Ranking the NFL’s Top Backs
As NFL teams open training camps, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has released its annual assessment of the league’s 32 starting running backs. While San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey earned a top-five placement, the specific order of the rankings has ignited a debate among analysts and fans regarding the criteria used to evaluate modern dual-threat players versus traditional power runners.
PFF placed McCaffrey at No. 4, acknowledging his status as the “gold standard” for receiving ability at the position. According to PFF, McCaffrey led all running backs with 924 receiving yards in 2025, marking the fourth time in his nine-year career he has paced the league in that category. His career total of 5,390 receiving yards currently ranks sixth all-time among running backs.
The Controversy Over Derrick Henry
While the inclusion of Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in the top two spots has been largely accepted as a reflection of emerging young talent, the decision to rank veteran Derrick Henry at No. 3—ahead of McCaffrey—has drawn significant scrutiny. Critics argue that the assessment fails to account for the diverging trajectories of the two players following the 2025 season.
Observers point to McCaffrey’s sustained production as a workhorse for the 49ers, noting that he also recorded 859 yards after contact and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the fifth time in his career in 2025. Conversely, analysts questioning the ranking suggest that Henry’s performance showed signs of decline, specifically noting a decrease in explosive plays and increased ball security issues compared to his peak years.
Evaluating Dual-Threat Value
The core of the disagreement lies in how NFL evaluators weigh positional versatility. McCaffrey’s ability to function as an elite receiver out of the backfield provides a strategic advantage that many analysts argue makes him more valuable than a traditional power back like Henry. The debate highlights a broader trend in the NFL: the shift in valuation toward “dual-threat” running backs who can impact the game in both the passing and running phases of the offense.
For the 49ers, the focus remains on managing McCaffrey’s workload throughout the upcoming season to maintain his high level of performance. As the team prepares for the regular season, the debate over these rankings serves as a reminder of the differing philosophies regarding player longevity and impact in the modern NFL.