Who are the most talented AFC West running backs? The AFC West is quietly loaded with running back talent. Even losing players like Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, and Joshua Kelley, the division is just as loaded on paper as it was last season. The league will find out quickly just how good they are.
But who are the best running backs in the division? Do they belong to the Chiefs, the Raiders, the Broncos, or the Chargers? Let’s break it down to find out who stands tallest heading into the season.
The Role of Running Backs on NFL Teams
Running backs play a versatile role. Whether being handed the ball out of the backfield or acting as an extra receiver, they are a versatile part of the game. The Raiders, Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers all deploy each running back in a different way. Let’s start by looking at the different back types.
Power backs. These guys get you short yardage when it’s needed. Josh Jacobs was something of a power back with speed, capable of busting even tight defenses in his last and final season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Speed backs. Speed backs like Zamir White and Isiah Pacheco know when to hit the hole and how to do so quickly. They might not be great at shedding contact, but they find the open creases and get through them fast.
Dual-threat backs. While Josh Jacobs was a great downhill runner, Austin Ekeler was the dual threat of the division. He could run between the tackles and catch the ball with the best of them. The rest of the division, until last season, was woefully behind in that category.
Top AFC West Running Backs
So, who are the top running backs in the AFC West? Let’s take a look at five names that stand out as we head into the new season.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
The king of the AFC West running backs. As the season wore on, Pacheco took on a bigger and bigger role. By the time the confetti was falling on another Chiefs Super Bowl victory last season, Pacheco was among the most important offensive players on the field.
The 25-year-old back can do everything and do it well. His 44 catches and nine total touchdowns illustrate an ability to be effective wherever he is lined up. With new receivers on the team in 2024, look for Pacheco to take on an increased role. Being Patrick Mahomes’ feature back can pay dividends when you are dangerous in the passing game, too.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco arrives on the red carpet before a ceremony for team members to receive their championship rings for winning NFL’s Super Bowl 58 football game Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
Slowly but surely, Jacobs lost his grip on the Raiders starting job to White. The latter got four starts towards the end of the year and looked solid in each outing. With 451 yards and a rushing touchdown, it might not seem like much but a closer look at the numbers is promising.
He ran for 100 or more yards in two of his last three games, including 145 in a win over the Chiefs on Christmas Day. The Raiders are hoping that he can take on a bigger role this season and help provide relief for returning quarterback Aidan O’Connell and free agent signing Gardner Minshew.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
The third-year pro flashed potential as a rookie with the Broncos in 2021, scoring four touchdowns and rushing for 903 yards. He returned from a knee injury last season and flashed some of that promise once again.
This is going to be a make-or-break season for Williams. The Broncos will be leaning heavily on him as rookie quarterback Bo Nix learns the offense. If he can build on his first and third years, the Broncos may have their running back of the present and future.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
This may be the last season for Edwards-Helaire to prove he was worth a first-round pick in 2020. He has good speed and can be a threat out of the backfield, but usage was spotty even before Pacheco took over the starting job.
He will likely be the backup in the coming season and will need to make the most of his opportunities. Another down year and he could be looking for work somewhere else around the league.
Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers
Getting Gus to be physically present at camp is going to be tough enough. The veteran has been productive when healthy but that has been a major question mark in recent years. He was in the lineup most of last season and it paid off.
Edwards is coming into his seventh season in the league having set career-highs in rushing yards (810), carries (198), rushing touchdowns (13), receptions (12), and receiving yards (180) a year ago.
The Chargers avoiding the RB position completely is a massive win for Gus Edwards.
Unless we see an unexpected trade or another free agent signing, he’s in line for a sizable workload ⚡️
Also, J.K. Dobbins stock 📈 pic.twitter.com/Ybiv0CibUn
— FF BirdGang (@FFBirdGang) April 27, 2024
Emerging Running Back Talents in the AFC West
Last season, Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders was the unquestioned king of AFC West running backs. Things have since changed in Las Vegas and Josh Jacobs is in the NFC. With him gone, there is plenty of room for others.
Javonte Williams of the Denver Broncos could be a stud. He had three touchdowns and 774 rushing yards but figures to be a larger part of the Broncos’ plans going forward this season, especially with Melvin Gordon gone.
Zamir White will need to grow in the passing game and build on his zero receiving touchdowns of a year ago. He’ll get the reigns in the Las Vegas Raiders running game. The Los Angeles Chargers are hoping the veteran duo of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins can rebound from injury.
All that said, the Kansas City Chiefs have the best talent at the position in the AFC West. Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are an impressive tandem and one of the best in the league. Nothing so far in the offseason seems to have changed that.
Future Outlook for AFC West Running Backs
The AFC West is filled with talented young running backs. Rushing touchdowns may come from more ground-based backs like Zamir White and Javonte Williams while receiving touchdowns could be a bright spot for the two-headed monster for the Chiefs of Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
The entire league is starting to notice that last season was no fluke. Even with Austin Ekeler, Melvin Gordon, Josh Jacobs, and Joshua Kelley gone, each team spent time and effort to put unique weapons into place. The Chiefs should continue to have one of the best running back tandems not only in the AFC West but the league as a whole.
Key Takeaways
The Denver Broncos are transitioning at quarterback and will depend on Samaje Perine and Javonte Williams more. Zamir White is going to have to prove to the Las Vegas Raiders that his strong last season justified moving on from Josh Jacobs in the offseason.
For now, Isiah Pacheco is the king of the AFC West for the Kansas City Chiefs. What the Los Angeles Chargers can get out of the veteran duo of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins remains to be seen. Given their injury status, Joshua Kelley and Austin Ekeler will be missed, even if it is for a short time this season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the best running back in the AFC West?
Isiah Pachecho of the Kansas City Chiefs is considered the best running back in the AFC West. With Josh Jacobs and Austin Ekeler gone, he will look to build off an impressive rookie season that saw him score seven touchdowns.
How do running backs impact game strategies in the AFC West?
It varies based on the team. Some running backs are prioritized more in the passing game than the running game. A weak offensive line might hurt a player’s rushing touchdowns, but they find more value in the receiving game.
Which AFC West team relies on their running backs the most?
The Denver Broncos. For years, it was Melvin Gordon that they leaned on. With veteran quarterback Russell Wilson gone after a tough last season, the Broncos will lean on Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine to help as their rookie quarterback Bo Nix develops.
What are the career prospects for upcoming running backs in the AFC West?
There is a lot of talent at the running back position in the AFC West. Javonte Williams, Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Zamir White are all gifted young backs. By the end of last season, Pacheco emerged as one of the best backs in the entire league.
