From Jim Brown's dominance in the 1960s to Derrick Henry's freight-train runs, NFL running backs have provided some of football's most thrilling moments. Who is the all-time greatest?
1Jim BrownThe consensus GOAT with a 5.2 yards-per-carry average across 9 seasons, 8 rushing titles, and 3 MVP awards for the Cleveland Browns.1000pts
2Barry Sanders10-time Pro Bowler who posted 2,053 yards in his 1997 MVP season and retired early with some of the most elusive running in NFL history.899pts
3Gale SayersA five-time First-Team All-Pro in just five healthy seasons, widely considered the most naturally gifted runner in NFL history.723pts
4Adrian Peterson2012 MVP who rushed for 2,097 yards after reconstructive knee surgery, showcasing superhuman power and determination.708pts
5Curtis MartinHall of Famer who opened his career with ten straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Patriots and Jets and won the 2004 rushing title at 31.708pts
6O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills back who became the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season in 1973, doing it in a 14-game schedule.686pts
7Saquon BarkleyPhiladelphia Eagles back who rushed for 2,005 yards in 2024, won Offensive Player of the Year and helped win Super Bowl LIX.645pts
8John RigginsWashington's 'Diesel', whose 43-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-one won Super Bowl XVII and earned him the MVP award.599pts
9Emmitt SmithThe NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, a three-time Super Bowl champion with Dallas and the 1993 MVP.599pts
10Walter Payton'Sweetness' combined power, agility, and durability across 13 seasons, earning the 1977 MVP and the humanitarian award named in his honor.599pts
11Steve Van BurenPhiladelphia Eagles back who won four rushing titles and scored the only touchdown of the 1948 NFL Championship game in a snowstorm.548pts
12Jerome Bettis'The Bus', a 255-pound power back who retired with 13,662 rushing yards after winning Super Bowl XL with the Steelers in his hometown of Detroit.548pts
13Earl CampbellHouston Oilers bulldozer who led the NFL in rushing in each of his first three seasons and won the 1979 MVP award.490pts
14Derrick HenryTennessee Titans powerhouse and 2020 Offensive Player of the Year who rushed for 2,027 yards that season, combining freight-train power with breakaway speed.490pts
15Edgerrin JamesIndianapolis Colts star who won rushing titles in his first two seasons and finished his career with more than 12,000 rushing yards.490pts
16Eric DickersonHolder of the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards in 1984, combining a unique upright running style with blazing speed.425pts
17Chris JohnsonTennessee Titans speedster who rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009 and set the record of 2,509 yards from scrimmage in a season.425pts
18Christian McCaffreyDual-threat back who posted 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in 2019 and won Offensive Player of the Year with the 49ers in 2023.350pts
19Terrell DavisDenver Broncos back who was Super Bowl XXXII MVP and then rushed for 2,008 yards in 1998, winning that season's MVP award.350pts
20Shaun AlexanderSeattle Seahawks back who won the 2005 MVP after scoring 28 touchdowns and leading Seattle to its first Super Bowl.350pts
21Thurman Thomas1991 MVP and four-time AFC Championship winner with the Buffalo Bills who led the league in total yards from scrimmage for four consecutive seasons.350pts
22Larry CsonkaMiami Dolphins fullback and Super Bowl VIII MVP who powered the 1972 side to the only perfect season in NFL history.350pts
23Marcus AllenSuper Bowl XVIII MVP with the Raiders and 1985 NFL MVP, the first player with 10,000 rushing and 5,000 receiving yards.264pts
24Marshall FaulkThe ultimate dual-threat back who won three consecutive Offensive Player of the Year awards with the St. Louis Rams dynasty.163pts
25Tony Dorsett1977 Rookie of the Year and Super Bowl champion who ran 99 yards from scrimmage in 1983, a record later only equalled by Derrick Henry.163pts
26Franco HarrisNine-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl champion whose 'Immaculate Reception' is the most famous play in NFL history.163pts
27Marshawn Lynch'Beast Mode' became a cultural icon for his physical, punishing style and legendary runs during the Seattle Seahawks dynasty.163pts
28LaDainian TomlinsonSet the single-season record with 28 rushing touchdowns in his 2006 MVP season, combining elite production with rare versatility.0pts
29Marion MotleyCleveland Browns fullback who helped break pro football's colour barrier in 1946 and averaged 5.7 yards per carry over his career.0pts
30Jim TaylorGreen Bay Packers fullback who ended Jim Brown's run of rushing titles in 1962, winning MVP and four NFL championships under Lombardi.0pts
31Joe PerrySan Francisco 49ers 'Jet' who became the first back with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher.0pts
Photo credits
- Adrian Peterson — All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Curtis Martin — Anthony Quintano, CC BY 2.0
- Saquon Barkley — AtlantaFX, CC BY 3.0
- John Riggins — ANestSport, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Emmitt Smith — Anthony Quintano from Honolulu, HI, United States, CC BY 2.0
- Jerome Bettis — Veronica Davison, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Earl Campbell — TankedBevo of ShaggyBevo.com, CC BY 2.5
- Derrick Henry — All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Chris Johnson — AJ Guel, CC BY 2.0
- Christian McCaffrey — All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shaun Alexander — Tom McDonald, Jason Fierle., CC BY-SA 2.5
- Marshall Faulk — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0
