A running back (RB) is a player on the offensive team's backfield in American football. The main duties of a running back include receiving the ball from the quarterback to run it forward, standing in a position to catch passes, and helping block for other players. Usually, one or two running backs are on the field during a play, depending on the team's formation. A running back can be a halfback (sometimes called a "tailback"), a wingback, or a fullback. A running back may be called a "feature back" if they are the team's most important or main running back.
As more teams focus on passing the ball and use specific formations with only one or two running backs, the term "running back" is now more commonly used to describe these players.
Halfback/tailback
The halfback (HB) or tailback (TB) is usually the player who carries the ball during most running plays. They may also catch short passes, or sometimes longer passes, depending on the team's strategy.
In today's game, a good halfback needs to be fast and agile when running, have strong hands for catching passes, and be able to see the field clearly when receiving. Quarterbacks often rely on halfbacks as backup targets when other players are covered or when the quarterback is under pressure. Sometimes, halfbacks line up in the same position as wide receivers.
When not running or catching, the halfback helps offensive linemen block to protect the quarterback or another player with the ball. In some plays, like the Wildcat formation, the halfback may receive the ball directly from the center instead of the quarterback. Occasionally, running backs may throw the ball during special plays called halfback option plays or halfback passes.
The difference between a halfback and a tailback is their position in the offensive formation. In older formations, the halfback stood halfway between the line of scrimmage and the fullback, while the quarterback stood a quarter of the way from the line to the fullback. Today, the halfback is usually positioned behind the fullback to benefit from the fullback's blocking. Because of this, some teams use the term "tailback" instead of "halfback."
In Canadian football, the term "tailback" is often used the same way as "running back." The term "halfback" is usually only used for a defensive player who stands between the linebackers and the cornerbacks.
Fullback
In most modern college and professional football strategies, fullbacks (FB) rarely carry the ball. Instead, they use their strong bodies to block opponents, helping protect the player who carries the ball. On many running plays, the fullback moves ahead of the halfback to block defenders before they reach the ball carrier.
When fullbacks do carry the ball, it usually happens in short-yardage situations, such as scoring near the goal line. Their large size helps them avoid being tackled quickly. Although fullbacks can catch passes, most plays require them to stay in the backfield and block defensive players who break through the offensive line, a skill called "blitz pickup." Fullbacks are technically a type of running back, but the term "running back" now usually refers to the halfback or tailback. In the past, fullbacks were often the main ball carriers, but this is rare in modern football.
In high school football, where players vary in size, fullbacks are often used as ball carriers. High school and college teams that use the triple option strategy rely heavily on the fullback as the main runner. The fullback creates an inside running threat on every play. College teams like Georgia Tech and Air Force have used the triple option strategy.
In the past, fullbacks were involved in nearly every offensive play. However, many teams now replace fullbacks with extra wide receivers or tight ends. In the National Football League, fullbacks rarely carry or catch the ball because they are mainly used as blockers. Occasionally, they run the ball when a short gain is needed, such as for a first-down or touchdown, to surprise the defense. In earlier times, fullbacks were often a team's main runner, using their strength to dominate the ground game. Pro Football Hall of Fame members Jim Brown, Marion Motley, Franco Harris, John Riggins, and Larry Csonka were fullbacks.
Characteristics of a running back
There are different types of players who play the running back position in football. Some running backs are small (5'4"–5'10") and very quick. These players are often called "scat backs" because they are fast, agile, and can move easily to avoid being tackled. Examples of these players include Red Grange, Hugh McElhenny, Gale Sayers, and Barry Sanders.
Other running backs are larger and stronger, known as "power backs." They use their strength to break through tackles and run straight ahead, rather than dodging to the sides. These players are usually slower than scat backs. Examples of power backs include Hall of Famers Earl Campbell, Bronko Nagurski, John Riggins, and Larry Csonka, as well as NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith. Current NFL players like Mark Ingram II, Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and Leonard Fournette are also power running backs.
In recent years, the NFL has used running backs who have both speed and strength. Examples include Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, and Saquon Barkley.
Over time, running backs have also played as receivers. During passing plays, they often run simple routes, like a hook or flat route, to give the quarterback a target when other players are covered. Hall of Famer Lenny Moore was a halfback who mainly played as a receiver.
