The Top 10 Running Backs Of All Time: The Workhorses Who Carried Teams to Glory
The Top 10 Running Backs Of All Time didn’t just play football—they dominated it. Jim Brown ran like a freight train with no brakes, Barry Sanders danced through defenders like they were standing still, and Walter Payton hit the field with a toughness that could move mountains.
These guys weren’t just running backs—they were the engines that powered their teams. Emmitt Smith? He didn’t just run the ball; he ground defenses into dust, play after play.
When it came to winning games, you handed the ball to these legends, and they’d hit the hole like it owed them money. You don’t just watch players like this—you remember them forever. That’s football, folks!
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#10. O.J. Simpson
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 212 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Buffalo Bills (1969–1977), San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979)
O.J. Simpson wasn’t just fast—he was lightning in pads, leaving defenders chasing shadows every Sunday. Nicknamed “The Juice,” Simpson hit the open field like a sprinter at the Olympics and ran with the kind of vision that made every cut look effortless.
His 1973 season was one for the ages, becoming the first running back in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards in a single season, all in just 14 games.
Defenders didn’t just struggle to tackle him—they couldn’t even get close. Simpson’s ability to turn nothing into something made him a one-man highlight reel and the heartbeat of every offense he played for. The Juice wasn’t just loose—he was unstoppable.
Accolades:
- NFL MVP (1973)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985)
- 5x Pro Bowl Selection
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
#9. Derrick Henry
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 247 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Tennessee Titans (2016–2023), Baltimore Ravens (2024-present)
Derrick Henry isn’t just a running back—he’s a freight train in shoulder pads. When Henry hits the hole, defenders don’t just try to tackle him—they pray they don’t get run over. Known for his stiff-arm that’s more like a knockout punch, Henry is the kind of back who can turn a routine handoff into an 80-yard sprint to the house.
In 2020, he bulldozed his way to over 2,000 rushing yards, proving he’s one of the toughest backs to ever play the game.
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With his rare combination of size, speed, and power, Henry doesn’t just run the ball—he makes defenses quit. If you’re in his way, you’re getting on a highlight reel, whether you like it or not.
Accolades:
- 2x NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2019, 2020)
- 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
- 5x Pro Bowl Selection
#8. Adrian Peterson
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 220 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Minnesota Vikings (2007–2016), New Orleans Saints (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2017), Washington Commanders (2018–2019), Detroit Lions (2020), Tennessee Titans (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021)
Adrian Peterson didn’t just run the football—he attacked it. Known as “All Day” for his relentless motor, Peterson hit the line of scrimmage like a wrecking ball on a mission.
His 2012 season was the stuff of legends, rushing for 2,097 yards just months after tearing his ACL and MCL. That’s not just toughness—it’s superhuman.
Peterson’s blend of speed, power, and determination made him a nightmare for defenses. He wasn’t just trying to gain yards—he was trying to break the will of anyone in his path. With over 14,000 rushing yards and 120 touchdowns, Peterson cemented his spot as one of the greatest to ever carry the rock.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team
- NFL MVP (2012)
- 7x Pro Bowl Selection
- 3x NFL Rushing Yards Leader
#7. Marshall Faulk
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 211 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1994–1998), St. Louis Rams (1999–2005)
Marshall Faulk wasn’t just a running back—he was a Swiss Army knife on the field, capable of doing it all. Faulk could hit the hole like a sledgehammer, bounce outside with blazing speed, and catch passes like a top-tier wide receiver.
As the centerpiece of “The Greatest Show on Turf,” Faulk racked up over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season—not once, but twice.
He didn’t just move the chains; he broke games wide open. Faulk’s ability to make defenders miss in space was almost unfair, and his football IQ put him a step ahead on every play. When it came to versatility, nobody did it better than Marshall Faulk.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011)
- 7x Pro Bowl Selection
- NFL MVP (2000)
- Super Bowl Champion (XXXIV)
#6. Eric Dickerson
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 220 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1983–1987), Indianapolis Colts (1987–1991), Los Angeles Raiders (1992), Atlanta Falcons (1993)
Eric Dickerson ran the ball like he was gliding on air—but don’t be fooled by his smooth style. He hit the hole with a burst of speed that left defenders gasping for air and a long stride that ate up yards in a hurry.
