AFC West Running Back Rankings 2025
1. Los Angeles Chargers – Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton
Consistency is rare and invaluable at the running back position in the NFL. But that is exactly what Najee Harris has proven he is: durable and reliable. He is the only active RB with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and has never missed a game due to an injury. It is truly unbelievable. In his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers, he will look to continue this trend of consistency.
Advertisement
At RB2, you have Omarion Hampton, the Chargers' first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. His upside is limitless and extremely versatile. When you combine consistency with potential, this Chargers backfield could very well be one of the best in the league.
Related: Best NFL running backs right now, 10 best running backs in NFL
2. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert
Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Ranking the Las Vegas Raiders running back room at number one was tempting, but the truth is Ashton Jeanty is yet to play a snap in the NFL. We all know about his illustrious college career, but the rookie hasn't proven anything in the league just yet. Taken with the 6th pick in this year's NFL draft, Jeanty is expected to fix what was arguably the worst running back unit in the league last year. Jeanty will be a star, but he can't quite be number one on this list just yet. But one thing is for sure: the whole world is excited to see what he brings to the NFL.
Advertisement
Read More: Best NFL receivers 2025, ranking 10 best NFL wide receivers right now
Raheem Mostert will be a speedy and versatile option as RB2. The veteran flashes elite burst and home-run ability when healthy, but at 33 years old, health isn't guaranteed. This backfield could easily emerge as one of the best in the league if they can stay healthy and live up to the high expectations.
3. Denver Broncos – J.K Dobbins and R.J Harvey
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Denver Broncos have added a powerful running back in J.K. Dobbins, who agreed to a one-year, $5.25 M deal after rushing for a career-high 905 yards and nine TDs in 13 games with the Chargers in 2024. Though injury-prone, when healthy, Dobbins is a very solid RB1. Paired with him is the second-round rookie R.J. Harvey out of UCF. He's a shifty runner with elite vision and explosive playmaking.
Advertisement
Dobbins offers stability and experience; you know what you're getting with him as your RB1. Harvey on the other hand, provides a spark and a versatile upside. It's a complementary duo that could become one of the AFC's most intriguing in 2025.
Read More: Best NFL receiving corps 2025
4. Kansas City Chiefs – Isiah Pachecho and Kareem Hunt
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Given the Kansas City Chiefs unbelievable postseason success in recent years, it feels wrong to put them last on any list. But, if we're being honest, from a running back talent perspective, they are the weakest link in the division. Cheifs RB1 Isiah Pachecho suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 of the regular season and spent much of Kansas City's 2024 campaign on the Chiefs' injured reserve list. But in the 7 games he played, he only put up 300 yards on the ground. His production was down after the injury, so the Chiefs can only hope that he will bounce back this season.
Advertisement
Read More: Best NFL tight ends 2025, ranking 10 best NFL tight ends right now
At 29 years old, RB2 Kareem Hunt has been a solid RB2 for the Chiefs, but he doesn't have the same burst he once did, and only averaged 3.6 yards per carry last season. As long as they have Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback, the Chiefs will be competitive, but their running back room, without a doubt, needs improvement.
