Launching back in August 2022, Madden 22 brings us the immense excitement of professional football with its story mode Face of the Franchise, phenomenal graphics, and its ever-popular franchise mode. Players flock to franchise mode like moths to the light, there’s no greater feeling in taking control of a team and leading them to the promised land.RELATED: Madden 22 Player Ratings: Best Overall Wide Receivers, RankedControlling the time of possession might seem like a lame way to win a game, but it’s the smart way. To do that, teams must have solid ball carriers, running backs especially. These running backs are the best of the best, and you’d be wise to have them on your squad in Madden 22.Updated March 8, 2022, by Avery Lawrence Feyrer: Since the publication of this article, Madden 22 has received considerable updates to the player roster. Other than properly updating the listed player ratings, we've also added more entries to provide additional options in building a competitive team on the gridiron.
14 Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers - 86
For the first three seasons of his career, Austin Ekeler played second fiddle to Melvin Gordon III. Ekeler evolved from a third-down exclusive running back to a hybrid weapon that could run between the tackles, bounce it outside, and transform into a high-quality receiver. However, nagging injuries sidelined Ekeler multiple times, raising questions about the young player's durability.
But when healthy, Ekeler can take over a game in an instance. With high speed, agility, and acceleration (92), Ekeler can outrun nearly any defender. His catch rating (79) is second among the top-rated running backs, so utilizing Ekeler in the passing game is a must.
13 Saquon Barkley, New York Giants - 86
.jpg "Madden 22: Best Overall Running Backs, Ranked (2)")
Entering the 2018 NFL Draft, the New York Giants needed to address their quarterback of the future. Long-time starter Eli Manning was getting closer to retirement, so when the Giants received the second-overall pick, many expected the team to draft a new passer. Surprisingly, the Giants selected running back Saquon Barkley out of Penn State. The transcendent running back led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage in his rookie season (2,028) and scored 15 total touchdowns.
Barkley’s speed (92), acceleration (93), and agility (96) ratings didn’t seem to be affected by the running back coming off a torn ACL injury. However, throughout the 2021 season, Barkley battled an ankle injury that could impact his ratings moving forward. The Giants running back handles the ball with extreme care (92), only having three fumbles so far in his career. In the face of defenders, Barkley deploys crafting spin (88) and juke (90) moves that’ll break ankles.
12 Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos - 87
From a total yardage standpoint, Melvin Gordon III didn't improve a whole lot in his second season with the Denver Broncos. In 2020, Gordon amassed 986 yards on the ground compared to 918 in 2021. However, Gordon did improve considerably in the passing game, gaining 213 yards through the air last season compared to 158 in 2020.
RELATED: Madden 22 Player Ratings: Best Overall Quarterbacks, Ranked
Gordon is the definition of a serviceable running back. He has above-average ratings in speed (91), agility (90), and acceleration (90), which allows him to change direction (88) with ease to escape would-be tacklers. Despite improving as a receiver, Gordon's hands (71) aren't anything to write home about, so don't rely on them too much.
11 Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns - 87
Coming off a successful full season with the Cleveland Browns in 2020, things were looking up for Kareem Hunt. However, a calf injury in Week 5 sidelined the 26-year-old for five games. Despite the nagging injuries, Hunt still managed to score five rushing touchdowns, though he did not convert a receiving touchdown for the first time in his career.
As a dual option, Hunt is a superb talent to have in the backfield. His speed (90), agility (92), and acceleration (92) coupled with an extremely high carrying rating (95) mean the Cleveland back is built to be a workhorse and outrun the competition. Compared to other highly rated running backs, Hunt has average hands (70), though he's quite capable to provide a safety net for quarterbacks.
10 Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys - 88
When quarterback Dak Prescott broke his ankle last October, not only did it spell doom for the Dallas Cowboys but also for Ezekiel Elliott. It’s without question that the Cowboys, and Elliott by extension, are better offensively with Prescott under center. In 2018, Elliott led the league in rushing with 1,434 yards and finished fourth in 2019 with 1,357 yards. But when Prescott went down in 2020, Zeke’s yardage plummeted to a career-low 979 yards.
