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ESPN's 2026 NFL Running Back Rankings Place Bijan Robinson First
ESPN's annual survey of more than 70 league executives, coaches and scouts placed Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson first. The 24-year-old led the NFL with 2,498 yards from scrimmage in 2025.
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ESPN released its 2026 rankings of the top NFL running backs on July 6 after surveying league executives, coaches and scouts. Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons finished first with a composite average rating of 1.78. Robinson, 24, received the highest placement despite a close vote with Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs.
He led the NFL with 2,498 yards from scrimmage last season, surpassing the previous Atlanta Falcons record of 2,176 set by William Andrews in 1983. Robinson joins Andrews and Julio Jones as the only Falcons players to lead the league in that category. The survey marks the seventh edition of ESPN's position rankings.
More than 70 voters submitted ballots, with placements determined by the number of top-10 votes, composite averages and follow-up interviews. The exercise assessed current performance rather than long-term projections. Running back contract values have risen in recent years.
Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley signed deals averaging $19 million and $20.6 million per year from 2024 to 2025. Three additional backs secured contracts between $14 million and $16 million during the 2026 offseason. An NFC executive said Robinson stands out for his ability to create positive runs despite blocking failures, citing his bend, feet and agility.
The 2026 NFL training camps begin soon after the rankings release.
