Saquon Barkley has secured it all—he’s featured on the Madden NFL 26 cover, boasts 99 club seats, and holds the highest rating among all running backs in the game. However, competition is fierce, especially with promising new talent making waves.
Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry is no stranger to this arena. Since Madden 17, he has maintained one of the longest rating histories among the top five, improving significantly from a 75 overall rating to joining the 99 club last year.
Coming in third with a 95 overall rating is Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, one of the NFL’s rising stars. He debuted with a strong 83 rating in Madden 24, rapidly climbed into the 90s the following year, and now ranks among the top running backs. Similarly, Atlanta Falcons’ Bidjan Robinson, also new to the scene, holds fifth place. Starting with a rating just one point lower than Gibbs, he’s steadily increased his rating into the 90s.
Among the newcomers, San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey remains a solid presence with a 94 overall rating this year, just one point shy of his Madden 25 rating.
Here’s the complete Madden NFL 26 top 10 running backs list:
1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: 99 OVR
2. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens: 98 OVR
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 95 OVR
4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: 94 OVR
5. Bidjan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: 92 OVR
6. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans: 91 OVR
7. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers: 90 OVR
8. James Cook, Buffalo Bills: 89 OVR
9. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 88 OVR
10. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: 88 OVR
Fan Take: For NFL fans, these ratings offer an exciting glimpse into the evolving talent landscape, highlighting both established stars and rising newcomers. This competition not only spices up Madden gameplay but also mirrors the dynamic shifts in the real-world NFL running back scene, promising thrilling seasons ahead.
