Best 10 Running Backs of All Time in The NFL

The NFL is one of the most exciting sports tournaments that has showcased many great athletes over the years in different positions. American football requires an extreme combination of teamwork, and running backs play a vital role in winning games.

Running backs are the members of the offensive backfield who receive handoffs from the quarterback as well as line up to catch and block. From Jim Brown to today’s Jonathan Taylor, we have seen many great athletes dominate in the running back position.

Here is a list of the ten best running backs of all time based on their individual performance and team achievement.

Best Running Backs of All Time

There are many aspects that need to be considered while judging a running back, as they have multiple roles. Rushing yards, touchdowns, receptions, carry, etc., matter, along with championships and other awards. The best running backs of all time at a glance:

• Walter Payton (1977-1987)
• Jim Brown (1957-1965)
• Emmitt Smith (1990-2004)
• Marshall Faulk (1994-2006)
• O.J. Simpson (1969-1979)
• Barry Sanders (1989-1998)
• LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-2011)
• Jerome Bettis (1993-2005)
• Marcus Allen (1982-1997)
• Eric Dickerson (1983-1993)

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1. Walter Payton

Full Name	Walter Jerry Payton
Date of Birth	July 25, 1953
Place of Birth	Columbia, Mississippi, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in
Weight	200 lb
NFL Draft	1975 (Chicago Bears, Pick: 4)
Teams	Chicago Bears
Positions	Running Back
Super Bowl Champion	1 Time: XX
NFL MVP	1977
First-team All-Pro	5 Times: 1976, 77, 1980, 84, 85
Retirement	1987
Died	November 1, 1999

From 1975 to 1987, these twelve years were a nightmare for tacklers as they were mocked on the field by the legend Walter Payton. It was impossible to stop the man. With his long steps and stiff arms, he would pass through the defense like a mad bull.

Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi, in 1953 and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1975. He was the pick number four of that draft. During his college sophomore year in 1972, he made a record seven touchdowns and  2-point conversions for 46 points in a single game.

After debuting in the NFL, he quickly became one of the deadliest running backs. In 1977, with 1,852 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, he became the MVP. He played a key role in the Chicago Bears winning the twentieth Super Bowl in 1986.

Payton spent his entire NFL career playing for the Chicago Bears and made 110 rushing touchdowns.

Career Stats of Walter Payton:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
16,726	4.4	110	492	4538	15

2. Jim Brown

Full Name	James Nathaniel Brown
Date of Birth	February 17, 1936
Place of Birth	St. Simons Island, Georgia
Height	6 ft 2 in
Weight	232 lb
NFL Draft	1957 (Cleveland Browns, Pick: 6)
Teams	Cleveland Browns
Positions	Fullback
NFL Champion	1964
NFL MVP	3 Times: 1957, 58, and 1965
First-Team All-Pro	8 Times: 1957, 58, 59, 1960, 61, 63, 64, 65
Retirement	1965

Jim Brown was one of the most talented running backs ever to play the game. He would have become the no.1 best running back in the history of the NFL if he had not left the game only after nine years of his debut to pursue other interests. However, he is still one of the tops on the list.

Brown was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the 1957 draft when he was only 21. He had made it to the First-team All pro in his first season. Later on, he made a list seven more times. In fact, in his nine-year career, he only missed it once in 1962.

The three times NFL MVPs became NFL champions in 1964. In just nine seasons, Brown made 106 running touchdowns and 20 receiving touchdowns. He was a constant top performer for the Cleveland Browns since his debut.

 After retiring from pro football, Brown became a film and voice actor. The mark he left in pro football in just nine years is remarkable. He was inducted into the Hall of fame in 1971.

Brown’s Career Stats:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns	Passing Touchdowns
12,312	5.2	106	262	2,499	20	3

3. Emmitt Smith

Full Name	Emmitt James Smith III
Date of Birth	May 15, 1969
Place of Birth	Pensacola, Florida, U.S
Height	5 ft 9 in
Weight	216 lb
NFL Draft	1990 ( Dallas Cowboys, Pick: 17)
Teams	Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	1993
Super Bowl Champion	3 Times: XXVII, XXVIII, XXX
First-team All-Pro	4 Times: 1992, 93, 94, 95
Retirement	2004

The Dallas Cowboys’ legend Emmit Smith retired after 15 years of a glorified career with many records by his name. He made a record 25 touchdowns in a single season, 18,355 career rushing yards, and over 500 receptions. You cannot talk about running backs without mentioning Smith’s name.

Smith showed great promise in his college career. He broke Florida’s 57-year-old all-time single-game rushing record when he rushed 224 yards with 39 carries.

