NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs Ever 

Do you agree or disagree with this list? How would you change it?

Why did you skip the Walter Peyton highlights

your credibility went way down for showing NOTHING for Sweetness.

There will never be another Barry Sanders. The greats on this list will remain the greats. The NFL doesn’t recognize running backs anymore.

You skipped Walter Payton

Respect for Faulk - he's usually left off. Funny how him and DIckerson played for same teams.

The fact that Marcus Allen actually sat the bench for a few years for the Raiders because of his beef with Al Davis and still finished in the top 10 of everything when he retired speaks volumes!!!!!

An explanation of why Barry Sanders is better than Walter Payton: 1. Barry was a Pro Bowler 10 times in 10 years vs Walter's 9 times in 13 years. 2. Barry was a 1st team All Pro 6 times in 10 years vs Walter's 5 times in 13 years. 3. Barry won 4 rushing titles vs Walter's 1. 4. Barry had a 2000 yard season (2053 in 1997) and Walter didn't. (Walter's career high was 1852 yards in 1977.) 5. Barry had 6 seasons of double digit touchdowns with a career high of of 16 in 1991 vs Walter's 5 seasons of double digit touchdowns with a career high of 14 in 1977 and 1979. 6. Barry had 5 seasons of over 1500 yards vs Walter's 4. 7. If you truncate their career per game averages to the nearest whole number, Barry averaged 99 yards per game vs Walter's 88 yards per game. 8. With 99 touchdowns in 150 games, Barry averaged scoring a touchdown in 66% of his games. Walter, with 110 touchdowns in 190 games, averaged scoring a touchdown in 57% of his games. 9. Barry had 4 seasons of averaging over 100 yards per game vs Walter's 3. 10. Barry had 5 seasons of averaging over 5 yards per carry vs Walter only doing it 1ce. There you go.

Barry Sanders for sure. He retired in his prime, if had kept playing as many years as Smith he probably would have had way over 20000 yards

Walter Payton was the greatest football player ever. What most people forget is just how the Bears had no real offense other than him in the 70’s. Imagine teams like the 49’ers, Cowboys, Washington Redskins all saying today we are going to stop Walter Payton. Not we will beat the Bears, we will stop him. And they could not. Jim Brown admitted that he was #1. If he was on with Dallas in those days his achievements would still be standing today. He never went for the sideline. In the open field you didn’t have to worry about him running around you, he was coming right at you and running right through you.Walter Payton was Superman.

These videos make my day great video agree with everything

Adrian Peterson should be top 5 IMO! Most exciting player I’ve ever watched play the game

If Bo Jackson never got injured he would be on he list

I agree but u could’ve given no Jackson an honourable mention

Gale Sayers, Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett. This list cannot be taken seriously without these three on it and Jim Brown must always be number one, period.

Obviously I'm a Detroit fan, got Barry's autograph for my daughter at the Pontiac SilverDome! Before Barry though, in 1983 was another star, Billy Sims and I swear they were from the same mold, if he hadn't torn his excruciate ligament in his left knee which ended his carrer, he would have went on to do even greater things! Sims was certainly one of a kind also! One last thing, Barry truly was one of the most humble people Ive ever met, WORD 🤙

I have always felt Marcus was the most unique RB. As big as he was he looked like he was "gliding" so smoothly...especially when he'd cut back against the flow. The dude could block, catch, pass and had a nose for the end zone like no other.

One word. Sweetness. Greatest football player of all time

Tomlinson is the top 10 PLAYERS EVER in the NFL. Hes a legend. Hall of Famer. I've NEVER ever seen a rb like him before. Hes always in video game mode and he doesn't choke or fumbles the ball all the time. Underrated. Name me 1 person that's half of LT.

Great list . I would have mixed it up a bit but still a solid list.

Great list...gonna be hard to argue, I think with the running back position it's a matter of style preference...I would have put Bettis on the list but that means I'd have to take someone off which is damn near impossible...would love to see your list in 10 years to see who you would remove if you were to add Derrick Henry....

Gale Sayers? He was really good, although maybe the short career was why you left him out Earl Campbell was also really good

Glad to see AP getting the recognition he deserves. He had it all at the RB position: power, speed, agility, tenacity, and instincts. He's probably top 5 all time in each of those categories.