Many seem to have written off Elliott, but the running back is still only 26-years-old. Elliott bounced back in 2021, totaling 1,002 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. He still has quality speed (89) and agility (92), though fumbling the ball has been a big issue his entire career (21 total). But one of the biggest positives about Elliott is his ability to remain healthy (97). The most games he’s missed in a season were six in 2017, due to a suspension.
9 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders - 88
Since coming into the league in 2019, Josh Jacobs has rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Last year, Jacobs increased his touchdowns from seven to 12 and nearly doubled the amount of receiving yards he collected. Each season, Jacobs has been incorporated more and more into the Raiders offense. However, Jacobs regressed slightly in 2021, possibly due to a pedal toe sprain which led to Jacobs missing two games. Jacobs still found the end zone nine times, but only rushed for 872 yards.
RELATED: Madden 22 Player Ratings: Best Overall Edge Rushers, Ranked
Compared to other running backs, Jacobs doesn’t possess blinding speed (87), agility (87), or strength (86). He’s only fumbled five times in his career, so he has a high carrying rating (94). Despite having “low” strength, Jacobs is excellent at breaking tackles (92) and trucking (90) over defenders. At only 24-years-old, there are fewer options for a young running back to build a team around than Jacobs.
8 Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers - 90
For the last two seasons, Aaron Jones has operated as the main running back for the Green Bay Packers. In 2019, Jones collected 1,558 total yards from scrimmage and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (16). The following year, Jones was selected to his first career Pro Bowl and then signed a four-year, $48 million extension with the Packers. Jones missed time in 2021 with a mild knee sprain, which led to his lowest statistical season in four years.
With high marks in speed (91), acceleration (93), and agility (94), Jones can be effectively used as a rusher or receiver in an offense. He holds one of the best catch ratings (76) among running backs. Out in the open field, Jones’s juke moves (94) are one of the best in evading defenders.
7 Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints - 91
Going from Drew Brees to Jameis Winston was a huge change for the New Orleans Saints offense. From a running standpoint, Alvin Kamara's numbers didn't suffer tremendously; Kamara rushed for 898 yards and scored four touchdowns. There was no way Kamara would replicate anything close to his 16 rushing touchdowns in 2020, but he produced his usual yard total. What did suffer was Kamara in the passing game. In 2020 with Brees, Karam collected 756 receiving yards compared to only 439 yards in 2021.
Kamara’s overall speed (89) is a tad low compared to other backs, but he makes up for it with high acceleration (94) and agility (93). Given that Kamara factors in both the run and pass game, he’s only fumbled seven times in his career (92). After Kamara gets the ball, he’s hard to bring down with high marks in juke moves (91) and the ability to break tackles (90).
6 Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts - 92
In 2020, Jonathan Taylor couldn't have asked for a better rookie campaign. The Wisconsin running back rushed for 1,169 yards with 11 touchdowns. Colts fans were pleasantly surprised when Taylor improved the following season, rushing for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns.
RELATED: Madden 22 Player Ratings: Best Overall Safeties, Ranked
At just 22-years-old, Taylor is the youngest player among the top-rated running backs. He possesses high speed (94) and acceleration (92), plus one of the highest ratings in breaking tackles (95). If Taylor continues the type of success he's had in the first two years of his career, there's no question he can one day be considered the best at the position.
5 Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals - 93
.jpg "Madden 22: Best Overall Running Backs, Ranked (10)")
When the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Joe Mixon in 2017, he was entering a running backs group that already included Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. Mixon started only seven games in his rookie season, but still managed to rush for 626 yards and four touchdowns. The following season, Mixon was elevated to the full-time starter and rushed for over 1,100 yards in both 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, he suffered a right foot injury in 2020 and only appeared in six games, but bounced back with the best season of his career in 2021. Mixon rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also collecting 314 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Mixon provides top-notch speed (91), agility (92), and acceleration (93) to bounce a run to the outside if he can’t find any running lanes up the middle of the field. He also has a considerably high rating in carrying (96), which means Mixon rarely fumbles. Given that he’s only committed six fumbles in 66 career games, that’s notable. Mixon isn’t the best receiving back with an average catch rating (72), but he’s typically good for a few receptions a game.
