Top Ten Greatest Running Backs of All Time

So now I move on to the greatest running backs of all time. This can often be one of the most exciting positions to watch in action if there is a superstar at work. Of course a lot of the running back's production is dependent on a good offensive line and structure. However there is still no question about the individual's overall talent that differentiates from a good running back to a great running back. There are many types of running backs form power backs, open field backs, to receiving backs, and so forth. The best 10 on this list are good at any running situation and have produced incredible stats and highlights throughout their careers.


10. Curtis Martin

• Career: New England Patriots (1995-1997) New York Jets (1998-2006)
• Career Rushing Yards: 14,101 yards; 5th all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.0 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 90; 13th all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 1 (2004)
• Pro-Bowls: 5 (1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2012
• Legacy: Curtis Martin got off to a hot start in the NFL running for the New England Patriots he won rookie of the year. This was right around the time I began tuning into the NFL it was exciting to see new young stars emerge to the game. Martin went on to be a formidable running back with the Patriots for three season and more notably with the New York Jets for 9 seasons. Throughout his 12 seasons he amassed a high number of rushing yards becoming the 5th all time in his career. He never won a Super Bowl, however he made the Pro Bowl 5 times, set many records, and became the face of the New York Jets for nearly 10 years.  

9. Tony Dorsett

• Career: Dallas Cowboys (1977-1987) Denver Broncos (1988)
• Career Rushing Yards: 12,739 yards; 9th all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.3 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 77; 22nd all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 0
• Pro-Bowls: 4 (1978, 1981-1983)
• Super Bowls: 1 (1978)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1994
• Legacy: Tony Dorsett came before my time however I have come to understand his legacy as a running back. In his first season with the Cowboys, he was elected as Rookie of the Year (same as Curtis Martin). For 11 seasons he was the driving force of the Dallas Cowboys and helped them win their 2nd championship in the 1978 Super Bowl. In 1988 he played a 12th season with the Denver Broncos but eventually had to retire early due to injuries.  He made the Pro Bowl 4 times and set many records throughout his career, including the longest rushing touchdown at 99 yards, which still stands today. . 

8. Adrian Peterson

• Career: Minnesota Vikings (2007-2016) New Orleans Saints (2017) Arizona Cardinals (2017) Washington Redskings (2018-present)
• Career Rushing Yards: 12,615 yards; 10th all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.8 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 102; 7th all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 3 (2008, 2012, 2015)
• Pro-Bowls: 7 (2007-2010, 2012, 2013, 2015)
• Most Valuable Player: 1 (2012)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Legacy: Here's a recent active player that I can give a more thorough account on his legacy having watched him for the past 10 years now. He blew up to the stage during his rookie year with the Vikings and similiar to Curtis Martin and Tony Dorsett he won the Rookie of the Year. He's quite tall for a running back at 6'1 however similar to Eddie George he is able to use that height to his advantage. He is explosive, fast, and a very powerful back not afraid to lower his shoulder into a defender. In 2012 he became the 1st running back since Ladanian Tomlinson to win the season's MVP award. For 3 seasons he was the leagues leading rusher. After 10 seasons with the Vikings he was traded to a slew of different teams in which he saw minimal success. He is now 33 and no longer in his prime, however he continues to compile career stats that put him rightfully on this list. 

7. Erik Dickerson

• Career: Los Angeles Rams (1983-1987) Indianapolis Colts (1987-1991) Los Angeles Raiders (1992) Atlanta Falcons (1993)
• Career Rushing Yards: 13,259 yards; 8th all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.4 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 90; 13th all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 4 (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988)
• Pro-Bowls: 6 (1983, 1984, 1986-1989)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Most Valuable Player: 1 (1986)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999
• Legacy: He was also before my time yet a name that has become synonymous with great running backs. He also got off to a great early start with the LA Rams, winning Rookie of the Year in 1983. In 1984 he set the record which still stands today with most rushing yards in a season at 2105 yards. Throughout his glory days with the Rams he was the rushing yards leader 4 times, made the Pro Bowl 6 times, and was an MVP during the 1986 season. He never was able to win a Super Bowl Championship yet his many records and statistics speak for themselves.  

6. Ladanian Tomlinson

• Career: San Diego Chargers (2001-2009) New York Jets (2010-2011)
• Career Rushing Yards: 13,684 yards; 6th all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.3 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 145; 2nd all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 2 (2006, 2007)
• Pro-Bowls: 5 (2002, 2004-2007)
• Most Valuable Player: 
• Super Bowls: 0
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2017
• Legacy: Throughout the 2000s, during my college years, Ladanian Tomlinson was without question my favorite running back in the league to watch. He reminded me of the great Barry Sanders, with his explosive power and cutting technique. I remember he also had a very cool tinted visor on his helmet. For nearly 10 seasons he was the star of the San Diego Chargers and went on to make 5 Pro-Bowls, 2 seasons as the top rusher in the league, 3 seasons as rushing touchdown leader, and 1 season as MVP in 2006. After 10 seasons with the Chargers he played two seasons for the Jets, however never was able to win a Super Bowl before he retired. His number was however retired by the San Diego Chargers and in 2017 he was rightfully elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. 

