Who are the highest-paid running backs in the NFL? (2021)

#2 (tied) - Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints - $15 million dollars

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara has never had a 1000-yard rushing season in his career, but he makes up for it with his contributions in the passing game. He is one of the best receivers out of the backfield in the entire NFL. He has eclipsed 80 receptions and 500 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons. He averages nearly one touchdown per game with 65 total touchdowns in 68 games played.

#2 (tied) - Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys - $15 million dollars

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot

Ezekiel Elliot's durability has been impressive throughout his NFL career. He has only once missed more than one game in a season. He has had at least 300 carries in three different seasons and has never been below 240 carries in any season. He averages 87 rushing yards per game in his career on over 4.5 yards per carry. He was worth the investment at running back.

#1 - Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers - $16 million dollars

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey is the highest-paid running back in the NFL because of how dynamic he is. At his peak in 2019 he recorded both 1000 rushing yards and 1000 receiving yards in the same season, an extremely rare accomplishment. He didn't miss a single game in his first three seasons.

Unfortunately, he's been injured for the majority of the past two years. He missed 13 games in the 2020 NFL season and is already set to miss ten games this season due to injury. He was one of the most durable running backs early in his career but that has taken a turn for the worse.