He made the Pro Bowl in 2011 after rushing for 1,091 yards and catching 50 passes for 455 yards. The Doug Pederson-Press Taylor offense also caters well to Etienne's versatility. Did the player and his team have postseason success. Harris was one of just two running backs taken in the first round, with Clemson's Travis Etienne-- taken by the Jaguars with the 25th pick -- being the other. 2021 stats: 119 carries, 749 rushing yards, 6.3 yards per carry, 6 receptions on 8 targets, 49 receiving yards, 6 total TDs. Although 2022 is no different with Kenyan Drake and Georgia rookie Zamir White behind him in the new Josh McDaniels' offense, his more steady than spectacular play may turn out to be the best complement for a more dangerous passing game featuring Davante Adams. A backup in 2001, McAllister became the Saints' starting running back after the team traded Ricky Williams in 2002. Only two of those 11 Floyd Little and Terrell Davis had fewer than 12,000 career rushing yards. Dillon scored 37 of his 82 rushing touchdowns during his three years in New England, which ultimately is the push his Hall of Fame case needed. The Falcons won just 10 games during Jackson's two seasons in Atlanta, however, thus leading to Jackson signing with the Patriots with the hope of winning a championship. Shady will be remembered as one of the toughest players to tackle in the open field and one of the best at the position in his prime. (Seriously, Google it.) 1 on this list and he should be headed to his biggest all-around season yet with his expanded role in a Kevin O'Connell offensive scheme tailored to his rushing and receiving strengths. He is currently third on the Dolphins' career rushing list, behind Williams and Csonka. Many football historians believe Jim Brown to be the greatest running back ever. Thomas continued to have success with the Jets, where he posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons while earning his lone Pro Bowl selection in 2008. Marshall Faulk (1994-2005) . All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Cook just needs to come through with full health for his Age-27 season. But an injury limited him to eight games in 2012, and a torn Achilles tendon sustained during the ensuing offseason prematurely ended his career. The 10,000-yard plateau is a good one to cross for that gold jacket. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli), Andrews went to four consecutive Pro Bowls for the Atlanta Falcons from 1980-83. Marshall, who was still a starter at age 42, helped the Vikings win three NFC titles along with the NFL championship in 1969. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Simpson. His success that season ultimately led to the team parting with Williams during the 2015 offseason. He led the league with 92 receptions back in 1985, and was the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1988, with 1,500 rushing yards. Plus, see which team now has TWO players in MJD's top 15 RB rankings. Given Vrabels competitive nature and tenacity for winning, I doubt he will want Carthon to trade his best player to the Eagles. NFL running back rankings 2022 1. His best season took place in 2006, when Jackson rumbled for 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Rams. In his first game, he knocked out future Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey and quickly became known for his hard hitting skills. First, he's missed 10 games in his first two seasons. I have five benchmarks that I use -- and I've written about them before -- to decide whether a running back is worthy of a gold jacket: Each of the players discussed below check a number (if not all) of these boxes and, in my opinion, deserve Hall of Fame recognition. Since 1980, there have been 19 Modern-Era Running Backs honored by the Hall of Fame, with an average Legends Score of 41. Chubb is known for his chunk running and special burst that comes out of his powerful style. Anderson was a true stud in every sense of the word. He was a smooth fit in the system with his quick running and did fine as a receiver when needed there. Freeman McNeil, New York Jets: 1981-1992 1 of 10 9. 2021 stats: 130 carries, 719 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 39 receptions on 46 targets, 337 receiving yards, 2 total TDs. A key member of the Bengals' 1981 AFC championship team, Riley returned a league-high three interceptions for touchdowns during his final two seasons. Who knows, honestly? The prototype running back for today's NFL, Gordon earned two Pro Bowl nods during his first four seasons in the NFL. Its college, but its also Ohio State. A player who was truly ahead of his time, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Taylor was one of the first receivers to fully use his physicality to his advantage. "From a running back's perspective, you build chemistry out here in practice first," Tomlinson reflected. Unlike most induction classes, there was not a single member of this year's class that got in on the first ballot. It wasn't just what he did, but how he did it. 1: Priest Holmes -- Perhaps the most mysterious back of all-time, he burst upon the scene with three of the most productive seasons ever, and then disappeared, just as quickly. And while his 2020 season was not quite as good, Jacobs nonetheless was named to his first Pro Bowl last year on the strength of his 12 rushing touchdowns. