Which running backs get the most goal line carries while leading?
Jonathan Taylor leads all NFL running backs with 12 goal line carries while leading, on 122 carries and 11 rushing touchdowns across 13 games.
NFL Running Back Goal Line Carries While Leading
Ranked by GL CAR · 2025 regular season| # | Player | GL CAR | ATT | YDS | YAC | TD | GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts · #28 | 12 | 122 | 636 | 308 | 11 | 13 |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey San Francisco 49ers · #23 | 11 | 141 | 535 | 299 | 5 | 12 |
| 3 | Derrick Henry Baltimore Ravens · #22 | 8 | 125 | 746 | 402 | 6 | 13 |
| 4 | Rhamondre Stevenson New England Patriots · #38 | 8 | 70 | 258 | 159 | 5 | 13 |
| 5 | Zach Charbonnet Seattle Seahawks · #26 | 8 | 106 | 391 | 302 | 6 | 13 |
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Open this in the Stat Explorer →Why this matters
Protecting a lead changes an offense's priorities from creating explosive plays to eliminating risk. Coaches hand the ball to the back they trust to fall forward, avoid a fumble and finish a drive with points rather than the back who creates the most yardage on average, and that trust is exactly what this split measures.
That job often goes to a different player than the team's primary early-down back. A change-of-pace or receiving back can lead a backfield in overall touches while a bigger, more powerful teammate takes over once the offense reaches the goal line, so this list can look nothing like a snap-count ranking.
Because leading correlates with a stronger overall performance that day, the split also reflects context beyond the running back himself. A dominant offensive line and a defense that forces mistakes both create more of these situations, so the same back can look very different in games that stay close throughout.