Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley excel at breaking tackles

The NFL season showcased some standout running backs known for their ability to break tackles and force missed tackles. These skills set apart the top players in this category. A broken tackle happens when a defender has a player wrapped up but fails to bring them down. On the other hand, a missed tackle refers to when a defender attempts to tackle but does not make contact. Both metrics highlight different strengths of running backs. In 2024, Najee Harris had a strong season. He scored a contract with the Chargers worth $5.25 million, marking a career-best performance. He nearly led the league in broken tackles. Derrick Henry was impressive. He was one of only two running backs to rush for over 200 yards on carries where he broke a tackle. He converted a good number of those attempts into first downs, showing his efficiency. The Detroit Lions had two top running backs on this list: Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. They both had 13 runs that involved broken tackles, but an injury sidelined Montgomery towards the end of the season. Another notable player was Bucky Irving, drafted 126th overall by the Buccaneers. He turned out to be a valuable asset, achieving high grades in various metrics. His performance made a significant impact on the team. Tank Bigsby from the Jaguars also saw a rise in his role. His carries and touchdowns increased significantly in his second season. In contrast, Travis Etienne struggled with his performance, forcing fewer tackles than in previous years. Nine running backs stood out as the toughest to bring down, including Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Kenneth Walker III. Their ability to evade tackles will be essential for their teams moving forward.