In the modern NFL, where quarterbacks and wide receivers reign supreme, running backs have faded from the spotlight in recent years.While you can debate the "value" of running backs all day long, the NFL tells us exactly how they view the position based on the contracts they hand out.

On one side is Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley, who led the league with 2,005 rushing yards. On the other is Green Bay's Josh Jacobs, who finished sixth with 1,329. The pair combined for 28 rushing touchdowns, and each workhorse carried the ball more than 300 times this season.

Among the other eight players with 2,000 rushing yards in a season is the runner-up to Barkley for this season’s Jim Brown Award, which goes annually to the NFL’s rushing leader. Derrick Henry ran for 1,