In 1984, Dickerson set the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards, a mark that still stands today. That’s not just dominance—that’s legendary.
With his upright running style and effortless acceleration, Dickerson could take over games like few others. He didn’t just beat defenses—he embarrassed them. When you talk about running backs, you have to start with Eric Dickerson’s name at the top of the list.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999)
- 6x Pro Bowl Selection
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1983)
#5. LaDainian Tomlinson
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 215 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: San Diego Chargers (2001–2009), New York Jets (2010–2011)
LaDainian Tomlinson wasn’t just a running back—he was a scoring machine. Whether it was pounding the ball up the middle, breaking off a long run, or catching passes out of the backfield, LT could do it all.
His 2006 season was pure magic, setting an NFL record with 31 total touchdowns and earning him MVP honors. Tomlinson ran like a rocket strapped to a bowling ball, bouncing off defenders and cutting through defenses with ease.
He didn’t just move the chains; he lived in the end zone. With over 18,000 total yards, LT cemented himself as one of the most versatile and electrifying players to ever carry the rock.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2017)
- NFL MVP (2006)
- 5x Pro Bowl Selection
- NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
#4. Emmitt Smith
Height/Weight: 5’9”, 216 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1990–2002), Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004)
Emmitt Smith didn’t just run the ball—he wore defenses out. You’d watch him hit the hole, take a couple of hits, and keep the pile moving. That’s toughness, folks.
Smith was the engine behind the Cowboys’ dynasty of the 1990s, and when the game was on the line, you gave the ball to Emmitt and watched him grind down the clock.
Smith didn’t just set records—he owned them. With 18,355 rushing yards, he’s still the NFL’s all-time leader, and his three Super Bowl rings prove he wasn’t just padding stats. Emmitt played the game the right way—hard, fast, and with no quit.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010)
- 3x Super Bowl Champion
- NFL MVP (1993)
- 8x Pro Bowl Selection
#3. Walter Payton
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 200 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Chicago Bears (1975–1987)
Walter Payton wasn’t just great—he was Sweetness, a player who combined skill, toughness, and heart like nobody else. Payton didn’t run the ball—he attacked the defense.
Whether it was stiff-arming defenders into the dirt or leaping over piles at the goal line, Payton played every snap like it was his last. He wasn’t just a bruiser—he was a playmaker, racking up over 21,000 total yards and breaking Jim Brown’s all-time rushing record.
And let’s not forget, Payton could do it all—he could block, pass, and even throw a few touchdowns. Walter Payton wasn’t just a player—he was football in its purest form.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1993)
- Super Bowl Champion (XX)
- NFL MVP (1977)
- 9x Pro Bowl Selection
#2. Barry Sanders
Height/Weight: 5’8”, 203 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Detroit Lions (1989–1998)
Barry Sanders wasn’t just elusive—he was impossible to tackle. You’d think you had him dead to rights, and then—whoosh!—he’d leave you grabbing air. Sanders didn’t just run the ball; he turned it into an art form.
Every cut, every spin, every burst of speed was a masterpiece that left defenders frozen in place. In just 10 seasons, Sanders racked up 15,269 rushing yards, retiring as one of the most prolific backs in NFL history.
He didn’t rely on a great offensive line—he created plays out of nowhere. Barry Sanders wasn’t just special—he was one of one.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2004)
- NFL MVP (1997)
- 10x Pro Bowl Selection
- 4x NFL Rushing Yards Leader
#1. Jim Brown
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 232 lbs
Position: Running Back
Teams: Cleveland Browns (1957–1965)
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Jim Brown wasn’t just a running back—he was a force of nature. Defenders didn’t just try to tackle him—they got run over, plain and simple. Brown played with a physicality and dominance that made it look like he was in a league of his own.
His combination of power, speed, and vision made him nearly unstoppable. In just nine seasons, Brown led the NFL in rushing eight times, racking up 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns.
He didn’t just change games—he changed the position forever. When you talk about the greatest players in NFL history, the conversation starts with Jim Brown.
Accolades:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1971)
- 3x NFL MVP (1957, 1958, 1965)
- NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
- 8x NFL Rushing Yards Leader
Final Rankings
Think the Top 10 Running Backs Of All Time were unstoppable? Don’t miss our Top 10 Wide Receivers Of All Time—the playmakers who turned catches into game-changing moments. Click here to see where the legends of the air rank!
