That season, Stewart earned his first and only Pro Bowl selection while helping thePanthersreach the Super Bowl. Faulk's statistics weren't just gaudy numbers for a bad team. 6. (Not So) New-Age Running Backs - Pro Football Hall of Fame My best guess if their shared representation are trying to devise a plan of attack so that Henry gets a new contract and never has to play for another NFL franchise. While somewhat underwhelming, Green still managed to rack up 1,000 all-purpose yards while helping theBrownsmake the playoffs during this rookie season. He is the 2022 Jim Thorpe Award winner, given to the nation's best defensive back. 4: Fred Taylor -- He has more yards rushing yards than any eligible back not in the Hall of Fame. Taylor finished with 11,695 yards, good for 17th all-time. He earned Pro Bowl honors again in 1972 at the age of 30. With Chicago also turning to a Green Bay-like rushing attack for more explosiveness, Montgomery's precarious lead role will be challenged by second-year man Khalil Herbert. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 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. All Rights Reserved. Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin Being available allowed Watters to put up these kind of numbers year over year, and he should be rewarded for it. 106. All of these men are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but there are many talented running backs that are not enshrined in Canton for some reason. Richardson averaged just 3.3 yards per carry during his three-year career. (He won his second in Tampa last season). Three years earlier, Tomlinson became the first running back to catch 100 passes in a single season (incredibly, Tomlinson was not named to the Pro Bowl that year). Of the 31 runners to have done it, 16 are in the Hall and two more are locks (Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore). Canidate never played in another NFL game. Riley retired with 65 interceptions, which is tied for the fifth-highest total in NFL history. Marshall Faulk (1994-2005) . Terrell Davis deservedly was named to the Hall of Fame based on three historic seasons, before an ACL tear derailed his career. Pollard has been the ideal change-of-pace back to support Elliott with his flashy running and fluid receiving. Tre Hodges-Tomlinson's hopes to continue family's NFL legacy Nobis' early success earned him a place on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1960s. Atlanta's first draft pick, Nobis played on just two winning teams during his 11-year tenure with the Falcons. 25 Greatest Running Backs in NFL History - AthlonSports.com Brown, to the Eagles nonetheless, would be putting it lightly. Take a look at the best photos from the red carpet. He also helped the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl for a second straight year. Green attempted a comeback in 2008 but was never signed to a contract. Cook has all the talent to be No. He's currently eighth all-time with 14,731 career receiving yards. One of the league's best running backs during his heyday, Alexander averaged 1,500 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns per season from 2001-05. 1 / 60 Jaguars (2017-19); Buccaneers (2020-Present). All Rights Reserved. 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. Many more would argue that he is the best football player . 2021 stats: 130 carries, 719 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 39 receptions on 46 targets, 337 receiving yards, 2 total TDs. (AP Photo/Duncan Livingston), Watters was the perfect fit for the San Francisco 49ers offense; a guy who had the ability to run the ball and catch it out of the backfield. Despite his abbreviated prime, Alexander is 36th on the league's career rushing list. Simpson in Buffalo. Gurley's production has decreased on recent seasons, however, as he is currently a free agent after averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in Atlanta. Smith tallied eight 1,000-yard seasons and is one of 14 players with at least 1,000 career receptions. One of two former Auburn running backs selected in the first round, Williams won Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for nearly 1,200 yards. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Nevertheless, what follows is a list of the 10 greatest franchise running backs of all time. Also included is a handful of honorable mentions, as well as statistics from every 1,000-yard. Perhaps he was overlooked, since he played games in Jacksonville. