NFL running back power rankings entering Week 2

Now everything has changed. Or has it? We have one week of 2026 NFL action behind us, so now it’s time to evaluate that and update our rankings.
Now, let’s take a spin through the top-15 running backs entering Week 2 of the NFL season. And then, we can see how much things will continue to change on a weekly basis.
MORE:3 NFL teams that should be worried after Week 1
Running backs 15-11
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)15. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
It might be a bumpy ride initially, but I’m still a believer in Love. He made his NFL debut on Sunday, and he’s likely still not 100% due to his ankle injury. He did look impressive on his touchdown run, but he gained just 41 yards on 11 carries overall. In Week 2, he has another tough matchup against Seattle, but we should stick with him.
14. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
It was another typical effort from Brown. He finished with 56 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while adding another 22 yards on five receptions. He’s likely going to be on the edge of these rankings all season, but it’s hard to argue with the dependability.
13. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
We know the Bears offense is good, but not every game will go the way Sunday’s game went. Swift also won’t score three touchdowns each week, but he deserves to be in our top-15 after carrying the ball 18 times for 124 yards.
12. Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall was steady in Week 1 as he carried the ball 22 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. He did a great job of moving the ball, and the Jets were also committed to the run.
11. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Miami doesn’t have much in the way of offensive potential, and things were ugly on Sunday. Achane fell victim to that. It’s going to be a common theme of him having issues finding room to run and with just four catches for 30 yards, he was also a non-factor in the passing game.
Top 10 running backs
Sep 13, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs off the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)10. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Who cares that Henry isn’t a factor in the passing game? Nothing to see here other than 144 yards and three touchdowns, as his age is clearly not showing.
9. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Nothing worked for the Chargers this week. I’m still willing to give Hampton another week, though, as he only carried the ball 12 times due to the shocking way that the game transpired. Hampton did find the end zone despite running for just 43 yards.
8. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook and the Bills did face a tough Houston Texans defense even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect that. Game flow didn’t support the running game, and in his 13 carries, Cook gained just 57 yards.
7. Kenneth Walker, Kansas City Chiefs
Now that’s how you make your presence felt with a brand-new team. Against a tough Denver Broncos defense, Walker carried the ball 23 times for 173 yards and a touchdown while also catching three passes for 18 yards and another touchdown. Even without his 60-yard touchdown run, Walker still averaged over five yards per carry.
6. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
The big issue for Barkley is that he didn’t score a touchdown. In gaining 83 yards on 15 carries, though, he did look good, and he’s in a great spot against the Tennessee Titans this week.
Top 5 running backs
Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images5. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Jeanty averaged just under five yards per carry while catching all six of his targets for 45 yards and two touchdowns. The matchups will get more difficult than against the Dolphins, but Jeanty looked healthy, and his role in the offense is clear. Most importantly, he’s healthy.
4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
It was a weird game, but McCaffrey did exactly what was needed from him. The running back averaged 6.8 yards per carry, although he only had 10 carries. He also caught five passes for 20 yards, as his role in the receiving game isn’t going anywhere. The 49ers might be more careful about McCaffrey’s workload than in years past, but he’s the clear number one option and will be busy.
3. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Despite poor game flow, Taylor still finished with 19 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns. It was a great sign to see him get into the end zone early, as we know what we are going to get with the dependable and very good Taylor.
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
We might have to get creative in the way we evaluate Robinson this year given the state of the Falcons offense. Yes, he carried the ball 21 times, but gaining just 83 yards, it was difficult for him to find room to run. On the bright side, though, he caught eight of his 10 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown.  
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Everything went just as expected for Gibbs on Sunday. In a game that was way closer than it looked like it would be, Gibbs carried the ball 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He also added five catches for 30 yards. We know that Gibbs is going to be busy each week, but maybe not this busy.
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