5 NFL RBs in Best Position for Breakout Season in 2023

Though contract battles for Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs are prime examples of the challenges that running backs face to sign big extensions, the position itself is still plenty valuable.

And the next wave of breakout players is coming.

Between a player's own development and offseason roster changes around him, a handful of backs have a great opportunity to shine during the 2023 NFL season.

Our target is highlighting players who haven't been a full-time starter but look primed for that status this coming season. Rookies are not considered since the focus is on players who can be compared to their past performance.

As of this writing, it's unclear if Barkley or Jacobs will ultimately hold out as they seek a long-term contract. If either one does, the New York Giants and/or Las Vegas Raiders may have a candidate, too.

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: James Cook #28 of the Buffalo Bills rushes for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter of the game in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

A second-round pick in 2022, James Cook spent his rookie year in a backup role behind Devin Singletary.

But the Buffalo Bills should be Cook's show now.

Yes, he needs to formally become the Bills' top runner. Singletary left in free agency, and Buffalo replaced him with Damien Harris However, Harris isn't as dynamic as Cook, who performed well in his limited action last season.

Cook scampered for 5.7 yards per carry on 89 attempts—an encouraging total of 507 yards despite making zero starts. He also added 21 receptions for 180 yards and totaled three touchdowns.

Given that he played only 25 percent of the Bills' offensive snaps last season, Cook is a strong candidate to surpass 1,000 rushing yards this year.

Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 08: Khalil Herbert #24 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball during the second half of the game agains the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on January 08, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

During his first two seasons, Khalil Herbert served as the Chicago Bears' complement to David Montgomery. Herbert held a regular role but notched only three starts along the way.

That trend is set to change in 2023, even after Chicago signed D'Onta Foreman and drafted Roschon Johnson. Montgomery signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency, leaving more than 200 carries to be filled.

Herbert has the versatility to fully command the Bears' lead role, although the additions of Foreman and Johnson could complicate that. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season and is a much bigger pass-catching option than Foreman.

The risk is trusting a retooled offense that—while improved on paper this offseason—is still unproven. However, Herbert has showed his talent across his first two NFL seasons.

If the Bears are in fact more dangerous on offense, he should be a key contributor.

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

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INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 25: Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball for a touchdown during the NFL game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams on December 25, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In a matter of months, Cam Akers went from the Los Angeles Rams' starting running back to a potential cut candidate to someone who helped win a bunch of fantasy football championships.

Akers is the exception to our criteria because neither of his 500-yard campaigns come close to fitting the definition of a breakout year. He was a backup in 2020 and endured a roller-coaster campaign last season.

If Akers maintains the snap share he owned down the stretch last season—he played 72-plus percent of the Rams' offensive snaps in five of their final six games—he could be headed for a legitimate breakout. He caught 11 of his 13 receptions and scored six of his seven touchdowns during that span, and he finished the year with three straight 100-yard performances.

Los Angeles might not end up leaning on Akers that heavily, but his upside is apparent.

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

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Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) carries the ball as T.J. Edwards (57) makes the tackle during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, September 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Alexander Mattison is probably the most obvious candidate for a breakout season.

In four years with the Minnesota Vikings, he's been a reliable backup with a trio of 400-yard campaigns. The obstacle is—or was—Dalvin Cook, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of those seasons.

The main appeal for Mattison is how he's performed when an injury sidelined Cook. He has averaged 79.5 rushing yards and 3.8 receptions for 36 yards with five total touchdowns in six career starts.

The Vikings released Cook earlier this offseason, so Mattison is poised to take over as their new three-down back. It's reasonable to be optimistic about his upside as the full-time starter.

Factor in the youth of Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride, and Mattison should be the Vikings' most trusted runner.

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hands the ball off to Rachaad White #29 against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter in the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 05, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The greatest concern around Rachaad White is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' questionable offense. Not only did star quarterback Tom Brady retire, but the offensive line got revamped as well.

Opportunity should not be an issue for White, though.

White established himself as the Bucs' top runner late in 2022, finishing the season with 481 yards on the ground and 50 catches for 290 yards. Tampa released Leonard Fournette after the season, and free-agent addition Chase Edmonds isn't likely to command a hefty role.

Even if the Bucs struggle in their first post-Brady campaign, White has a terrific chance to join the list of the NFL's most productive backs.