There was quite the shuffle at the running back position in this past offseason. Derrick Henry left Tennessee for Baltimore. Saquon Barkley jumped ship from New York to Philadelphia. Joe Mixon went from one AFC contender (Cincinnati) to another (Houston). And Josh Jacobs departed the desert (Las Vegas) for the heartland (Green Bay).
Lots of big names there, but the early steal from the offseason RB market likely isn’t the player you’d expect. That honor goes to J.K. Dobbins, who leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards (on a league-best average of 9.9 yards per tote) heading into Week 3. This is the kind of production we’ve all known the 25-year-old is capable of when healthy, but therein lies the problem: Dobbins, who was Baltimore’s second-round pick in 2020, played in just 24 of a possible 67 regular-season games over his first four pro seasons.
This offseason, Dobbins signed a team-friendly, one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, moving west with Ravens teammate Gus Edwards and reuniting with former Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman. As new Bolts coach Jim Harbaugh stressed all offseason, Los Angeles would be hell-bent on running the football — and thus far, that’s something this team has done quite well.
The healthy Dobbins has been dynamite in the Chargers’ downhill run game. Posting back-to-back performances with 130-plus rush yards and at least one rush TD, Dobbins became the fifth player in the NFL since 1960 to do so in his team’s first two games in a season — joining Garrison Hearst (1998), Billy Sims (1980), O.J. Simpson (1975) and Jim Brown (1963). Dobbins looks as explosive as ever — even trying out some gymnastics — with three runs of at least 20 yards. As as a focal point of L.A.’s offense, he has helped the Chargers wear down defenses and control the clock, which is exactly the type of ball Harbaugh wants to play.
The biggest benefactor of Dobbins’ success on the ground is Justin Herbert — despite what the stats or his fantasy football managers say — as he’s taken a tremendous amount of pressure off the big-armed quarterback to make plays and force big gains on every snap. The efficient ground game has even allowed Herbert to essentially take some plays off by simply handing the ball off to Dobbins and Edwards. Sure, this approach might not produce as many aerial fireworks as we’ve seen in recent Chargers seasons, but the team is winning because of it.
Los Angeles is now 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2012. Up next is another undefeated team in the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose defense ranks second in points, fifth in yards allowed and fourth against the run. This won’t be an easy matchup for Dobbins and the Chargers, especially with the game in Pittsburgh, but if they continue to follow their winning formula to pound the rock and look to Herbert for key gains when needed, they could find themselves leaving the eastern time zone with consecutive wins.
Top 15 running backs
Former NFL rushing leader and current NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew will survey all running backs and rank his top 15 each week of the 2024 season. His rankings are based on this season’s efforts. Here is MJD’s list heading into Week 3.
2024 stats: 2 games | 35 att | 198 rush yds | 5.7 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 7 rec | 92 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Even after winning by 37 points in Week 1, the Saints weren’t given much of a chance to go into Dallas and leave with a victory. Well, New Orleans made a HUGE statement on Sunday with the help of their star running back, who rushed for 115 yards and caught two passes for 65 receiving yards. Oh, and he also had not one, not two, not three but FOUR touchdowns — marking the second game with at least four scores in his career. He was basically equivalent to a Wonkavator against Mike Zimmer’s defense, moving “sideways and slantways and longways and backways and squareways and frontways and any other ways that you can think of.”
2024 stats: 2 games | 46 att | 204 rush yds | 4.4 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 6 rec | 44 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Everyone is talking about Barkley’s missed catch that would’ve secured the win over Atlanta, to which he said, “I dropped the ball, let my team down today. Shouldn’t have put the defense in that position. Make that catch and the game’s over.” He’s right, but the Eagles likely wouldn’t have been in a winning situation late without him. Barkley consistently helped extend drives Monday night, thanks to his tackle-breaking ability; his nine missed tackles forced were the most by a ball-carrier in Week 2, per Next Gen Stats. Barkley had over 100 scrimmage yards for the second straight week. He continues to do that, and the Eagles should be just fine in the long run.
2024 stats: 2 games | 46 att | 201 rush yds | 4.4 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 5 rec | 15 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Once again, the best part of New England’s offense was the ground game. Stevenson backed up his great Week 1 outing an 81-yard rushing performance that included a 1-yard score that gave New England a lead in the fourth quarter. (Though the Pats would ultimately lose the game to the Seahawks, 23-20.) Rhamondre became the first player in franchise history with at least 75 rush yards and one touchdown in each of the first two games of a season.
2024 stats: 2 games | 48 att | 235 rush yds | 4.9 ypc | 0 rush TDs | 2 rec | 20 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 1 fumble lost
With Malik Willis getting the start under center, the Packers smartly limited the backup QB in the pass game (he had just 14 attempts) and looked to Jacobs to lead the offensive charge. The veteran running back paced all players with 32 carries and amassed 151 of Green Bay’s 261 rushing yards in the win, his most carries and rush yards in a game wince Week 12 of 2022. Some people worried that Matt LaFleur’s group might not be able to weather the storm without its handsomely paid starting quarterback, but Jacobs helped put those concerns to rest … at least for one week.
