Top Receiving and Rushing RBs

When we look at running backs, there are many different ways they can help an offense. The obvious is spearheading a rushing attack. However, they may also be asked to be a big part of the passing game, both catching passes out of the backfield and in pass protection. The most accomplished do-it-all running backs will even line up in the slot or out wide from time to time and run routes like a receiver. With these thoughts in mind, we ranked our top 5 running backs in both receiving and rushing based on Field Vision Threat Ratings.

Receiving Top 5

Alvin Kamara (Saints): Receiving only Threat- 99 (1st)

Alvin Kamara is a true dual threat running back. After serving a 3 game suspension to start 2023, he was back to his old ways catching 75 passes on the season for 466 yards. Kamara is only 25th in rushing Threat heading into 2024, but ranks as our number 1 overall pass catcher at the position. Kamara runs the full running back route tree which is why he’s our number 1 Threat Running back on routes beyond the line of scrimmage. He still ranks top 10 on routes behind the line as well. The saints are looking to take strides forward on offense this year, but they’ll need Kamara to be his reliable self to avoid going backwards.

Christian McCaffrey (49ers): Receiving only Threat- 96.9 (2nd)

Christian McCaffrey is 1 of 1 in the Running Back Category. He took home Offensive Player of the Year Honors last season by putting up 1459 rushing yards and 564 receiving yards on 67 receptions. McCaffrey is top 5 in 2024 projected Threat in both rushing and receiving and he runs a full route tree rankings second in Threat on routes run beyond the line of scrimmage. The 49ers have an embarrassment of riches on offense but none are more important than McCaffrey in 2024.

Breece Hall (Jets): Receiving only Threat- 88.4 (3rd)

Breece Hall is a fantasy darling in 2024 because of the work he does out of the backfield. In a putrid Jets offense last season, he was one of the only options that provided the chance for an explosive play. Last season, he caught 76 passes for 591 yards and 4 touchdowns. Hall heads into 2024 top 12 in receiving both behind and beyond the line of scrimmage giving the Jets a myriad of ways to use the 3rd year man out of Iowa State.

Rachaad White (Bucs): Receiving only Threat- 83 (4th)

Rachaad White benefitted from being the only show in town in the Tampa Bay backfield last season. He caught 64 passes for 549 yards after catching 50 in his rookie season. White ranks top 15 in running back receiving Threat beyond the Line of Scrimmage and 3rd on routes behind the Line of Scrimmage. In a backfield competing mostly with rookie Bucky Irving out of Oregon, White should be primed for another big year.

Travis Etienne jr. (Jagauars): Receiving only Threat- 80.9 (5th)

The Jaguars seemingly brought in competition for Travis Etienne jr. in Tank Bigsby last year, but Etienne still did the Lion's share of the work in the Jacksonville backfield. He caught 58 passes for 476 yards last season, good for 8.2 yards per reception. Etienne did most of his damage on routes beyond the Line of Scrimmage rankings only 32nd in Threat for targets behind the Line of Scrimmage among running backs. The Jaguars will continue to try work in Bigsby and veteran D’Ernest Johnson but it will likely be mostly Etienne’s backfield yet again.

Rushing Top 5- Min. 9 games played 2023

Kyren Williams (Rams): Rushing only Threat- 98.3 (1st)

Kyren Williams emerged as an elite weapon at the running back position in 2023. In only 12 games , Williams rushed for 1144 yards on 5 yards per carry. According to our Threat Ratings, Williams doesn’t add much in the passing game, but he’s good in protection and more than makes up for it in the run game. Williams heads into 2024 as our #1 Running Back in all of football in rushing only Threat (minimum half of a season played last year). The Rams drafted rookie Blake Corum, but there’s no doubt they’ll be leaning on Williams as a critical weapon in the Matthew Stafford lead offense.

James Conner (Cardinals): Rushing only Threat- 95.4 (2nd)

James Conner quietly had the first 1000-yard season of his career last season in Arizona. He is our number 2 running back in Rushing only Threat for 2024. He doesn’t do a ton of of damage receiving down the field, but Conner ranks 4th in Threat Ratings in receiving behind the line of scrimmage among running backs. Conner had the 2nd highest raw threat in the league for running backs in 2023, but it was a huge jump up from any previous season. He’ll have to prove 2023 was the rule not the exception to repeat the performance in 2024 and the Cardinals are hoping he can.

Christian McCaffrey (49ers): Rushing only Threat- 95..1 (3rd)

As the only running back on our list to grace the top 5 in Threat for both rushing and receiving, McCaffrey does just as much damage on the ground as he does through the air. He is particularly effective running left behind all-pro left tackle Trent Williams and the 49ers use him in all their run schemes making him a true 3 down back.

Raheem Mostert (Dolphins): Rushing only Threat- 88.1 (4th)

Raheem Mostert does almost all of his damage in the running game. Last season, he eclipsed 1000 yards for the first time in his career and scored a whopping 18 touchdowns on the ground. It may not look the same as De'Von Achane, but entering his age 32 season, Mostert still has great speed. Mostert is 4th in rushing only Threat among running backs entering 2024 (minimum half of a season played last year). With Achane’s durability concerns, the Dolphins will still lean on Mostert heavily to carry some load in the backfield.

Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs): Rushing only Threat- 87.7 (5th)

Isiah Pacheco came just shy of 1000 yards in each of his first 2 seasons in Kansas City in a balanced Chiefs backfield. His downhill running style is a nice change of pace to the Chiefs sometimes horizontal passing attack. Also, while not the Chiefs main passing catching back, Pacheco was used effectively in the screen game ranking 6th in receiving Threat on routes behind the line of scrimmage among running backs. In a thinner backfield this year, the Chiefs will be looking for even more out of Pacheco for a bounce back 2024 on offense.

Here's the good news: Its only 22 days til football season. As always, we look forward to the conversation, debate and your feedback. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.