Ranking the NFL's Best Running Back Duos Ahead of the 2024 Season | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The following backfield duos have the potential to be fantastic in 2024. However, each of them fell short of the proper list because of questions of one form or another.

Chicago Bears: D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert

Herbert was a quality starter when healthy last season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and catching 20 passes. He'll now complement 2023 Pro Bowler Swift, who was added in free agency.

The big question here is whether Swift can provide the backfield upgrade Chicago is seeking. The 25-year-old only showed flashes in the NFL before landing with the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason. Philly's powerful offensive line has made average backs look good before—notably, 2022 Pro Bowler-turned-2023-flop, Miles Sanders.

Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford

Chubb is one of the NFL's best pure runners when healthy, and Ford recorded an impressive 1,132 scrimmage yards last season. The issue is that Chubb isn't healthy and is still recovering from a knee injury that involved multiple torn ligaments and multiple surgeries.

The Browns added D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines as insurance, but neither pairs with Ford to create a top duo. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee of when Chubb will return or if he'll get back to pre-injury form.

Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers rookie MarShawn Lloyd is an explosive back with dual-threat capability and, let's be honest, far more upside than AJ Dillon. He should quickly become the top complement to free-agent addition Jacobs.

Jacobs, the 2022 rushing champ, has shown that he can be special. However, consistency has been an issue for him in the NFL. He followed his first-team All-Pro campaign with an underwhelming 2023 season that saw him average just 3.5 yards per carry. That version of Jacobs won't be enough to make Green Bay's backfield special.

Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet

The Seahawks saw glimpses of a special backfield last season. 2022 second-round pick Walker and 2023 second-round pick Charbonnet have the draft pedigree of an impressive duo. Both backs also possess versatile skill sets.

However, the pair didn't yield a potent rushing attack. Seattle ranked just 28th in rushing yards last season after ranking 18th without Charbonnet in 2022. Changes to the offensive line might coax more production out of this duo, but the Seahawks and their fans will have to wait and see.

Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler

It's easy to love the idea of pairing Robinson and Ekeler. The latter has long been one of the league's top dual-threat backs and red-zone threats, while Robinson has been a serviceable ball-carrier for the Washington Commanders.

However, Robinson (4.0 yards-per-carry career average) has been more good than great as a pro. Ekeler is 29 years old and is coming off an injury-hampered season. There's no telling how the pair will fare in a new Washington offense helmed by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.