Best Football Running Backs of All Time

Barry Sanders is easily the best ever. Only he and Jim brown had a full career average of 5.0 ypc lifetime. Barry ran for 19 yards in his first every carry in his long career. If he had played for a team with an offensive line he would have no doubt ran for multiple 2000 yard seasons and probably have 1 or 2 close to 3000. He crated his own holes, got out of more situations than I can think of, he was more exciting to watch lose 3 yards than watching most great backs run forward for 70. Most electrifying, and yet with his greatness was by far the most humble I have ever seen. No TD celebrations, never. He could have had more records but he didn't care for records at all. He had 4 years left when he walked away, he would have had 20,000 yards for his career if he hadn't left as he was still in prime condition.

People often compare Barry Sanders to Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith. While Payton and Smith were great running backs and deserve every bit of recognition they've received, comparing Barry Sanders to these great backs is almost like comparing apples to oranges (perhaps plantains and bananas is more fitting).

Payton and Smith both had offensive lines envied by today's NFL coaches. Sanders did not have a solid offensive line, often had no holes created for him, and, had they counted the number of yards he ran sideways and backwards to avoid defenders, he likely would've topped the 20K yard mark.

Ranked the #1 most elusive back in NFL history. There's a reason coaches and commentators would say, "You couldn't tackle this guy in a phonebooth". What truly makes Barry Sanders the greatest RB of all time though? In my opinion, his display of skills that you can't teach... The keen sense to switch directions on a dime, for example.

Some of the things Barry did on the playing field defy human explanation; I never saw so many befuddled defenders clutching air. If he played for a better team, he might have obliterated pretty much every record out there (probably wouldn't have retired early). I often didn't understand how he was used by the Lions, who frequently pulled him in goal line situations. Yes, he was relatively undersized, but he was tremendously strong, with legs like tree trunks. With just a halfway decent OL, he could have scored many more TDs, either by running through people, squeezing through a tiny hole, or bouncing outside. He was also underutiIized as a receiver. I think he's the greatest of all time, but even those who don't would be hard pressed to say he wasn't the most fun to watch, ever!

What makes Barry the GOAT is what he accomplished with what he was surrounded by. Most of the other great backs either had great offensive lines, or an extremely dangerous pass game. From 1989 (rookie season) through 1994 his QB was Rodney Peete or Scott Mitchell, with neither of them having 2,000 passing yards in the season. Then for his remaining seasons his QB was Mitchell and one season with Charlie Batch. Much different than Emmitt with Aikman/Irvin, or Payton with a great OL. Also, over his 10 seasons, Sanders played in 16 games 7 times, 15 games twice, and only had one season with less than 15.

"Sweetness", was incredible. He was the most versatile running back who walked on the field. He could run over defenders, at the same time scamper out of their way, and he had the best stiff arm in the business. As coach Mike Ditka once said, "Walter could play any position. " and he meant it. He block as well as any offensive lineman in the game, he hit harder than a ton of bricks, he could throw with as much touch as any quarterback in the game, and he could catch anything thrown at him. But, he most known for something he did in when the bears were about a yard out of the end zone. He would leap over all of his offensive and defensive linemen into the end zone. He truly displayed a never say die attitude.

Sweetness could do everything. Run, throw, Block, Catch and punish the opponent for trying to stop him. He didn't let bad team years stop his performance and want to quit some others. Ran for over 274 yards in a game against the vikings while having the flu and having a temperature of a 102 degrees. Out bench pressed all his teammates except for one (Dan Hampton) for years. Suffered a broken ankle early in his career and came back from it stronger than ever. Let's not forget the acrobatic leaps over defensive piles to score or gain necessary yardage. Defenses feared that legendary stiff arm of his and rightly so. It rung a bell or two every time. When Jim Brown and Emmitt Smith were asked in seperate interviews who was the greatest Running back both said with a doubt Walter Payton.

