Top 10 Running Backs in NFL History 

I liked "Sweetness" because he said football was a lot of fun. He knocked 3 defenders out of the way on that last touchdown and he looked ready for another game.

How is Curtis Martin better than Eric Dickerson???? Who did this list

If I were a coach and had to pick just one back coming out of college, then it would be Walter Payton, no question. He ran, he caught the ball, he blocked, and he was a great teammate - a great team player. In fact, Walter *LOVED TO BLOCK* . And *TOUGH* , missing just 1 game due to injury in 13 seasons. Are you kidding me? What more can you do? In the words of teammate Steve McMichael, "Walter wasn't a running back, *HE WAS A FOOTBALL PLAYER* ." Jim Brown? No! Why? He wasn't a great teammate, and he was an inconsistent blocker. He blocked when he felt like it. Great player, yes, but he frustrated coach Paul Brown so much, that Brown at one point considered trading him. Paul Brown wrote that in his book. Walter did everything. A coach's dream!

I'm an older fella, and a Browns fan, and while part of me feels like it is blasphemous to even think anyone other than Jim Brown is the greatest running back, I have to go with Barry Sanders. Watching him was always surreal - he looked like a video game come to life, doing things that seemed impossible. Oh, and Curtis Martin was a fine back, but he is ridiculously high on this list.

Comment on who you think deserves or doesn't deserve to be on this list! Also please like this video and subscribe for more. Thanks!

Gale Sayers and Tony Dorsett should be on this list.

Payton had so much heart.

I'm a Payton dude, but that NFL films score at the 0:27 mark is incredible. When Campbell turns the corner on the Cowboys, it sounds like someone moving with authority, just Campbell's run. AWESOME!

Curtis Martin ahead of Campbell, Simpson, Peterson, and Dickerson? What Jets fan made this video?

Where is Bo Jackson, Gale Sayers and Tony Dorsett

I had the pleasure of meeting both Earl Campbell and Walter Payton during their playing days. Very polite and humble gentlemen (off the field).

Sanders - then daylight . Best.footwork.ever.

As the biggest barry sanders fan alive today. I'll agree with this. But in my heart, I think Payton should be 1 and Barry 2. No list can be complete with so many good backs throughout the years, but there's only room for ten.

Barry Sanders was an amazing player to watch. I'm a Steeler fan, but I'd catch Lions games when Sanders was active. Just a great , no nonsense running back that played football like no other! 🏈🍻🏈

Walter Payton tough tough guy! I would be tempted to take him ahead of all the other running backs. I know I’m getting 100% every Sunday!

Larry Csonka toughest rb ever this guy use to chase defenders if there weren't there to him he made sure he hit you He's also the player on offense to get roughing penalty from stiffarming a defensive player in the head

Imagine if Barry had a line like emmitt,he would of broke records,that man literally earned and fought for every single yard

Barry and Walter an exceptional mix of speed of cheeta, agility of a mangosse and the fullpower of rhino.

Just like it said Walter Payton was the most complete player in the history of the game!! RIP sweetness

Barry was the best I ever saw... I often wonder how many more yards he would have run for if he was behind that Dallas offensive line

Whoever made this video should go to the Joe Vincent editing school.

I also put Sanders and Payton 1 & 2. I say Sanders is the greatest pure runner to ever live... Payton is the best player to every play the position of running back because he did it all. Either way grateful to have seen them play the game. And unlike so many today they both did it right in every way. 100% class at all times.

I've always put Sanders and Payton as my top two.. I'm not sure one was any better than the other but they got their yardage with mostly bad teams with exception of 85 Bears.

This list is more accurate than the NFL one, they put Barry Sanders at number #8

Jim Brown and Walter Payton both either One or Two. Both great Running backs

Jim Brown 3rd? Come on, man. There's your 735 thumbs down.

Barry Sanders was Unstoppable full to say the least who's a great great player the darn shame that he didn't never win a championship ring

Walter Payton is the GOAT. He was a better all-purpose running back than anyone in history. He could run, pass, and block. He’s still the Chicago Bears’ all-time leader in receptions. On top of that, he actually played quarterback in one game.

Hey brother, I like your list. I know it was very hard to make. Gayle Sayers should have been on there & maybe John Riggins. I agree though Barry was the best. I think Marshall & LT should have been a little lower & Earl and Eric should have been a little higher, but you did a great job. JOSEPH C. LEWIS

I’m not a LIONS fan but Barry Sanders was the BEST with the team he played on! Had he been on many other teams he would have much better overall stats! He was also a very humble person! Truly a classy guy in a sport of arrogant assholes!

How do you leave out Gale Sayers and Tony Dorsett??

Jim Brown not number 1 is absolutely criminal, the numbers he put up were crazy, he was like a Madden franchise career

1. W. Payton 2. B. Sanders 3. J. Brown These 3 in a class all by themselves. But this list should include: Dickerson, Dorsett, & J. Bettis ( i.e., all of 'em better RBs than Curtis Martin).

