Back Rankings All Time
While the running back position is no longer king of the hill, the position has still been a valuable part of NFL offenses for decades. The advent of the passing game and the improved skill of today’s backs have helped elevate the running back’s importance. The top NFL backs have been a major part of this passing boom. Considering recent stats and upcoming season upside, we have compiled the running back rankings all time.
The first place in this list goes to the Hall of Fame Running back rankings , Walter Payton. He went by the nickname “Sweetness” and was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. In 1977, he won the NFL MVP award. He led the league with 1,852 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, and he averaged more than 1,000 yards a season in the NFL. His legendary status is well-deserved.
The second place goes to the Dallas Cowboys’ Austin Ekeler, who is 26 years old. He had a down year in 2018, but he is still a highly effective runner and a reliable receiver for Justin Herbert. He is a talented dual threat who complements Lamar Jackson, and former coach Anthony Lynn saw Ekeler’s versatile skill set. With Prescott back, his performance should skyrocket.
Running Back Rankings All Time
There are many running backs who deserve to be in the top 25. Stats, personal bests, team accomplishments, supporting cast, and era of play all come into play when determining a running back’s place in NFL history. For example, the five-time Pro Bowler Marshawn Lynch and the Super Bowl champion LaDainian Tomlinson are worthy candidates for the top spot on this list.
Another contender for the top spot is Gale Sayers. The article from Football Perspective ranked him fifteenth, but he was given third and fourth place votes. Although Sayers’ career was cut short by a broken leg and a shoulder injury, his ability to run for 1,000 yards and score 22 touchdowns per season will make you look back at his impressive stats for decades to come. If you haven’t seen Sayers in person, here’s your chance.
Another Hall of Fame candidate in the making is Marcus Allen. Allen shared carries with Bo Jackson for four seasons, but he finished his career with 17,654 rushing yards and 144 rushing touchdowns. Earl Campbell is another great player, who played in the NFL for eight seasons, and racked up 9,407 rushing yards and 111 receiving touchdowns. While many might think of Tomlinson as a running back, he is still one of the greatest of all time.
Another Hall of Famer is Emmitt Smith. Smith played for the Dallas Cowboys for most of his career and holds the NFL record for rushing yards (18,355) and touchdowns (164). He won three Super Bowls and eight Pro Bowls, and was named MVP twice. Despite his record-setting numbers, Smith will never break the all-time rushing record as the NFL has moved away from the run game.