Let’s be honest — being an NFL running back is one of the toughest gigs in sports. You take brutal hits, your career lifespan is shorter than a TikTok trend, and fantasy football managers will turn on you faster than a bad Wi-Fi connection. But despite all that, some running backs get way more hype than they deserve.
This list isn’t about bashing players — every guy here is a world-class athlete. But are they really that good, or are we all just caught up in the highlight reels and name recognition? Let’s rank the 15 most overrated NFL running backs currently in the league.
15. Raheem Mostert – Miami Dolphins
Mostert is a speed demon and has had some great games, but let’s not act like he’s an elite running back. He benefits from Miami’s high-powered offense, and his production is more about the system than individual greatness. Plus, injuries have always been an issue.
14. Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers
A first-round pick who runs hard and has solid numbers, but is he elite? Not really. Najee’s stats are often inflated by volume rather than efficiency, and if you take away his workload, he’s just a middle-of-the-pack back.
13. Antonio Gibson – New England Patriots
Every year, people say, This is going to be Gibson’s breakout season! And every year, it… isn’t. He has a versatile skill set but has never quite put it all together.
11. Austin Ekeler – Washington Commanders
Before you start yelling, yes, Ekeler is a fantasy football legend. But in real life? His efficiency has declined, and he’s not the game-changer the stats make him seem. He’s good, but maybe not as good as the hype suggests.
10. D’Andre Swift – Chicago Bears
Swift is exciting, but his career so far has been defined by inconsistency. He’s the kind of guy who’ll break a 40-yard run one play and then disappear for the rest of the game.
9. Cam Akers – Minnesota Vikings
Akers had a nice stretch of games once upon a time, but let’s not pretend he’s a top-tier back. Injuries and inconsistency have kept him from living up to expectations.
8. James Conner – Arizona Cardinals
Conner is a classic example of a player who benefits from touchdowns. He’s tough, but without those red-zone carries, he’s a pretty average running back.
7. J.K. Dobbins – Los Angeles Chargers
Dobbins has had flashes of brilliance but is almost always injured. It’s hard to be elite when you can’t stay on the field.
6. Rachaad White – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White gets talked about like he’s the next big thing, but his efficiency numbers tell a different story. He’s solid but not spectacular.
5. David Montgomery – Detroit Lions
Montgomery is like vanilla ice cream. He’s fine, he gets the job done, but you’re never really excited about him. Yet, somehow, he always gets hyped up as if he’s a game-changer.
4. AJ Dillon – Green Bay Packers
Dillon looks like a truck, but he often plays like a scooter. The potential is there, but the production hasn’t matched the expectations.
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3. Dalvin Cook – Dallas Cowboys
Once an elite back, Cook looked washed in New York. He still has name recognition, but the production has fallen off a cliff.
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2. Miles Sanders – Carolina Panthers
Sanders cashed in on a strong season with Philly, but once he got to Carolina? Woof. He’s a decent RB, but nowhere near the star some people still think he is.
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1. Jonathan Taylor – Indianapolis Colts
Taylor had one incredible season, and ever since, he’s been treated like an automatic top-5 running back. But between injuries and inconsistency, he’s not living up to that billing.
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