NFL Photos | NFL Photography Gallery | NFL.com

Gil Brandt's 25 greatest NFL running backs of all time

NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best running backs in NFL history. Take a look at how they stack up.

Gil Brandt

San Francisco 49ers, 1948-1960 and 1963; Baltimore Colts, 1961-1962
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing yards twice and rushing touchdowns once
» 8,378 career rushing yards, 53 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

1 / 25

25. Joe Perry

San Francisco 49ers, 1948-1960 and 1963; Baltimore Colts, 1961-1962
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing yards twice and rushing touchdowns once
» 8,378 career rushing yards, 53 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Associated Press

Chicago Cardinals, 1952-1958; L.A. Rams, 1959-1962; Detroit Lions, 1963; Philadelphia Eagles, 1964-1966
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» Traded in 1958 for nine players
» 12,799 career all-purpose yards second only to Jim Brown when he retired
» 5,173 career rushing yards, 40 career rushing touchdowns, 23 career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

2 / 25

24. Ollie Matson

Chicago Cardinals, 1952-1958; L.A. Rams, 1959-1962; Detroit Lions, 1963; Philadelphia Eagles, 1964-1966
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
» Traded in 1958 for nine players
» 12,799 career all-purpose yards second only to Jim Brown when he retired
» 5,173 career rushing yards, 40 career rushing touchdowns, 23 career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFL/Associated Press

Green Bay Packers, 1958-1966; New Orleans Saints, 1967
» Four-time NFL champion, one-time Super Bowl champion
» NFL MVP in 1962
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing yards once and rushing touchdowns twice
» 8,597 career rushing yards, 83 career rushing touchdowns, 10 receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

3 / 25

23. Jim Taylor

Green Bay Packers, 1958-1966; New Orleans Saints, 1967
» Four-time NFL champion, one-time Super Bowl champion
» NFL MVP in 1962
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing yards once and rushing touchdowns twice
» 8,597 career rushing yards, 83 career rushing touchdowns, 10 receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

Miami Dolphins, 1968-1974
» Two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 8,081 career rushing yards, 64 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

4 / 25

22. Larry Csonka

Miami Dolphins, 1968-1974
» Two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 8,081 career rushing yards, 64 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press

L.A. Raiders, 1982-1992; kansas City Chiefs, 1993-1997
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Led league in rushing touchdowns twice and rushing yards once
» 12,243 career rushing yards, 144 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

5 / 25

21. Marcus Allen

L.A. Raiders, 1982-1992; kansas City Chiefs, 1993-1997
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once
» Led league in rushing touchdowns twice and rushing yards once
» 12,243 career rushing yards, 144 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Mark Avery/Associated Press

Cleveland Browns, 1946-1953; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1955
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted First Team All-Pro twice
» Led league in rushing yards in 1950
» 4,720 career rushing yards, 31 career rushing touchdowns, seven career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

6 / 25

20. Marion Motley

Cleveland Browns, 1946-1953; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1955
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted First Team All-Pro twice
» Led league in rushing yards in 1950
» 4,720 career rushing yards, 31 career rushing touchdowns, seven career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame/Associated Press

Denver Broncos, 1995-2001
» Two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing one season, rushing touchdowns two seasons
» 7,607 career rushing yards, 60 career rushing touchdowns
» Elected to Pro Football hall of Fame

7 / 25

19. Terrell Davis

Denver Broncos, 1995-2001
» Two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing one season, rushing touchdowns two seasons
» 7,607 career rushing yards, 60 career rushing touchdowns
» Elected to Pro Football hall of Fame

Eric Lars Bakke/Associated Press

N.Y. Jets, 1971-1975; Washington Redskins, 1976-1979, 1981-1986
» One-time Super Bowl champion, one Super Bowl MVP
» Voted to one Pro Bowl, one First Team All-Pro
» Led league in rushing touchdowns twice
» 11,352 career rushing yards, 104 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

8 / 25

18. John Riggins

N.Y. Jets, 1971-1975; Washington Redskins, 1976-1979, 1981-1986
» One-time Super Bowl champion, one Super Bowl MVP
» Voted to one Pro Bowl, one First Team All-Pro
» Led league in rushing touchdowns twice
» 11,352 career rushing yards, 104 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

