Power Ranking the Running Back Rooms in the NFC West
Newsweek · C · trust 45/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. NFL training camps are in full swing, and as teams ease back into on-field drills and practices in the dead of the summer, football fans have a reason to rejoice.
The preseason officially begins when the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers face off in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC. The rest of the first week of the preseason kicks off the following week on Aug. 13.
As the start of the NFL regular season inches closer (Sept. 9), we are continuing to look at key offseason storylines for each of the league’s 32 teams. We’ve already looked at the top position battles to watch, rookies with the best chance of winning a starting job, and the players in the most danger of being cut, plus we’ve ranked the top head coaches, quarterbacks, and wide receiver rooms by division.
Now, we’re power ranking the running back rooms in each division. Next up is the NFC West.
The Cardinals don’t have much going for them but their running back depth is arguably the best thing about their team. Getting Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft was a big win, although it left more questions than answers.
Arizona already has two 1,000-yard backs on their roster in James Conner and Tyler Allgeier, and adding a RB who was the highest-paid player at his position when he was drafted didn’t make a lot of sense. Trey Benson also figures to factor in somewhere too.
Zach Charbonnet scored 12 touchdowns last year while rushing for 730 yards. Though he’s recovering from a serious injury, he should still make an impact once he returns. In the meantime, first-round pick Jadarian Price will assume the RB1 position.
Price rushed for 1,692 yards and 21 touchdowns in three seasons at Notre Dame. If he gets off to a fast start, it’ll be difficult for Charbonnet to unseat him. Emanuel Wilson was a solid backup in Green Bay. He logged 502 and 496 yards, respectively, the last two seasons and his veteran presence will be needed.
Kyren Williams burst onto the scene three years ago with a 1,144-yard, 12-touchdown season. He followed it up with ,299 yards and 14 touchdowns the next season, and 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
Blake Corum took a big step forward in his development last year. He nearly hit 800 yards and scored six touchdowns, and head coach Sean McVay will likely only find more ways to use him in his offensive scheme.
The 49ers have the best running back in the division in Christian McCaffrey, but their depth behind him is why they’re at the bottom. McCaffrey is coming off a 1,202-yard, 10-touchdown rushing season, and he added 102 catches for 924 yards and seven touchdowns. The team will presumably want to cut down on his workload in 2026.
Brian Robinson is now in Atlanta, leaving Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, Kaelon Black, and newly signed Khalil Herbert to battle for two backup jobs. James is dealing with a rib fracture and is expected to miss some time.
Guerendo rushed for 420 yards two years ago but didn’t record any stats last year. He could get a solid opportunity with James sidelined. The 49ers are high on Black, who rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns last year at Indiana. It wouldn’t be surprising if he started the year as the RB2.
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