by After a 2025 season of star running back storylines, like Saquon Barkley’s 2,000-yard season or Derrick Henry’s defeating father time, it’s time to recognize some running backs who have flown under the radar.
Although this list mainly consists of underrated performances from the 2024-25 season, some names have been unsung heroes for far too long.
Honorable Mention: Tank Bigsby
Only officially starting one game last year, it’s an understatement to say Tank is underutilized. Despite having 208 more rushing yards than the official starter, Travis Etienne Jr., Tank only had 18 more rushing attempts.
Tank played into his name last year, one of the most relentless running backs in the league. He led the NFL in yards per attempt after contact (2.8), and he was 12th in forced missed tackles (46). Even though he was 28th in carries, he was 18th in broken tackles (14).
It will be a major disappointment if the Jacksonville Jaguars do not make him the workload back next season.
Number 5: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The former college wide receiver is a key piece of the New York Giants’ young core. Picked in the fifth round of the 2024 Draft, he was drafted to be at best a third-down back. Tracy quickly took over the starting job after starter Devin Singletary’s early-season struggles.
In 12 games as a starter, he had 778 rushing yards and five touchdowns. His combination of explosiveness and vision made him one of the better running backs in the league.
Although Tracy showed significant promise in his rookie campaign, he also faced struggles. He was prone to negative plays, with five fumbles and six drops. Even with his negatives, he shone in his rookie season and is due for a big sophomore season as the day one starter.
Number 4: Alvin Kamara
For someone who was once viewed as one of the best running backs in the league, Kamara has become an afterthought to many fans. He is certainly no longer the elite running back he once was, but he remains one of the most consistent backs in the league, despite playing in an inconsistent offense.
In 14 games, Kamara had a career high in rushing yards (950) before a groin injury ended his season. In an offense that hasn’t had a good quarterback since Drew Brees, Kamara has been a safety blanket for any new quarterback. Because of this, among backs, he was first in targets (87), second in receptions (68), and second in receiving yards (543).
Few backs are as reliable as Kamara, and his game will age with grace.
Number 3: J.K. Dobbins
After another devastating knee injury, there are plenty of concerns about what Dobbins would look like. Before that injury, he was thriving, and even afterward, he remained solid. He had 195 carries for 905 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero fumbles last season; there’s no reason why he remains unsigned.
Dobbins was an explosive play machine last season. He had 27 runs of 10+ yards, tied for fourth in broken tackles (24), and seventh in rushing yards after contact per attempt (2.5).
Dobbins has had unfortunate injury luck in his career, but with the way he played last season, he will continue to have a place in the NFL.
Number 2: Chuba Hubbard
One of the biggest breakouts of the 2024-25 season, Hubbard was incredible. Notching 1,195 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in 15 games, he is now a core piece of a young Carolina Panthers offense.
Hubbard was top 11 in every primary running back stat: carries (11th), rushing yards (8th), rushing touchdowns (11th), and yards per attempt (9th). He was a phenomenal all-around back last season who gave Carolina much-needed life on offense.
Heading into next season, with higher expectations and a quality running back now behind him, Rico Dowdle, there is no better time for him to solidify himself as a pro-bowl caliber player.
Number 1: James Conner
The man who gets better with time. Conner has been an excellent all-around back for years. Although Conner ranks slightly above average in the standard categories like carries, yards per attempt, and touchdowns, there are few better than him in making the big plays.
Conner ranks third in forced missed tackles rushing (68), fourth in 10+ yard runs (34), third in forced missed tackles receiving (18), sixth in receiving yards among running backs (414), eighth in first downs (67), eighth in yards after contact (566), and is tied for fourth in broken tackles (24).
This may seem like a lot of random statistics, but these show how dynamic a back Conner is and why the Arizona Cardinals rely on him as much as they do, both as a runner and a receiver.
