The 100 Greatest Pro Running Backs of All-Time: Nos. 25-1

I wrote this article after extensive research. The list was compiled after looking at about 175 candidates.

Some of the stats that I focused on in coming up with the list were rushing yards, yards per game, rushing touchdowns, yards per carry, receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

After placing all the candidates in order based on stats, I weighed each stat appropriately. For example, I feel that rushing yards are more important than receiving touchdowns, therefore they are weighed heavier in my rankings.

After compiling the list based solely on stats, I took other factors into account such as career length, whether injuries played a part, and when they played.

Finally, I injected my own opinion into the list since after all, it is my list.

The list will consist of fullbacks, tailbacks, halfbacks and anyone else you might consider a running back.

It should be noted that this list is about players who handled the ball so you won't see great fullbacks that were strictly blockers on the list.

The stats for current players are up through Week Six of the current NFL season.

I know this list won't be the same as everyone else's, but I hope you enjoy.

25. Eddie George

Houston Oilers/Tennesee Titans: 1996-2003
Dallas Cowboys: 2004

Rushing Yards: 10441
Rush TD: 68
YDS/GM: 74.0

1996 Rookie of the Year
4x Pro Bowler
1x First-Team All Pro

George ran the ball often and ran the ball well. He is the Titans all-time leading rusher and was as consistent as they came. He was in the top 10 in rushing in five straight seasons from 1996-2000. He led the league in rushing attempts in 2000 and was in the top 10 in six other seasons.

24. Corey Dillon

Cincinnati Bengals: 1997-2003
New England Patriots: 2004-2006

Rushing Yards: 11241
Rush TD: 82
YDS/GM: 74.9

1x Super Bowl Champion
4x Pro Bowler

Dillon was a great runner right from the start. He set the record for rushing yards in a game by a rookie (which has since been broken). He also once had the record for most rushing yards by a running back in a game (which has also been broken). Dillon is the Bengals all-time leading rusher. Dillon was in the top 10 in rushing six different seasons.

23. Clinton Portis

Denver Broncos: 2002-2003
Washington Redskins: 2004-2009

Rushing Yards: 9649
Rush TD: 73
YDS/GM: 89.8

2002 Rookie of the Year
2x Pro Bowler

Portis is one of the most colorful players in the NFL but is also one of the best runners. In Portis' first two seasons in the NFL he averaged 5.5 yards a carry which was a record for a running back. He holds the record for most rushing yards in a season for a Redskin. He was only the third running back to rush for 1500 yards in three of his first four seasons. He is one of only two running backs to run for 120 yards in a game in five consecutive games. He is currently fourth among active players in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns.

22. Priest Holmes

Baltimore Ravens: 1997-2000
Kansas City Chiefs: 2001-2007

Rushing Yards: 8172
Rush TD: 86
Receptions: 339

1x Super Bowl Champion
2002 Offensive Player of the Year
3x Pro Bowler
3x First-Team All Pro

Holmes was a bit of a late bloomer but once he got going he was one of the best dual threats in the NFL. In 2003 Priest broke the record for total touchdowns with 27, which has since been broken. He is one of only two running backs to rush for 20-plus touchdowns in two straight seasons. He led the league in rushing once and came in the top-10 two other times. He led the league in rushing touchdowns twice and came in third in another season.

21. Shaun Alexander

Seattle Seahawks: 2000-2007
Washington Redskins: 2008

Rushing Yards: 9453
Rush TD: 100
YDS/GM: 76.9

2005 NFL MVP
2005 Offensive Player of the Year
3x Pro Bowler
1x First-Team All Pro

Alexander had a fast drop-off but before that he was a tremendous runner for the Seahawks. Shaun set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns in only his second season. He also set the record for rushing touchdowns in a half with five. He was the first running back ever to rush for 15 touchdowns or more in five consecutive seasons. He was the first player ever to score 19 touchdowns in the first 10 games of a season. He also set the record for touchdowns in a season with 28, which was since broken. He is the Seahawks all time leading rusher and the only Seahawk to win MVP.

20. Fred Taylor

Jacksonville Jaguars: 1998-2008
New England Patriots: 2009-present

Rushing Yards: 11472
Rush TD: 64
YDS/ATT: 4.6

1x Pro Bowler

Throughout Taylor's career he has been vastly underrated. But when healthy he was almost always one of the best runner in the league. He is the Jaguars all time leading rusher. So far he is the only player to run for 1000 yards in the season for Jaguars and he did it 7 times. He holds almost every rushing franchise record. His 4.6 rushing yards and attempt is 5th all time among running backs.

