The 100 Greatest Pro Running Backs of All Time: Nos. 50-26

Baltimore Colts: 1972-1977
San Diego Chargers: 1978-1979
Los Angeles Rams: 1980

Rushing Yards: 6534
YDS/GM: 58.9
Receptions: 376

3x Pro Bowler

Mitchell was a great all-around threat as could run and catch the ball with the best of them.

Mitchell was in the top 5 in rushing yards in three consecutive seasons from 1975-1977. He also led the league twice in receptions and came in second and third other times throughout his career.

Atlanta Falcons: 1979-1983, 1986

Rushing Yards: 5986
YDS/ATT: 4.6
YDS/GM: 68.8

4x Pro Bowler

Andrews was a dominant player whose career was very short due to a knee injury. During his playing time he was one of the best though, making the Pro Bowl in 4 of his 6 years in the league.

In 1983, he was the runner up for the rushing title and was in the top ten on two other occasions. In 1981 he led the league in yards from scrimmage with 2,036.

New Orleans Saints: 2001-2008

Rushing Yards: 6096
Rush TD: 49
YDS/GM: 62.8

2x Pro Bowler

McAllister is arguably the greatest Saints running back of all time. He was the first Saint to ever run for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. He is the Saints all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

New York Jets: 1981-1992

Rushing Yards: 8074
YDS/ATT: 4.5
Rush TD: 38

3x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

McNeil was a guy that the Jets could always count on. He averaged at least 4.0 yards an attempt in every season that he played.

In 1982 he led the league in rushing in a shortened season, he also led the league in yards per attempt that year. He was often in the top 10 in rushing yards a game throughout his career, achieving this four different times.

St. Louis Rams: 2004-present

Rushing Yards: 5792
YDS/GM: 78.0
Receptions: 250

1x Pro Bowler

It's pretty amazing what Steven Jackson has already done in his short career. Jackson became the starter for the Rams in 2005 and has rushed for over 1,000 yards each season since and is on his way to doing that again this year.

In 2006, he led the league in yards from scrimmage with 2334, that is good for fifth all time. He is currently ninth among active players in rushing yards and eighth in rushing yards a game.

Philadelphia Eagles: 2002-present

Rushing Yards: 5905
YDS/ATT: 4.6
Receptions: 418

2x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Westbrook is a deadly weapon when he touches the ball and has become the Eagles go-to guy when they need a play. He is one of the best receiving running backs the league has ever seen.

Injuries have hampered him throughout his career but it doesn't stop him from being dominant when he is on the field. In 2007 he led the league in yards from scrimmage with 2,104 and set an Eagles record with 90 receptions.

Cleveland Browns: 1964-1973

Rushing Yards: 7,274
Rush TD: 74
YDS/ATT: 4.2

6x Pro Bowler
3x First Team All Pro

Kelly was one of the most dominant players in the game when he played. He led the league in rushing twice, rushing touchdowns three times, yards an attempt twice, and rushing yards a game once.

He also led the league in yards from scrimmage twice. His 74 rushing touchdowns is good for 22nd all time.

Seattle Seahawks: 1983-1989
Los Angeles Rams: 1990

Rushing Yards: 6844
Rush TD: 56
YDS/GM: 68.4

3x Pro Bowler

Warner was Seattle's first great running back. He was in the top ten in rushing in four different season and in the top 3 in three of those seasons.

In 1986, he was the runner up in yards from scrimmage with 1823. Four different times in his career he had double digit touchdown numbers.

Detroit Lions: 1980-1984

Rushing Yards: 5106
YDS/ATT: 4.5
Rush TD: 42

1980 Rookie of the Year
3x Pro Bowler

Sims was truly an amazing talent whose career was cut way too short but a nasty knee injury. During his 5 seasons in the league he made the pro bowl three times.

In 1980, he led the league in rushing touchdowns with 13, he scored that many again the next year which was good for second. His 85.1 rushing yards a game is good for ninth all time.

Minnesota Vikings: 1973-1979
New England Patriots: 1980

Rushing Yards: 5950
Rush TD: 53
Receptions: 350

1973 Rookie of the Year
5x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Foreman was a force to be reckoned with right away in his first season. He could run hard and catch the ball out of the backfield.

