Ranking NFL's Most Cost-Efficient Backfields as RB Position Continues to Lose Value
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While NFL salaries continue to rise almost across the board, running back remains a position on which teams are typically uneager to splurge. Even when top backs do get paid, they don't always make it to the end of their contracts.
Dalvin Cook, who was released on Friday, is the latest example from the 2023 offseason, following the likes of Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott. Austin Ekeler had to utilize a trade request to get an incentives boost, while Aaron Jones took a pay cut to remain with the Green Bay Packers.
Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard were all given the franchise tag instead of new contracts this offseason.
With a few exceptions, teams are regularly looking to get younger and cheaper at running back in today's pass-driven NFL. Stars like Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb are special, but for a lot of teams, a budget backfield is both logical and productive.
Which teams can best ride this strategy to success in 2023? Based on factors like 2023 cap hits, past production and upside, here are our picks for the top 10 most cost-effective backfields in the NFL this season.
10. Denver Broncos
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Samaje Perine: $3 million
Javonte Williams: $2.4 million
Tony Jones: $940,000
Jaleel McLaughlin: $755,000
To determine what is "cost-efficient," we're looking specifically at the 2023 cap hits of the top four backs we expect to be in each team's rotation this season. We kick off our rankings with the Denver Broncos' group of Samaje Perine, Javonte Williams, Tony Jones and undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin.
We're doing a little projecting with Denver's backfield, as the presumed starter, Williams, suffered a torn ACL only four games into the 2022 season. Denver's efficiency will hinge largely on Williams' ability to see the field early this season.
"Javonte is doing really well in his rehab," general manager George Paton said, per NFL.com's Coral Smith. "We don't have a date, but we feel good, we feel good that he'll be back this season
Williams tallied 1,219 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns as a rookie, and if he's healthy, Denver's ground game could be quite good. The offseason additions of offensive linemen Ben Powers and Mike McGlinchey should boost the offense—one that ranked 17th in yards per carry last year despite having a revolving door at running back after Williams' injury.
Samaje Perine is an excellent third-down and complementary back who had 681 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. Tony Jones played for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks but only saw limited action (63 snaps).
The first wild card here is McLaughlin, who wasn't drafted but who logged an NCAA-record 8,161 yards at Notre Dame and Youngstown State. The second wild card is Cook, who the Broncos are "expected to have an interest" in, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Williams and Perine can be a fantastic tandem, while Jones and McLaughlin provide decent, if not great, depth. A lot rides on Williams' health, though, which is why this budget group is at the bottom of our list.
9. Detroit Lions
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Jahmyr Gibbs: $3,2 million (projected)
David Montgomery: $2.8 million
Craig Reynolds: $940,000
Jermar Jefferson: $870,000
The Detroit Lions shouldn't have any major injury concerns at running back when the 2023 season kicks off. The big question for Detroit is whether the new-look backfield will perform like last year's duo of Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift.
With Swift and Williams leading the charge, Detroit ranked 15th in yards per carry and 11th in rushing yards last season.
However, both backs are gone, replaced by free-agent addition David Montgomery and rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs. There's some real boom-or-bust potential with the new tandem.
Montgomery was merely a serviceable starter for the Chicago Bears who averaged just 3.9 yards per carry over his first four seasons. However, he is a capable dual-threat who logged 155 receptions, 4,849 scrimmage yards and 30 touchdowns during that span.
The Lions, to their credit, did not overpay to bring Montgomery into the fold.
Gibbs, meanwhile, is a speedy playmaker out of Alabama who brings plenty of juice to the proverbial table. He ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season. He too can play on any down and amassed 1,370 scrimmage yards on 151 carries and 44 receptions in 2022.
Detroit should have a versatile two-headed rushing attack to complement Jared Goff and a passing attack that ranked eighth in yards last season.
The Lions also have some solid depth in Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson. Reynolds averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 12.9 yards per catch in 2022. While Jefferson was on the practice squad last year, he averaged 4.9 yards per rush in 2021.