4 Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings - 95
In his first two seasons, Dalvin Cook couldn’t stay healthy. First, the running back suffered a torn ACL one month into his rookie season and then a lingering hamstring injury the following year. But Cook’s luck turned around as he experienced (somewhat) healthy seasons in 2019 and 2020. In 2020, Cook rushed for a career-high 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns. Now, it wasn't realistic for Cook to replicate that stat line, but the Vikings running back did have a good 2021 campaign with 1,159 yards and six touchdowns, despite missing one game and dealing with a series of injuries throughout the season.
RELATED: Madden 22: Last Cover Athletes
Cook relies on his agility (95), acceleration (92), and speed (92) to juke (94) opposing defenders in front of him. Cook’s a savvy runner who’s able to change his direction (95) instantly. And along with his ability to break tackles (93), he’s nearly impossible for defenses to take down in the open field.
3 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers - 96
.jpg "Madden 22: Best Overall Running Backs, Ranked (12)")
In 2019, the Carolina Panthers limped to a 5-11 record and a last-place finish in the NFC South division. Even though the team suffered two more losses than the season prior, there was one shining light through it all: Christian McCaffrey. In his third season, the running back became one of the best offensive players in the league, leading the NFL in total yards from scrimmage (2,392) and touchdowns (19). However, McCaffrey was plagued with various injuries the past two seasons, including an ankle injury that held him out much of last season.
Although McCaffrey is three points down from his perfect overall rating in Madden 21, he’s still one of the top-ranked running backs in Madden 22. By using his quick feet, McCaffrey is an agile (97) speedster (92) with good acceleration (93). In the open field, defenders don’t stand a chance against his spin (91) or juke (93) moves. Add in McCaffrey’s catching ability as a receiver (81), there’s no denying that, if healthy, he’s one of the best overall running backs in Madden 22.
2 Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns - 96
When Nick Chubb became the full-time starting running back for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, he took the job and ran with it. Chubb played in every game and rushed for a career-high 1,494 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite Chubb performing significantly well, the Browns signed troubled free agent Kareem Hunt. Although the addition of Hunt cut into Chubb’s production, he was still able to collect 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020. Chubb continued to find success in 2021, rushing for 1,259 yards and eight touchdowns.
As the second-rated running back, Chubb has the highest rating in breaking tackles (98). Because of his ability to wrestle himself free of tacklers, Chubb attacks defenders with a variety of juke moves (87) and his overpowering stiff arm (93). His physicality doesn’t slow Chubb down either, as the Browns' player has high ratings in speed (92) and acceleration (91).
1 Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans - 97
Rated the best overall running back in Madden 22, Derrick Henry has been the most dominant rusher in football for the past two seasons. In 2019, Henry led the league in rushing yards (1,540) and touchdowns (16). Thinking that wasn’t quite good enough, Henry followed that up by rushing for the fifth-most yards in a season in NFL history (2,027) and was on top again in touchdowns (17). Before suffering a fracture in his right foot and sidetracking his entire season, Henry was on track for what could've been his second-consecutive 2,000-yard season in 2021.
Ironically, it’s not Henry’s legs that make him such a devastating rusher; it’s his arms. With a perfect rating in his stiff arm (99), Henry pushes defenders away from him as if he was swatting flies. Combined with his high rating in breaking tackles (91), it may take more than one person to bring him down. And even still, Henry possesses solid speed (93) and juking abilities (86). Henry's ferocity with the ball in the backfield makes him a terrifying ball carrier and someone who's well-deserved of holding the title of the highest-rated running back in the game.
NEXT: Best Selling EA Franchises Of All-Time, Ranked
