NFL training camps are fast approaching, which means it is again time for the league's true insiders to have their say. As part of ESPN's 2023 NFL season preview, we surveyed league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This is the fourth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players have moved up or fallen off last year's lists.
By way of refresher, here's how our process works: Voters give us their best 10 players at a position, then we compile the results and rank candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, along with dozens of interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 80 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. We had several ties, so we broke them with the help of additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed.
Each section includes quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2023. This is not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today? Check out who makes the list at every position on ESPN+.
We will roll out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: Off-ball linebackers (7/8), defensive tackles (7/9), edge rushers (7/10), cornerbacks (7/11), safeties (7/12), tight ends (7/13), running backs (7/14), offensive tackles (7/15), guards and centers (7/16), quarterbacks (7/17) and wide receivers (7/18).
Running backs got busy in 2022, doing their best to infuse throwback football into what has become predominantly a passing league.
Ten NFL teams attempted at least 500 rushes last season, compared to four the year before. Sixteen players eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards, compared to eight the year before.
While the running back market remains stagnant, production at the position is surging.
This led to four new entrants (or re-entrants) into this year's top 10, including three set to play on the franchise tag. Three impressive rookies also pushed for a spot.
Let's look at some of the game's top ball carriers as ranked by execs, coaches, scouts and players around the NFL.
1. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 6
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 3
Chubb finally gets his due atop the rankings after an impressive five-year run in Cleveland.
Since entering the NFL in 2018, he has averaged 5.2 yards per rush, best in the NFL and the second-best mark in NFL history among players with at least 1,000 rushes, behind Jamaal Charles' 5.4 clip. He also led the NFL in explosive rushing plays (23) in 2022.
"I've always loved his game," an AFC executive said. "He can carry the load, strong, has vision, great feet, not outstanding in the passing game but can do it. Just a damn good player. Not a make-you-miss guy but has power and instincts."
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 8
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 7
After a fall into the back half of last year's top 10 because of injury, McCaffrey returned to elite-back status in 2022.
He finished with nearly 1,900 total yards, and he averaged nearly one touchdown per game after the trade to San Francisco in October.
McCaffrey now has three seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 700 receiving yards, trailing only Marshall Faulk (four) in NFL history.
"He's one of the most versatile offensive players in the league," an AFC executive said of McCaffrey. "He can be used on perimeter runs, interior runs, out of the backfield, split out. He's in tremendous shape and has size, strength and speed. Injuries have taken him off the field, but when he's healthy, he is still a game-changer and a guy that needs to be accounted for at all times."
3. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 8
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Last offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders did not pick up Jacobs' fifth-year option. He spent all season reminding them why they should have, leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,653) on 340 carries.
Jacobs became the Raiders' first rushing leader since Hall of Famer Marcus Allen in 1985. He's also the first NFL player since DeMarco Murray in 2014 to rush for at least 1,500 yards and register 400-plus receiving yards.
"[The Raiders] used him like they should have prior," an NFL personnel exec said. "I don't think they were using him properly. They gave him the ball often so he could get to the second level and use his twitch and make-you-miss ability."
An NFL personnel evaluator added: "I like how he approaches things. They didn't pick up his option, but he just went about his business, was a good teammate and produced in a huge way."
4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Barkley realized the enormous potential that the league long saw for him in 2022.
The former No. 2 overall pick was ESPN's top back in the 2020 ratings but fell out of the top 10 two years later because of injuries and bad production, with just 627 yards on 3.5 yards per carry from 2020 to '21. Evaluators knocked his hesitant running style.
Until this year.
"He came with a running back mentality," a veteran NFL offensive coach said. "He was physical, wasn't dancing as much, and when he got to the second level, he was dangerous."
Barkley's presence impacts his teammates. Just look at quarterback Daniel Jones, who has 44 touchdown passes to 17 interceptions in his 34 starts with Barkley in his backfield. In 19 starts without Barkley, those numbers drop to 16 and 17. Barkley ranked second in explosive rushes (18) behind Chubb.
"He still has the ability to break the game open at any point," an NFC exec said.
5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 1
The two-time rushing champion fell four spots, narrowly making the top five.
The issue with Henry is age (29) and tread. Entering his eighth NFL season, he has led the league in carries in three of the past four years, including 349 in 2022. That's a lot to ask of a back, even a 247-pound iron man such as Henry.
But he's still really good. His 888 rushing yards after contact last season were the second most by a player in a season since ESPN began tracking the stat in 2009. Adrian Peterson had 1,019 yards after contact in 2012.
"There's a little decline, but he's still an anomaly," an NFL personnel director said. "You just don't know how long it will last. If anyone can do it, it will be him. Adrian Peterson is a guy like that. They can last longer."
6. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: 2
After a historic 2021 campaign with 1,811 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and an All-Pro bid, Taylor looked poised for the top spot for years to come.
But his 2022 campaign was challenging, missing six games with an ankle issue and running behind a porous line.
The Colts ranked 23rd in run block win rate in 2022, compared to seventh the year before.
As one NFL personnel executive sees it, this reality showed the strengths and shortcomings of Taylor's game.
"He's got top-end speed and can get the tough yards, but he's not a creative guy who can do it on his own," the executive said. "He needs it blocked up and then he can make it happen."
7. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 5
Kamara is one of the toughest evaluations on the list. The former top-five back was considerably below the top six in this year's voting. And the numbers suggest decline: He failed to eclipse 900 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons despite a combined 463 carries. He produced three 700-plus-yard receiving seasons with Drew Brees as his quarterback but failed to eclipse 500 in each of the past two.
But Kamara is still one of the NFL's unique skill players. He's the only player over the past three seasons to lead his team in rushing and receiving over that span.
"Still has very good feet, agility and change-of-direction skills," an NFL personnel director said. "Has good initial burst as a runner on feel on both outside and inside runs. Still has some of the best contact balance, though he's not an elite power guy, doesn't have elite top-end speed and will eventually lose a half-step. Still a matchup problem as a route runner."
Added an AFC scout: "Losing Sean Payton and Drew Brees really hurt him. But the skill set is still one of the best. I haven't seen a dropoff there."
8. Dalvin Cook, free agent
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 4
Cook's future with Minnesota was in question for much of the offseason, but there's no doubt he has been an elite player throughout his career.
He is one of two rushers to record at least 1,000 yards in each of the last four seasons, along with Chubb. Last season marked Cook's career low in yards per carry (4.4), but he remained highly productive with 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. He also didn't miss a game for the first time in his career, despite suffering a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery.
"He still has most of everything you want as far as vision, big-play ability," an NFC scout said. "... "He's probably not as elite as he once was and has been injured, but he should be really good for a team."
Added an AFC exec: "He's still top-five for me. The burst is still there, and he's got the savvy for find holes and capitalize on them."
9. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: Unranked
Many evaluators are high on Pollard's ceiling after Dallas finally embraced him as the lead back, turning 190 carries into 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. With Ezekiel Elliott now gone, Pollard should surpass the 200-carry mark in 2023.
"I call him a lemonade player -- he turns lemons into lemonade, makes something out of nothing," a veteran NFL offensive coach said. "It doesn't have to be perfect for him to make plays."
An AFC personnel added: "Speed, man. He's got major burst."
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard, who's set to earn $10.1 million this year.
"I like the player, but I need to see him do it another year before I place him in the top 10," another veteran NFL coach said. "Need to see more."
10. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Ekeler's massive production helped him vault over the likes of Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon, but this was close.
It's hard to argue with his 38 scrimmage touchdowns over the past two seasons -- 12 more than any other NFL player.
An AFC exec said: "If Ekeler was 5-foot-11, he'd be top five." Ekeler is listed as 5-10 but is considered by some to be smaller than that.
"Really explosive player, runs tougher than you'd think for his size, exceptional in the passing game. My only concern with him is pass protection," a veteran NFL assistant coach said.
Voters who prefer a traditional back aren't big supporters of Ekeler.
"Don't see an elite or major impact player -- more of a 1-2 punch niche guy alongside a big power back," an NFL personnel executive said.
Honorable mentions
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers: Jones is one of the NFL's most underrated backs and was highly productive with 1,121 yards on 213 rushes (a 5.3 average) and 59 catches despite splitting carries with AJ Dillon. The two-time top-10 player also has finished 11th twice. "He does everything really well, so if you're looking for that well-rounded back with pass-catching ability, I could see how he's a top 10," an AFC scout said. "I'm just not sure he has the special qualities of some of the other backs."
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans: Pierce made the Texans' offense watchable as an explosive rookie back. He was on pace for 1,200-plus yards before a late-season injury ended his year; he finished with 939 yards and four touchdowns. "Will be a top-tier guy by next year," an AFC executive said. "Power, vision, lots of YAC, tough to bring down, tough guy -- unless they run him into the ground."
Breece Hall, New York Jets: Was an early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year before tearing an ACL in Week 7. Hall had 681 total yards through seven games, including a 61-yard run that showcased his breakaway speed. Multiple voters put Hall in the top five, with one comparing him to a "faster, bigger Matt Forte." "He's a volume back with big-play ability, fast, big, good in space and good as a receiver," an AFC scout said. "Just a matter of if he looks healthy."
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: Etienne recovered from a lost rookie year to injury and showcased major splash-play ability. Etienne's four rushes of 40 or more yards tied Derrick Henry and Justin Fields for a league high. He finished with 1,125 yards, which ranked ninth. "Good back, good speed, was getting healthy -- might have a breakout year," a veteran NFL scout said. "Not a physical back but can do enough."
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots: Stevenson flourished as New England's lead back, rushing for 1,040 yards on 210 carries along with 69 catches for 421 yards. "He's sneaky fast but not explosive," an AFC scout said. "He can run. Reminds me of Natrone Means a little bit -- big, good feet, strong, solid grind-it-out player that will wear you down."
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: Walker, a 2022 second-round pick, fit seamlessly into Seattle's play-action offense with 10 rushes of 20 or more yards, tying for second among running backs. His 4.2 rush efficiency rating tied Najee Harris for the league high. "He's like a good mix of everything," a high-ranking NFL personnel official said. "He probably has the least power of the three [rookies from 2022, with Hall and Pierce], but he's quick, good balance, strong lower body, always goes forward. He's like an unassuming 120-yard rusher."
Also receiving votes: Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos), Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers), Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers), AJ Dillon (Green Bay Packers)