Paul Spinelli/Associated Press

L.A./St. Louis Rams, 1993-1995; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996-2005
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 13,662 career rushing yards, 91 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

9 / 25

17. Jerome Bettis

L.A./St. Louis Rams, 1993-1995; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996-2005
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 13,662 career rushing yards, 91 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

Buffalo Bills, 1988-1999; Miami Dolphins, 2000
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 12,074 career rushing yards, 88 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

10 / 25

16. Thurman Thomas

Buffalo Bills, 1988-1999; Miami Dolphins, 2000
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 12,074 career rushing yards, 88 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

Doug Mills/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers, 1954-1956; Detroit Lions, 1957-1959; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1960-1965; Houston Oilers, 1966
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls
» 6,803 career rushing yards, 48 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

11 / 25

15. John Henry Johnson

San Francisco 49ers, 1954-1956; Detroit Lions, 1957-1959; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1960-1965; Houston Oilers, 1966
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls
» 6,803 career rushing yards, 48 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

NFL/Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings, 2007-2016; New Orleans Saints, 2017; Arizona Cardinals 2017
» One-time NFL MVP
» Seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Four-time First Team All-Pro
» Three-time NFL rushing yards leader, two-time NFL touchdowns leader
» NFL-record 296 yards in single game
» 12,276 career rushing yards, 99 career rushing touchdowns

12 / 25

14. Adrian Peterson

Minnesota Vikings, 2007-2016; New Orleans Saints, 2017; Arizona Cardinals 2017
» One-time NFL MVP
» Seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Four-time First Team All-Pro
» Three-time NFL rushing yards leader, two-time NFL touchdowns leader
» NFL-record 296 yards in single game
» 12,276 career rushing yards, 99 career rushing touchdowns

Mike Stone/Associated Press

New England Patriots, 1995-1997; N.Y. Jets 1998-2006
» Five-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time First Team All-Pro
» NFL rushing yards leader in 2004
» 14,101 career rushing yards, 90 career rushing touchdowns, 10 career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

13 / 25

13. Curtis Martin

New England Patriots, 1995-1997; N.Y. Jets 1998-2006
» Five-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time First Team All-Pro
» NFL rushing yards leader in 2004
» 14,101 career rushing yards, 90 career rushing touchdowns, 10 career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football hall of Fame

Paul Spinelli/Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts, 1994-1998; St. Louis Rams, 1999-2005
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl seven times; First Team All-Pro three times
» 12,280 career rushing yards, 100 career rushing touchdowns, 767 career receptions, 36 career rushing touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

14 / 25

12. Marshall Faulk

Indianapolis Colts, 1994-1998; St. Louis Rams, 1999-2005
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl seven times; First Team All-Pro three times
» 12,280 career rushing yards, 100 career rushing touchdowns, 767 career receptions, 36 career rushing touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys, 1990-2002; Arizona Cardinals, 2003-2004
» Three-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl eight times; First Team All-Pro four times
» NFL career leader in rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164)
» Led league in rushing four times and rushing touchdowns four times
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

15 / 25

11. Emmitt Smith

Dallas Cowboys, 1990-2002; Arizona Cardinals, 2003-2004
» Three-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl eight times; First Team All-Pro four times
» NFL career leader in rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164)
» Led league in rushing four times and rushing touchdowns four times
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

Buffalo Bills, 1969-1977; San Francisco 49ers, 1978-1979
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl five times, First Team All-Pro five times
» Led league in rushing four times, rushing touchdowns two times
» 11,236 career rushing yards, 61 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

16 / 25

10. O.J. Simpson

Buffalo Bills, 1969-1977; San Francisco 49ers, 1978-1979
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl five times, First Team All-Pro five times
» Led league in rushing four times, rushing touchdowns two times
» 11,236 career rushing yards, 61 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys, 1977-1987; Denver Broncos, 1988
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to Pro Bowl four times; First Team All-Pro once
» NFL-record 99-yard run from scrimmage
» 12,739 career rushing yards, 77 career rushing touchdowns, 13 career receiving touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

