The 2020 NFL season is in its home stretch and despite COVID-19 wreaking havoc across the country, the league has stayed the course and appears headed to complete its full 16 game schedule.
We’ve seen several impressive performances from running backs this year, with notable stars like Tennessee’s Derrick Henry serving as the heartbeat for the Titans’ playoff run. But he’s a unicorn, both physically and contractually. NFL teams don’t value running backs like they used to, and the most valuable players at the position are usually younger guys on their first contract. By the time a running back hits a contract year, clubs are ready to move on.
With that in mind, here’s our ranking of the top five running backs who are under 25 years old this season. (Note: This list does not include Saquon Barkley, who’s out for the season with a torn ACL.)
5. James Robinson, Jaguars
Age: 22
-The undrafted rookie free agent from Illinois State has taken the NFL by storm in 2020, currently ranking third in rushing yards (890). He’s just 159 total yards from breaking the all-time record for the most scrimmage yards by an undrafted rookie. The current record of 1,328 yards was set in 2001 by former Colts running back, Dominic Rhodes.
4. Ronald Jones, Buccaneers
Age: 23
-Remember when the Buccaneers signed Leonard Fournette in what appeared to be the beginning of the end of Jones’ tenure as the lead back in Tampa Bay? Yeah, so much for that.
Jones is enjoying a breakout season in 2020, and it’s not a fluke. He’s averaging an impressive 5.1 yards per carry and currently ranks fourth in rushing yards. Jones runs with tremendous contact balance and has the kind of breakaway speed to make defenders pay for not bringing him to the ground. Get used to seeing Jones at the top of the rushing charts for a long time.
