In 2024, the running back position experienced a notable resurgence, largely due to stars like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs. Despite the impressive performances and team successes, many NFL teams continue to favor a committee approach rather than relying on a single feature back. Apart from exceptional talents like Barkley and Henry, traditional feature backs are becoming scarce, prompting teams to value the roles of the second and third running backs (RB2 and RB3) more than ever.
This article highlights several promising RB2 and RB3 players poised to step into primary roles and succeed in the 2025 season. James Conner, an underrated running back now with Arizona, has consistently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and maintains a relatively low career workload despite eight NFL seasons. Kyren Benson, 23, is a young, fast back with big-play potential who served as Conner’s backup last year. Alexander Mason, recently moved to Minnesota from the 49ers, boasts impressive size and efficiency, fitting well into a familiar offensive scheme, while Aaron Jones brings veteran experience, though he’s aging.
Jonathan Allen, the youngest in the 2024 draft class, shares a physical profile similar to Derrick Henry and showed promising production despite a challenging rookie year. Lloyd, despite early injuries in his career, presents strong vision, strength, and potential as an RB3 in Green Bay’s offense. Finally, rookie Martinez, currently buried deep on Seattle’s depth chart, has shown steady improvement and could become a reliable option if injuries arise.
Fan Take: For NFL fans, this signals a shift where depth at running back becomes crucial, with many teams relying on versatile backups who can step up seamlessly. The growing emphasis on RB2 and RB3 talent not only reflects evolving team strategies but could also lead to more dynamic and unpredictable games as new stars emerge from these supporting roles.