Christian McCaffrey is one of the few players to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season in 2019. Some teams use a "third down back," who is skilled at catching passes or blocking. These players are often used on third down plays to help the team gain yards. James White was a "third-down back" and had more receiving yards (3,184) and touchdowns (25) than rushing yards (1,240) and touchdowns (10).
Running backs also help the offensive line during passing plays. They block defensive players, such as linebackers or safeties, when the offensive line is focused on the defensive linemen. On running plays, the fullback often creates space for the running back to move through. Good blocking skills are important for a running back's success. During passing plays, a running back may stay back to help block and stop defensive players from rushing the quarterback.
Some teams use a "goal line back" or "short yardage specialist." These players are used in situations where the team needs only a few yards to get a first down or score a touchdown. When the team is near the goal line, they often use a special formation with many blockers, a quarterback, a running back, and a fullback. A running back who is often used near the goal line may be called the "goal line back." These players are usually power backs who are strong and less likely to drop the ball.
Running backs sometimes return punts and kickoffs, a role usually filled by faster players like wide receivers and cornerbacks. Brian Mitchell, a running back, holds the NFL records for career kickoff return yards (14,014 yards) and career punt return yards (4,999 yards).
Value of running backs in the NFL
In the past, the running back position was considered one of the most important positions in the NFL. As recently as the 1990s, some people thought the running back was just as important, or even more important, than the quarterback. For example, 23 running backs were chosen first overall in the NFL draft, with the most recent being Ki-Jana Carter in 1995. However, in today’s NFL, teams value running backs much less than they did before.
One reason for this change is that teams now use data analysis to build their teams. Analysts often say the running back position is the least important and easiest to replace. They argue that a running back’s success depends more on the offensive line and the team’s plays than on the running back himself. They also say that backups and lower-round picks often perform as well as or better than starting running backs or first-round picks. For example, from 2019 to 2022, Dallas Cowboys backup running back Tony Pollard, a fourth-round pick, averaged more yards per carry than starting running back Ezekiel Elliott, a first-round pick. In 2022, star running back Christian McCaffrey, a first-round pick, averaged 4.7 yards per carry for the Carolina Panthers. After McCaffrey was traded, backups D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard, who were selected in later rounds, averaged 4.6 and 4.9 yards per carry, respectively, which matched or exceeded McCaffrey’s performance. In other cases, the starting quarterback plays a key role in the rushing attack, as seen with teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles before 2024.
Analysts also say passing plays are more effective than running plays because passing allows teams to avoid multiple defenders at once. On passing plays, the ball can be thrown to receivers in open space, while running plays often require a running back to break through the defense. Some analysts believe running the ball is only a small part of a team’s offense and rarely wins games. These ideas may have influenced the NFL’s shift toward passing-focused offenses.
Because of these ideas, teams now prioritize passing offenses, which are more efficient, and use cheaper, productive running backs. This has led to a decrease in the need for traditional "workhorse" running backs who carry the ball most often.
Another reason for the decline in running back value is the rise of "running back committees," where teams use multiple running backs instead of one main back. Common setups include a "70-30 rotation," where one running back carries the ball most often, and others take fewer snaps. Other setups include "tandem backfields," where two running backs split carries and have different styles, such as a power runner and a faster runner. A famous example was the 2008 Miami Dolphins, who used Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown together. "Full-blown" committees use three or more running backs, with coaches choosing the best-performing player each game. Teams use these setups because running backs are prone to injuries and fatigue.
Despite this trend, some "workhorse" running backs still exist. For example, Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans carried the ball nearly 90% of the time during the 2022 season.
Another reason teams value running backs less is the risk of signing them to long-term, high-paying contracts. For example, Todd Gurley signed a $60 million, 4-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018. However, an injury limited his performance, and the Rams released him after the 2019 season. The team still had to pay a large amount of money for the 2021 season, even though Gurley wasn’t playing. Instead, the Rams used a committee approach and focused on passing.
Other successful teams, like the 2021 Los Angeles Rams and 2022 Kansas City Chiefs, won Super Bowls without heavily investing in running backs. The Chiefs used a seventh-round pick, Isiah Pacheco, as their main running back during their Super Bowl run. Out of the last 14 Super Bowl winners, only five teams paid their top rusher more than $1 million, and only one paid over $2 million, showing that a high-paid running back is not necessary to win.