Smith was picked by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990 draft and became the offensive rookie of the year. He won three Super Bowls championships with the Cowboys and became the NFL MVP in 1993. After playing for a decade with the Cowboys, Smith joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 and played his final two seasons with the team.

Smith was a four-time consecutive First-team All-Pro from 1992 to 1995. By the time he retired in 2004, he had already put his name on the list of the best running backs of all time in NFL’s history.

Career Stats of Emmitt Smith:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns	Passing Touchdowns
18,355	4.2	164	515	3,224	11

4. Marshall Faulk

Full Name	Marshall William Faulk
Date of Birth	February 26, 1973
Place of Birth	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in
Weight	211 lb
NFL Draft	1994 ( Indianapolis Colts, Pick: 2)
Teams	Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	2000
First-Team All-Pro	3 Times: 1999, 2000, 01
Retirement	2006

Marshall Faulk showed great talent during his high school career, which made several colleges interested in him. However, the colleges were offering to recruit him as a defensive player, but Faulk wanted to be a part of the offense. So, he finally joined San Diego State and became a college legend there. To honor Faulk, San Diego State has retired his jersey no.28.

Because of his impressive college career, Faulk was immediately picked by Indianapolis Colts as the second pick of the draft in 1994. He ranks 12th in all-time rushing yards with 12,279 yards in career rush. His 767 career receptions are the second most by a running back.

Faulk gave his best performance in 2000 and was the MVP of the year when he won Super Bowl XXXIV. From 1991-2001, he won the offensive player of the year award thrice in a row. His other achievements include:

• 3 times First-Team All-Pro
• 7 times  Pro Bowl
• NFL rushing touchdowns leader in 2000
• 2 Times the NFL Scoring Leader

With so much individual achievement, Faulk stands as one of the best running backs of all time.

Career Stats of Marshall Faulk:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
12,279	4.3	100	767	6,875	36

5. O.J. Simpson

Full Name	Orenthal James Simpson
Date of Birth	July 9, 1947
Place of Birth	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 1 in
Weight	212 lb
NFL Draft	1969 ( Buffalo Bills, Pick: 1)
Teams	Buffalo Bills, San Francisco
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	1973
First-Team All-Pro	5 Times: 1972, 73, 74, 75, 76
Retirement	1979

O.J. Simpson was predicted to become the best running back of all time in the history of the NFL when he became the first pick in the 1969 draft. The 6 ft 1 Californian began his pro football career with the Buffalo Bills and later joined the San Francisco 49ers, where he played for two seasons.

Bills had high hopes for Simpson, but he found it difficult to match in his initial pro football career. However, he began to flourish in 1972 and became a constant top performer for his team. He won the NFL MVP award in 1973 and was a First-time All-Pro as well as Pro Bowl for five straight years from 1972-1976.

Simpson was the first running back in the NFL to rush for over 2,000 yards. He showed great dominance from 1972-76 and was selected best player of the award by many experts. Surprisingly, Simpson left Buffalo Bills in 1978 and soon retired from pro football the following year.

Career Stats of O.J. Simpson:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Pass Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns	Returned Kickoffs
11,232	4.7	61	203	2,142	14	33

6. Barry Sanders

Full Name	Barry Sanders
Date of Birth	July 16, 1968
Place of Birth	Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Height	5 ft 8 in
Weight	200 lb
NFL Draft	1989 (Detroit Lions, Pick: 3)
Teams	Detroit Lions
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	1997
First-Team All-Pro	6 Times: 1989, 1990, 91, 94, 95, 97
Retirement	1998

Barry Sanders was born in 1968 in Wichita, Kansas, U.S. He went to Oklahoma State University and played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. His performance with the Cowboys earned him the 3rd pick in the 1989 draft.

Many legends found it difficult to shine in the beginning years of their pro football career. But that’s not the case for Barry Sanders. He immediately became a top player in the tournament after getting picked by the Detroit Lions. He was a First-time All pro three times in a row in his first three years in the NFL and became a six times First-time All pro in his 10-year career.

Sanders was a threat to the opposition’s defense. With his speed and strong arms, he could break through the top defenses. He was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1994 and 1997. Sanders is a ten times Pro Bowl as well, meaning that he never missed the star list in his career.

No doubt that Sanders is the best running back of all time to play for the Lions, and upon his retirement, the team retired his jersey no.20.