Dickerson still holds the All Time Rookie Rushing Record, The All Time Playoff Game Rushing Record, The All Time Single Season Rushing Record, and The Fastest to 10,000 yards at 91 games than any RB in NFL history. Eric Dickerson is The Greatest running back through 10,000 yards in NFL history period

Great list

Earl Campbell was so elusive he actually disappeared from the list 👀👀

Love all the guys on this list but it seems incomplete without the Ferrari of all running backs Tony Dorsett.

The best list you've put out !!!!

That DICKERSON clip was cool,cuz very rarely do we get to see backs pull away from the DEFENSE in the open field,always seems they are caught by fast DB's!!

How is Jim Brown NOT #1? He led the league in rushing 8 of his 9 seasons. Won 3 MVP's. Averaged over 104 yards a game and over 5 yards a carry FOR HIS ENTIRE CAREER. He never even missed a game. None of which was ever even approached by another running back. Barry may have been more exciting but...

Walter Payton is in a class all to himself.

Watching great run plays are my favorite part of football.

That is actually a superb list! It really places every great back pretty much exactly where they belong, amazing!

It seems we usually measure greatness by stepping up on the biggest stage. Emmitt is the only one of the top four that did that. He has the highest playoff YPC out of the group and is the only one whose YPC improved in the postseason. The other three were much worse in the playoffs. Before you say that’s because of his team, remember those Browns teams were a powerhouse and Jim Brown had 2 hall of fame offensive linemen (1 more than Emmitt had). Yet he averaged 5.2 YPC for his career, but only 3.7 in the postseason.

Jim row was unstoppable and a top 5 player ever, he should be number 1

These kind of lists are subjective, but I think this one ain't too bad. It's been quite a while ago that my interest in the Pro game faded, but I can speak to the era when I was an avid fan, although I am going to start of with a player whose prime predates me by mentioning that Gale Sayers might be considered an oversight here. Walter Payton is the best back I've ever seen. Dude was all the Bears had during most of his career. His O-line was Ok, and there wasn't a big threat in the passing game so I'd say his yards were among the most hardest to earn of those on the list. He had moves but he also had to break a lot of tackles. Kind of a shame he didn't get a Super Bowl TD, if that meant something to him. I like that Emmit Smith is as low as four here, although I'd have him even lower. He holds the record, so his placement on this list is almost obligatory. And he's a great back- all these players and many more are- but we're nitpicking here. It appears by his comments that he probably has to defend himself against the notion that he benefited from just the opposite of the situation I described for Payton- a great passing game and great blocking. But I think it's true. He's a great back but I think most all of the backs on this list could have done just as well if not better than Smith on that team. In fact I may not even have Smith on this list at all. Marshall Faulk is another one. Great back but generally a bit overrated, I think. Dickerson is in my era, but somehow I never saw him as all time great, but I really can't argue against his placement on a top ten list. Dude was big and fast. I just don't remember him as quite the game changer that others on this list are, but still, very worthy. Simpson is top two or three for me. Definitely above Smith and Faulk. Like Payton, a player on a mediocre team that occasionally scratched its way into the playoffs mostly due to the play from the RB position. I really like that Marcus Allen is on this list. He's left off of a significant amount of top ten lists and shouldn't be. Great back with great moves. Generally underrated. I personally rank him above Smith and Faulk, and maybe above Dickerson. I can't really speak to Tomlinson or Peterson, but I can say that if we can't remove either of those two from this list, then either Faulk or Smith has to go to make room for Earl Campbell. Walter Payton was very difficult to bring down, maybe pound for pound the most difficult, but aside from the film clips I've seen of Jim Brown, I gotta think that Campbell was the worst nightmare ever for a safety having to come up and make a tackle (didn't scare off my boy Jack Tatum, though- the most epic collision ever left 'em both with a concussion but Campbell still fell forward into the end zone). If Bo Jackson had lasted he might be a good candidate as well.

LT will always be my favorite RB and personal best RB of all time because he could do everything and score better than anyone in my eyes.

Terrell Davis had a short career due to injuries, but had a great impact. I don't believe the Broncos would have those Super Bowls without him. He went for 2000 yards.

