As the 2024 NFL season unfolds, the narrative surrounding running backs has taken a remarkable turn. This offseason, teams showed a heightened appreciation for the position, leading to several high-profile signings. With five veteran running backs securing contracts worth over $7 million annually—two of which exceed $12 million—the league is experiencing a renewed recognition of the running back's value. This trend stands in stark contrast to previous years, where between 2018 and 2023, only three free agent running backs managed to secure similar financial agreements.
Star Running Backs on New Teams
Among the players capitalizing on this shift are Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, two standout performers who have transitioned to new teams and brought fresh energy to their respective offenses. Barkley, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Henry, donning the colors of the Baltimore Ravens, are both leading the league in rushing yards. Their performance is even more noteworthy given their ages; Barkley is 27 and Henry is 30, debunking the notion that running backs are past their prime in their late 20s.
The competition between these two is intense, with their rushing statistics for 2024 nearly identical. Barkley holds a slight edge with an additional 0.2 yards per carry. However, advanced metrics suggest that Henry demonstrates superior effectiveness on a per-carry basis, which indicates the subtle but impactful ways both players contribute to their teams.
Tactical Excellence Driving Success
A significant factor in their success is the tactical acumen of their respective teams. Philadelphia’s offensive strategy has been designed to maximize Barkley’s comprehensive skill set, allowing him to shine in multiple facets of the game. His versatility ensures that he remains an essential component of the Eagles’ offense, regardless of the game situation, thereby avoiding the pitfall of being scripted out of matches.
Conversely, Baltimore’s tactical framework has been tailored to enable Henry to excel against stacked defenses. Despite facing tough defensive alignments that often target him, Henry is less frequently tackled at or behind the line of scrimmage compared to Barkley. This speaks volumes about his ability to power through defenses and gain crucial yardage, living up to his reputation as one of the most formidable running backs in the league.
Strategic Investments Justified
Both the Eagles and Ravens have substantiated their substantial investments in Barkley and Henry with strategic allocations that highlight and support their skills. These not only validate the financial commitments made during the offseason but also set a potential model for how NFL teams might view and integrate running backs moving forward. As their teams continue to thrive, Barkley and Henry exemplify the profound impact that strategic, player-focused investments can have on an offense.
Their performances, accompanied by their teams’ innovative approaches, are a testament to the resurgence of the running back position in the NFL. With each game, Barkley and Henry not only advance their own careers but also redefine the role and value of running backs in a league that is perennially evolving.