There are some electric young talents at the running back position currently. Historically, the position has been filled with some of the NFL’s most exciting talents. This list of the top five running backs under 25 showcases the best young running backs in the league currently.<\/p>\n
The top four players in terms of yards per rushing attempt in 2022 were all quarterbacks. Clearly, the game has changed for running backs. They are now as important to the passing game as they are to the running game. Pass blocking has always been vital for a starting running back but now, even when they are not catching passes, they provide the quarterback with an option before he takes off on a run of his own.<\/span><\/p>\n This change has been reflected in the running back economy. Three of the top 10 2022 running backs are now on new teams (or, at least, will be, when Dalvin Cook is signed up<\/a>). Plus, Ezekiel Elliott is a free agent and Derrick Henry’s future remains uncertain. Thus, it is fair to say the running back landscape has changed considerably in just five short months. With the running back market vastly changing, the need for young running backs is clear. Who are the top running backs under 25 in the NFL currently?<\/span><\/p>\n According to NextGen stats<\/a> there was only one ball carrier faster than Kenneth Walker in 2022. Surprisingly, that player was Parris Campbell.<\/span><\/p>\n Walker missed two games and only started 11 games in 2023, but still finished the season ranked 12<\/span>th<\/span> for rushing yards. His 4.6 yards per attempt was 15th amongst running backs. Not bad for a second-round pick. His 1,050 rushing yards is even more impressive considering the Seahawks threw the ball on 55% of their offensive snaps.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, Seattle acquired offensive lineman Evan Brown from the Lions (a team who ran the ball very well in 2022). They also drafted two more interior linemen and signed three more linemen as undrafted free agents.<\/span> Even with such an electrifying receiving corps the Seahawks should run the ball well this year.<\/span><\/p>\n Breece Hall was third on the list for fastest ball carriers in 2022, just 0.22 mph slower than Walker. And just like Walker, Hall was a second-round pick in 2022. Hall\u2019s rookie season only lasted seven games though, and he only started two of those. Hall was a victim of the MetLife’s questionable turf, which has since been replaced.<\/span><\/p>\n Hall averages an impressive 5.7 yards per carry so far in his burgeoning career. He also scored a rushing touchdown in the last four games he played. The Jets won five of the seven games he played in. They proceeded to lose eight games after his injury.<\/span><\/p>\n With a new (but old and slightly fragile) quarterback in town<\/a> alongside four new offensive lineman and Allen Lazard (who has plenty of run blocking experience), Gang Green won’t want to rely on the passing game so much in 2023. They threw the ball 58% of the time last season.<\/p>\n The Jets will also benefit from a softer schedule after finishing bottom of their division in 2022.<\/p>\n After the arrivals of Shaq Mason, C.J. Stroud and Devin Singletary, the Texans are set up perfectly to run and run some more. They will chew up plenty of clock and get after opposing quarterbacks with their shiny, new defense. It is not the most fashionable way to win football games but, in the AFC South, it will work. DeMeco Ryans might be copying Mike Vrabel\u2019s homework a bit, but maybe all linebackers think alike?<\/span><\/p>\n Pierce<\/a> was a fourth-round pick in 2022 who averaged 72.2 rushing yards per game as a rookie. Pierce\u2019s average was seventh best for a running back. He also features on NextGen Stats <\/span>\u201cimprobable rushes\u201d<\/span><\/a> list. His 75-yard run against the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> in <\/span>Week 4<\/span> ranked fourth, with 69 yards over expectation.<\/span><\/p>\n Dameon Pierce speed is high level, clearly, but I think his acceleration is catching Defenses by surprise. Finds the hole around the 24 and is in a gear by the 30 that is shocking. Guy has some serious acceleration while he is doing slalom\/bend to weave through the Chargers Def. pic.twitter.com\/pW1ELpRgoH<\/a><\/p>\n — All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) October 5, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe Top Five Running Backs Under 25<\/span><\/h2>\n
Kenneth Walker<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Breece Hall<\/span><\/h3>\n
Dameon Pierce<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n