Walter was the Bears offense for much of his career. Extremely versatile, he was a great blocker, gifted as a receiver, could throw and kick, tough to bring down, and was automatic at the goal line. People forget his kick return ability and his knack for turning 3 yard losses into 4 - 6 yard gains. Lots of respect for others on the list, they were all great. Most had better lines than Payton had in the first 8 years. Some had better qbs and receivers that prevented the defense from putting 10 in the box. Some were faster or more elusive, but he was the complete package.

I have to go with payton. I think everyone on this list has earned a their spot here. Except I don't think peterson should be here quite yet but in a few years adrian peterson will be one of tops for sure. I've seen all of these guys highlights and I don't care what order their in but the top five should be Payton, Sanders, Brown, Smith, and Campbell. I go with payton because he can run, pass, and catch. He was also good man off the field. Who else on this list led their team 15-1. He also suffered from cancer and still went on and played

QB's are judged by Superbowl wins and stats, why not running backs? Emmitt's stats far exceed the rest of the backs on this list, he has more superbowls than the rest of this list put together. He may not have had the raw skills of a Barry Sanders or the power of a Jim Brown, what he did possess is all the attributes you look for in a football player intelligence, leadership, durability (only missed 14 games in 15 seasons) the list goes on. There is no need to say anymore, Emmitt is the greatest of all time.

A lot of people will vote for Barry Sanders. Let me tell you as a Detroit fan he was an awesome runner but not a Great running back. He often put them in horrible long yardage situations and was the all time leader in runs for negative yardage. Emmitt was a complete back. I hated the Cowboys but Emmitt was good. I don't want to hear anything about the O-Lines either that is BS.

It is official, if you ever played for the Dallas Cowboys, you will never be selected by NFL to be the #1 of anything. Even if you do have the rushing record, the most consecutive 100 yard seasons. Tom Landry was correct about the NFL films calling the Dallas Cowboys "America's Team, " would do more to harm the "Boys" than help.

Constantly and unfairly considered second fiddle to his contemporary from the Lions. Ever wonder why Barry's initials are B. S.? Just look at his numbers in important games. Emmitt was money in ALL football situations and had more heart than Barry had useless yards in nice weather against the Buccaneers.

My older brother told me about Jim Brown. He would carry tacklers down the field with him. He would lift defenders into the air with his driving force. He heard testimony of defensive players who hated to see him coming. It hurt to take him down. To accumulate the stats he did playing on a losing team like he did -- not to mention he played only 12 game seasons if I remember correctly. These things demand him being in the top 10. I also like Sayers and Simpson and Tony Dorsett.

As with many of these lists, there are flaws but I have seen much worse. Here are my top 10 RB's of all time based on not only numbers but raw talent:

1. Jim Brown-he was the ultimate weapon at RB.
2. Walter Payton-wasn't called Sweetness for nothing.
3. Barry Sanders-he's not number 1 but he's close.
4.O.J. Simpson-list not based on personal character or morality.
5. Gale Sayers-kind of like the Barry Sanders of the 1960's.
6. Bo Jackson-based on his talent.
7. Emmitt Smith-now with RBBC, his record could be untouchable.
8. LaDanian Tomlinson-28 TD's in 06' could also stand for a long time.
9. Eric Dickerson-had 3 seasons of +1,800 yards rushing.
10. Adrian Peterson-could easily finish in the Top 5 for yards rushing if he can get his personal life straightened out.

Next in line: Franco Harris, Earl Campbell, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, Tony Dorsett, Jerome Bettis, and Marcus Allen.

As good as Barry Sanders was, Jim Brown is head and ...more

When talking greatest of All time lists like this are born and frequently the names on it are all deserving of some recognition. In this case though it really is rather simple... When Barry Sander's was inducted into the Hall of Fame, even his own Father acknowledged he was no Jim Brown. Jim Brown was the greatest running back of All Time and that is widely held as law among his peers. It would be nice if the average modern fan understood this.