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1996-2003), Dallas Cowboys (2004). TheSteelers' all-time leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns, Ward is also eighth all-time in career postseason receiving yards (1,181). A big, physical back at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Jackson ripped off eight straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2005-12. One of Matthews' best seasons did not result in a Pro Bowl selection. As a rookie, he started over future All-Pro Priest Holmes. I could be totally wrong in this, but I feel Rodgers and Hopkins get traded before Henry ever does. A member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Lewis is 25th all time on the NFL's career rushing list. Three of Ward's four consecutive Pro Bowl selections came with different quarterbacks: Kordell Stewart (2001), Tommy Maddox (2002-03) and a rookie namedBen Roethlisberger(2004). When healthy, the former Fresno State star was a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Do the right thing already and put him in the Hall of Fame. Here's a look at some of the best prospects available for teams drafting in the early part of the second round: Jordan Porter Jr., CB, Penn State. Plus, an updated ranking of his top 15 running backs ahead of Week 17. That season, Perry caught 51 passes, the most by a Bengals running back since James Brooks in 1986. (AP Photo/Greg Trott), Davis' bid for the Pro Football Hall of Fame is hurt because his career ended so abruptly. From 1998-2001, Faulk recorded at least 1,319 rushing yards and 81 receptions. Montgomery makes this list based on his cumulative production vs. his limited efficiency as a runner and pass-catcher. FantPt. He hit the 1,000-yard mark again for theLionsin 2013. A 1,000-yard rusher for three different franchises, McGahee earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2007 as a member of the Ravens. Stewart (who was ultimately replaced in Carolina by Christian McCaffrey) spent one season with the Giants before retiring during the 2019 offseason. (National Football League), Foreman was a perfect runner for those frigid days at the Met in Minneapolis. 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. A 2009 Pro Bowler, Williams led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2008 and in 2015. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Definitely, but trading for him could compromise the Birds future. Mitchell became the 49ers' fifth leading rusher in as many seasons under Kyle Shanahan last season, taking advantage of injuries to veterans and the lacking reliability of higher drafted rookie Trey Sermon. And while an injury in 2007 contributed to his 2009 release, McAllister was added to the Saints' roster prior to the team's Super Bowl win over the Colts. He is a different runner, based more on speed and quickness for the open field to live up to his last name. Gradishar earned five more Pro Bowl selections (as well as another All-Pro nod) during his final six seasons with the Broncos. See the full pecking order. There are still a slew of eligible former players who are still waiting for their call to Canton, Ohio. 2021 stats: 133 carries, 606 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 14 receptions on 18 targets, 5 total TDs. He still can produce well, but the Commanders seem to be committed to more of a situational committee approach to keep him fresh vs. putting more on him as a workhorse. The 10,000-yard plateau is a good one to cross for that gold jacket. Now the Chiefs are caught between featuring and fading him into a complementary role. Barkley hasn't had much support from blocking and the passing game, but he's still looked limited and worn at times. A first round pick by Oakland in 1970, Jack Tatum was brought in to be Dave Grayson's replacement. He's also one of eight players in league history with 10,000-plus career rush yards and 4,000-plus career receiving yards. 10 running backs that barely missed the cut (in alphabetical order): Ottis Anderson Larry Csonka Corey Dillon Priest Holmes Bo Jackson Steven Jackson Fred Taylor Herschel Walker Ricky Watters. He was an impossible matchup for opponents at the height of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty in the 1980s. But a serious knee injury derailed a potential Hall of Fame career. Frank Gore is zeroed in on boxing and Deron Williams fight, but still harbors Super Bowl dream, NFL's unsung heroes in 2021 season: One player from each NFC team. Tasker's play set up the game's first touchdown. Taylor's transition to the NFL was seamless after the two leagues merged in 1970. Hall of Fame running back and Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson knows a thing or two about the trenches. Only two of those 11 Floyd Little and Terrell Davis had fewer than 12,000 career rushing yards. From 2011 to '14, he had at least 1,200 rush yards and 11 rush TDs per season -- leading the league in rush TDs in both 2013 (12) and 2014 (13). (National Football League), Green was a four-time Pro Bowl running back for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFC in rushing in 2003. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Some think he's faded and lost too many steps and believe his best is buried behind him. Teams:Browns (1978-93); Falcons (1994-96). In 2005, Ward won Super Bowl MVP honors while helping lead Pittsburgh to its fifth Super Bowl victory. Conner has been a great power running fit with his size and quickness in Kliff Kingsbury's offense, playing well off Kyler Murray. All HOFm Positions: QBRBWRTEGTCDTDEILBOLBDBKP, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Sunday, April 30, 2:31PM. Barkley quickly became a household name after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. A three-time Pro Bowler, Ingram enjoyed considerable success in New Orleans before rushing for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns for theRavensin 2019. He gained 1,926 total yards during his rookie season, and he was an All-Pro in 2015 after rushing for over 1,400 yards. 