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | He was an absolute force out of the backfield, and I witnessed Taylor's greatness firsthand in Jacksonville over my first three seasons in the league (2006-08). Rams (2004-12); Falcons (2013-14); Patriots (2015). 11-25 Nos. (National Football League), You might not believe this, but the New York Jets were actually good in the 1980s. An integral member of the 2007 Patriots team that started 18-0, Maroney rushed for 122 yards in the Patriots' postseason wins over the Jaguars and Chargers. He doesn't offer much as a receiver but he gets the yards that are there with good burst. While he would never come close to duplicating his success of 2002, Bennett still managed to carve out a 10-year career. . Little (1967-75) was. As a rookie, Bush caught 88 passes to help lead the Saints to their first NFC Championship Game. (National Football League), Before there was Kurt Warner, Curt was a pretty fair running back for the Seattle Seahawks. Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights three running backs with 50 or fewer carries this season who could significantly impact the stretch run. Not one. However, Roseman has a proven track record. Now the Chiefs are caught between featuring and fading him into a complementary role. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 2021 stats: 225 carries, 849 rushing yards, 3.8 yards per carry, 42 receptions on 51 targets, 301 receiving yards, 7 total TDs, Vinnie Iyer is an NFL writer at The Sporting News. Has Lamar Jackson been supplanted as the NFL's most electric rusher? A big, physical back at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Jackson ripped off eight straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2005-12. With the 115th pick, the Chicago Bears . Taylor finished with 11,695 yards, good for 17th all-time. An incredibly consistent player throughout his career, Riley picked off at least four passes nine different times, tallying a career-high nine interceptions in 1976. Definitely, but trading for him could compromise the Birds future. Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 NFL Draft! The inconsistency tied to his efficiency puts him right in the middle. Craig's piston-pumping high knees were one of the signature styles of the decade, and he was the perfect weapon for Bill Walsh's creative offense. And despite Manning's departure in 2012, a 34-year-old Wayne earned Pro Bowl honors that season while catching passes from a rookie quarterback named Andrew Luck. at His 53-yard touchdown catch during the previous year's Super Bowl helped theColtswin the franchise's first Super Bowl following their move from Baltimore to Indianapolis. I agree to receive the "With The First Pick Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. A Pro Bowler each season from 2003-05, Alexander won league MVP in 2005 after leading the league in rushing yards (1,880) and rushing touchdowns (27). As a rookie, he started over future All-Pro Priest Holmes. The league's leading receiver on two separate occasions, Holt was the Rams' No. All HOFm Positions: QB RB WR TE G T C DT DE ILB OLB DB K P RB HOFm Leaders Bold indicates HOF player See full explanation here Share & Export Cincinnati Bengals (1997-2003), New England Patriots (2004-06). You could easily match Holmes' three years of dominance (2001-03) to touchdowns (1996-98), and it'd sure be a close call as to which was superior. A three-time Pro Bowler, Ingram enjoyed considerable success in New Orleans before rushing for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns for theRavensin 2019. 5: Ricky Watters -- In his first five years in the NFL, he garnered Pro Bowl nods every season. Etienne's promising rookie season was wiped out before it began because of a torn ACL. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic), Cribbs was a dominating running back who followed in the footsteps of O.J. Owner of the greatest single rushing season in Penn State history, Johnson began his career as Priest Holmes' backup in Kansas City. His absence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame might be most egregious when you look at the length of his career and the impact he had on one of the greatest teams of all time. Maurice Jones-Drew assembles the perfect running back, combining the traits of some of today's top talent in the NFL. Do the right thing already and put him in the Hall of Fame. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. While he shared a backfield for most of his time in Miami, Brown still managed to averaged nearly 1,000 rushing yards per season with the Dolphins. He had seven seasons with at least 1,100 rushing yards (T-sixth in NFL history) and led the league in rush yards per game (107.6) in 2000. He was a better receiver than he is given credit for and he was the MVP of Super Bowl XXV. Hayes is a member of the NFL's All-1980s Team. No. Gore's career production alone merits a gold jacket. The postseason success is obviously there, helping Seattle win its first-ever Super Bowl. Bush enjoyed more success after leaving New Orleans. Chiefs (2003-2009); Bengals (2009); Washington (2010); Miami (2011). There's a bevy of top-end defensive players sitting atop the draft board Friday night. But for my money, I'd rather celebrate a guy who had a huge impact and was the best at his position instead of a guy who was all right for a number of years (looking at you, Bettis). Thomas, who led the NFL in tackles on two separate occasions, retired with 1,734 career tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, 48 passes defensed, 16 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Expect Jones' receiving prowess to take on critical importance given the remixed wideout corps around Aaron Rodgers. The fourth-year running back was traded today to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for draft picks. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Teams:Patriots(1980);Bears(1981-93);Packers(1994). I can give numerous reasons why we shouldn't be devalued. Tre's uncle is legendary Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Addai is currently seventh on the Colts' career rushing list. The upside is there to become a top-10 back. At 28, Henry is facing an important rebound year as the massive workload from 2019 and 2020 caught up to him last season. And despite a solid 2003 season in Washington, Canidate was released after the team traded for former Broncos Pro Bowler Clinton Portis. After holding off Zack Moss for key touches, he will need to do the same again vs. rookie James Cook. A menacing pass rusher, Greenwood sacked Roger Staubach a record four times in the Steelers' Super Bowl X victory over theCowboys. Philadelphia Eagles (2009-2014), Buffalo Bills (2015-18), Kansas City Chiefs (2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020). Named the NFL's Rookie of the Year in 1966 by Sporting News, Nobis recorded a whopping 294 tackles that season. Carthon is a total mystery to me, so this gives me some hope that a deal like this could potentially happen. The rushing and scrimmage yardage leader from 2021 is a few notches above the field at only 23. Gibson was disappointing as he didn't deliver as the complete big back in Year 2 while playing through some injury and fumbling issues. It's safe to assume that the longtime Houston Texans standout will eventually be enshrined in Canton. Mixon had teased of a big season early in his career. Find out more. Dillon had the size (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) and physical style similar to Eddie George. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Superstar quarterbacks undoubtedly headline the AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, but Maurice Jones-Drew explains why the running backs will actually decide who wins. Plus, an updated ranking of his top 15 running backs ahead of Week 17. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1996-2003), Dallas Cowboys (2004). Taylor ranks 17th all-time in rushing yards (11,695), and every non-active running back above him in that list is already in the Hall. In 1992, Brett Favre's first season as the Packers' starting quarterback, Sharpe led the NFL in receptions (108), yards (1,461) and touchdowns (13). Johnson led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards on multiple occasions. He spent the final two season of his career shuffling between teams before returning to Clemson, where he was recently promoted to running backs coach. In 2015, Peterson became the second-oldest player in league history to lead the NFL in rushing. (National Football League), Foreman was a perfect runner for those frigid days at the Met in Minneapolis. A three-time Pro Bowler (and two-time All-Pro) during his first four seasons, Gurley led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in consecutive years while helping theRamsreach the Super Bowl in 2018. Vikings (2007-16); Saints/Cardinals (2017); Washington (2018-19); Lions (2020). He is probably the top candidate to replace Ryan Day at his alma mater should Ohio State turn on Urban Meyers latest and greatest disciple. Addai posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons during his first two years with the Colts. Maurice Jones-Drew evaluated every running back who started a game during the 2022 NFL regular season to create a COMPLETE ranking, from 1 to 75. 2021 stats: 206 carries, 911 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry, 70 receptions on 94 targets, 647 receiving yards, 20 total TDs. The five-time Pro Bowl running back was a scoring machine in the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl XXIX win, with three TDs and 108 scrimmage yards on 18 touches. Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson rushed for a playoff record 248 yards in the Los . Some think he's faded and lost too many steps and believe his best is buried behind him. A four-time Pro Bowler, Matthews spent 16 of his 19 NFL seasons with the Browns, helping Cleveland win five AFC Central division titles during the 1980s. ET on ABC), and when looking at this year's finalists list, I noticed there wasn't a single running back up for induction. His relentless work ethic -- both physically and in the film room -- allowed him to be one of the best of his era. Was the running back the best player at his position for a multi-year span? He averaged just 3.1 yards per carry in 29 games with theColts. 