19. John Riggins

New York Jets: 1971-1975
Washington Redskins: 1976-1985

Rushing Yards: 11352
Rush TD: 104
YDS/GM: 64.9

1x Super Bowl Champion
1982 Super Bowl MVP
1978 Comeback Player of the Year
1x Pro Bowler
1x First-Team All Pro

Riggins was the first Jet ever to lead the team in both rushing and receiving. He was also the first Jet ever to rush for over 1000 yards in a season. He holds the Redskins playoff record for rushing yards in a game with 185 yards. In 1983 he rushed for 24 touchdowns which was a record at the time. Riggins was the second player ever to rush for over 100 touchdowns in a career. He led the league in rushing touchdowns twice and is sixth all time.

18. Tiki Barber

New York Giants: 1997-2006

Rushing Yards: 10449
YDS/ATT: 4.7
Receptions: 586

3x Pro Bowler
1x First-Team All Pro

Barber was one of the greatest receiving running backs in the history of the NFL. He was also a great runner and is the Giants all-time leading rusher. In 2005 he had 2390 yards from scrimmage which is second all time. He was only the third player ever to have 10000 yards rushing and 5000 yards receiving in a career. He was the first player ever to have 1800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a season. He is one of only three players to have three 200 yard games in a season. He is one of only three players to be a franchise's all time leader in rushing yards and receptions.

17. Ricky Watters

San Francisco 49ers: 1992-1994
Philadelphia Eagles: 1995-1997
Seattle Seahawks: 1998-2001

Rushing Yards: 10643
Rush TD: 78
Receptions: 467

1x Super Bowl Champion
5x Pro Bowler

Watters consistently ran past people and did it with style. He was one of the best playoff runners as well. In 1994 he set a playoff record for rushing touchdowns in a game with five. Many believe he is one of the greatest players to not be in the Hall of Fame. From 1995-1999 he was in the top 10 in rushing yards. He was also a great receiver and is 18th all time in yards from scrimmage.

16. Jerome Bettis

Los Angeles/St.Louis Rams: 1993-1995
Pittsburgh Steelers: 1996-2005

Rushing Yards: 13662
Rush TD: 91
YDS/GM: 71.2

1x Super Bowl Champion
1993 Rookie of the Year
1996 Comeback Player of the Year
6x Pro Bowler
2x First-Team All Pro

Bettis had a great combination of size and speed and was dominant for a long time. Bettis never led the league in rushing but came in second once and third twice. He is currently fifth all time in rushing yards. He is fourth all time in rushing attempts and 10th in rushing touchdowns.

15. Marcus Allen

Los Angeles Raiders: 1982-1992
Kansas City Chiefs: 1993-1997

Rushing Yards: 12243
Rush TD: 123
Receptions: 587

1x Super Bowl Champion
1983 Super Bowl MVP
1982 Rookie of the Year
1985 NFL MVP
1985 Offensive Player of the Year
1993 Comeback Player of the Year
6x Pro Bowler
2x First-Team All Pro

Allen had a nice, long, successful career. When he retired he had the record for rushing touchdowns with 123. He was the first player ever to rush for 10000 yards rushing and have 5000 yards receiving. The Sporting News named him the 72nd greatest football player of all time. He is currently 10th all time in rushing yards, third in rushing touchdowns, and sixth in yards from scrimmage.

14. Earl Campbell

Houston Oilers: 1978-1984
New Orleans Saints: 1984-1985

Rushing Yards: 9407
Rush TD: 74
YDS/GM: 81.8

1978 Rookie of the Year
1978 Offensive Player of the Year
1979 NFL MVP
1979 Offensive Player of the Year
1980 Offensive Player of the Year
5x Pro Bowler
3x First-Team All Pro

Campbell may have been the hardest runner in league history. He led the league in rushing in his first three season in the league. His 1934 rushing yards in 1980 is good for sixth all time. In 1999 Sporting News named him the 33rd best player in football history. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns twice and was in the top-10 three other times.

13. Franco Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers: 1972-1983
Seattle Seahawks: 1984

Rushing Yards: 12120
Rush TD: 91
YDS/GM: 70.1

4x Super Bowl Champion
1974 Super Bowl MVP
1972 Rookie of the Year
9x Pro Bowler
1x First-Team All Pro

Franco might be best known for being part of what could be the most famous play ever in the "Immaculate Reception." But he was also one the most consistent and successful runners ever. He is the Steelers all-time leading rusher. Sporting News named him the 83rd best player in NFL history. He never led the league in rushing but was in the top-10 eight times and is 12th all time. He led the league in rushing touchdowns once and is 10th all time.