2024 stats: 2 games | 27 att | 266 rush yds | 9.9 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 4 rec | 4 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Dobbins responded to his 135-yard, one-TD Chargers debut in Week 1 by saying, “I think I can be way better.” He nearly matched that great start with another big outing against Carolina, compiling 131 rush yards on 17 carries — highlighted by a 43-yard touchdown. After the injury-riddled seasons Dobbins has endured, it’s great to see him playing this well in 2024.
2024 stats: 2 games | 30 att | 149 rush yds | 5.0 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 4 rec | 49 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
The Bills are now7-0 on Thursdays in the Josh Allen era, but the road win over the Dolphins wasn’t all Allen’s doing. Buffalo got a huge boost from the defense and its Cook-led rushing attack. The dual-threat back set a career high with three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) — and the first set the tone for the contest, as Cook scored on a 17-yard catch-and-run on fourth-and-3 to give the Bills a 7-0 lead. He joins former teammate Stefon Diggs as the only Bills players with three scrimmage TDs in a game during the Allen era.
2024 stats: 2 games | 48 att | 247 rush yds | 5.1 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 2 rec | 9 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Mason will be the 49ers’ RB1 for longer than initially expected with Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) landing on IR. The Niners could do much worse. Mason averaged 5.0 yards per tote against the Vikings and posted his second straight 100-yard game. Scoring his second touchdown of the season on an untouched 10-yard run in the second half Sunday, Mason fits the bill in Kyle Shanahan’s offense — something the head coach has to feel pretty good about.
2024 stats: 2 games | 37 att | 172 rush yds | 4.6 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 4 rec | 35 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
It seemed as if the Cardinals could do no wrong against a depleted Rams team on Sunday afternoon. Conner had a big performance with 21 carries for 122 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run. Conner has enjoyed a good start to the season, but he faces a big test this week in the Lions’ top-five run defense.
2024 stats: 2 games | 32 att | 165 rush yds | 5.2 ypc | 0 rush TDs | 9 rec | 68 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Robinson put on a solid display Monday night, rushing for 97 yards while helping the Falcons stay competitive just long enough before the Eagles really opened the door late in the fourth quarter. Aided by four runs of at least 10 yards, he logged over 100 scrimmage yards for the second straight week.
2024 stats: 2 games | 24 att | 124 rush yds | 5.2 ypc | 1 rush TD | 11 rec | 56 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
I went back and forth on what to do with the Lions’ running backs, having featured David Montgomery in these rankings last week. There will probably come a time when both guys are in the top 15, but in this week’s rundown, I had to give Gibbs, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry and caught seven Jared Goff throws in Sunday’s loss, the edge because he was more efficient. I also wanted to give love to some guys who had bigger Week 2 outings.
2024 stats: 2 games | 39 att | 184 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 1 rush TD | 6 rec | 44 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Mixon missed a portion of Sunday night’s game after being injured on a hip-drop type of tackle in the second quarter. He finished with 25 yards on nine carries — a far cry from his Texans debut, when he had 159 yards on 30 attempts. He’ll stay here this week, but his place in my rankings could be short-lived if his ankle injury is more serious than initially thought.
2024 stats: 2 games | 30 att | 116 rush yds | 3.9 ypc | 1 rush TD | 12 rec | 91 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
The Jets are far from great offensively right now, but Hall has been a bright spot between all of the inconsistencies. In Sunday’s win over Tennessee, Hall led the team with 62 rush yards and seven receptions, which went for 52 yards and an impressive 26-yard touchdown. While Aaron Rodgers works to get more comfortable and on the same page as his playmakers, New York would be wise to lean on Hall. The team is 3-0 in games in which Hall has at least 50 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards and one touchdown, per NFL Research. Keep him involved.
2024 stats: 2 games | 33 att | 144 rush yds | 4.4 ypc | 1 rush TD | 8 rec | 52 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Pollard had another steady outing for the Titans with 102 scrimmage yards. His 196 scrimmage yards are the most by a Titans player not named Derrick Henry through Week 2 since Demarco Murray (222) in 2016, Henry’s rookie season, per NFL Research. It’s a good start to the season for the back, but he might have to carry more of the load if Will Levis continues to play erratically.
2024 stats: 2 games | 29 att | 173 rush yds | 6.0 ypc | 1 rush TD | 4 rec | 52 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
There’s no doubt the Commanders’ rushing attack has been elevated by rookie QB Jayden Daniels‘ arrival. They gashed the Giants for 215 yards on the ground, with Robinson leading the way with a career-high 133 yards (7.8 yards per tote). Interestingly, Washington didn’t have a single 100-yard rusher in 2023, and the last one was Robinson himself in Week 12 of 2022.
2024 stats: 2 games | 28 att | 151 rush yds | 5.4 ypc | 1 rush TD | 2 rec | 32 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Now that was the type of performance we’re used to seeing from Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 103 yards on 12 carries (8.6 yards per attempt) one week after struggling to even reach 50 yards on the ground. With a raw Anthony Richardson under center, the Colts must lean on Taylor until the young quarterback finds some sort of rhythm. After all, only two others in franchise history — Hall of Famers Edgerrin James (49) and Eric Dickerson (24) — have more 100-yard rushing games than Taylor (17).
DROPPED OUT: Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (previously No. 4); Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (No. 5); David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (No. 6); Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 15).
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