What makes a running back truly great? Is it the avalanche of yards, the touchdowns that tilt stadiums, or the moments where time seems to pause—one cut, one burst, and the whole field rearranges around them? The NFL has always been a league of eras, and the running back is its most shapeshifting position: from three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust bruisers to silky open-field artists to today’s multi-tool playmakers who can torch you on the ground and through the air. To talk about the best of all time is to talk about how the game itself learned to breathe, sprint, and break hearts.
Of course, the arguments are as slippery as a wet November field. How do you weigh raw dominance against longevity? Era-adjusted stats against the undeniable “eye test”? What do we do with players who redefined roles—backs who ran like receivers, receivers who blocked like guards, outliers whose styles forced playbooks to evolve? These are the tensions that make the topic fun—and maddening.
In this article, we’ll identify the best NFL running backs of all-time, blending numbers with nuance, distinguishing the signature skills that separated legends from stars.
Jim Brown
Team: Cleveland Browns
Career: (1957-1965)
Analysis: Jim Brown is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest, running backs in NFL history. Playing his entire nine-year career (1957-1965) with the Cleveland Browns, Brown redefined the position with his rare combination of power, speed, and elusiveness. He led the league in rushing in eight of his nine seasons and earned NFL MVP honors three times (1957, 1958, 1965). Upon his retirement at the peak of his career, he held numerous major rushing records, including career rushing yards (12,312) and career rushing touchdowns (106). His astounding career average of 104.3 rushing yards per game remains an NFL record, solidifying his place among the elite alongside other legendary backs like Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, and Emmitt Smith.
Barry Sanders – NFL Running Backs
Team: Detroit Lions
Career: (1989-1998)
Analysis: Barry Sanders stands as one of the most uniquely electrifying and elusive running backs in NFL history. Despite his relatively short 10-season career (1989-1998) with the Detroit Lions, Sanders amassed 15,269 rushing yards, ranking fourth all-time upon his retirement. He captivated audiences with his unparalleled agility, quick cuts, and uncanny ability to escape tackles, often turning what looked like a loss into a significant gain. Sanders led the league in rushing four times, including a phenomenal 2,053-yard season in 1997, earning him NFL MVP honors. A Pro Bowl selection in all ten of his seasons, he consistently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards each year, a testament to his sustained excellence. His abrupt retirement at the peak of his career, just shy of Walter Payton’s then-all-time rushing record, remains one of football’s great “what-ifs,” yet his indelible highlight reels and impact on the game firmly secure his place among the best running backs ever.
Walter Payton
Career: (1975-19787)
Team: Chicago Bears
Analysis: Walter Payton, affectionately known as “Sweetness,” is etched into the annals of NFL history as one of the most dominant and complete running backs to ever play the game. Spending his entire 13-season career (1975-1987) with the Chicago Bears, Payton retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with an astounding 16,726 yards, a record he held until 2002. Beyond his prolific rushing, he was a remarkably versatile player, excelling as a receiver, blocker, and even an occasional passer, demonstrating a complete skillset rarely seen at the position. Payton’s iconic “pinball” running style, characterized by his ability to break tackles and bounce off defenders, combined with his incredible durability (missing only one game in his career), made him a relentless force. A 9-time Pro Bowler and the 1977 NFL MVP, he led the Bears to a Super Bowl XX victory in 1985. Payton’s relentless work ethic, unwavering determination, and inspiring sportsmanship solidified his legacy as not just an athletic marvel, but also a beloved figure.
Emmitt Smith – NFL Running Backs
Career: (1990-2004)
Team: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
Analysis: Emmitt Smith carved out an undeniable legacy as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, a testament to his remarkable longevity, consistency, and durability. Playing 13 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002) and two with the Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004), Smith accumulated an incredible 18,355 rushing yards and a record 164 rushing touchdowns. He surpassed Walter Payton’s career rushing total in 2002, a monumental achievement that cemented his place in history. A central figure in the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, Smith earned three Super Bowl championships (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and was named Super Bowl XXVIII MVP. He also achieved the rare feat of winning the NFL MVP, Super Bowl, rushing title, and Super Bowl MVP all in the same 1993 season. His record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons highlights his incredible sustained performance, a factor that differentiates him from many other top running backs who often had shorter, albeit brilliant, careers.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Career: (2001-2011)
Team: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets
Analysis: LaDainian Tomlinson, often known as “L.T.,” stands as one of the most prolific and versatile running backs in NFL history. Primarily playing for the San Diego Chargers for nine seasons (2001-2009) before finishing his career with the New York Jets, Tomlinson was a scoring machine and a true dual-threat out of the backfield. He captivated fans with his agility, vision, and remarkable nose for the end zone. His career peaked in 2006 when he earned NFL MVP honors after setting single-season records for most rushing touchdowns (28) and total touchdowns (31). Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time in rushing yards (13,684) and second in career rushing touchdowns (145), behind only Emmitt Smith.
Eric Dickerson – NFL Running Backs
Team: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, Atlanta Falcons
Career: (1983-1993)
Analysis: Eric Dickerson burst onto the NFL scene with an unprecedented impact, establishing himself as one of the most dynamic and record-breaking running backs in league history. Known for his upright running style, long strides, and effortless speed, Dickerson appeared to glide past defenders, often leaving them in his wake. In his remarkable 11-season career (1983-1993) primarily with the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts, he amassed 13,259 rushing yards, ranking him among the top 10 all-time at the time of his retirement. His second season in 1984 was truly historic, as he set the NFL single-season rushing record with an astounding 2,105 yards, a mark that still stands today. He was also the fastest player to reach 10,000 career rushing yards, achieving the milestone in just 91 games.
Marshall Faulk
Team: Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams
Career: (1994-2005)
Analysis: Marshall Faulk redefined the running back position with his unprecedented versatility and explosive all-purpose play, making him a true pioneer in the NFL. Over his 12-season career (1994-2005), most notably with the Indianapolis Colts and the “Greatest Show on Turf” St. Louis Rams, Faulk was equally devastating as a runner and a receiver. He is the only player in NFL history to amass over 12,000 rushing yards (12,279) and 6,000 receiving yards (6,875), totaling an astonishing 19,154 yards from scrimmage and 136 total touchdowns. His peak performance in the St. Louis Rams’ high-octane offense was truly remarkable, including a 2000 NFL MVP season where he recorded 2,189 yards from scrimmage and a league-leading 26 touchdowns. Faulk also holds the NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage (four, from 1998-2001). His ability to seamlessly transition from running between the tackles to catching passes out of the backfield, often lining up as a wide receiver, made him a nightmare for opposing defenses and set a new standard for what a running back could be.
Adrian Peterson – NFL Running Backs
Team: Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks
Analysis: Adrian Peterson, known for his explosive power, remarkable athleticism, and relentless running style, has cemented his place as one of the most physically dominant running backs in NFL history. Primarily playing for the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson’s career (2007-2021) was defined by breathtaking individual performances and a remarkable return from a devastating knee injury. He shattered the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards in his rookie season (2007) and, in an astonishing 2012 comeback year after tearing his ACL, rushed for 2,097 yards, falling just nine yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s single-season record, earning him the NFL MVP award. Peterson led the league in rushing three times (2008, 2012, 2015) and retired ranking fifth all-time in career rushing yards (14,918) and fifth in career rushing touchdowns (120).