8. New England Patriots
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James Robinson: $1.8 million
Rhamondre Stevenson: $1.1 million
Ty Montgomery: $1.6 million
Pierre Strong Jr.: $1 million
The New England Patriots get a slight edge over the Lions because their starter, Rhamondre Stevenson, is more proven with his current roster.
Stevenson was simply fantastic last year, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, hauling in 69 passes and producing 1,461 scrimmage yards despite only starting seven of his 17 games. While Stevenson split time with Damien Harris last year, the Patriots added James Robinson as a free agent to be his new backfield mate.
Robinson saw only sporadic playing time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets last season but was a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie and has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and has 91 receptions in 39 career games.
Ty Montgomery only appeared in one game last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. However, the converted wide receiver is a versatile third-down back who can take over the receiving-back role long held by the likes of James White and Rex Burkhead.
While Pierre Strong Jr.'s main contribution in 2022 was as a return specialist and special teamer (143 snaps), he provides valuable depth on the back end of the rotation. Strong had 142 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 17 offensive touches last season.
While New England's scheme may see some tweaks under new (and former) offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, we can expect a full committee approach with players filling specialized roles. That's just how the Patriots tend to operate, and it means we could see backs like J.J. Taylor ($940,000) and Kevin Harris ($870,000) as part of the rotation too.
The fact that New England could potentially field a six-back rotation for less than the cost of one high-level running back is impressive. Whether the group is more productive than last year's Patriots backfield—which ranked 21st in yards per carry—remains to be seen.
7. New York Jets
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Breece Hall: $2 million
Michael Carter: $1.1 million
Zonovan Knight: $870,000
Israel Abanikanda: $834,096 (projected)
Next up on our rankings is the Jets' group of Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and rookie fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda.
There's a lot to like about New York's backfield, including the fact that all four backs were drafted or signed as undrafted free agents within the last three years. This means that the Jets have four quality ball carriers playing on rookie deals.
As is the case in Denver, the Jets are banking on a return to form from their top back. Hall was electric as a rookie, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and tallying 681 scrimmage yards in seven games before suffering an ACL tear.
The good news is that Carter (21 starts) can be the lead back until Hall is fully recovered. He's not as explosive and has averaged a meager 4.0 yards per carry, but he's a capable receiver (77 receptions in two seasons) who can fill an every-down role.
Knight, the undrafted member of the group, was a solid depth piece as a rookie, recording 400 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
With this trio leading the way, New York ranked just 24th in yards per carry last season. However, the Jets faced a lot of loaded boxes with Zach Wilson and Mike White at quarterback, and things should change with Aaron Rodgers taking the reins.
To provide insurance, the Jets drafted Abanikanda, who can be a dynamic rotational option.
"His combination of size and speed make him a threat to rip off a touchdown from anywhere on the field," Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.
The Jets offense will go as Rodgers goes, this season, but they'll field a reliable—and cheap—backfield too.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
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Boston Scott: $2 million
D'Andre Swift: $1.8 million
Rashaad Penny: $1.2 million
Kenneth Gainwell: $1 million
The Philadelphia Eagles had a Pro Bowl running back in Miles Sanders last season, However, the Eagles opted to let him walk in free agency and opted instead for a thrifty collection of veteran backs.
Philadelphia will bring back third-year man Kenneth Gainwell, who emerged as the team's best back late in the season and in the playoffs. Gainwell will be the presumptive starter after averaging 5.5 yards per carry in the postseason and 4.5 yards per carry in the regular season.
Boston Scott will also be back after signing a one-year deal in free agency. To complement those two, general manager Howie Roseman signed Rashaad Penny and traded for D'Andre Swift during the draft.
Swift averaged 5.5 yards per carry caught 48 passes and produced 931 scrimmage yards with the Lions last season. He and Gainwell should be a solid tandem to lead Philadelphia's backfield and complement dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Signing Penny was a gamble that could pay off in a big way. Penny has an extensive injury history and has only appeared in 42 games in five seasons. However, he's shown the ability to be a dangerous playmaker when healthy.
At the end of the 2021 season, for example, Penny racked up 671 rushing yards in only five games.