Career Stats of Barry Sanders:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns	Passing Touchdowns
15,269	5	99	352	2,921	10

7. LaDainian Tomlinson

Full Name	LaDainian Tarshane Tomlinson
Date of Birth	June 23, 1979
Place of Birth	Rosebud, Texas, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in
Weight	215 lb
NFL Draft	2001 (San Diego Chargers, pick: 5)
Teams	San Diego Chargers, New York Jets
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	2006
First-Team All-Pro	3 Times: 2004, 06, 07
Retirement	2011

Tomlinson is one of the finest twenty-first-century players in the NFL. Only three runners have secured 100 receptions in a season, and Tomlinson is one of them. Tomlinson led the NFL in rushing twice in his career and set a new record with 28 rushing touchdowns in 2006, which is still unbroken.

LaDainian Tomlinson was born in 1979 in Texas. He was drafted into the NFL in 2001 at the age of 22. He was three times First-team All-Pro. Tomlinson had a terrific year in 2006 when he became the NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and a Pro Bowl.

While retiring in 2011, he ranked 5th in career rushing yards. With 145 TDs, he was second in career rushing touchdowns and third in total touchdowns with 162. With so many accolades, he is surely among the best running backs of all time.

Tomlinson became a pro football Hall of Famer in 2017.

Career stats of LaDainian Tomilson:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
13,684	4.3	145	624	4,772	17

8. Jerome Bettis

Full Name	Jerome Abram Bettis Sr
Date of Birth	February 16, 1972
Place of Birth	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in
Weight	255 lb
NFL Draft	1993 (Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams, Pick: 10)
Teams	Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	N/A
Super Bowl Champion	XL (2005)
First-team All-Pro	2 Times: 1993, 96
Retirement	2005

Jerome Bettis, also known as “the bus” for his size and speed, was the 10th overall pick in the 1993 draft. In his 13-year career, he became super bowl champion in 2005 and a six times pro bowl.

Bettis was born in 1972 in Michigan. Since his childhood, he was more interested in bowing but started playing football in High School, and he was a natural talent in it.

After joining the NFL, Bettis became a better version of himself than in his college career. He was the 1993 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and first-team all-pro. After having a great opening year, Bettis continued to dominate on the field.

Bettis moved to Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996, and there he played till his retirement in 2005.

Career stats of Jerome Bettis:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns	Passing Touchdowns
13,664	3.9	91	200	1,457	3

9. Marcus Allen

Full Name	Marcus LeMarr Allen
Date of Birth	March 26, 1960
Place of Birth	San Diego, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in
Weight	210 lb
NFL Draft	1982 (Los Angeles Raiders, Pick: 10)
Teams	Los Angeles Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	1985
First-Team All-Pro	2 Times: 1982, 85
Retirement	1997

Marcus Allen is one of the greatest goal-line and short-yard runners in NFL history. Following a successful college career, he became the 10th overall pick in the 1982 draft. The same year he won the NFL offensive player of the year award.

During his professional career, Allen caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards and rushed a total of 12,243 yards with a total of 144 touchdowns. In his 13-year career, he became a two-time first-team all-pro and one-time NFL MVP in 1985.

In 1984, Allen won the Super Bowl championship and was the Super Bowl MVP. He retired in 1997 and became a  Pro Football Hall of Famer in 2003.

Career stats of Marcus Allen:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
12,243	4.1	123	587	5,411	21

10. Eric Dickerson

Full Name	Eric Demetric Dickerson
Date of Birth	September 2, 1960
Place of Birth	Sealy, Texas, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in
Weight	220 lb
NFL Draft	1983 (Los Angeles Rams, Pick: 2)
Teams	Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons
Positions	Running Back
NFL Champion	N/A
NFL MVP	N/A
First-Team All-Pro	5 Times: 1983, 84, 86, 87, 88
Retirement	1993

The 6 ft 3 inches Texan giant was the second pick of the first round in the 1983 draft. Judging by his college reputation as a performer, many had already prophesied that he would become the best running back of all time, and by the time he retired in 1993, the prophecy came true.

In his decade-long career, he rushed for over 13 thousand yards and had 90 rushing touchdowns. Dickerson was on his way to becoming the best in his position from his first year in the NFL, winning the 1983 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

There were no setbacks for Dickerson. He is five times first-team all-pro, six times Pro Bowl, and a four-time NFL rushing yards leader. After having a successful career, he retired in 1993 after a disk injury and started working in Hollywood.

Career stats of Eric Dickerson:

Rushing Yards	Yards Per Carry	Rushing Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
13,259	4.4	90	281	2,137	6

Conclusion

The contribution of the running backs in winning games is vital, and being the best in the position is not easy. These players, with their talent, hard work, and dedication, have surpassed the time barrier and become the best running backs of all time in the history of the NFL.

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