No disrespect to others on this list. In fact, their greatness is testimony to how great Brown was to be head and shoulders above anyone else on this list. And he is. It's not an old-is-better-than-new-school thing. It's a football thing. And if you know football and know Jim Brown, you know he was the greatest. period. Also, you can't have a legitimate top ten RBs with OJ. I know he is way beyond (insert obscenity here) but as a RB the guy belongs. He may well even be top two.

Peterson's power and speed are evident to everyone who has seen him play. Three other factors weigh in favor of his continued greatness. First is his vision. Those cuts as he bursts into the second level result in Peterson's "running where they ain't". Second, Peterson has an amazing 5% body fat, maintaining an overall fitness level that will continue to serve him well. Finally, Peterson's work ethic is legendary. His work schedule after the knee surgery and leading up to the 2012 season resulted in arguably the finest season any running has experienced in football.
"Iowapaindoc"

Adrian Peterson rushed for 2097 yards in a single year. This is the second best ever season by a running back in NFL history, only 8 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's legendary season. This man is a beast, and truly at the time was the Viking's only main offensive weapon. The Vikings don't and never have had an amazing offensive line to easily carry him to the top like some other backs on this list and he's never had an amazing quarterback or receiver taking some of the tension off of him *cough cough* Emmit Smith. Teams against the Vikings went into the game knowing all they had to do to win was focus on stopping this one man, and they still failed time and time again. He truly deserves to be the best on this list.

Adrian Peterson overcame an ACL tear that he suffered in week 16 and came back the opening game the following year. Not to mention he ended up falling just short of the all time single season rushing record in that very same year. AP is a freak of nature. The fact that he has missed time due to various reasons and is still within striking distance of the all time rushing record speaks for itself. He is the most reliable player in the NFL today and exceeds even when the defense has 8 in the box. A quarterbacks dream RB. AP will end up the greatest of all time.

Equally capable of running away from defenses or powering it in from short distance. He won't have the career of Smith or Payton due to durability, but Peterson is faster and more powerful than both. Campbell was more powerful but not as fast. Sanders was more elusive, but had less speed and power. I'm too young to have seen Jim Brown, so he's disqualified. Peterson is the best pure runner ever, but probably won't have the durability to have the best career.

Most touchdowns in a season. First to get 1000 rushing yards and 100 receptions in one season. 8 straight seasons 1000 yards rushing and 50 receptions. Fastest player to score 100 touchdowns. One of only 7 players to rush for, catch, and throw for a touchdown in a single game. Broke 46 year old record for most points scored in a single season (which was held by a kicker). The list goes on and on. Most of all, he declines being on the cover of Madden '08 and calmly and willingly steps down from the limelight to share a roll with a young running back. I don't know how you can get any more humble than that

I'm pretty sure no one had seen his receiving stats. He has over 1400 yds more than Barry Sanders and well 1200 yds over Emmitt Smith, not to mention his 144 TDs in only 10 seasons. Granted he hadn't finished strong he's last years, but he still putting some yards in. Also, we shouldn't used superbowl rings when comparing positions, because it takes a whole team to win one not just one player, that's more of a Quarter Back's conundrum. I think the list should go Emmitt first, then LT and third Barry. By the way I'm not a Charger's fan; more of a Colts fan, who's hopes had been crushed by the Chargers in the Playoffs more than any other team.

He was the Michael Jordan of the nfl in the way that you could hold him to 40 rushing yards thru 3 quarters then all the sudden, the games over, chargers win, and he ends up with 150 rush yards and 2 touchdowns. Barry sanders was never a receiver out the backfield the way LT and payton were which is why I would have my 5 like this: 1)LT 2)w. Payton 3)b. Sanders 4)j. Brown 5)E. Dickerson.. Jim brown was bigger then most defenders and therefore if he played in this era he might of been more mortal.. LT can do it all ina era were 280 lb defenders run 4.6 forties.. Enough said

There are a handful of backs that were better than L.T from a pure rushing perspective, but rivaled only by Marshall and Walter in terms of complete skill set. He would excel in any era. He minimized his mistakes (fumbles, drops, etc.) and consistently carried the ball 300+ times with 50+ receptions while remaining durable. His yards per carry would probably be higher if he actually left the field to rest during plays that didn't match his skill set, but he had none. Exceptional player.