There's a lot of upside with this group, and Philly's top four backs will cost less this season than the $6.4 million annually Sanders will make on his new deal with the Carolina Panthers. The unknown is whether the Eagles' new additions will replicate the 1,347 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns Sanders had last season.
5. Miami Dolphins
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Jeff Wilson Jr.: $2.2 million
Raheem Mostert: $2.2 million
Salvon Ahmed: $1.4 million
Devon Achane: $988,627
Last season, the Miami Dolphins ranked 25th in rushing yards and 19th in yards per carry. However, it should be noted that Miami's ground attack got a boost with the in-season addition of Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wilson and Raheem Mostert both played under Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel with the San Francisco 49ers. Wilson and Mostert also proved to be terrific fits for McDaniel's offense, averaging 4.7 and 4.9 yards per carry last season.
Miami brought back Wilson, Mostert and complementary back Salvon Ahmed on budget deals this offseason before drafting speedy (4.32-second 40-yard dash) Texas A&M product Devon Achane.
Achane brings even more speed and dynamic potential to a Miami offense that already features Mostert, Wilson and deep-threat receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill.
"Achane has everything when it comes to movement skills, but his calling card is his speed. On film, there may not be a faster player in the class at any position," Klassen wrote.
This backfield might not be a fit for every team. For a Miami team that wants to stretch opposing defenses, use Tua Tagovailoa as a distributor and consistently create explosive plays, it's perfect.
The Dolphins should be able to keep a steady rotation of fresh, fast running backs on the field in 2023—and do it for less than what teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants will pay one running back with the franchise tag ($10.1 million).
Like Denver, Miami is believed to have interest in Cook, per Schefter. Naturally, that could raise the price of the Dolphins' backfield significantly.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Travis Etienne: $3.5 million
JaMycal Hasty: $1.3 million
D'Ernest Johnson: $1.1 million
Tank Bigsby: $980,530
The Jaguars had plenty of offensive balance last season, even with an offense centered around quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville ranked 17th in rushing attempts, 14th in rushing yards and ninth in yards per carry.
Jacksonville could be an even more efficient running team this season.
Travis Etienne, who missed his rookie season with a Lisfranc injury, led the Jags' ground game and impressed in his inaugural campaign. Lawrence's former Clemson teammate averaged 5.1 yards per carry and totaled 1,441 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns.
Etienne showed himself to be healthy last season and to be the same multifaceted playmaker he was in college. Now an experienced pro, he should be even better in what is essentially Year 2.
"I foresee a big jump to 12-15 touchdowns in 2023, along with 1,300 rushing yards and 50 catches," NFL Media's Adam Schein wrote.
The Jaguars traded James Robinson during the season and replaced him with D'Ernest Johnson in free agency. While Johnson played only 35 offensive snaps with the Cleveland Browns in 2022, he accumulated 671 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry the previous season.
Jacksonville then drafted Auburn's Tank Bigsby in Round 3, and the 6'0", 210-pound rookie should provide a hard-running complement to Etienne atop the depth chart.
Johnson and JaMycal Hasty, who had 66 touches for the Jags in 2022, give Jacksonville good depth in the running back room. Both were acquired—Hasty off waivers last August—on bargain deals, giving the Jaguars a great mix of rookie contracts and team-friendly salaries at what has become a devalued position.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
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Clyde Edwards-Helaire: $3.4 million
Jerick McKinnon: $1.1 million
Isiah Pacheco: $889,777
Deneric Prince: $756,666
The Kansas City Chiefs uncovered a gem in seventh-round draft pick Isiah Pacheco last season. The then-rookie emerged as Kansas City's lead back and finished with 960 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns.
Pacheco's emergence—and the periodic success of late-round and undrafted running backs—is precisely why some teams avoid paying or using high draft choices on the position.
Kansas City, however, used a first-round pick in the 2020 draft on Clyde Edwards-Helaire. While Helaire hasn't lived up to his draft status, he still has 29 starts on his resume, is a quality dual-threat back (72 receptions in 33 games) and is a quality depth piece behind Pacheco.