Related Headlines
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Georgia Bulldogs new star playmaker could be the key to success and a trip back to the College Football Playoff for Kirby Smart
Georgia Bulldogs new star playmaker could be the key to success and a trip back to the College Football Playoff for Kirby Smart originally appeared on A to Z Sports. The Georgia Bulldogs are going to have to rely on a number of things they aren't used to this season. Youth in several critical starting positions on both sides of the ball. Very minimal depth in terms of experience and high pedigree (by Georgia standards). An extremely inexperienced (yet promising) quarterback with a handful of transfer weapons coming in. This Georgia team is going to look a bit different than fans are used to seeing. However, media closest to the team and national pundits everywhere can't help but be excited about one new star playmaker in Zachariah Branch and the revamped wide receiver room around him. And if Georgia is going to make a push back to the College Football Playoff they're likely going to need to see a special season from Branch perhaps more than anyone else on the team. Zachariah Branch to lead Georgia WRs in touchdowns? How good could the new Transfer Portal addition be for Georgia? Well, the former five star wide receiver Zachariah Branch won All-American honors as a true freshman back in 2023 as he exploded onto the scene dominating as a pass-catcher and return weapon. His 2024 stagnated a bit with a quarterback change and the emergence of three other wide receivers alongside him, but that shouldn't deter Georgia Bulldogs fans from believing the hype. Advertisement Why? Branch is expected to be a touchdown-scoring machine for the Bulldogs this year. Jake Rowe who covers Georgia for DawgsHQ joined Andy & Ari of On3 this week and could not stop raving about what he and the coaching staff think of Branch: 'Well, I can tell you that [the Georgia staff is] really excited about [Zachariah Branch]. And they're excited about the way he came in and worked and kind of set the Branch comes into Georgia, [and] he's working really hard. He's already put on eight pounds of muscle. And he's certainly a different player than we really thought he was going to be. He's actually a little bit of a physical presence out here, despite his shorter size. Sometimes you think of slot receivers as a dime a dozen. Like, that's kind of where you put your good receiver that's not great. But he is a guy that does bring some dynamics to that spot. Even with Dom Lovett being there last year and being a pretty good player, I think Zach Branch is just a different deal...[the Georgia staff] expects Zach Branch to come in here and generate touchdowns, explosives, and catch-and-runs...I think Zach Branch leads the team in touchdowns." It may seem strange to believe that a 5'10", 185-pound slot receiver-type is going to lead Georgia in touchdowns but Ladd McConkey nearly did that back in 2023. And the strange thing is that Branch might just be much more explosive and dynamic than McConkey at his best. Branch is still expected by many NFL Draft experts and scouts to be an early draft selection one day thanks to his incredible dynamism, speed, and creativity with the ball in his hands (as you can see in some of the intriguing plays from the post below). Branch just has a different gear than everyone else on the field at all times. That should certainly help Georgia's offense and their new starting quarterback. View the original article to see embedded media. Georgia WRs could be what gets them to the College Football Playoff Zachariah Branch should lead the way in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns for the Georgia Bulldogs this year, but he won't be doing it all by himself. Yes, the team did lose Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett to the NFL, but the receiving offense should be better overall. Advertisement No, the team won't have a Brock Bowers at tight end or Ladd McConkey on this team, but adding Branch, plus Noah Thomas (transfer via Texas A&M), and a quintet of high upside true freshmen at the position should inject some new life into the position group. Noah Thomas especially–at 6'5", 205 pounds–should be a smooth playmaking weapon for Georgia as soon as he sees the field this season. He may actually function as the mismatch nightmare teams had to adjust for in the Brock Bowers role from a couple years ago. View the original article to see embedded media. And when defenses aren't losing their minds trying to chase down Zachariah Branch and match up physically against Noah Thomas, they'll still have to make sure they know where Dillon Bell is at all times given his dual-threat abilities as a ball carrier and receiver. They'll still have to find ways to win jump balls against Colbie Young. The speed of London Humphreys and Sacovie White will have to be accounted for on vertical concepts. Georgia has all kinds of answers at wide receiver this year that fit a number of different projected roles. With Zachariah Branch leading the way, the wide receiver group may just be the key to success for Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs this season. We'll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news! And if you haven't gotten an extended glimpse at the insane amount of upside Zachariah Branch could bring to the Georgia Bulldogs this year just check out his highlights below. Advertisement View the original article to see embedded media. View the original article to see embedded media. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
NFL draft: New York Giants' Lawrence Taylor named the best No. 2 pick of all-time