2021 stats:292 carries, 1,205 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per carry, 42 receptions on 48 targets, 314 receiving yards, 16 total TDs. His 143 total yards helped the Colts defeat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. However, he only spent three of those years with the . Championship Rings: 1. Tasker's brilliance was on display during the opening minutes of Super Bowl XXVII. And really, if Jackson was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame would anybody question it? Leaning more toward 2022 upside than past performance, here's Sporting News' ranking of the top 30 running backs in the NFL, starting with the reigning rushing champion and including a double dose from several teams: MORE NFL RANKINGS: QBs | WRs| Coaches | Defense. In 12 seasons, he rushed for 10,413 yards and 85 rushing touchdowns (16th all time), and his 12 postseason rushing TDs are tied for fourth-most in NFL history alongside Hall of Famers Terrell Davis and John Riggins. In 16 seasons, he's third on the all-time rushing list with 16,000 yards, third in carries (3,735), third in touches (4,219) and fourth in scrimmage yards (19,985). Johnson tallied six 1,000-yard campaigns in Nashville before spending one season with theJets. Player Identification: Sweetness. Stevenson was touted as a power back out of Oklahoma but showed he could be complete as a rookie, to the point he may pick up injured James White's key receiving snaps in 2022 to split more of the work with Harris. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey), Pittsburgh Steelers fans will whine until Bettis gets into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. An extremely productive player at Alabama, Richardson's lack of big-play ability hindered his NFL production. The Saints have had to lean more on Kamara's rushing on top of his consistent receiving in the past two seasons and he's proved to have the legs for it, even with some missed time. Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott has stated that his goal is to rush for 10,000 yards and collect a spot in the Hall of Fame. He also led the NFL in touchdown receptions on two separate occasions. In 1984, Matthews led the league with 126 tackles while also posting 12 sacks and three forced fumbles. Pro Bowls: 9. And following an unceremonious end of his tenure with the Chiefs, Johnson had largely forgettable stops in Cincinnati, Washington and Miami. Jones didn't have a chance against Tasker, who beat Jones on an inside move before blocking Mike Saxon's punt. Would Henry thrive in Philadelphia? 2021 stats:202 carries, 929 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 18 receptions on 21 targets, 132 receiving yards, 15 total TDs. Conner has been a great power running fit with his size and quickness in Kliff Kingsbury's offense, playing well off Kyler Murray. He was an impossible matchup for opponents at the height of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty in the 1980s. 9. A valued member of Minnesota's "Purple People Eaters" defensive line, Marshall holds numerous NFL records, including the most seasons played by a defensive player (20, along with Junior Seau and Darrell Green), most consecutive games by a defensive player (282), most consecutive starts by a defensive player (270), and most career fumble recoveries (30). 225), a three-star recruit who is rated the 42nd-best athlete in the nation in the . The Browns will lean on Chubb a lot again until Deshaun Watson can boost them at QB. Faulk, Tomlinson and Allen are the only full-time running backs who rank in the top 100 all-time for receptions. In 2003, Lewis became the fifth member of the 2,000-yard rushing club while coming within 40 yards of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season record. Johnson's 9,651 rushing yards are good for 35th on the all-time list, ahead of Hall of Famers Earl Campbell, Jim Taylor and Larry Csonka, among others. PART OF AUDACY SPORTS. Still, I think they are more likely to draft Texas Bijan Robinson if the Atlanta Falcons pass on him. A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Sharp led the league in receptions three different times. Taylor ranks 17th all-time in rushing yards (11,695), and every non-active running back above him in that list is already in the Hall. I expect for the Green Bay Packers to figure out a fair-enough trade package to get Aaron Rodgers out of their building. 3: Roger Craig -- One of the best multi-purpose backs ever, he was the first to run for 1,000 yards and catch another 1,000 in the same season. All HOFm Positions: QBRBWRTEGTCDTDEILBOLBDBKP, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Sunday, April 30, 2:31PM. People talk about Bo Jackson on "Tecmo Super Bowl", but Okoye is no slouch in that game, either. Vrabel was furious! Injuries limited the former Georgia star to just 63 NFL games. McMichael and Dan Hampton (a 2002 Hall of Fame inductee) formed one of the greatest defensive duos in NFL history, a unit that totaled 41.5 sacks from 1984-88. Who has the best hands? The 10 Best Running Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Dean Hybl June 7, 2009 10. Dobbins also saw his entire 2021 season wiped out by a torn ACL ahead of what felt like a potential big Year 2. Simpson and Marcus Allen. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. D.A. But he also made an impact on every team he played for -- on the field and in the locker room. Bills (2010-14); Saints (2015); Jets/Seahawks (2016); Chiefs (2017). (AP Photo/Al Golub), The "Nigerian Nightmare" emerged from obscure NAIA Azusa Pacific and became a force for the Kansas City Chiefs for a number of seasons. McCaffrey is looking to bounce back after an injury sidelined him for all but three games in 2020. A six-time Pro Bowler from 2006-10 and in 2012, Wayne led the NFL in receiving yards in 2007. He ran for a career-high 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns that included a franchise-record 228 yards against the Rams. Now with James Robinson recovering from a torn Achilles', Etienne is flashing all his explosive college skills again to vie for key work to support long-time teammate Trevor Lawrence. Between 2001-03, Holmes was iconic, a Pro Bowler and All-Pro for three straight seasons. Maurice Jones-Drew has one thought about the Cowboys' usage of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in Zeke's return: Keep it even-steven! Formerly the Panthers' career rushing leader, Williams enjoyed a late career resurgence in Pittsburgh, as the Steelers went 10-4 with Williams in the starting lineup. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. And while the running back position may no longer be king of the hill, several teams this century have benefited by selecting a running back in the first round. The physical, bruising back was consistently great and a player defenses had to plan for throughout his career. 2020 stats (at Clemson): 168 carries, 914 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 48 receptions, 588 receiving yards, 16 total TDs. There are still a slew of eligible former players who are still waiting for their call to Canton, Ohio. As we remember Chuck Muncie, it's pertinent to reflect on the greatest running backs in NFL history who are not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the last running back to win MVP, and there's a chance we may not see it happen again for a very long time with how pass-happy the league has become. Maroney (following an injury-marred 2008 season) posted another solid season in 2009 before finishing his career with the Broncos. The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived! He spent the 2016 season as Ezekiel Elliott's replacement before retiring during the 2017 season. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Injuries are the reason why Mathews was out of football at age 29. Teams:Panthers (2001-13); Ravens (2014-16). Injuries and the emergence of 2017 seventh-round pickChris Carsonhave severely limited Penny's NFL production. Lynch ran through his opponents (See: Beast Quake vs. Saints) and made the Seahawks one of the scariest rushing attacks during their heyday. He is smart and reliable with a good balance of steadiness and explosiveness. Durability and conditioning are mild concerns as he might start to cede some key work to rookie Rachaad White. Lets assess if Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry will be traded to a team like the Philadelphia Eagles at any point during the 2023 NFL Draft. A seven-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Holt played an integral role on theRams' 1999 championship team. Saints (2006-10); Dolphins (2011-12); Lions (2013-14); 49ers (2015); Bills (2016). Barkley is looking to reclaim his spot as arguably the NFL's top running back after an injury wiped out most of his 2020 season. Jim Brown is a superb choice to start a list of top running backs of all time. 36 overall. Jackson joins program that produced Hall of Fame running backs Frank Gifford, O.J. Heading into the Divisional Round, Maurice Jones-Drew ranks the top 10 rushers remaining in the NFL playoffs, a list that includes three teams with two players apiece. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Holmes was absolutely unstoppable for those three seasons in the Kansas City Chiefs' high-powered attack. A key member of the Panthers' 2003 Super Bowl team, Smith overcame a significant injury in 2004 to win Comeback Player of the Year after lading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in 2005. No. Here is part of the last pair of teammates to make the cut. Ultimately, the Eagles fit for Henry is not as perfect as we initially thought. During his seven full seasons in San Francisco, Willis earned Pro Bowl honors each year while also receiving five first-team All-Pro nods. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at That season, Stewart earned his first and only Pro Bowl selection while helping thePanthersreach the Super Bowl. The Dolphins have a slew of Canton-worthy players who still haven't gotten the call. Derrick Henry has spent his entire NFL career out of Alabama with the Tennessee Titans, but there is a chance the future hall-of-fame bell-cow back could be dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles at some point in the 2023 NFL Draft. TD. Fournette has reinvented himself in the transition from Jacksonville to Tampa Bay. He enjoyed significantly more success in Cincinnati, where he tallied three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons while helping theBengalsclinch two playoff berths and a division title. Saints (2011-18); Ravens (2019-20); Texans (2021). A member of theBroncos' Ring of Fame, Gradishar is credited with over 2,000 tackles during his 10-year career. As far as the Titans are concerned, lets just hope Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel are on the same page and have owner Amy Adams Strunks blessing to do whatever is in the best interest of the Titans franchise. Hall of Fame running back and Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson knows a thing or two about the trenches. But, a bronze Canton bust is far from a certainty, so let's look at the best backs not in the Hall. He also will be key in offsetting the passing game changes for Rodgers and the former Boston College runner has proved he can remain prolific in a favorable system. 1 receiver when the Colts made it back to the Super Bowl in 2009. A key member of the "Hogs," Jacoby helped Washington win each of its three Super Bowl titles. Injuries and off-field issues led to a significant drop in production after the 2006 season.
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