To many madden players in the comments demanding “wHeRe’S Bo???”” Dude played 4 seasons and never once rushed for 1000 yards in one. He’s no where near a top 10 back all time He was an athletic freak and had potential to be top all time, but you can’t consider such a brief career to be top all time

I agree 100%

Emmitt was the complete back you wanted in a system that allowed him to flourish under the right head coach and talent around him. People say Jim Brown was the greatest and yet the Browns only won one NFL championship in 1964 and got blown out against the Packers the next year's NFL championship. Walter Payton had only ONE 100 yard rushing game in the playoffs in his career. Barry Sanders had ONE touchdown in the playoffs and that was that infamous touchdown against the Cowboys and never made it to a Super Bowl. Emmitt on the other hand had 3 Super Bowls, was the first player to win a rushing TITLE AND A SUPER BOWL in the same season (Terrell Davis is the second one). Emmitt is the ONLY running back to win the rushing title, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl MVP in the 1993 season. Nobody else has done that triple crown as a running back. Still holds the record for most career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and attempts. In today's system, no one is touching Emmitt's rushing yards record. Even after the glory days Emmitt Smith still held the record for 11 straight from 1991 to 2001 1,000 rushing seasons which no one is going to touch. For the post season he has the most consecutive games with a touchdown (9), most rushing yards in the post season, and has tied for most touchdowns with Thurman Thomas with 21. Also Emmitt along with 3 other players have over 21,000 combined yards which no other player than Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, and Walter Payton has. Emmitt may not have been the sexy choice like Barry or Walter or even Jim Brown, but he got it done when it mattered. Those Super Bowl rings prove that.

I think Barry is easily number 1, Walter Payton and Jim brown have good arguments, but Barry was playing in a tougher age of football filled with defensive stars

Eric Dickerson was the F-14 Tomcat of running backs. He had the maneuverability of a short, small back, and a top-end speed faster than pretty much all the corners and safeties that tried to catch him. Marcus Allen nailed it - he was a true "freak of nature", the likes of which we'll never see again in our lifetimes. It's what happens when you have the perfect combination of a lethal running back, and a track star.

I think Emmitt Smith should be a little higher, those Cowboys teams only win maybe one Super Bowl without him.

Sanders was certainly elusive. We all know if he hadn't retired after ten seasons he would have broke the rushing record. But consider that Walter Payton set that record while at the same time he was also going out for enough passes to become the Bears all time leader in receiving yards. Sanders also lacked Payton's unparalleled blocking abilities, his legendary stiff arm and his goal line acrobatics. The two had comparable speed and Payton had the overwhelming edge when it came to raw power and strength. If you look at the overall package I don't see how anyone could rank Barry Sanders above Walter Payton.

O.J should be at least top 5...man was the face of the league in the 70's

I think Walter Payton should be 1 but other than that it’s aight

You forgot 34 sweetnees. Bear down he will always be #1

I’ know I’m not bugging what happened to Warner Payton I’m a die hard cowboys fan but people forget when eminit smith broke his record sip number 34🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Tony Dorsett is MY all time favorite running back, so he will forever be #1 in MY book...I was a pretty fast runner during my days of track and field..My specialty was the 100 and 50 yard dashes. GOD, how I wish I could run like him..

Eric at 8?

About a year late. But agreed. Only change would be Dickerson 3rd or 4th.

1.jim brown 2.gayle sayers 3.tony dorsett 4.marcus allen 5.adrien peterson

You guys forgot walter payton🤦🏽‍♂️

Walter Payton should be first cause he is FAST 🏃 💨 and he is a breaking tackle MASTER 🥇 and lastly he is 🦾 robot he can do anything

I can’t put Earl Campbell ahead of Faulk and AP ... And Eric Dickerson ... thats a stretch ... but they’re all great

Goat @nfltop10 💪🏽💪🏽

Imagine how amazing no Jackson would’ve been if he didn’t get hurt

Barry Sanders is definitely #1!!! He put up all those amazing stats(Much like Calvin Johnson) with a piss poor organization. Imagine if he played on a real team 🤔

Do top ten wide receivers of all time.

1 jim brown 2 barry sanders 3 walter payton 4 eric dickerson 5 earl campbell 6 emmitt smith 7 marshall faulk 8 tony dorsett 9 oj simpson 10 bo jackson

Dickerson with the record for most yards in a season. Also # 19 # 22 and # 43, so you’re telling me that out of the best 50 season any RB has had ever, he is up there 4 times and is first but he’s only #8 on this list?