This guy was amazing. He could step by or run over linebackers. He flew past DBs. At his peak he was so good he was lining up as a receiver. He picked defenses apart and set many records. He was so smart, his coaches used to say he was like having a second quarterback on the field. Super bowl champ, league mvp, rushing leader, record holder, and pro bowler, he is a lock for the hall of fame.

A great runner but also a phenomenal receiver out of the backfield, probably the best ever in that role with Roger Craig in contention. One year he was leading the NFC in rushing and receiving through 6 games. In today's offenses, a back who can catch out of the backfield is a huge asset. That makes Faulk the best ever.

Faulk was my favorite of all time. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't bother me about a few of the names ahead of him, but Peterson practically gave away the game in the NFC Championship. Faulk rarely fumbled, and never in such a clutch moment.

Marshall Faulk is the greatest receiving back of all time. He has more catches and receiving yards than any other running back. The second player to have 1, 000 yards rushing and receiving in one season.

Dickerson's Rookie Rushing season, it the Best ever in the NFL and has stood for 24 seasons. His 2105 Single Season Rushing record has stood for 23 seasons. Jim Taylor held the record for most yards in a season for 1 year. Jim Brown broke it the next season. Brown held that record for 10 Years, until O.J. broke it. 10 years later, Dickerson broke the record. He has held onto it more than twice as long as ANY Single season Rushing record holder has held this mantle. It's time to Place this feat up there with the other hallowed benchmarks in Sports.

I live near Detroit and I am a Barry Sanders fan... However, I admit Dickerson was by far the best back I ever saw. He was the only player ever to never be in the players union - and never got blocking of any kind as a result. Watch his films - there is no close second, not even Sanders.

The most yards accumulated in the first 10 years. Definitely should be higher on this list. An absolute specimen. The best physique and natural talent than all of the other backs. If he would have stayed in LA, could have possibly been the greatest ever.

The best there was and best there may ever be, his only problem was maybe wanting to much money and complaining about it. And I agree he should have be much higher in the order and for sure ahead of Payton, he was in the same scope of Barry Sanders.

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Earl was the greatest. In case most of you forgot, Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett played in his era and neither could compare to him. He was a beast and a classy player not like todays players. Remember he played the Steel Curtain twice a year and if not for them stacking the line to stop him he would have easily broken the 2000 yard barrier. Great Player and great person, he really made the Oilers although he would never agree because he was the ultimate team player.

Earl is under rated. Understand this is a back who took a week team to the afc championship twice only to loose to the stealers twice a team who had 9 hall of fame players on the same team. 1 Swan. 2 Ham 3 Green 4 Bradshaw 5 Blount 6 Harris 7 Lambert 8 Knoll 9 Webster. Houston had none. Everyone knew he was getting the ball. His 1934 yards in 1980 was done in 14 games not 16. In his 15th game he had 2025 yards rushing he would need one more game 81 more yards if he had the opportunity to hold the single season record.

Campbell didn't jump out of defenders' way, he jumped into it. I loved how he just dragged the defenders with him. If you were to try to tackle him, you're the guy who the announcer is gonna say "we got an injury on the field". He's not your scaredy cat running back. He's like a bull in a China shop. If he goes down, he's gonna make sure you go down with him. In my opinion he should be #1. Remember, he had a generic back disease

The stats won't show it, but this back was really the best of his era, and should be on the top 5. See the comment below this one to know why. No other back on this list played in the terrible conditions Earl did. Put him on some of the other teams with the other RBs on this list, with their offensive styles, and considering the time in which they played, and Earl would have been #1 in many rushing stats.

No doubt Sayers should be higher than this. If he had been playing now and his knees could have been repaired more effectively, he may have been on top of this list. He was capable of scoring whenever he touched the ball. He accomplished what he did on a team that really wasn't very good. Very hard to find video of him playing which is a shame.

