Top 5 Running Back Tandems in the NFL

There was a time that the running back was a glamorous position in the NFL. Those players won fantasy leagues and would carry the ball 30 times a game if need be.

As the game has evolved, the running back position has changed. There are fewer runners expected to carry the load without help and more teams are comfortable running a committee in the backfield.

This leads to the question of which teams have the best 1-2 punch at running back for the 2022 NFL season?

While it is useful for the No. 1 back to be productive, for the tandem to have value, the second-string running back needs to have some credentials, too. Derrick Henry and anyone or Jonathan Taylor and anyone could be a productive running back tandem. However, the idea of having a strong tandem is that if something happens to the starter, that the team can keep on rolling because they have a strong backup waiting in the wings.

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Here are the top five running back tandems in the NFL:

5. Travis Etienne Jr., James Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars

There is some faith required here, as Etienne was the 25th pick in the 2021 Draft and then promptly missed his entire rookie season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his foot. Nevertheless, Etienne was an outstanding playmaker at Clemson, where he averaged 7.2 yards per carry and scored 78 touchdowns in 55 games in his four seasons. He turned into a receiving threat in his last two seasons with the Tigers, too, averaging 12 yards per reception on 85 catches as a junior and senior.

Robinson has been a very productive back in his first two NFL seasons, averaging 85.8 yards from scrimmage per game, rushing for 4.5 yards per carry, and scoring 18 touchdowns in 28 games. Either one of these guys could be impact players for the Jaguars and both could really help turn things around in Jacksonville.

 Caesars odds to lead league in rushing yards: Etienne +8000, Robinson +10000

4. Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake – Las Vegas Raiders

In his first three NFL seasons, Jacobs has averaged 89.3 yards from scrimmage per game, rushing for 4.2 yards per carry, while scoring 28 touchdowns in 43 games. He has increased his role in the passing game, catching a career-high 54 passes on 64 targets last season.

Drake has had stints as a starter in previous stops with Arizona and Miami. In the past three seasons, he has put up 68.3 yards per game, with 4.3 yards per carry and 21 touchdowns in 43 games. As Drake is recovering from a broken ankle suffered late last season, having him healthy as the second option in the backfield is a source of strength for the Raiders.

Caesars odds to lead league in rushing yards: Jacobs +4000, Drake +20000

3. Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard – Dallas Cowboys

Even as Zeke’s production is not entirely consistent, he is still averaging 91.3 yards from scrimmage per game, rushing for 4.3 yards per carry, while scoring 34 touchdowns in 48 games over the past three seasons.

The good news for the Cowboys is that Pollard is about as good as it gets when it comes to backup running backs. In his first three seasons, Pollard has put up 48.8 yards from scrimmage per game, running for a gaudy 5.1 yards per carry while scoring 10 touchdowns in 46 games. Part of the reason that the Cowboys never needed to pay through the nose for Elliott is that Pollard may very well be just as productive if given the same opportunities.

Caesars odds to lead league in rushing yards: Elliott +3500, Pollard +12500

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2. Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon – Green Bay Packers

It is easy for the running game to get overlooked in Green Bay, considering that Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback. But having reliable runners makes Rodgers’ life easier, too. Jones did not carry the ball as much last season and still, over the past three years, he is averaging 93.5 yards from scrimmage per game, running at a clip of 4.9 yards per carry, while scoring 40 touchdowns in 45 games.

Dillon took on a bigger role last season, his second year in the league. He averaged 65.6 yards per game, gaining 4.3 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns in 17 games. It would be easy to imagine Dillon continuing to get a bigger role in the Green Bay rushing attack.

Caesars odds to lead league in rushing yards: Jones +8000, Dillon +8000

1. Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt – Cleveland Browns

Chubb has been one of the best backs in football over the past few seasons. In the past three seasons, he's gained 105.3 yards per game from scrimmage, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and scoring 29 touchdowns in 42 games. He is a star running back who legitimately could lead the league in rushing, which makes it all the more remarkable that he has a partner in the backfield that is also very productive.

As the second string back in Cleveland, Hunt has averaged 67.7 yards from scrimmage per game, running for 4.4 yards per carry, and scoring 19 touchdowns in 32 games.  

Caesars odds to lead league in rushing yards: Chubb +850, Hunt +15000

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