Running backs in the NFL, for years, saw their value drop, with only four backs even averaging $15 million per season. But then came the last NFL game we all watched, where Kenneth Walker, now with the Chiefs, was named MVP of Super Bowl LX, pulling in over $14 million a year in free agency. And if that wasn't enough, this year's draft shocked everyone when Jeremiyah Love became the first running back taken in the top three since 2018, signing the league's second biggest running back contract without playing a single down yet. Teams are finally willing to pay top dollar for top talent, and now everyone's looking for the next breakout star in the backfield.
The Renaissance of the Running Back Position
It's clear the winds are shifting for running backs, and it's about time. After years of the position being devalued, seeing almost no one drafted in the first round sometimes, we are seeing a massive change. Walker's Super Bowl performance and subsequent payday with the Chiefs proved what elite talent can do, and Love's contract, before he's even taken a snap, just solidified that general managers are ready to invest. Sure, guys like Love walk into tough situations, but the potential is there. These new deals mean the pressure is on for these highly-drafted backs to deliver, showing everyone that the position is worth every penny.Ashton Jeanty's Shot at Redemption With Raiders Overhaul
Speaking of potential, Ashton Jeanty, selected sixth overall by the Raiders in 2025, came into the league with a ton of hype after rushing for over 2,600 yards at Boise State in 2024. That was the highest a running back had been selected since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. His rookie season didn't go as planned though, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and a dismal 1.6 yards before contact on one of the league's worst offenses. New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak isn't backing down, telling reporters, "We have to create some holes for him, and I think obviously when he gets a little bit of an opening, he can be special." Kubiak thinks Jeanty had a "pretty good year" despite everything, showing "a lot of promise." With an overhauled offense, improvements along the offensive line, at quarterback, and at skill positions, plus Kubiak's zone-blocking scheme, Jeanty, who still topped 1,300 total yards and 10 touchdowns last year, should blow past 1,300 rushing yards alone in 2026.Omarion Hampton's Fresh Start Under Mike McDaniel
Omarion Hampton, a 22nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025, also faced a tough rookie year, but for different reasons. The former North Carolina standout missed almost half his first season with an ankle injury, preventing him from living up to his first-round billing. But 2026 brings a major change for Hampton: a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, formerly the Dolphins' head coach. Hampton sounds hyped, telling reporters, "All the running backs like it a lot. It's just figuring it out, the details of it. It's going to be super good for us." He added that it's "a lot different than we're used to so it's fun to learn new stuff." Hampton did his research on McDaniel's success over four seasons making play calls in Miami, highlighting the uniqueness of the offense. With a clean bill of health and a proven system, Hampton could be poised for a huge leap. The NFL has opened its wallet for running backs, and these guys are on the cusp of proving why that investment is smart. Everyone's going to be watching in 2026 to see if Jeanty and Hampton can become the next stars to validate this dramatic shift in value for the position.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.