12. Edgerrin James

Indianapolis Colts: 1999-2005
Arizona Cardinals: 2006-2008
Seattle Seahawks: 2009

Rushing Yards: 12246
Rush TD: 80
YDS/GM: 82.7

1999 Rookie of the Year
4x Pro Bowler
1x First-Team All Pro

Edge could do it all from the get go. He could run and catch with the best of them and he led the league in rushing in his first two seasons in the NFL. He is the Colts all-time leading rusher. He is currently 10th all-time in rushing and 12th all-time in yards from scrimmage.

11. O.J. Simpson

Buffalo Bills: 1969-1977
San Francisco 49ers: 1978-1979

Rushing Yards: 11236
YDS/ATT: 4.7
YDS/GM: 83.2

1973 NFL MVP
1973 Offensive Player of the Year
6x Pro Bowler
5x First-Team All Pro

Simpson will always be known for the infamous trial in the death of his ex-wife and friend but O.J. was also a tremendous football player. He was the first player ever to run for 2000 yards in a season and it was in a 14 game season, it is still the fifth most all time. He led the league in rushing four different times in his career. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns two times, rushing attempts three times, and rushing yards a game three times.

10. Thurman Thomas

Buffalo Bills: 1988-1999
Miami Dolphins: 2000

Rushing Yards: 12074
Rush TD: 65
Receptions: 472

1991 NFL MVP
1991 Offensive Player of the Year
5x Pro Bowler
2x First-Team All Pro

Thurman played at the same time as Barry and Emmitt so was often overlooked but he was arguably as good as those two at times. He is the Bills all-time leader in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. He is the only player ever to lead the league in yards from scrimmage in four straight years. He is one of only six players to have 400 career receptions and 10000 yards rushing. He is also only one of five players to rush for over 1000 yards in eight straight years.

9. Tony Dorsett

Dallas Cowboys: 1977-1987
Denver Broncos: 1988

Rushing Yards: 12739
Rush TD: 77
YDS/ATT: 4.3

1x Super Bowl Champion
1977 Rookie of the Year
4x Pro Bowler
1x First-Team All Pro

Dorsett was successful in college and in the pros. He was the first player ever to win the national championship one year and win the Super Bowl the next year. In 1983 he set the record for the longest run in NFL history with a 99-yarder against the Vikings and he did this with only 10 players on the field for the Cowboys as the fullback had not gotten on the field. In his first nine seasons he had over 1000 yards rushing except in the strike year. Sporting News named him the 53rd best player of all time. He is currently seventh all time in rushing yards.

8. Eric Dickerson

Los Angeles Rams: 1983-1987
Indianapolis Colts: 1987-1991
Los Angeles Raiders: 1992
Atlanta Falcons: 1993

Rushing Yards: 13252
Rush TD: 90
YDS/GM: 90.8

1983 Rookie of the Year
1986 Offensive Player of the Year
6x Pro Bowler
5x First-Team All Pro

Dickerson is one of the most accomplished runners in NFL history. In his first season he set rookie records for rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. In 1984 he set ,the record for most rushing yards in a season with 2105 a record that still stands. He led the league in rushing three other times and is currently sixth all time. Dickerson was the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10000 yards rushing in his career. Sporting News named him the 38th greatest player of all time. In five different seasons he led the NFL in rushing yards a game and his 131.6 in 1984 is good for fourth all time.

7. Curtis Martin

New England Patriots: 1995-1997
New York Jets: 1998-2005

Rushing Yards: 14101
Rush TD: 90
YDS/GM: 83.9

1995 Rookie of the Year
5x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

People often forget Curtis when talking about the greatest backs of all time but he definitley deserves mention in the conversation. He is the leagues 4th all time leading rusher. He is one of only two players to rush for 1000 yards in his first 10 years. He is the Jets all time leading rusher. He is also 3rd all time in rushing attempts, 7th in yards from scrimmage, and 12th in rushing touchdowns. In 2004 he was the oldest player ever the lead the league in rushing.

6. Emmitt Smith

Dallas Cowboys: 1990-2002
Arizona Cardinals: 2003-2004

Rushing Yards: 18355
Rush TD: 164
YDS/GM: 81.2

3x Super Bowl Champion
1993 Super Bowl MVP
1990 Rookie of the Year
1993 NFL MVP
8x Pro Bowler
4x First-Team All Pro

Emmitt Smith led the league in rushing four different times and is the leagues all-time leading rusher. He also holds the record for most career rushing touchdowns and rushing attempts. He was the first player ever to have 1400 yards rushing in five consecutive seasons. He is one of only three players to have started their careers with 10 or more touchdowns in seven consecutive seasons. He also holds post season records in rushing touchdowns with 19 and 100 yard rushing games with seven. He is one of only five players to have 10000 yards rushing and 400 receptions. He is one of only two non-kickers to have scored 1000 total points in a career.

