Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2015-2016 NFL Season

Adrian Peterson

Adrian Lewis Peterson is a former American football running back who played primarily for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. He later joined several other teams, including the Washington Redskins. Peterson won the NFL MVP Award in 2012 after rushing for 2,097 yards that season.

Top 25 players ever. Second most rushing yards in one season. 10,000-yard club. 4th best running back ever. Second best Viking ever. And he is still active.

Le'Veon Bell

Le'Veon Andrew Bell is an American football running back who played for the New York Jets from 2020 to 2021 and returned to the team briefly in 2023. He is currently a free agent following his release in February 2024. Bell previously gained recognition for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and his... read more

When he returned, he did alright until an injury came and he was done for the year.

When he is not suspended or injured, he is fantasy football gold.

Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Terrell Lynch is an American former football running back. He previously played for the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders, winning one Super Bowl with the Seahawks. Lynch initially retired from professional football in 2016 but returned in 2017 to play for the Raiders. He... read more

I'm sorry, but Marshawn should be at least #2 if not #1. He's better than AP right now because AP's getting old. Just look at how little AP did last season compared to Marshawn. Marshawn is the #1 back in the league right now.

I don't think Le'Veon Bell should be #2. I think Marshawn Lynch should be.

Eddie Lacy

Eddie Darwin Lacy Jr. is a former American football running back. He played in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks between 2013 and 2017. Lacy earned the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2013 and was selected to the Pro Bowl that same season.

Probably the toughest running back in the league.

Arian Foster

Arian Isa Foster (born August 24, 1986) is a former American football running back. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009.

Foster became the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns... read more

Very disappointing year for what could be the last time we see Foster due to all the injury problems he has suffered with.

If he wasn't getting injured all the time, he would have Hall of Fame potential. He beat out Jay Ajayi for starting RB for the Dolphins.

Jamaal Charles

Jamaal RaShaad Jones Charles, born December 27, 1986, is a retired American football running back. He spent the majority of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he became the franchise's all-time leading rusher. Charles officially retired in 2019 after signing a ceremonial one-day contract with... read more

He was doing okay until, of course, he got hurt and was done for the year. Luckily, the Chiefs have a great RB tandem in West and Ware and have a chance to go to the playoffs.

Devonta Freeman

Devonta Freeman is an American football running back who most recently played for the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Freeman earned two Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Falcons and was known... read more

In the 1st half, he looked like a mid-season MVP. Then, an unfortunate injury may have ruined that chance.

I pick Devonta Freeman because he is very speedy and can truck players very well.

For the first 8 games, he looked like MVP, and then he got injured.

Matt Forte

Matthew Garrett Forte (born December 10, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He played eight years with the Chicago Bears and finished his career with the New York Jets. Forte was selected to two Pro Bowls... read more

Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley II, born in 1994, is a former American football running back. He played for the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams from 2015 to 2019 and then joined the Atlanta Falcons for the 2020 season. Gurley was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and selected to three Pro Bowls.

After Adrian Peterson retires, he will be the best back in the league. He is also on my fantasy football team.

Looking like a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year next to Amari Cooper.

Half of the people higher than him were injured half of the season.

Chris Ivory

Christopher Lee Ivory is a former American football running back. He played in the NFL from 2010 to 2018 with the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buffalo Bills. Ivory was known for his physical running style and was selected for the Pro Bowl following the 2015 season.

Breakout season he had last year with the Jets. He is with the Jaguars now. Very hard hitter.

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Latavius Murray

Latavius Murray is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He joined the Falcons in March 2025 after previous stints with teams including the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Baltimore Ravens. Murray has been recognized for his size, speed,... read more

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David Johnson

David Jerome Johnson Sr., born December 16, 1991, is a former American football running back. He played college football at Northern Iowa and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Johnson later played for the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints before retiring... read more

Justin Forsett

Justin Forsett, born on October 14, 1985, is an American former professional football running back. He played in the NFL for several teams, most notably the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he earned a Pro Bowl selection for the 2014 season. Forsett is also recognized for his entrepreneurial efforts following... read more

Man, the Ravens took a bad loss with both Forsett and Flacco and will most likely be finished. Anyway, Forsett had his ups and downs, but in the end, you knew what happened.

Chris Johnson

Christopher Duan Johnson, born on September 23, 1985, is a former American football running back. He played in the National Football League from 2008 to 2017, spending time with the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals. Johnson announced his retirement in 2018 and signed a one-day contract... read more

If anyone should get Comeback of the Year, nobody would have said Chris Johnson. I know he's out for the season, but give the man an award for effort.

Good mentor for David Johnson. He isn't doing too bad himself.

LeSean McCoy

LeSean Kamel McCoy, also known as "Shady," is a former American football running back. He played in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCoy won two Super Bowls, one with the Chiefs and one with the Buccaneers, and recorded over 11,000 rushing... read more

Having kind of the same year as last year, but kind of better.

Frank Gore

Franklin Delano Gore is an American former professional football running back. He played 16 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. Gore ranks third in NFL history for career rushing yards and later joined the 49ers organization as a football personnel advisor... read more

Frank Gore is a great back. Over 12,000 rushing yards in his career. He is very underrated. He should be in front of Lynch.

Not having as good of a season as the Colts were hoping.

Dion Lewis

New England Patriots running back who established a legitimate running game in New England this season before injuries.

Andre Ellington

Andre DeAngelo Ellington is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 after playing college football at Clemson University. Ellington contributed as both a rusher and receiver during his time in the league.

The first few games he was doing okay until they announced Johnson would be the starting RB. Now he might get that opportunity back.

Doug Martin

Douglas Matthew Baranco Martin was an American football running back. He played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Martin was known for his powerful running style and had two 1,000-yard rushing seasons during his career.

Loved him as a rookie. I'm so glad he is back to being the old Doug Martin after injuries.

Having a great season after having a really bad second year.

DeAngelo Williams

Le'Veon is #2? This guy OWNED 2015-16. I have no doubt that Le'Veon is definitely top 10 in the game, but not for the season. Williams is at least top 5 for 15-16 considering all the injuries.

DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray, born on February 12, 1988, is an American football coach and former professional running back. He played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans. Murray was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 and is the running backs coach for the Kansas... read more

Alfred Morris

Alfred Bruce Morris is an NFL running back who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys. He first gained attention as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2012, rushing for over 1,600 yards across his first two seasons. Morris is recognized for his powerful north‑south running style... read more

He's having a surprisingly disappointing year because they drafted another RB. He could be on the way out for that reason.

Giovani Bernard

Did slightly better than Hill with carries split.

Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram Jr. is a former American football running back and a current on-air personality for Fox Sports. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2009 while playing at the University of Alabama. Ingram began his NFL career in 2011 and earned three Pro Bowl selections.

Another good year for Ingram back-to-back.

Jeremy Hill

Jeremy Hill, born on October 20, 1992, is an American former professional football running back. He played college football at LSU and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Hill later signed with the New England Patriots, where he won Super Bowl LIII, and briefly... read more

He should be ranked about #18 while Gio about #15.

Darren Sproles

Darren Lee Sproles is a former professional American football running back and return specialist who played in the National Football League. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round, 130th overall, in the 2005 NFL Draft. Sproles also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia... read more

Jonathan Stewart

Jonathan Creon Stewart was born on March 21, 1987, and is an American former professional football running back. He played college football at Oregon, where he earned All‑American honors before being selected 13th overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2008 NFL Draft. Stewart spent ten seasons with... read more

He was a part of Double Trouble with DeAngelo Williams. He showed me that he doesn't need DeAngelo to be great.