The New York Giants have made some great selections in the NFL draft in their history, but one in particular stands out. out. That was the selection of North Carolina linebacker Lawrence Taylor with the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft. In a recent ESPN poll of the all-time best picks at each slot in the draft, Taylor was voted the best No. 2 pick in NFL history. The best defensive player of all time is also the best second overall pick of all time. Taylor is one of two defensive players to ever win league MVP (in 1986, joining defensive tackle Alan Page in 1971), and that rarefied air all but cements him over contenders such as Marshall Faulk, Julius Peppers and Calvin Johnson. Modern contenders such as Von Miller, Saquon Barkley and Nick Bosa are excellent in their time but don't hold a candle to L.T., who finished his 13-year career with 142 sacks. The Giants actually lucked out when the New Orleans Saints selected South Carolina running back George Rogers, the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner, with the first pick. Young quickly hopped on Taylor, and the rest is history. Also on this list was another adroit selection by Young: Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan, who was taken No. 40 overall in 1993. The little 8-year-old Eagles fan in me still resents Strahan, who terrorized Donovan McNabb and my beloved Birds for years. I really wanted to pick Thurman Thomas here -- an MVP winner at running back whose number is retired in Buffalo. But Strahan's 22.5-sack season in 2001, his final-season performance in the Giants' magical Super Bowl XLII run ... it's just too tough to argue against. Several other Giants selections made the list as well. They are as follows: Umenyiora wasn't consistently dominant, but his peaks made him the pick at No. 56. In the 2007 Super Bowl season, Umenyiora was quieter in the postseason but excellent in the regular season, with 13 sacks and a Pro Bowl. In the 2011 Super Bowl season, he was quieter in the regular season but dominant in the playoffs -- 3.5 sacks over four games. Key roles in big seasons can make the difference in this exercise. Not a bad list for the Giants, who have, at times, been criticized for their drafting/
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Roschon Johnson (No. 30)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Advertisement First up at No. 30 is running back Roschon Johnson, who served as the team's short-yardage back in 2024, and has a chance to earn more carries with a new coaching staff. Background Position: Running back Age: 24 Experience: 3rd season 2025 cap hit: $1.22 million 2024 recap Johnson's flashes during his rookie season weren't enough to convince the Bears front office he could ascend to starter status in Year 2. The team signed veteran D'Andre Swift in free agency, and Johnson was firmly put in a reserve role. Even worse, Johnson was a healthy scratch to begin Week 1 as offensive coordinator Shane Waldron opted to rely on other skill players. Advertisement That proved to be a mistake, though, and Johnson made sure to show why. The Bears struggled to run the ball early on and needed a consistent threat in between the tackles. Johnson began to earn more carries and wound up becoming the goal-line back in scoring situations while helping improve the overall rushing attack. With just 55 carries, Johnson scored six touchdowns and converted 17 first downs. That's one more first down than he had in 2023 with 81 carries. He played in 14 total games, missing two more late in the season due to a concussion. Most Important Bears of 2025: Roschon Johnson (#30) 2025 outlook Entering his third season, Johnson hasn't become the starting-caliber running back some thought he could be when he was drafted out of Texas. That doesn't mean he still doesn't have an important role to fill. Despite rumors swirling that they could overhaul the position during the offseason, the Bears only made a minor addition at running back when they drafted Kyle Monangai in the seventh round. That gives Johnson a strong shot to earn important carries for the 2025 season. Advertisement As of now, the Bears are expected to lean on Swift as their RB1, but Johnson has a relatively clear path in front of him to spell him. The Bears need a bruising back to carry the ball in between the tackles in key situations, and it would be surprising if Swift is the right man for the job. That's where Johnson could shine once again. Big Question: What will Johnson's role be in the new offense? A new coaching staff brings many questions for every position group. When it comes to Johnson and the running backs, it's fair to wonder where exactly he fits in. Monangai, while being a late pick, is still highly thought of and could emerge as a legitimate option in the backfield. It's possible Johnson is the odd man out when training camp concludes, despite his past success. On the other hand, the Bears' staff may see Johnson as the ideal complement to Swift as a 1B back. Ben Johnson prefers to operate with a running back committee and has had an effective approach during his days in Detroit with a smasher and a slasher. Even when he and Swift were in Detroit, the Lions had Jamaal Williams, who led the league with 17 touchdowns in 2022. Roschon Johnson could be the Williams of this Bears offense and wind up leading the team in carries. Advertisement The coaching staff is still getting a feel for the players, so we won't know how the Bears plan to utilize their running backs for quite some time. Regardless, Johnson possesses a skill set that will benefit the Bears in 2025. Whether or not he can build off that and do more remains to be seen. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 #30 - RB Roschon Johnson #29 - Coming 7/1 #28 - Coming 7/2 #27 - Coming 7/3 #26 - Coming 7/4 #25 - Coming 7/5 #24 - Coming 7/6 #23 - Coming 7/7 #22 - Coming 7/8 #21 - Coming 7/9 #20 - Coming 7/10 #19 - Coming 7/11 #18 - Coming 7/12 #17 - Coming 7/13 #16 - Coming 7/14 #15 - Coming 7/15 #14 - Coming 7/16 #13 - Coming 7/17 #12 - Coming 7/18 #11 - Coming 7/19 #10 - Coming 7/20 #9 - Coming 7/21 #8 - Coming 7/22 #7 - Coming 7/23 #6 - Coming 7/24 #5 - Coming 7/25 #4 - Coming 7/26 #3 - Coming 7/27 #2 - Coming 7/28 #1 - Coming 7/29 Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: Roschon Johnson (No. 30)
