Two RBs poised to establish themselves at top of the position in 2026

ESPN recently polled NFL scouts, executives and coaches on who the top-10 running backs are heading into the 2025 NFL season. Philadelphia Eagles star rusher Saquon Barkley was at the top of the list, but two other prominent rushers are bound to prove in 2025 that they should have been in the top 10.

Barkley had a historic 2024 season, as he led Philadelphia to its second Super Bowl victory within the last seven seasons. Barkley became the first player in NFL history to garner over 2,500 rushing yards in a season, which included the playoffs. Moreover, Barkley earned the Offensive Player of the Year Award and was just 100 yards shy of being able to break Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season rushing record (2,105). 

As the 2025 season approaches, Barkley's status as the No.1 rusher in the league is nearly inarguable. However, rushers Breece Hall and Nick Chubb are poised to bounce back after having dealt with prominent injuries in the past few seasons. 

Chubb signed with the Houston Texans after having spent seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The 29-year-old earned four Pro Bowl selections and a second-team All-Pro nod throughout his tenure in Cleveland. Chubb was touted as one of the NFL's top backs until he suffered a torn MCL and ACL early in the 2023 season. 

Chubb played minimally last season, but suffered a broken foot late in the campaign and became a free agent soon after the season. 

As Chubb enters his first season as a Texan, it is fair to question whether a nearly 30-year-old with a long sheet of injuries can return to the form he was just a few seasons ago. The former Browns running back struggled last season, as he averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry and lacked a bit of his famous tackle-breaking ability. 

In Houston, Chubb will be alongside rushers Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce in the backfield. If Chubb can stay healthy, perhaps he can prove he is one of the premier rushers in the NFL.

As for Hall, the 24-year-old had a spectacular start as a rookie before tearing his ACL midway through the season in 2022. Hall bounced back and garnered 994 yards on the ground and averaged 4.5 yards per carry in 2023. However, Hall had a lowly 2024 campaign that saw him finish with 876 rush yards (18th in the league) with an average of 4.2 yards per carry.  

As Hall enters a contract year and the potential rise of Braelon Allen in the backfield, expect Hall to bounce back in a big way. 

As the 2025 season nears, both Hall and Chubb will be out to re-establish themselves among the NFL's elite rushers.