DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 20: Wilson brand footballs with the NFL logo are pictured during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 20, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Grading RBs can be difficult sometimes because there are other factors to consider beyond their talent. Do they have a good offensive line? Do they have good coaching? Can their team effectively pass the football so they aren’t constantly facing a stacked box? All of these things need to be considered. With that being said, here every NFC teams RBs grade for 2024:
Washington Commanders: D
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 14: Brian Robinson Jr. #8 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler
The QB led this team in rushing. You feel me here? Robinson was hurt for a few games but wasn’t exceptional when he played. Ekeler is cooked, and the room is fairly empty after that.
Green Bay Packers: A+
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 17: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Josh Jacobs
Super surprised by this, but the results don’t lie. The Packers transformed into a run-first team, and Jacobs shined in the role of alpha-dog. Only Henry, Barkley, Robinson, and Gibbs graded higher individually.
Detroit Lions: A+
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery
Imagine having two AMAZING backs in your room, and each hitting their potential. Gibbs and Montgomery combined for well over 2,000 all-purpose yards and find themselves in the rarified company on my list.
San Francisco 49ers: B
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 6: Jordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on October 6, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 24-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo
I’m still pissed at the 49ers for what they did to us regarding McCaffrey. The crazy thing, though, is this team just kept piling up the RB injuries but never really missed a beat. Plug and play, and just outside the top 10 rushing offenses in the league.
Philadelphia Eagles: A+
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 12: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Saquon Barkley
Barkley deserves a lot of credit, he surely does. The guy activated another level in 2024 and became just the ninth member of the 2,000-yard club. But we can all agree the Philly line should be illegal and it helped Saquon tremendously. Just behind Henry for the top spot. Just.
Dallas Cowboys: C
Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) carries the ball past Washington Commanders safety Terrell Burgess (32) during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Another mishandled backfield; Rico should have been RB1 from the jump and looked really good as the season wore on. If only they could have had a shot at a guy like Henry… oh wait.
Arizona Cardinals: B-
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 12: James Conner #6 celebrates with DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals after a touchdown during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Cardinals defeated the Titans 38-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): James Conner
Conner alone would get an A from me, but the utter lack of support from the rest of the room drives this grade.
New York Giants: D
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 08: Tyrone Tracy Jr. #29 of the New York Giants runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on August 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
How does the saying go… if you have two RB1s, then you don’t really have one (disregard Detroit). Tracy took over for Singletary and was much more impressive, but the Giants offense is also a big trash receptacle on fire.
Seattle Seahawks: C
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 14: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball to score a 7 yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet
Both flashed, and I do think both Walker III and Charbonnet could impact in better situations (brutal o-line play). Mediocre results truly drive this grade, but both backs are much better than this.
Atlanta Falcons: A+
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 12: Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Bjian leveled up in 2024, and comes in just behind Henry (1) and Barkley (2) on my list of top backs for 2024.
Los Angeles Rams: B
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Kyren Williams
I’m not overly impressed with Williams as a runner, but the results are there. One of a few workhorses in the league, I think his production is more slow and steady instead of game-changing and explosive.
Minnesota Vikings: B
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Aaron Jones, Cam Akers
Love the look from Aaron Jones this season. A few costly fumbles aside, he was a steady all-purpose contributor all season long. Solid depth here as well.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Bucky White, Rachaad White
I wrote about this earlier in the season and then went back to the well multiple times. Bucky Irving is a STUD and should have been RB1 on Day 1. White hung around and was moderately productive as well.
New Orleans Saints: B
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 29: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller
Kamara was gangbusters to start the season, and then the tread on the tires started to show. Kendre Miller is fun, but his bones are made out of tortilla chips (the ones that break in salsa). Oh, and Taysom Hill is fun, though probably done with this team.
Chicago Bears: D+
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 29: D’Andre Swift #4 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball past Byron Young #0 of the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Soldier Field on September 29, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): D’Andre Swift
Swift had his moments, but this room was brutal. Could have easily been an “F”, but Swift’s all-purpose value pushes it just above that level.
Carolina Panthers: B
CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 21: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against DeShon Elliott #32 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a NFL preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images)
Primary contributor(s): Chuba Hubbard
Chuba really shined this year in a feature role, and let’s face it – they need him. Brooks may be done, and they’ve got nobody else.
