Running backs are the workhorses of the offense, carrying the ball and breaking tackles to gain yards and score touchdowns. They are also versatile players who can catch passes, block defenders, and sometimes even throw the ball. Running backs have been some of the most dominant and exciting players in NFL history, but who are the best of the best? In this article, we will rank the top 10 running backs of all time based on their individual production, team success, awards, and legacy. We will use the following criteria to evaluate each running back:

Career rushing yards and touchdowns
Career yards per carry and yards from scrimmage

Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and MVP selections
Super Bowl appearances and wins
Hall of Fame induction and other honors

Let’s get started with our countdown of the top 10 running backs of all time.

10. LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson was a dynamic and explosive running back who played for the San Diego Chargers and the New York Jets from 2001 to 2011. He ranks seventh all-time in rushing yards (13,684) and second in rushing touchdowns (145). He also had 624 receptions for 4,772 yards and 17 touchdowns, giving him a total of 18,456 yards from scrimmage and 162 touchdowns, both fifth all-time. He led the league in rushing twice (2006 and 2007) and in rushing touchdowns three times (2004, 2006, and 2007). He was a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL MVP in 2006, when he set a single-season record with 31 total touchdowns. He also won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2006 for his off-field contributions. He helped the Chargers reach the playoffs five times, but never made it to the Super Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

9. Jerome Bettis

Jerome Bettis was a powerful and durable running back who played for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1993 to 2005. He ranks eighth all-time in rushing yards (13,662) and ninth in rushing touchdowns (91). He also had 200 receptions for 1,449 yards and three touchdowns, giving him a total of 15,111 yards from scrimmage and 94 touchdowns. He led the league in rushing attempts twice (1996 and 1997) and in rushing touchdowns once (1996). He was a six-time Pro Bowler, a two-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1996. He helped the Steelers reach the playoffs eight times, including two Super Bowl appearances and one win in Super Bowl XL, which was his final game. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

8. Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson was a speedy and elusive running back who played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons from 1983 to 1993. He ranks ninth all-time in rushing yards (13,259) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (90). He also had 281 receptions for 2,137 yards and six touchdowns, giving him a total of 15,396 yards from scrimmage and 96 touchdowns. He led the league in rushing four times (1983, 1984, 1986, and 1988) and in rushing touchdowns once (1983). He was a six-time Pro Bowler, a five-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1983. He holds the single-season record for rushing yards with 2,105 in 1984. He helped the Rams and Colts reach the playoffs four times each, but never made it to the Super Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

7. Curtis Martin

Curtis Martin was a consistent and productive running back who played for the New England Patriots and the New York Jets from 1995 to 2005. He ranks sixth all-time in rushing yards (14,101) and tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns (90). He also had 484 receptions for 3,329 yards and 10 touchdowns, giving him a total of 17,430 yards from scrimmage and 100 touchdowns. He led the league in rushing once (2004) at age 31. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, a one-time first-team All-Pro, and an NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year twice (1999 and 2004). He helped the Patriots reach one Super Bowl appearance (a loss to Green Bay Packers) as a rookie in 1996. He helped Jets reach playoffs four times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

6. Marshall Faulk

Marshall Faulk was a versatile and dynamic running back who played for the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams from 1994 to 2005. He ranks 12th all-time in rushing yards (12,279) and 10th in rushing touchdowns (100). He also had 767 receptions for 6,875 yards and 36 touchdowns, giving him a total of 19,154 yards from scrimmage and 136 touchdowns, both fourth all-time. He led the league in yards from scrimmage four times (1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001) and in total touchdowns twice (2000 and 2001). He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL MVP three times (2000, 2001, and 2002). He was also the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1994 and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice (1999 and 2001). He helped the Rams reach two Super Bowl appearances and one win in Super Bowl XXXIV, where he scored two touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

5. Jim Brown

Jim Brown was a dominant and unstoppable running back who played for the Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. He ranks 11th all-time in rushing yards (12,312) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (106). He also had 262 receptions for 2,499 yards and 20 touchdowns, giving him a total of 14,811 yards from scrimmage and 126 touchdowns. He led the league in rushing eight times (1957-1961, 1963-1965) and in rushing touchdowns five times (1957-1959, 1963-1964). He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, an eight-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL MVP three times (1957, 1958, and 1965). He was also the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1957. He helped the Browns reach four NFL Championship games and one win in 1964. He retired as the all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

4. Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith was a durable and reliable running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals from 1990 to 2004. He ranks first all-time in rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164). He also had 515 receptions for 3,224 yards and 11 touchdowns, giving him a total of 21,579 yards from scrimmage and 175 touchdowns, both second all-time. He led the league in rushing four times (1991-1993, 1995) and in rushing touchdowns three times (1992, 1994-1995). He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL MVP in 1993. He was also the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1990 and the Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXVIII. He helped the Cowboys reach three Super Bowl appearances and three wins in Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

3. Barry Sanders

Barry Sanders was a spectacular and elusive running back who played for the Detroit Lions from 1989 to 1998. He ranks fourth all-time in rushing yards (15,269) and tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns (99). He also had 352 receptions for 2,921 yards and 10 touchdowns, giving him a total of 18,190 yards from scrimmage and 109 touchdowns. He led the league in rushing four times (1990, 1994, 1996-1997) and tied for first once (1989). He was a ten-time Pro Bowler, a six-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL MVP once (1997). He was also the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1989. He helped the Lions reach five playoff appearances but never advanced past the divisional round. He retired as the second all-time leader in rushing yards and third in rushing touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

2. Walter Payton

Walter Payton was a legendary and graceful running back who played for the Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1987. He ranks second all-time in rushing yards (16,726) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (110). He also had 492 receptions for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns, giving him a total of 21,264 yards from scrimmage and 125 touchdowns, both third all-time.