I've been watching football since 1964 and I've never seen a runner like, or better than Sayers. First he was elusive, so much so that Barry Sanders is the only top back that could compare with him. He broke tackles like no else, he seemed to run through them. And he was fast. In the open field, he was like poetry in motion, a beauty to behold.

I grew up watching all of these players.
I'm 62 closer to 63 and as much as I loved Walter's
Style and Jim Brown's arm chop, nobody and I mean that, nobody had
The style and grace, of Gale Sayers!
He was the best, just as Michael Jordan!
There will never be another!
Sayers was the best!

Kansas All-America... Exceptional break-away runner... Scored rookie record 22 TDs, 132 points, 1965... Led NFL rushers, 1966, 1969... Named all-time NFL halfback, 1969... All-NFL five straight years... Player of Game in three Pro Bowls... Career totals: 9,435 combined net yards, 4,956 yards rushing, 336 points... NFL lifetime kickoff return leader.

4.13 40yard dash at 6'1 230 lbs and a heart the size of a whale. The greatest I ever saw. I love barry but he couldn't get short tough ones like bo and had a few too many negative yards. Walter is probably my number 2 because he was such a complete player but just watch the tape bo was just better. And please old timers stop with jim brown. He was as big as the d lineman in the day and was not any more dominant than bo.

Name a RB that combined more power, speed and could hit the hole or beat the defense to the corner more than Bo Jackson? His talent was never seen before him and hasn't been seen since.

It was tragic to lose him to injury before we could see him get even better than he was...

I remember seeing this guy run a 98 yard touchdown that was timed at 11 seconds. Additionally, it was a pitch, so he ran from the middle of the field to the sideline then 98 yards, with gear. That's is crazy fast.

Most atheletes have trouble excelling in one sport but Bo was different. He played in two and did very well in both football and baseball. So if you are going to talk about excellent atheletes of some kind you have to put Bo somewhere at the top!

It is harder to find a more inspirational moment in the game of the football than "the immaculate reception" and the trans formative effect it had on one of the greatest teams in history and on the career of this--certainly one of the top five. Power, speed, attitude, and LUCK. I'd rather be lucky than good--Franco was both.

...Because a bunch of morons are picking guy like Bush, McFadden, Johnson and so forth. They probably were not around to watch Franco back in the 70s.

How is reggie bush, brian westbrook, CJ2K, AP, curtis martin, bo jackson, O.J, marcus allen, tony dorsett, shaun alexander, and terrell davis better than this legendary running back?

3-4 super bowls steelers fan

Run behind a good line then ran out of bounce and you too can rack up 12,000 meaningless yards and earn 4 rings. Put him around #15.

This is the most overrated of the so-called "great backs" its not even funny. I don't even know where to start on this guy. let me start by saying I'm a big fan of Allen, but he doesn't belong on this list nor should he be in the Hall. Yeah he had a good Rookie season a Great Super Bowl and a great 85 season but that's it. After 86 he played 10 more seasons and didn't do anything, Hell he went about 5 years without any 100
Yard games. He was also great out of the backfield but Please would you all look up his stats, 3 1000 yards seasons in a 16 year career is a joke.

Anyone who is a student of football should know Marcus Allen deserves to be top ten. Had the hands of a wide receiver, with incredible break away speed. An unselfish player that would give up his body for a block. He understood it was a team game what other Hall of Fame Player would give up his starting position for half a year to a rookie and throw blocks for that rookie like a seasoned fullback.

I am embarrassed for everyone that he is ranked so low. Any student of the game knows he is one of the all-time greats. The fact that he is often overlooked by amateurs making lists is a testament to his humbleness. But if you question his greatness, just look at his accomplishments - they speak for themselves.

What made Marcus truly great was the way he demanded a lot of defensive attention freeing up other players on his team. He was always a treat running or catching out of the backfield and was a pretty good blocker to boot.

Could do it all. Run, catch, block and shared the ball with other big time players. A team leader as well... Peyton Hillis? Darren Sproles (that's a joke, right? ) Tiki Barber? Gimme a break.

