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Saquon Barkley is selected as top running back by the AP after a record-setting season

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)
FILE - Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File) FILE - Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)

By Josh Dubow 4 min read

Saquon Barkley’s first season in Philadelphia featured record performances on the field, a Super Bowl title and a new contract that is the richest ever for a running back.

Barkley’s performance with the Eagles also helped him score the honor of being voted the top running back in the league by The Associated Press.

A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at running back, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

Barkley got seven first-place votes and one second to win the voting easily. Baltimore’s Derrick Henry was the only other player selected on all eight ballots and came in second with one first-place vote, five seconds, one third and one fifth.

Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs got the remaining two second-place votes and finished third. Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey rounded out the top five.