Top 15 Running Backs in NFL History — Ranked

These fifteen men didn’t just carry the ball — they carried franchises, broke records, and changed the way the game is played.

Alyana Aguja
June 18, 2025
5 min read

Top 15 Running Backs in NFL History — Ranked — David Boss-Imagn Images

Running backs may no longer dominate NFL draft boards, but their historical impact is undeniable. From bruisers like Earl Campbell to surgical cutters like Barry Sanders, these backs redefined toughness, artistry, and endurance. This list honors those who left their cleat marks on the field — and on football history.

15. Ricky Watters

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Ricky Watters never shied away from contact or controversy, but his production spoke for itself: five Pro Bowls, over 10,000 rushing yards, and a knack for scoring in big games. He was the first player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season for three different teams, and his Super Bowl XXIX performance with the 49ers (3 touchdowns) remains iconic. Though not always loved by the media, his passion and versatility made him unforgettable.

14. Fred Taylor

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Fred Taylor was one of the most underrated backs of his era, quietly putting up over 11,000 rushing yards despite a carousel of quarterbacks in Jacksonville. Injuries kept him out of the spotlight, but defenders respected his rare combination of size, speed, and footwork. Ask any defensive coordinator from the 2000s, and they’ll tell you he was a nightmare in open space.

13. Marshawn Lynch

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“Beast Mode” wasn’t just a nickname — it was a lifestyle. Lynch ran with violent purpose, never more memorably than in his legendary 67-yard playoff run against the Saints in 2011 that caused a literal earthquake. Off the field, his charm, quirks, and refusal to conform made him a cult hero.

12. Tiki Barber

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Tiki Barber ended his career at his peak, walking away from the NFL after back-to-back 1,800+ total yard seasons. His transformation from fumble-prone to fundamentally flawless was a testament to his work ethic. He became the Giants’ all-time rushing leader and a model for how backs can evolve with age.

11. Earl Campbell

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Watching Earl Campbell run was like watching a linebacker play running back — only he was the running back. The 1979 MVP punished tacklers with a bruising style that shortened his career but left lasting scars on defenders. At his peak, few players were more feared or more ferocious.

10. Tony Dorsett

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Tony Dorsett’s speed and grace made it look easy, even when it wasn’t. His 99-yard touchdown run in 1983, still an NFL record, felt like poetry in cleats. With over 12,000 rushing yards and a Super Bowl ring, he proved size isn’t everything in a league built on power.

9. O.J. Simpson

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Before the notoriety, there was the brilliance. O.J. was the first to rush for over 2,000 yards in a 14-game season (1973), averaging an absurd 143.1 yards per game. On the field, “The Juice” ran with a fluidity and vision that revolutionized the position.

8. Thurman Thomas

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Thurman Thomas was the engine of those early ’90s Bills teams that made four straight Super Bowls. He led the league in yards from scrimmage for four consecutive years — a testament to his all-purpose skillset. Thomas was the perfect hybrid back: equally dangerous as a runner and receiver.

7. Marcus Allen

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Marcus Allen had a nose for the end zone and a smooth, slashing style that made defenders miss in tight spaces. His 74-yard Super Bowl XVIII touchdown run is a masterpiece in patience and vision. He’s also one of the few backs with both a Heisman and a Super Bowl MVP.

6. Eric Dickerson

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No one ran like Eric Dickerson — upright, smooth, and always fast. He still holds the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards in 1984, a mark that’s stood for decades despite pass-happy offenses. His goggles, his gait, his gallop. Everything about him was iconic.

5. LaDainian Tomlinson

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L.T. was a touchdown machine, scoring 31 in 2006 alone, a single-season record that might never fall. But he wasn’t just about stats — he was electric, elusive, and utterly reliable. From hurdling defenders to breaking ankles, Tomlinson defined 2000s backfield brilliance.

4. Marshall Faulk

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Marshall Faulk redefined what a running back could be in a modern offense. As the centerpiece of “The Greatest Show on Turf,” he had over 1,300 receiving yards in one year as a back. His football IQ, hands, and route-running made him a mismatch nightmare.

3. Barry Sanders

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Barry Sanders could disappear and reappear in the blink of an eye. With jukes that defied physics and balance that seemed unreal, he rushed for over 15,000 yards despite retiring at age 30. He was poetry in motion, the rare player who made fans gasp more than cheer.

2. Walter Payton

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“Sweetness” ran with elegance, heart, and unrelenting toughness. He broke tackles like they insulted his mother and blocked like an offensive lineman. With over 16,000 rushing yards and unmatched durability, he became the soul of Chicago and a legend of the league.

1. Jim Brown

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Jim Brown was a force of nature — bigger, faster, and meaner than anyone else on the field in his era. In just nine seasons, he led the league in rushing eight times and retired at the top of his game. To this day, he remains the gold standard for running back dominance.