5. Marcus Allen

• Career: Los Angeles Raiders (1982-1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993-1997)
• Career Rushing Yards: 12,243 yards; 14th all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.1 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 123; 3rd all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 1 (1985)
• Pro-Bowls: 6 (1982, 1984-1987, 1993)
• Super Bowls: 1 (1984)
• Most Valuable Player: 1 (1985)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2003
• Legacy: Marcus Allen was also before my time and reaching his heyday when I began following the NFL in the mid 90s as a kid. He also got off to a great start winning rookie of the Year in 1982. For 10 seasons he did great things with the LA Raiders making 6 Pro-Bowls and helping them win the Super Bowl in 1984 of which he was MVP for that game. He lead the league in rushing in 1985 and lead the league 2 for rushing touchdowns. He was also chosen as the leagues MVP in 1985. Following his 10 seasons with the Raiders he continued to amass career stats with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the only player to have won every prestigious football award from the Heisman Trophy, the NCAA Championship, a Super Bowl Championship, a season's MVP, and a Super Bowl MVP. Truly a great resume worthy of being in any top 10 list. 

4. Emmitt Smith

• Career: Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002) Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004)
• Career Rushing Yards: 18,355 yards; 1st all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.2
• Rushing Touchdowns: 164; 1st all time 
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 4 (1991-1993, 1995)
• Pro-Bowls: 8 (1990-1995, 1998, 1999)
• Super Bowls: 3 (1993, 1994, 1996)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2010
• Legacy: Similiar to Jerry Rice, Emmit has set most the NFL career records since he played far longer than the average star at his position. He played for 15 seasons, most notably with the Cowboys where he was 1 of the three "triplet" offensive stars of the team with Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. Emmitt's greatness as a running back was a product of a very dominant team throughout the 1990s. However his individual skill was undeniable, a powerful back, with a low center of gravity, and an explosive attack. He was awarded Rookie of the Year in his first season in 1990. One of his most impressive accomplishments was his 1993 season where he won the Super Bowl, the Super Bowl MVP, the regular season rushing leader, and the regular season MVP. Along with his 3 Super Bowl championships he won with the Cowboys, he also made the Pro-Bowl 8 times and was the leagues leading rusher and rushing touchdowns for 4 seasons. Along with Barry Sanders he was the most dynamic running back of the 1990s. It will be hard for anyone to surpass his career records that he set.    

3. Jim Brown

• Career: Cleveland Browns (1957-1965)
• Career Rushing Yards: 12,312 yards; 11th all time
• Yards per Carry: 5.2 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 106; 5th all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 8 (1957-1961, 1963-1965)
• Pro-Bowls: 9 (1957-1965)
• NFL Championships: 1 (1964)
• Most Valuable Player: 3 (1957, 1958, 1965)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1971
• Legacy: He is perhaps the oldest player I'll have on any of my lists since, one of the most iconic legendary names in the game. As his last name fittingly suggests he played for the Cleveland Browns all his career. Throughout his career he went on to break and shatter every NFL record, some of which still stand to this day. He is still 2nd all time in rushing yards per carry at an average rate of 5.2 yards per carry (behind Jamal Charles). He averaged 100 yards per game, the only player to have done so. He lead the league 8 times as total rushing yards leader and won MVP for three seasons, the only running back to ever do so. Many consider him the greatest football player of all time and it's amazing that some of his stats are still at the top after nearly 50 years now. 

2. Walter Payton

• Career: Chicago Bears (1975-1987)
• Career Rushing Yards: 16,726 yards; 2nd all time
• Yards per Carry: 4.4 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 110; 4th all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 1 (1977)
• Pro-Bowls: 9 (1976-1980, 1983-1986)
• Super Bowls: 1 (1986)
• Most Valuable Player: 1 (1977)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1993
• Legacy: He was another iconic superstar football player who came before my time, yet has always been a familiar name. He played his entire career with the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons in which he became the face of the franchise. The Bears were a formidable force in the 1980s known for their strong defense and the powerful running of Walter Payton often referred to as "Sweetness" In 1977 he was the league's MVP in which he lead in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Throughout his time with the Bears he went to 9 Pro-Bowls and helped them win their first and only Super Bowl ever in 1986. He set many career NFL records during his time and sits on the all time rushing yards leader. He died at a very early age of 1945 due to liver cancer.  To this day he has become regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time celebrated for his skill yet also his charitable contributions. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award celebrates the best players off the field thru their charitable and volunteer work they do for their community. 

1. Barry Sanders

• Career: Detroit Lions (1989-1998)
• Career Rushing Yards: 15,269 yards; 3rd all time
• Yards per Carry: 5.0 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: 99; 10th all time
• Season Rushing Yards Leader: 4 (1990, 1994, 1996, 1997)
• Pro-Bowls: 10 (1989-1998)
• Super Bowls: 0
• Most Valuable Player: 1 (1997)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2004
• Legacy: This one will once again come off as biased for me as a Detroit Lions fan, however I got to watch him more than any other of these players and he was my sports idol growing up as a kid. One thing also to consider about Barry Sander's legacy is that he retired early in his prime, and could have at least played for 5 more years to break all the records. He was a superstar in college for Oklahama State where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1988. In 1989 he was drafted by the Detroit Lions and similar to most of the RBs on this list won Rookie of the Year. He is one of the few players to have made the Pro-Bowl every year of his career. He averaged nearly 100 yards per game, and in 1997 he became the 3rd player in NFL history to rush for over 2000 yards in a season (there are now 7 players to have done this). He was the rushing leader for 4 seasons, touchdown leader for 1 season, and the regular season MVP in 1997. Just like Dan Marino, he is often considered one of the greatest players to have never won a Super Bowl. I remember first hand watching his greatness as a kid new to the league in the mid 1990s. The Detroit Lions were a sub-mediocre team then as they are now but he was no doubt the face of the team. His short stature made him one of the most elusive running backs to have ever played the game. The way he juked, cut, stopped-and-burst to avoid tacklers was so exciting to watch. His individual stats and records speak for themselves and he sits 3rd on the all-time rushing leaders. He is without question my favorite football player of all time and can be deservedly considered the greatest running back of all time.