He led the league in rushing once (1977) and in yards from scrimmage twice (1977 and 1984). He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, a five-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL MVP once (1977). He was also the NFL Man of the Year in 1977 for his off-field contributions. He helped the Bears reach one Super Bowl appearance and one win in Super Bowl XX, where he scored one touchdown. He retired as the all-time leader in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

1. Emmitt Smith

Conclusion

Running backs are essential players who can make or break an offense with their skills and abilities. They have been some of the most influential and memorable players in NFL history, but only a few can be considered the best of the best. In this article, we have ranked the top 10 running backs of all time based on their individual production, team success, awards, and legacy. We have considered their career statistics, achievements, records, and honors to determine their place in history. We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about these amazing athletes.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about running backs:

Q: What is a running back?

A: A running back is an offensive player who carries the ball on running plays or catches passes from the quarterback.

Q: What are the different types of running backs?

A: There are different types of running backs depending on their size, speed, strength, and role. Some of the common types are:

Halfback: A running back who lines up behind or beside the quarterback and is usually the primary ball carrier.

Fullback: A running back who lines up in front of or beside the halfback and is usually a blocker or a short-yardage runner.

Tailback: A running back who lines up behind the fullback and is usually a fast and agile runner.

Wingback: A running back who lines up behind or outside the tight end and is usually a receiver or a runner on sweeps or reverses.

Q: What are some of the skills and attributes of a good running back?

A: Some of the skills and attributes of a good running back are:

Vision: The ability to see holes and lanes in the defense and choose the best path to run.
Agility: The ability to change direction quickly and avoid tacklers with cuts, spins, jukes, or hurdles.
Speed: The ability to accelerate and run fast to gain yards or break away from defenders.

Power: The ability to run through contact and break tackles with strength or stiff arms.
Balance: The ability to stay on your feet and maintain control of your body after contact or moves.
Ball security: The ability to hold on to the ball and prevent fumbles or turnovers.

Receiving: The ability to catch passes from the quarterback and run after the catch.
Blocking: The ability to protect the quarterback or other runners by blocking defenders.

Q: What are some of the records held by running backs?

A: Some of the records held by running backs are:

Most career rushing yards: Emmitt Smith with 18,355 yards.
Most career rushing touchdowns: Emmitt Smith with 164 touchdowns.

Most career yards from scrimmage: Jerry Rice with 23,540 yards (although he was primarily a wide receiver).
Most career total touchdowns: Jerry Rice with 208 touchdowns (although he was primarily a wide receiver).
Most single-season rushing yards: Eric Dickerson with 2,105 yards in 1984.

Most single-season rushing touchdowns: LaDainian Tomlinson with 28 touchdowns in 2006.
Most single-season yards from scrimmage: Chris Johnson with 2,509 yards in 2009.
Most single-season total touchdowns: LaDainian Tomlinson with 31 touchdowns in 2006.

Most single-game rushing yards: Adrian Peterson with 296 yards in 2007.
Most single-game rushing touchdowns: Ernie Nevers, Dub Jones, and Gale Sayers with 6 touchdowns each.
Most single-game yards from scrimmage: Flipper Anderson with 336 yards in 1989 (although he was primarily a wide receiver).

Most single-game total touchdowns: Ernie Nevers, Dub Jones, and Gale Sayers with 6 touchdowns each.

Q: Who are some of the current best running backs in the NFL?

A: Some of the current best running backs in the NFL are:

Derrick Henry: The reigning NFL rushing champion who led the league with 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2020. He plays for the Tennessee Titans.
Dalvin Cook: The runner-up in rushing yards who had 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2020. He plays for the Minnesota Vikings.
Alvin Kamara: The leader in total touchdowns who had 21 touchdowns (16 rushing and 5 receiving) in 2020. He plays for the New Orleans Saints.

Christian McCaffrey: The versatile running back who had over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in 2019, but missed most of the 2020 season due to injuries. He plays for the Carolina Panthers.
Nick Chubb: The efficient running back who averaged a league-high 5.6 yards per carry and had 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020. He plays for the Cleveland Browns.

Q: Who are some of the upcoming best running backs in the NFL?

A: Some of the upcoming best running backs in the NFL are:

Jonathan Taylor: The rookie sensation who had 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020. He plays for the Indianapolis Colts.
Antonio Gibson: The converted wide receiver who had 795 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season as a running back. He plays for the Washington Football Team.

J.K. Dobbins: The explosive runner who had 805 yards and 9 touchdowns on a league-best 6.0 yards per carry

Top 10 Running Backs of All Time