(In relation to my previous comment), I want to see a top ten list of, top 10 RB's in their prime. I think one of the most crucial aspects of the list of, "Top 10 RB's in NFL history" is longevity and producing amazing things year after year for a career. Even Barry, who retired way too soon, played 10 seasons.

So many great backs to grace the NFL, but in regards to just running... I have Barry Sanders at the top, Jim Brown at 2nd, and Walter Payton at 3!

This was a awesome collection of running backs that one Barry Sanders spin move he reminds me of the Tasmanian devil LOL

Tony Dorset !!!!!

Ah no Gale Sayers or Bo Jackson. Smdh or Tony Dorsett

This a cold Video right here!! Thank you!! Mic'22

Jim Brown number one. He had no equals.

When Barry retired, I stopped watching football.

#20 Sanders 🐐🐐🐐

Good to see Curtis Martin get some respect put on his name. He seems to be forgotten about for some reason but he had consistent rugged career and left everything in his tank on the gridiron. I really wish he could have gotten a SB ring before he retired.

Peyton. Great runner, blocker, and I believe he was the backup, quaterback punter and field goal kicker.

Barry's the best..And I'm a big Walter Payton fan..

So good to be recognized as the greatest. Go Barry!

We all have our list...I'm just happy to have seen Bo, Payton, Campbell and Sanders play...

Bro OJ was a stone cold killer on and off the field bruh way too low

No best Running Back in NFL History listing can be complete without the great Tony Dorsett of the Dallas Cowboys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barry Sanders no doubt the best to me. He was so fast he use to loose the cameraman and Emmit Smith was the last of the oldschool runners.

O.j Simpson cut up defenses when he was in his prime

A lot of people forget about how good OJ was, for a while there it was just him and Jim Brown talk when you say best running back of all time

Cowboys should have three on this list and another earning his spot soon. Hayes, Dorsett, Smith and Elliot is looking good.

Adrian's and Brown's and Sander's yards per average seem to set them apart from the rest.

If he played longer bo Jackson

How tf was emmet #4 and tony Dorset not even on the list 🧐🤣

Sweetness is literally the goat

Barry was incredible, every sunday was special. IMO, I would have Jim Brown # 2 and Payton # 3 and I agree Barry is the best running back we have ever seen. 10 straight years of masterpieces, even coming off an injury, he would do it over and over again and hardly ever fumbled. He was defensive players nightmare. I think the craziest statistic is he has the most negative yards in history just trying to find room to run behind that bad offensive line and this guy still ended up with 5 yards a carry for his career, now that is Insane!! Definitely #1

Legend has it that #75 on the Cowboys is still looking for Barry Sanders

Where's the 'Nigerian nightmare' Christian Okoye,,guy moved back once after a safety hit him hard cause he was always moving forward in a streamlined position,,just awesome to watch

Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders are my favorites.

No Gale Sayers. or Tony Dorsett?

Amazing.

Have been watching the NFL since the mid 70's and my own opinion is that Bo, Campbell, Sanders and Payton were the most exciting to watch. Human highlight reels all of them. Can't speak for older era backs.

Going through this whole video thinking "If Barry Sanders isn't in the top 5....."

You got it right Barry Sanders was the most electrifying football player ever period.

I get that Bo Jackson isn't on these lists because he was injured early in his career. But seriously, if I had one RB in the history of the NFL to choose from, I would take Jackson. In the 80's, he weighed 230 lbs, could outrun cornerbacks and run over linebackers. He was so good, Marcus Allen played FB for him. He was a legit threat to score on ANY play. He was from another world. BTW, Curtis Martin? LOL

Jim Brown-By far the best,in just 9-seasons.And remember he was playing in 12-game seasons,not 16-So that’s 4-games per season,so he basically missed two full season at four extra games per season,so add at least minimum(1,000-1,200)yards if not more.

In 1973 when on ran over 2000 in a 14 game season if he had a 17 game season hes rushing record would still stand

I'm Bo Jacksons biggest fan but going by his stats theres no way should he be on this list like so many ppl say. 4 yrs with a total of just under 3k yards. Yeah I know he played 2 sports but that's the way it is but if you went by would of, could of, should of, yeah Bo would of been #1 on any list

I watched earl run, he was like a tank going thru brushes

so glad to have grown up watching Barry Sanders.

In the 70s as a little kid I loved to watch football! O j Simpson seemed to so fast that everyone else was in slow motion ! He ad so much speed it was amazing! Randy moss had that same quickness and seemed so much quicker than everyone else around him !Earl was just a beast!

Very sad that Terrell Davis' carrer was cut short due injury. He was also one of the best RBs of all time.

This was good, but I was surprised to see Curtis Martin. I also would have expected to see Tony Dorsett in here somewhere.

Anyone know the name of the beat that plays at 3:52?

I don't know if anyone remembers Tony Dorsett. Best running back I have ever seen play football.