The Chiefs also have an explosive receiving back in Jerick McKinnon, who caught 56 passes, tallied 803 scrimmage yards and had 10 combined touchdowns last season.
These were the top three backs in a unit that just helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, further proving that a pricey ball-carrier isn't required to compete—though, of course, not every offense has a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes and an offensive guru like Andy Reid running the show.
Rounding out the group will likely be undrafted rookie Deneric Prince. The 6'0", 216-pound Tulsa produce averaged 5.8 yards per carry last season and has impressed in the early offseason.
"For being a rookie, he's doing a tremendous job," backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert said, per The Athletic's Nate Taylor. "...He’ll be a lot of fun to watch in training camp when we get the pads on."
Kansas City ranked eighth in yards per carry last season, and its budget backfield should be just as potent this year.
2. Seattle Seahawks
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Kenneth Walker III: $1.9 million
Zach Charbonnet: $1,3 million (projected)
DeeJay Dallas: $1.1 million
Kenny McIntosh: $772,713
The Seahawks are following a model that many NFL teams may look to emulate in the not-too-distant future. All of Seattle's running backs are on rookie contracts, and the Seahawks used second-round picks in back-to-back drafts to build the base of their backfield.
Kenneth Walker III was last year's second-round selection and quickly emerged as Seattle's RB1. He finished with 1,215 scrimmage yards, a 4.6 yards-per-carry average and as the runner-up to Jets receiver Garrett Wilson for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
With Walker leading the way—and quarterback Geno Smith chipping in with his scrambling ability—Seattle finished seventh in yards per carry last season.
Walker won't carry the load alone, as Seattle will pair him with 2023 second-round pick Zach Charbonnet. The 6'0", 214-pound UCLA product has the tools to be an NFL starter himself.
"What separates Charbonnet from other big backs are his speed and pass-catching skills. Despite being 220 pounds, he has good acceleration and top speed to win the edge," Klassen wrote.
Charbonnet and Walker have the potential to be one of the better young running back duos in the NFL, and they'll have a seasoned backup in DeeJay Dallas behind them. The 24-year-old appeared in 15 games last season, averaged 5.3 yards per carry and finished with 312 scrimmage yards.
To round out their backfield room, Seattle used a seventh-round pick on Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh. While McIntosh might not jump right into a prominent role, he was a fantastic runner and receiver in college, finishing his 2022 season with 43 receptions, 1,334 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns.
1. Atlanta Falcons
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Cordarrelle Patterson: $5.5 million
Bijan Robinson: $4 million
Tyler Allgeier: $1 million
Caleb Huntley: $870,000
Let by runner/receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, 2022 fifth-round pick Tyler Allgeier and 2021 undrafted free agent Caleb Huntley, the Atlanta Falcons had one of the league's most versatile and productive backfields last season.
The Falcons finished the year ranked third in rushing yards and fourth in yards per carry. All three of Atlanta's top backs averaged 4.8 yards per rush or more.
Instead of simply sticking with what worked last year, Atlanta used the eighth overall pick on standout Texas running back Bijan Robinson. Robinson, who compiled 1,894 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns last season, could enter the NFL as one of the league's best offensive players.
"I thought Saquon Barkley was sensational coming out of Penn State," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said on First Draft in March. "I'll make this argument ... I think Bijan Robinson is more talented coming out of Texas."
With Robinson in the mix, Atlanta may well have the most loaded backfield we've seen in years. It's a group capable of grinding out games, creating explosive plays and aiding second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder in the passing game.
What's perhaps even more impressive is the fact that the Falcons have assembled their dynamic running back room at a relative bargain price. While the investments in Patterson and Robinson are noteworthy, this team's top four backs will collectively cost just under $11.4 million in 2023.
To put that into perspective, an $11.4 million annual salary would be the seventh-highest in the NFL among running backs. Atlanta is set to pay an entire position group less than good-not-great running backs like Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon will make this season.
The Falcons don't have the cheapest backfield on this list, but given the versatility and talent in their running back room, they top our list of cost-efficient backfields.
*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Contract information and projections for unsigned rookies via Spotrac.
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