It’s great but give frank gore an HM and Walter Payton over Jim brown and Barry sanders

Walter Payton threw eight touchdown passes, blocked like a fullback, returned kicks and punts. He should be number 1

Can't believe Walter Payton isn't in this list

Barry is the most amazing football player I have ever watched. The balance, quickness, agility, and surprising power for his comparable size are unmatched. Had he been on any other team I can only imagine what his career would have become!

Barry Sanders is hands down unarguably the greatest running back of All-Time. No one is even close except for Jim Brown

Well Idk about OJ being the back of the 70's when we had SWEETNESS and CAMPBELL also!!although OJ did have the longevity of the 70's

Barry Sanders and Jim Brown both deserve the # 1 spot. Alot of people rank E. Smith above Barry Sanders because he has the record for rushing yards and it is bs. Barry easily would have the record if he simply played a couple more years. Barry also put up huge stats on mostly bad Lions teams wuthout much help. In fact if you took Barry off the Lions for those ten years they probably dont make the playoffs in any if those ten years. It was all the Barry Sanders show in Detroit for a decade and its sad because he finally resented losing and quit. The Lions should have shown him some gratitude and let him play somewhere else.

Jim Brown isn’t just the best running back. He’s the best nfl player in history, period.

How is Emmitt not #1 with 2,000ish more career rushing yards than the next? These guys are all unbelievable athletes strange to overlook Walter Payton as well

Glad to see Marcus Allen in your picks but should be higher because none of these other backs were the receiver he was! Best receiving back ever

Great list!!!!

1- Jim Brown; 2- Walter Payton; 3- Emmitt Smith; 4- Eric Dickerson; 5- Barry Sanders; 6- O.J. Simpson; 7- Tony Dorsett; 8- Marshall Faulk; 9- Gayle Sayers; 10- Tomlinson. Barry may have been the greatest open field runner, but his average was inflated from taking so many 2nd and 3rd and long draw plays due playing on lousy teams in which he may not have gained more than a couple of yards on first down.

Why is Bo Jackson not on there

0:57 56 seconds, proving that Marcus Allen should write a Barry Sanders autobiography. 😊

1

Top 10 (1) Jim Brown; (2) Gale Sayers; (3) O.J. Simpson; (4) Barry Sanders; (5) Earl Campbell; (6) Walter Payton; (7) Emmitt Smith; (8) Adrian Peterson; (9) Eric Dickerson; and (10) Marcus Allen. I grew up in Cleveland and had the pleasure to #32 live. He was everything and more!

switch jim brown and barry sanders and it’s a perfect list

Those Walter Payton highlights really something

If you’re going to put Earl Campbell on the list then you should probably have Terrell Davis up there too.

Jim should be 1, Sweetness should be 2, Barry 3

I gotta be honest, if he stays healthy, at the end of his career Saquon Barkley will be up here! he has all that it takes

How about Top 10 underrated RB’s, QB’s & WR’s

Emmitt Smith better balance than Barry Sanders by a mile. Emmitt still disrespected so badly

Jim brown is the best

also Jim brown should be 1, and Payton should be 2

What about Billy Sims?

Walter Peyton is the Goat of Running backs thats it, point blank!😮❤

I don't have a problem with Barry Sanders being #1

Gimme 15 years I’ll be on this list soon

I think Patrick laird should be honorable mention for being the brightest shade of white a running back can be

In the Super Bowl era 1. Emmitt Smith 2. Walter Payton 3. Barry Sanders 4. Adrian Peterson 5. Marshall Faulk 6. Eric Dickerson 7. LT 8. Terrell Davis 9. Shaun Alexander 10. O.J Simpson

How is earl Campbell over Walter Peyton.

Curtis Martin had ten straight 1,000 yd seasons and 14,000 overall. Not being flashy keeps him off lists.

Why were the Walter Peyton highlights skipped

Walter Peyton best of the 70s

Thank you for putting Faulk where he belongs. Most list that have Dickerson just leave Faulk completely off. He was special.

Same stuff but change sweetness for Barry and add gale sayers at 9 or 10 and it’s 1000% accurate

Is it just me or did we not see any Walter Payton highlights?