17 / 25

9. Tony Dorsett

Dallas Cowboys, 1977-1987; Denver Broncos, 1988
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to Pro Bowl four times; First Team All-Pro once
» NFL-record 99-yard run from scrimmage
» 12,739 career rushing yards, 77 career rushing touchdowns, 13 career receiving touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing three times, rushing touchdowns twice
» 9,407 career rushing yards, 74 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

18 / 25

8. Earl Campbell

Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing three times, rushing touchdowns twice
» 9,407 career rushing yards, 74 career rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press

Detroit Lions, 1989-1998
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls 10 times, First Team All-Pro six times
» Led league in rushing four times, rushing touchdowns once
» 15,269 career rushing yards, 99 career rushing touchdowns, 10 career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

19 / 25

7. Barry Sanders

Detroit Lions, 1989-1998
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls 10 times, First Team All-Pro six times
» Led league in rushing four times, rushing touchdowns once
» 15,269 career rushing yards, 99 career rushing touchdowns, 10 career receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Greg Trott/Associated Press

L.A. Rams, 1983-1987; Indianapolis Colts , 1987-1991; L.A. Raiders, 1992; Atlanta Falcons, 1993
» Voted to Pro Bowl six times; First Team All-Pro five times
» Led league in rushing four times
» Holds NFL record for most rushing yards in a season (2,105)
» 13,259 career rushing yards, 90 career rushing touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

20 / 25

6. Eric Dickerson

L.A. Rams, 1983-1987; Indianapolis Colts , 1987-1991; L.A. Raiders, 1992; Atlanta Falcons, 1993
» Voted to Pro Bowl six times; First Team All-Pro five times
» Led league in rushing four times
» Holds NFL record for most rushing yards in a season (2,105)
» 13,259 career rushing yards, 90 career rushing touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Paul Spinelli/Associated Press

San Diego Chargers, 2001-2009; N.Y. Jets, 2010-2011
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl five times; First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing twice, rushing touchdowns three times
» Holds NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a season (28)
» 13,684 career rushing yards, 145 career rushing touchdowns, 17 career receiving touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

21 / 25

5. LaDainian Tomlinson

San Diego Chargers, 2001-2009; N.Y. Jets, 2010-2011
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl five times; First Team All-Pro three times
» Led league in rushing twice, rushing touchdowns three times
» Holds NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a season (28)
» 13,684 career rushing yards, 145 career rushing touchdowns, 17 career receiving touchdowns
» Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

L.A. Raiders, 1987-1990
» One Pro Bowl selection
» 2,782 career rushing yards, 16 career rushing touchdowns

22 / 25

4. Bo Jackson

L.A. Raiders, 1987-1990
» One Pro Bowl selection
» 2,782 career rushing yards, 16 career rushing touchdowns

NFL Photos/Associated Press

Chicago Bears, 1965-1971
» Voted to Pro Bowl four times; First Team All-Pro five times
» Led league in rushing twice
» 4,956 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

23 / 25

3. Gale Sayers

Chicago Bears, 1965-1971
» Voted to Pro Bowl four times; First Team All-Pro five times
» Led league in rushing twice
» 4,956 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns
» Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Vernon J. Biever/Associated Press

Chicago Bears, 1975-1987
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, First Team All-Pro seven times
» 16,726 career rushing yards, 110 career rushing touchdowns, 15 receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

24 / 25

2. Walter Payton

Chicago Bears, 1975-1987
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» One-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, First Team All-Pro seven times
» 16,726 career rushing yards, 110 career rushing touchdowns, 15 receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tom DiPace/Associated Press

Cleveland Browns, 1957-1965
» One-time NFL champion
» Three-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Led league in rushing yards eight times and rushing touchdowns five times
» 12,312 career rushing yards, 106 career rushing touchdowns, 20 receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

25 / 25

1. Jim Brown

Cleveland Browns, 1957-1965
» One-time NFL champion
» Three-time NFL MVP
» Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Led league in rushing yards eight times and rushing touchdowns five times
» 12,312 career rushing yards, 106 career rushing touchdowns, 20 receiving touchdowns
» Enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Associated Press

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

Advertising

gallery

Super Bowl LIX - Style Guide & Décor

Take a look at the photographs that served as the artistic blueprint for Super Bowl LIX, and see how they were incorporated into the numerous event spaces throughout New Orleans.