His 22 touchdowns in 1975 was a then-NFC record. In 1975 he lead the league in receptions with 73. Twice during his career, he led the league in touchdowns.

New Orleans Saints: 1999-2001
Miami Dolphins: 2002-2005, 2007-present

Rushing Yards: 8096
Rush TD: 53
YDS/GM: 77.8

1x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Ricky has been surrounded in controversy throughout his career but when he plays the game he plays it as good as just about anyone. Williams was a good player for the Saints but really came into his own when he was traded to the Dolphins.

In his first year in Miami, he led the league in rushing with 1853 yards which is good for 12th all time. That year he also led the league in rushing yards per game with a whopping 115.8.

He is currently seventh among active players in rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns. Who knows how good his final stats would have been had he not skipped town for "personal" reasons.

Atlanta Falcons: 1982-1988
Washington Redskins: 1989-1991

Rushing Yards: 8188
Rush TD: 69
YDS/GM: 63.5

1x Super Bowl Champion
3x Pro Bowler

Riggs was an excellent player who was often overlooked. He is the Falcons all time leading rusher and once during a three year span he amassed 5212 total yards and 32 total touchdowns.

In 1985, he was the runner up for the rushing title with 1719 yards, which is good for 25th all time. Three other times he was in the top ten in rushing.

Philadelphia Eagles: 1977-1984
Detroit Lions: 1985

Rushing Yards: 6789
Rush TD: 45
YDS/ATT: 4.4

2x Pro Bowler

He may be the greatest Philadelphia Eagles running back of all time. He holds franchise records for rushing attempts, rushing yards, 100 yard games, attempts in a season, and rushing yards in a season.

In 1979, he led the league in all purpose yards with 2012.

New Orleans Saints: 1976-1980
San Diego Chargers: 1980-1984

Rushing Yards: 6702
Rush TD: 71
YDS/GM: 60.9

3x Pro Bowler

It's a shame that Muncie ran into drug problems because he was a truly great talent. Muncie was the first ever Saint to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.

Chuck had a nose for the end zone and in 1981 he led the league in touchdowns with 19. His 71 career rushing touchdowns is good for 26th all time.

Cleveland Browns: 1984-1988, 1994-1995
Washington Redskins: 1989-1993
Baltimore Ravens: 1996-1997

Rushing Yards: 8261
Rush TD: 56
Receptions: 512

1x Super Bowl Champion
2x Pro Bowler

Byner is most famous for "The Fumble" but he was a great runner as well. When he retired he was 16th all time in rushing yards.

Byner wasn't a player that put up eye-popping stats but he was as consistent as they came as both a runner and a receiver.

Minnesota Vikings: 1991-1994
Washington Redskins: 1995-1998
New England Patriots: 1999
New Orleans Saints: 2000
Baltimore Ravens: 2001

Rushing Yards: 8614
Rush TD: 73
YDS/GM: 66.3

1x Pro Bowler

Allen is one of the most underrated running backs the NFL has ever seen. He was one of the most effective runners in the 90's but was often overlooked due to playing at the same time as other superstars.

In 1996 he led the league in rushing touchdowns with 21. That is good for sixth all time.

He was in the top ten in rushing yards and rushing yards a game four different times. He was also in the top ten in rushing touchdowns five different times.

San Francisco 49ers: 1948-1960, 1963
Baltimore Colts: 1961-1962

Rushing Yards: 9723
Rush TD: 71
YDS/ATT: 5.0

3x Pro Bowler
2x First Team All Pro

Joe "The Jet" Perry may have been a fullback but he had the speed of a tailback. He was the first player ever to run for 1,000 yards in two consecutive seasons.

He led the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, and rushing yards a game three different times in his career.

Dallas Cowboys: 1986-1989, 1996-1997
Minnesota Vikings: 1989-1991
Philadelphia Eagles: 1992-1994
New York Giants: 1995

Rushing Yards: 8225
Rush TD: 61
Receptions: 512

2x Pro Bowler

Walker may be better known for being a great college running back but his pro career was impressive as well. His stats would have been even better had he not played in the USFL his first few year after college.

Walker wasn't used to the best of his ability in Minnesota as well, he was traded for a total of five players and six draft picks.