I love the fact Walter Payton is number 2 because that's my favorite back of all time, love Barry too tho. I don't understand Jim Brown number 3 BIG question mark there, but the other question is Gale Sayers, Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson, Tony Dorset, Joe Morris, Tiki barber, but anyway I always wondered if Jim, Gale, and Barry did not leave the game early who would have the rushing title and how huge the rushing numbers would be. JIM, GALE, BARRY ALL ARE EXPLOSIVE!!!!!!

They created a rule in Lacrosse because of Jim Brown. They used to tape a short stick to his arm at Syracuse, now you have to have a 40" stick!

Should have added tony dorset. That guy was incredible

Best running back in every team's history: Bills: O.J. Simpson. Dolphins: Larry Csonka. Patriots: Curtis Martin. Jets: Curtis Martin. Ravens: Jamal Lewis. Bengals: Corey Dillon. Browns: Jim Brown. Steelers: Franco Harris. (Honorable mention to Jerome Bettis.) Texans: Arian Foster. Colts: Edgerrin James. Jaguars. Maurice Jones Drew. Titans: Chris Johnson for Titans only but Earl Campbell if Oilers years are included. Broncos: Terrell Davis. Chiefs: Priest Holmes. Raiders: Marcus Allen. Chargers: Ladainian Tomlinson. Cowboys: Emmitt Smith. (Honorable mention to Tony Dorsett.) Giants: Frank Gifford. Eagles: Steve Van Buren. Redskins: John Riggins. Bears: Walter Payton. (Honorable mention to Gale Sayers.) Lions: Barry Sanders. Packers: Jim Taylor. Vikings: Adarin Peterson. Falcons: William Andrews. Panthers: Christian McCaffrey. Saints: Mark Ingram. Buccaneers: James Wilder. Cardinals: Charley Trippi. Rams: Eric Dickerson. 49ers: Hugh Mcelhenny. Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch.

Barry is my all time favorite running back with no help at qb oline or even coaches. He was the best pure runner.

I love Barry at 1

Im about to throw hands with the guy that made this list

it's your list and I cannot nor will not seek to change your mind...…………...that being said, any list of the top 10 that does not include Gale Sayers is, at best, suspect and isn't to be taken at face value

You got Curtis Martin and Adrian Peterson on this list but not Gale Sayers ? Who are you

Good video. However, have you heard of Gale Sayers? 🙂

There is always somebody out there better. Barry was Walters greatest nightmare. And, Barry did this without a solid team to help him. The man is -amazing!!

I know he was a Dallas Cowboy and people don't like Dallas Cowboys but Tony Dorsett really should be in the top 5 on this list. Again just my opinion. Other than that, great video!

I watched a lot of them. All the way back to Brown, Sayers and Simpson. But to be honest, Payton played on some very very weak Chicago teams. Payton would have to run 40 yards side to side to get 10 yards forward. If you added up everything he had to do to get his 11K yards he probably ran for 15K. Payton was the best ever.

At 69yrs old, the standard in running backs has been Jim Brown,and will be for some time to come and I agree with you that these are some of the best to have played the game, didn't see Red Grange or Monty!!!

Anybody remember guys before Jim Brown? How about Marion Motley? He was great and still holds the record for yards per carry.

Coming from a New York Jets fan, Barry Sanders is the best running back in my opinion, hands down. An absolute BEAST! And he was literally unstoppable. Sorry Curtis, you were great, but Barry was better.

Top 50 HBs #1 Walter Payton #2 Barry Sanders #3 Jim Brown #4 O.J Simpson #5 Emmit Smith #6 Eric Dickerson #7 Marshall Faulk #8 Earl Campbell #9 LaDainian Tomlinson #10 Adrian Peterson #11 Curtis Martin #12 Tony Dorsett #13 Franco Harris #14 Thurman Thomas #15 Jerome Bettis #16 Marcus Allen #17 Gale Sayers #18 Edgerrin James #19 Marshawn Lynch #20 Terrell Davis #21 Shaun Alexander #22 Ricky Watters #23 Ollie Matson #24 Marion Motley #25 Lenny Moore #26 Ernie Nevers #27 Lasean McCoy #28 Priest Holmes #29 Larry Csonka #30 Ricky Williams #31 John Riggins #32 Eddie George #33 Jim Taylor #34 Steve Van Buren #35 Bo Jackson #36 Tiki Barber #37 Frank Gore #38 Steven Jackson #39 Ahman Green #40 Jamaal Charles #41 Herschel Walker #42 Paul Hornung #43 Corey Dillon #44 Clinton Portis #45 Jamal Lewis #46 Ottis Anderson #47 Fred Taylor #48 Warrick Dunn #49 Roger Craig #50 James Brooks HM Brian Westbrook Notes: I have Bo,Herschel W, and Ricky Williams on the list for what they COULD have done, not what they did. Injuries, the USFL, and suspensions derailed their careers. Also, I know a few of these guys played fullback (Jim Brown and Larry Csonka), but I am counting them as running backs.

I hope to be on that list one day

Only missing one ,, gotta get Tony Dorsett in there some how !

I'm surprised I didn't see Marcus allen

Mr. PAYTON the best ever!

Yours is the first video I agree with about Running backs but I have seen or heard of Bronco Nagurshi or something