PFF grades for all 32 projected starting NFL running backs

The running back position is one of the more undervalued positions in football. In the NFL, running backs make different types of plays on each snap, all depending on their job. They juggle several responsibilities while also being very dispensable, as there are always more coming in from the college game.

Identifying the starting running back has become more difficult with many teams as shared backfields become the norm. The Detroit Lions are no exception. Detroit has a dynamic duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. As a rookie, Gibbs rushed for 945 yards and also caught 52 passes, scoring 11 total touchdowns. Montgomery topped 1,000 yards and scored 13 TDs in his first season with the Lions after signing as a free agent.

For the purposes of this exercise, Gibbs was selected as the Lions’ starting RB–only one per team.

How did PFF grade what they consider to be the starting running back on each team?

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Arizona Cardinals

Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

James Conner

PFF Grade: 89.2

Atlanta Falcons

Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Bijan Robinson

PFF grade: 69.1

Baltimore Ravens

Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Henry

PFF grade: 90.1

Buffalo Bills

(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

James Cook

PFF grade: 71.7

Carolina Panthers

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Miles Sanders

PFF grade: 60.8

Chicago Bears

Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

D’Andre Swift

PFF grade: 66.5

Cincinnati Bengals

Syndication: The Enquirer

Zack Moss

PFF grade: 66.9

Cleveland Browns

Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Chubb

PFF grade: 81.6

Dallas Cowboys

Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Ezekiel Elliott

PFF grade: 67.6

Denver Broncos

Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Javonte Williams

PFF grade: 63.3

Detroit Lions

Syndication: Detroit Free Press

Jahmyr Gibbs

PFF grade: 76.3

Green Bay Packers

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Jacobs

PFF grade: 65

Houston Texans

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Mixon

PFF grade: 71.1

Indianapolis Colts

(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Jonathan Taylor

PFF grade: 74.9

Jacksonville Jaguars

Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Etienne

PFF grade: 77

Kansas City Chiefs

Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Isiah Pacheco

PFF grade: 79.9

Las Vegas Raiders

Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Mattison

PFF grade: 61.8

Los Angeles Chargers

Dec 29, 2019; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) rushes as Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds (34) defends during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Gus Edwards

PFF grade: 73.7