The NFL’s running back position has struggled recently with getting a fair piece of the league’s expanding economic pie.
During the 2023 free-agency period, no free-agent running back was able to hit $7 million in annual salary this past offseason, and the number of backs earning at least $12 million has fallen from eight in ’22 to five now.
There are some running backs who were able to cash in on their value.
49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey, who signed a two-year, $38 million extension in June, tops the list as the league’s highest-paid running back.
Five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara comes in at second on the list at $15 million per year. He signed a five-year, $75 million extension with the Saints in 2020. Following Kamara is Jonathan Taylor, who reached a three-year, $42 million extension with the Colts earlier this year.
Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs round out the top five at $12.6 million and $12 million, respectively. Both signed new deals as Barkley opened 2024 free agency signing a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers.
Top 25 Paid Running Backs
Here is the full list of the top 25 highest-paid running backs by average annual value. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.
- Updated: June 4, 2024
| Rank | Player | Team | Compensation |
| 1 | Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | $19 million |
| 2 | Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints | $15 million |
| 3 | Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts | $14 million |
| 4 | Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles | $12.6 million |
| 5 | Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers | $12 million |
| 6 | Joe Mixon | Houston Texans | $8.5 million |
| T-7 | Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens | $8 million |
| T-7 | D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears | $8 million |
| 9 | Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans | $7.25 million |
| T-10 | James Conner | Arizona Cardinals | $7 million |
| T-10 | Aaron Jones | Minnesota Vikings | $7 million |
| 12 | Miles Sanders | Carolina Panthers | $6.35 million |
| 13 | David Montgomery | Detroit Lions | $6 million |
| 14 | Devin Singletary | New York Giants | $5.5 million |
| 15 | Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons | $5.49 million |
| 16 | Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions | $4.5 million |
| 17 | Austin Ekeler | Washington Commanders | $4.2 million |
| 18 | Raheem Mostert | Miami Dolphins | $4.1 million |
| T-19 | Zack Moss | Cincinnati Bengals | $4 million |
| T-19 | Jamaal Williams | New Orleans Saints | $4 million |
| T-21 | Samaje Perine | Denver Broncos | $3.75 million |
| T-21 | Antonio Gibson | New England Patriots | $3.75 million |
| 23 | Najee Harris | Pittsburgh Steelers | $3.3 million |
| 24 | Gus Edwards | Los Angeles Chargers | $3.25 million |
| 25 | Travis Etienne | Jacksonville Jaguars | $3.2 million |