2021 stats: 188 carries, 870 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 40 receptions on 50 targets, 228receiving yards, 8 total TDs. Mendenhall finished his career in Arizona before retiring after just six seasons. (AP Photo/Al Golub), Do yourself a favor and Google this guy. 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. 2021 stats: 162 carries, 593rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 41 receptions on 57 targets, 263 receiving yards, 4 total TDs. Will the Cowboys or Packers tandem earn the No. He is smart and. 2021 stats:228 carries, 1,259 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 20 receptions on 25 targets, 174 receiving yards, 9 total TDs. 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. Dupree did give it a go with the Los Angeles Rams, but he just couldn't make it happen. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. A seven-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Holt played an integral role on theRams' 1999 championship team. 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. Now he's still in recovery mode in a much more crowded backfield and his receiving aspect is set to be curbed. The Doug Pederson-Press Taylor offense also caters well to Etienne's versatility. Running backs not in the Hall of Fame - NFL That said, he has some freakish physical qualities for his big frame. BYU Football's 50 Greatest Players Of All-Time: Nos. 1-10 At age 36, the future Hall of Famer is hoping to land on a Super Bowl contender for the 2021 season. Top 10 Running Backs of All Time | Pro-Football-Reference.com The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Five years later, as a member of the Cowboys, McFadden rushed for 1,089 yards despite only starting in 10 games. The greatest NFL running backs of all time - Simplemost Matthews' play was a major reason why the Browns appeared in three AFC Championship Games from 1986-89. Conner landed with the right team to return to reliable production after some fading seasons in Pittsburgh. Even though, you know, the USFL was pro football. . Willis' play largely contributed to the 49ers' NFC title in 2012 as well as the franchise's three consecutive NFC title game appearances from 2011-13. He's still a powerful runner with some pop to finish drives and reel off some long runs, but he also has developed into a reliable short-area receiver for Tom Brady. The 10 Best Running Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Dean Hybl June 7, 2009 10. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic), Cribbs was a dominating running back who followed in the footsteps of O.J. Join our linker program. 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. Top 10 Defensive Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Don't be surprised if several of these players receive a bronze bust in Canton sometime in the near future. ET on ABC), and when looking at this year's finalists list, I noticed there wasn't a single running back up for induction. The 6-fo-6 Greenwood also had a penchant for batting down passes; he did that on three occasions during the Steelers' Super Bowl IX win over the Vikings. A score of 100 is around the average modern-era inductee. If he didn't detour into the USFL, it's not hard to imagine him in Canton. NFL's top 20 players not in the Hall of Fame: Torry Holt, Zach Thomas, Ken Anderson headline all-time list These greats are still waiting for their call to Canton By Bryan DeArdo Aug 18,. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2008 while helping Miami capture the AFC East title. 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. He then resurfaced in Arizona, where he was theCardinals' leading rusher before an injury prematurely ended his 2015 season. Not one. Was the running back the best player at his position for a multi-year span? Getty Images. With the 115th pick, the Chicago Bears . 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. If you want to recognize him for being a guy who hung around longer than most big backs, fine. 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. Teams:Panthers (2001-13); Ravens (2014-16). Can Akers pick up his promise as a rookie following a season mostly lost to suffering a torn Achilles' last summer? Ekeler had been under-appreciated for his unique receiving-forward role for Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert. Peterson was a three-time league rushing champion with Minnesota, including in his 2012 MVP season when he rushed for 2,097 yards, and helped the team to four playoff appearances. He helped engine the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999, and finished his career with over 10,000 yards on the ground.