Who is the best running back in NFL in 2023? Pitting San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey versus rest of the league

Carolina Panthers v Los Angeles Rams
Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers

The best running back in the NFL currently is Christian McCaffrey, the starting running back for the San Francisco 49ers.

The backfield star affectionately known as Run CMC has all the tools you would want in a modern-day running back in the NFL. The former Carolina Panthers star can catch the ball like a Pro Bowl-level wide receiver, has the speed to burn, and can also sling a passing touchdown if need be.

In 11 games with San Francisco in 2022, Christian McCaffrey put up 746 yards and six TDs on the ground and amassed 52 receptions, 464 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

In the 49ers' scheme, Christian McCaffrey became the perfect pass-catching running back who's just as capable of outpacing defenders as a rusher as he is lining up as a number one receiver in the passing game.

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Who are the other top three running backs apart from Christian McCaffrey?

The running back position in the NFL is as deep as ever, as we have Pro Bowlers like Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler, and many more on the positional roster.

However, who are the other two members of the top three list? Here are the two backfield players in the NFL closest to taking the RB1 crown from Christian McCaffrey.

#2 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Jacobs entered the 2022 NFL season with a point to prove, as the Raiders had just declined his fifth-year player option.

So, with a chip on his shoulder, the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout went to work from week one. Jacobs was one of the few bright lights in Las Vegas in 2022, as he outscored the league with 1,653 rushing yards, over 100 yards ahead of second-placed Derrick Henry. He also generated more first downs (93) than any other rusher, and his 58% success rate was fourth among running backs.

Jacobs' performances were even more impressive, as he played behind an offensive line that was mediocre at best. He can grind out yardage as a sustaining runner, but when Jacobs sees a hole, he’s not afraid to hit it with speed.

#3 Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

If there's anyone that reminds us of Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch, it's King Henry of the Tennessee Titans.

King Henry is an absolute unit, and NFL fans will never forget the absurdly great numbers he put up in 2019 and 2020. In both years, Henry led the league in carries, yards and touchdowns. He might have missed most of the 2021 season with a foot injury, but he bounced back in 2022 to rank first in rush attempts.

Henry’s production ability is especially remarkable given that he faced heavy boxes (eight-plus defenders) on 38.11% of his carries, second-most in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats.

Even when opposing defenses know what's coming, they still can't stop Henry. It has yet to be determined where Henry will play in 2023, as it has been reported that the Titans are shopping him around. However, whoever picks up Derrick Henry will get an elite, bruising running back who takes no prisoners when he's on the prowl.

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Edited by Bhargav