He was a great all-around player. Not only could he run extremely well, but he could catch like a reciever and block like a tight end. Just an all-time great.

Not the most powerful, durable, unstoppable or fast RB ever... but arguably the most elusive ever. Maybe the one of the most complete backs ever (block, catch, run, 3rd down, fake, etc)

His really close to O.J very good player.

Curtis Martin, deserves more credit than what people give him. He's one of the great players at his position; very consistent, reliable & unselfish...rushing 1000 + yrs for over 10+ seasons.

Curtis Martin, will not be easily replaced... often greatness is not realized until it moves on... Todays players will find it very hard to achieve the same consitant level of success...the game has changed...its more about the player than the game these days!

Curtis Martin...What a player. He was drafted in the 3rd round and look where he got. He had 10+ 1000 yard seasons, and probably would've had 11 if he wasn't injured. I'd rate him 4th. Barry #1, Walter #2, Emmit #3, and Curtis #4. He was so consistent, and even at his 10th season, he had his career year.

Come on talk about a workhouse, ten seasons over 1000 yards, number 4 all time in rushing, with Testeverde and Pennington as his QB's, who both had season ending injuries. C-Mart not as flashy as Tomlinson or Peterson, but consistency is key.

Curtis Martin was so consistent! I mean, not like 958 yard, 976 yards, I'm talking about 1400, 1300, 1500, 1600, come on, he's the 4th best ever! Give him some credit.

For his run with the 49ers absolutely, but now his with the colts and his really not doing much time to retire.

He can do it all, run, block, pass. No back in the league can compare to Frank the Tank. The inconvenient truth.

WAY underrated back. Going on 10 years, and he's still the most versatile back in the NFL, hands down.

He was great with the 49ers. He doesn't look right in a blue jersey.

Eddie played with the worst quarterback of all time Steve no completion McNair. It was easy to defend against the Titans because the only option they had for positive yards was Eddie George. The guy never got a break and had to face defenses that knew he was running the ball all the time. He would have lasted longer, but he was overworked.

He should be up there with Terrell Davis. One of the strongest back in NFL history.

Never got injured until he had the madden curse it was all over.

Demarco Murray is better

Too bad he does not get the credit he deserves because he played in denver. Been a lot of backs get 1000 in denver's shanahan years but only one with over 2,000. Davis was scary on the super bowl teams. Elway would get them the lead and td would run out the clock. His play in super bowl 32 is amazing, probably could of set the rushing record if he didn't have to sit out some of the game with that migrane. I really hope he will make the hof someday, elway had no rings till td came to town!

Terrell is by far the best when he played. If you look back at him in tape he had skills that I don't think any other back in the league has possessed. He won a superbowl without eyesight! He played well his whole career and it is not fair he is cut short on the list because of an injury. He was a pure beast.

I'd take TD over any other back on this list except Jim Brown. He's simply the greatest post-season RB - hell no-one else is even in the same galaxy, let alone same league. And he and Jim are the only two RBs in history to average over 100 yards a game for their career (including postseason). If you want a highlight, Sanders; if you want to win games, TD.

By far one of the most talented backs of all time. The only thing that holds him baack is his injuries. If this competition was based off of pure skills in their prime, Davis easily deserves to be near the top of this list. He was just dominant in his first few years to not go recognized.

This right here is an example of how stupid people are. Ray rice lesean mccoy Michael turner maurice jones drew etc are much better than peyton hills and darren sproles.

He was not the worst back ever! In answer to the comment on beating wife in elevator, probably has beat wife, if he has one, before. the discipline was way to extreme, he should be allowed to play football in the nfl. this was not discipline, this was mental cruelty to a human being. this was his lively hood.

Coming from a long time ravens fan, I HATE THIS DUDE! he was our only hope, and then, he hits his wife. I'm glad he is gone

Going to to beat my wife in a elevator oh too soon!

Paroled is amazing

Worst of them all.