For all the talk of today's NFL throwing running backs on the back burner, having a superstar at the position is still a huge advantage, and that's why teams continue to invest premium resources (money and draft picks) to acquire or retain the best of them.
But which of them will win the rushing title in 2026?
You'd think that Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens would have to slow down at some point, but last year (at 31 years old), he finished second in the league with just shy of 1,600 yards on the ground. He was bested only by James Cook, who is sure to be in the mix again this season as the focal point of the Buffalo Bills' ground game.
Saquon Barkley is just a year removed from a 2,000-yard season, and after a disappointing 2025 campaign, he'll certainly be motivated to get back to the big numbers he's capable of putting up for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jonathan Taylor was the early front-runner for last year's rushing title, and he'll be a strong candidate again this year after finishing third in 2025 with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) and Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) are the next generation of superstar running backs, and both could be primed for a run at the rushing title every year for the foreseeable future.
Who do you think will tally the most rushing yards this season? Make your pick from the list below (or pick your own), and tell us why in the comment section:
