Derrick Henry breaks PFF records with new team

• Derrick Henry broke PFF records in 2024: PFF’s Best Runner from the 2024 Season was not just prolific in regards to this past season, he was historically great. Henry’s 93.5 rushing grade this season was the highest ever recorded in the PFF era (since 2006).  
• Josh Jacobs joins elite company: Jacobs is leaving his mark on the game, now joining Adrian Peterson (2007 and 2012) and Derrick Henry (2020 and 2024) as the only backs to hold two seasons that have surpassed a 91.0 overall offensive grade since 2006.
• 2025 NFL Draft season is here: Try PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2025’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.

2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: 92.8

In just his second season as a professional, Robinson has already etched his name in PFF history. The Falcons back generated a phenomenal 92.8 PFF rushing grade, eclipsing Adrian Peterson’s 2012 campaign and landing Robinson in the top-three highest graded rushing seasons in the PFF era. Robinson was particularly adept in zone concepts, where he produced a 92.2 rushing grade – the highest ever recorded by PFF. 

3. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers: 92.3

Jacobs is leaving his mark on the game, now joining Adrian Peterson (2007 and 2012) and Derrick Henry (2020 and 2024) as the only backs to hold two seasons that have surpassed a 91.0 overall offensive grade since 2006. However, only Henry and Jacobs have done so for two different franchises. While Jacobs was statistically better on the ground in 2022, it was his elevation as a receiver out of the backfield – and accompanying evasiveness – that set him apart, as he led the NFL in total missed tackles forced (102) 

4. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 90.8

While the fourth-round pick may share the backfield with other talented names, he is far and away the most impactful of the bunch. Irving’s rookie campaign was historic, as he produced the fourth-highest overall offensive grade among qualifying first-year running backs. Even among players with years of experience, Irving’s talent as both a rusher and receiver has set him apart, becoming the first running back in the PFF era to eclipse a 90.0-plus grade in both facets (minimum 200 offensive snaps).

5. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals: 90.4

The Cardinals knew they couldn’t let Conner walk in free agency and follow suit with other backs that swapped teams just to have career years for another franchise. So, they locked him up to an extension in late November to keep him in Arizona through the 2026 season. Given Conner’s metrics, it was a smart move. The 29-year-old back set career marks for a second-straight season, setting a new highwater mark for rushing grade (90.6), rushing yardage (1,094) and explosive runs (36).    

6. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 90.1

Gibbs encompasses the role of “Sonic” in this Lions backfield, and it’s easy to see why given his incredible quickness and lethal burst. That ability allowed Gibbs to find open grass at an exceptional rate, finishing the year in the 98th percentile among qualifying backs in breakaway rate (0.1 per attempt). An effort that earned him the third-highest rushing grade (91.4) at the position.    

7. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: 88.4

Although Walker missed time due to a myriad of injuries, his talent is undeniable even behind a suspect blocking – 58.4 team run-blocking grade (24th in the NFL). The Seahawks running back had to do much of the work himself, racking up over 81% of his yardage on the ground after first contact, a top-five mark in the NFL this past season. While his overall production was down, it could have fallen much further had he not forced the highest missed tackle rate per attempt (0.4) in the PFF era.

8. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons: 86.4

While Allgeier is often overshadowed by his backfield mate, Bijan Robinson, he is a difference-maker in the running game. His 0.27 missed tackles forced per attempt allowed the Falcons back to rack up 3.6 yards after contact per attempt, both of which rank among the top-five qualifying running backs in 2024. That allowed Allgeier to keep this Falcons offense on schedule and move the sticks, as he gained a first down or touchdown on over 31% of his attempts – the highest at the running back position in 2024.

9. James Cook, Buffalo Bills: 86.2

Cook’s 2024 was a breakout year, one that will likely earn him a lucrative contract extension this offseason. The biggest strides in Cook’s game came with his growth as a runner in the Bills’ gap-heavy scheme, where the third-year back saw a nearly 10-point increase on the grading scale over his performance in 2023. His 90.2 rushing grade in gap concepts tied for the fourth-highest in the NFL this past season.    

10. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions: 85.9

As the “Knuckles” to Jahmyr Gibbs’ “Sonic,” Montgomery also features among the NFL’s elite backs, despite missing time due to an MCL injury – that was initially feared to be season-ending. The dynamic back was extremely productive despite splitting touches in the Lions’ backfield, as his 12 rushing touchdowns ranked ninth in the NFL. However, he stood as the only back to reach double-digit scores on under 200 carries.  

11. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: 85.3

A change of scenery to Philadelphia unlocked the massive potential that the former No.2 overall pick had hidden under the surface, resulting in a record-breaking campaign. Barkley not only became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards during the regular season, he also broke Terrell Davis’ record for single-season rushing yardage (playoffs included), racking up 2,504 yards. The Eagles leaned on Barkley heavily on the path to winning Super Bowl 59, collecting 482 total touches – second-most by any player in PFF history.

Barkley also ran behind the NFL’s highest-ranked offensive line, which gave him ample space to work with and helped him to produce one of the most productive seasons from a back in NFL history. Barkley also became the first player in the PFF era to eclipse 1,000 yards before contact on the ground and land in the 92nd percentile in breakaway rate. 

12. Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers: 82.9

While this may seem like a surprise entry onto this list, anyone familiar with Wilson’s game will understand why he deserves the praise. Playing behind Josh Jacobs in the Packers’ backfield left few opportunities for the former undrafted back out of Fort Valley State. However, with the ball in his hands, Wilson exceeded all expectations. His 86.4 PFF rushing grade landed in the top-10 at the running back position this season – with his 106 carries just barely making it over the qualifying threshold. A credit to Wilson’s exceptional vision and contact balance, which allowed him to generate 0.26 missed tackles forced per attempt, tying Jahmyr Gibbs for seventh-most in the NFL last season.