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 5.
2024 stats: 4 games | 80 att | 480 rush yds | 6.0 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 5 rec | 45 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
It took all of one play for Henry to take over Sunday night. On the Ravens’ first offensive snap, the veteran running back hit a hole on the right side and went untouched for 87 yards to the house, reaching a max speed of 21.29 mph — tied for the fourth-fastest speed by a ball-carrier this season, and Henry’s eighth-fastest speed since 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. Henry owned the Bills defense all night long, racking up a whopping 199 yards on 24 carries (8.3 yards per attempt) while adding a receiving score on a 5-yard connection with Lamar Jackson. (He nearly went for the hat trick, too, but fumbled at the goal line; it was recovered by Patrick Ricard for a TD.) What a night for the King and the Ravens.
2024 stats: 4 games | 91 att | 447 rush yds | 4.9 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 6 rec | 57 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Who here thought Mason would be leading the league in carries and rank second in rushing yards at the outset of October? I won’t lie to you — I didn’t see this being the case, even after his impressive Week 1 outing. Yet here we are after he added 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 attempts in Sunday’s win over New England. Mason’s physical style has the 49ers barreling through opposing defenses every week, as he leads the NFL with 300 rushing yards after contact, per Next Gen Stats. Mason should only build on his early production this Sunday against a Cardinals team that just gave up more than 200 ground yards to the Commanders.
2024 stats: 4 games | 73 att | 435 rush yds | 6.0 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 12 rec | 85 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
With the passing attack missing both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith against the Bucs, the Eagles looked to Barkley, who rushed for 84 yards on 10 carries (8.4 yards a pop) and caught two receptions for 32 yards. Barkley’s biggest highlight was a 59-yard sprint that put Philadelphia into the red zone on the first drive out of halftime. Now in his bye week, Barkley has opened his Philly tenure with four straight games of 100-plus scrimmage yards.
2024 stats: 4 games | 80 att | 362 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 17 rec | 174 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Kamara again was a bright spot for the Saints despite playing through hip and ribs injuries Sunday. He led the team with 19 carries and 77 rush yards, including a 1-yard run that put New Orleans ahead in the final minute of the game. He is producing at an incredible pace so far in 2024, marking the third time in his career (along with the 2018 and 2020 campaigns) that he has at least 500 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns in the first four games of a season. He’s the first person in NFL history to have three such seasons, per NFL Research.
2024 stats: 4 games | 72 att | 349 rush yds | 4.8 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 6 rec | 77 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
The Colts improved to .500 after defeating the previously undefeated Steelers, thanks to solid performances from backup quarterback Joe Flacco and Taylor, who led all players with 21 carries and 88 rush yards. His 2-yard TD run capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive that helped set the tone against a Pittsburgh defense that looked nothing like the unit it was in Weeks 1 through 3. Sunday marked Taylor’s 21st career game with at least 100 scrimmage yards and one rush TD, but the high-ankle sprain that forced him to the sideline in the fourth quarter is something to monitor.
2024 stats: 4 games | 50 att | 227 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 9 rec | 106 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
It simply wasn’t the Bills’ night in Baltimore. Buffalo was held to 236 yards of total offense, Josh Allen didn’t have a touchdown pass in a game for just the third time in the last three seasons and Cook finished with a season-low 48 scrimmage yards. Cook and the ground game must get going early this Sunday against the Texans’ 14th-ranked run defense to help the Bills avoid back-to-back losses.
2024 stats: 4 games | 54 att | 285 rush yds | 5.3 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 11 rec | 76 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
The Lions led a balanced attack against the Seahawks on Monday night with Jared Goff‘s perfect passing performance pairing with a ground game that moved the chains when needed and took advantage at the goal line. Gibbs was efficient in his opportunities, carrying the ball 14 times for 78 yards (5.6 yards per attempt) with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns. He and the Lions hit the bye week on a high note.
2024 stats: 4 games | 56 att | 342 rush yds | 6.1 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 10 rec | 44 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
The Chargers offense often looked stuck in the mud after its first two drives Sunday. It was without its two starting offensive tackles and with an ailing Justin Herbert, who actually threw for a season-high 179 yards. Unfortunately, the ground game struggled, as Dobbins had 32 of the team’s 55 rush yards. The run game is what spearheaded Los Angeles’ two wins this season. The Bolts must re-find that gear on the ground.
2024 stats: 4 games | 55 att | 224 rush yds | 4.1 ypc | 1 rush TD | 15 rec | 135 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
The Falcons looked to their lead back early against the Saints, as Robinson had five carries and three receptions in the first half. He took a back seat to Tyler Allgeier after halftime — though he did have two big plays (one a touchdown) called back due to penalties. Bijan is a top-tier player at the position, and I’ll be surprised if he continues to cede touches to Allgeier.
2024 stats: 4 games | 64 att | 321 rush yds | 5.0 ypc | 1 rush TD | 16 rec | 143 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
Kevin O’Connell did everything he could to get Jones into the end zone at Lambeau Field. He finished with season highs of 26 touches and 139 scrimmage yards, with Sam Darnold‘s one interception coming on a forced throw to Jones near the goal line. Even though Jones didn’t get a score in his return to Green Bay, he celebrated the Vikings’ road win with a leap into a crowd of fans after the game.
2024 stats: 4 games | 66 att | 307 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 8 rec | 68 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
The Commanders continue to put on a rushing clinic every Sunday. Against the Cardinals, they compiled 216 yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground, and Robinson led the way with 101 yards and a score on 21 carries. The third-year back has rushed for at least 100 yards in two of the last three contests after having one such effort in the first 28 games of his career. If this rushing attack keeps producing, Washington should be in every game late.
2024 stats: 4 games | 71 att | 329 rush yds | 4.6 ypc | 0 rush TDs | 7 rec | 52 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 1 fumble lost
Missed field goals and a pair of Jordan Love interceptions put the Packers in a 28-0 deficit five minutes before halftime, limiting Jacobs’ usage to just nine carries. He was effective when getting opportunities, though, averaging 5.7 yards a pop in the loss. I know Love is a step up from Malik Willis, but that doesn’t mean the Packers should completely rely on his arm and get away from the ground game.
2024 stats: 4 games | 63 att | 271 rush yds | 4.3 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 9 rec | 94 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
No one should be surprised Montgomery scored on Monday night. His 1-yard touchdown run to begin scoring late in the first quarter extended his streak of having at least one rush TD to seven straight games. He is tied with Billy Sims for the longest such streak in franchise history and with Kyren Williams for the longest active streak in the NFL. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Montgomery’s catch-and-run that went for 40 yards thanks to his insane tackle-breaking ability. #AngryRun
2024 stats: 4 games | 55 att | 296 rush yds | 5.4 ypc | 1 rush TD | 13 rec | 84 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
The Panthers offense has looked entirely different since Andy Dalton took over as the starter. Hubbard is someone who has greatly benefited from the QB change, as he’s recorded back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances. In Week 3, he had 22 carries for 114 yards and five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. He followed it with 18 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown and four catches for 17 yards on Sunday. Only Derrick Henry has had more scrimmage yards over the last two weeks.
2024 stats: 4 games | 64 att | 293 rush yds | 4.6 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 6 rec | 52 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
As good as Kyler Murray can be at times, the Cardinals offense completely rides on Conner’s ability to produce. He led the charge on Arizona’s opening drive Sunday, accounting for 31 of the team’s 55 yards. He also played a big part in the team’s only other scoring drive with 45 rush yards. Conner finished the day with 104 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run, on 18 carries — his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season.
DROPPED OUT: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (previously No. 11); Breece Hall, New York Jets (No. 12).
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