The Vikings coaching staff was not happy about this and may have limited Walker's playing time in protest. If you were to combine Walker's rushing totals from the NFL and USFL, he would currently be fifth all time.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1997-2000, 2008
Atlanta Falcons: 2002-2007

Rushing Yards: 10,967
Rush TD: 49
Receptions: 510

1997 Rookie of the Year
3x Pro Bowler

Dunn was one of the quickest runners in NFL history. During his career he often was at the top of the leader board when it came to yards per carry. Four different times he was in the top ten.

He was also a great receiver and could make plays with his feet like very few have before him. He is 19th all-time in career rushing yards.

Baltimore Ravens: 2000-2006
Cleveland Browns: 2007-present

Rushing Yards: 10,340
Rush TD: 58
YDS/GM: 81.8

1x Super Bowl Champion
2003 Offensive Player of the Year
1x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Lewis is a hard runner who has bowled over many defenders over the course of his career. He was only the second rookie running back to run for over 100 yards in a Super Bowl.

In 2003 he became only the 5th player ever to run for over 2,000 yards in a season. He ran for 2,066, which is second all-time.

Lewis is second all time in rushing yards in a game with 279. He is currently fourth among active players in career rushing yards and 23rd all time.

San Francisco 49ers: 1983-1990
Los Angeles Raiders: 1991
Minnesota Vikings: 1992-1993

Rushing Yards: 8189
Rush TD: 56
Receptions: 566

3x Super Bowl Champion
1988 Offensive Player of the Year
4x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Craig was the starting running back for some of the greatest teams ever. Craig was the first player ever to score 3 touchdowns in a Super Bowl. He was also the first player ever to run for 1,000 yards in a season and have 1,000 yards receiving.

He was the 49ers all time leading rusher until it was broken by Garrison Hearst.

He is the only running back to ever lead the league in receptions and is the only running back to have 100 yards receiving in a Super Bowl.

St. Louis Cardinals: 1979-1986
New York Giants: 1986-1992

Rushing Yards: 10,273
Rush TD: 81
YDS/ATT: 4.0

2x Super Bowl Champion
1990 Super Bowl MVP
1979 Offensive Player of the Year
1989 Comeback Player of the Year
2x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Anderson is a poster boy for what a running back is expected to be. A guy who could run hard and had speed.

He was in the top 10 in rushing yards 5 different times, rushing yards a game 6 times, and rushing touchdowns 3 times.

Anderson was effective for good teams like the Giants and for bad teams like the Cardinals. He could step it up at any time.

Seattle Seahawks: 1998-1999
Green Bay Packers: 2000-2006, present
Houston Texans: 2007-2008

Rushing Yards: 9045
Rush TD: 59
YDS/ATT: 4.5

4x Pro Bowler

Green was an excellent running and catching back for the Packers. He is one of the most well-rounded players of this generation. From 2000-2004 he had more rushing yards and yards from scrimmage than anyone.

In 2003, he set the Packers record for rushing yards in a season with 1883. He is only one of two players to ever have two runs of 90 yards or more.

Denver Broncos: 1995-2001

Rushing Yards: 7607
Rush TD: 60
YDS/GM: 97.5

2x Super Bowl Champion
1997 Super Bowl MVP
1998 MVP
1996 and 1998 Offensive Player of the Year
3x Pro Bowler
3x First Team All Pro

Davis might be the best example of how injuries can take a player away too early. Davis had what may have been the most impressive 4 year stretch ever.

He is the Broncos all time leading rusher and one of only five players to have run for 2,000 yards in a season. His 2,008 yards rushing is good for 4th all time.

He was runner up for the rushing title in two other years and led the league in rushing touchdowns twice including scoring 21 in 1998 which is good for 6th all time. His career average of 97.5 yards a game for a career is fourth all time.

Green Bay Packers: 1958-1966
New Orleans Saints: 1967

Rushing Yards: 8597
Rush TD: 83
YDS/GM: 65.1

1x Super Bowl Champion
3x NFL Champion
1962 NFL MVP
5x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Taylor was one of the first true great running backs. He still holds Packers records for career rushing yards, career rushing touchdowns, and single-season touchdowns.

When Taylor retired his 83 rushing touchdowns were second all time and they are still 15th all time. Taylor scored the first ever rushing touchdown in Super Bowl history.

In 1962, he led the league in rushing with 1474 yards. He was runner up for the rushing title four other times. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns twice.