at thirty-one, he’s still at the top of his game and in the ideal system for his style.
In his second professional season, Cook made history by becoming the first Buffalo back to gain 1,000 yards from the line since 2017 and the first running back for the Bills to make the Pro Bowl in either his first or second season since Marshawn Lynch in 2008. Buffalo saw a 6-1 regular season when Cook had at least 17 touches, compared to 5-5 in all other games. This indicates that getting Cook involved paid off.
One of the few offensive highlights for this year’s Jets team was Hall’s 1,500 scrimmage yards. His big-play ability allowed him to finish fourth in the NFL in scrimmage yards. The only player in the league with more touchdowns of at least fifty yards than the second-year back is Tyreek Hill, with four.
This season, Conner missed one month of action, but when he did play, the veteran back carried the Cardinals’ offense on a regular basis. During the final five weeks of the season, he recorded seven scrimmage touchdowns and three 100-yard rushing games, capping his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign. Arizona should be a serious threat on the ground come fall thanks to Conner and a healthy Kyler Murray.
With Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield, the Lions had the greatest 1-2 punch in 2023. In many cases, the rookie spearheaded the passing attack while the veteran led the way in the run game. Even though the Gibbs production in Year 1 was amazing, he probably doesn’t appreciate it without Montgomery’s physical running style setting the tone. Seeing Monty succeed so greatly in his debut season in Detroit was wonderful.
Three players on the Eagles’ rushing squad saw at least 80 carries, ranking them among the top 10. In his rookie season in Philadelphia, Swift became the starting running back and recorded his first 1,000-yard season. Swift was a bright spot on an inconsistent Eagles offense because of his production as a receiver and runner. Swift, a free agent this offseason, may sign a new contract and return to Philadelphia.
Gibbs consistently ran circles around defenses with the ball in his hands, proving that he was more than worthy of his first-round draft selection. (Not to brag, but on this back, I was ahead of the curve.) He demonstrated his talent for big plays and scoring, which enabled the Lions to win their first division championship in thirty years. Gibbs provides a solid base upon which to build.