5. LaDainian Tomlinson

San Diego Chargers: 2001-present

Rushing Yards: 11971
Rush TD: 129
YDS/GM: 90.6

2006 NFL MVP
2006 Offensive Player of the Year
5x Pro Bowler
3x First-Team All Pro

Tomlinson has only been in the league 8.5 seasons but is already one of the greatest of all time. He is the only player to have 1000 yards rushing and 100 receptions in a season. He is tied for the record in consecutive games with a touchdown with 18. He once scored 19 touchdowns in a six-game span which is an NFL record. He is the first player ever to score three or more touchdowns in three straight games. He was the fastest player ever to score 100 touchdowns in a career. His 28 rushing touchdowns and 31 total touchdowns are both single season records. He holds the record for most consecutive multi-touchdown games with eight. He is the Chargers leader in almost every rushing category. He is the active leader in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. He is 11th all-time in rushing yards and second all-time in rushing touchdowns.

4. Marshall Faulk

Indianapolis Colts: 1994-1998
St. Louis Rams: 1999-2005

Rushing Yards: 12279
Rush TD: 100
Receptions: 767

1x Super Bowl Champion
1994 Rookie of the Year
1999 Offensive Player of the Year
2000 NFL MVP
2000 Offensive Player of the Year
2001 Offensive Player of the Year
7x Pro Bowler
3x First-Team All Pro

Faulk is probably the greatest receiving running back of all time and was a tremendous runner as well. He is the only player in NFL history to have 100 rushing touchdowns and 30 receiving touchdowns in his career. He holds an NFL record with four straight seasons of 2000 or more total yards. His 2429 yards from scrimmage in 1999 is an NFL record, he is currently fourth all time in yards from scrimmage. He is one of only two players to have 1000 yards rushing and 1000 yards receiving in a season. In 2000 he set an NFL record with 26 total touchdowns which has since been broken. He is currently ninth all time in rushing yards, seventh in rushing touchdowns, and sixth in total touchdowns.

3. Walter Payton

Chicago Bears: 1975-1987

Rushing Yards: 16726
Rush TD: 110
YDS/GM: 88.0

1x Super Bowl Champion
1977 NFL MVP
1977 Offensive Player of the Year
9x Pro Bowler
5x First-Team All Pro

"Sweetness" was pure excellence. Although he only led the league in rushing once, he is the NFL's second all time leading rusher. Payton was a great rusher, receiver, blocker and leader for the Bears. He led the league in rushing attempts in four straight seasons and is second all time. He was in the top 10 in rushing in 11 consecutive seasons. He led the league in rushing touchdowns once and is fourth all time. His 88.0 yards a game is good for eighth all time. Twice he led the league in yards from scrimmage and he is currently third all time in that statistic.

2. Jim Brown

Cleveland Browns: 1957-1965

Rushing Yards: 12312
Rush TD: 106
YDS/GM: 104.3

1957 NFL MVP
1958 NFL MVP
1965 NFL MVP
9x Pro Bowler
8x First Team All Pro

Sporting News named Brown the greatest football player of all time and it is hard to argue against it. He led the league in rushing in every year he played but one. The same goes with rushing yards per game. He is the only player to end his career averaging 100 yards rushing a game. When he retired he was the all time leading rusher, had the most rushing touchdowns, and most total touchdowns. He was the first player ever to score 100 career touchdowns. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in every year he played. He still holds the Browns record for most rushing yards in a season. He is also still the Browns all-time leading rusher. He retired at the age of 29 and we can only guess how amazing his stats would look had he played longer.

1. Barry Sanders

Detroit Lions: 1989-1998

Rushing Yards: 15269
Rush TD: 99
YDS/GM: 99.8

1989 Rookie of the Year
1994 Offensive Player of the Year
1997 NFL MVP
1997 Offensive Player of the Year

Sanders was arguably the most electrifying player the game has ever seen. Much like Brown he retired much earlier than most expected and would almost certainly be the NFL's all-time leading rusher had he stayed even two more years He led the league in rushing four different times and is third all time in career rushing yards. He holds the NFL record with five different seasons of 1500-plus rushing yards. He holds the record for most consecutive games with 100-plus rushing yards with 14. His 2053 rushing yards in 1997 is good for third all time. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in every year he played and was either a first or second-team all-pro in every year. He holds the record for most games of 150 or more yards rushing with 25. His 15 career touchdowns of 50 or more yards is an NFL record. He is fourth all time in yards from scrimmage. He is second all time amongst retired players in rushing yards per game.