Who are the greatest running backs in football history? Here are the top 24, ranked by their rating in 17-0 — the free game where you draft an all-time roster and simulate whether it can go a perfect 17-0 season. Jim Brown (Browns) tops the list at 99.
The ranking
Best running backs ever · rating out of 100
- 1Jim Brown
Browns · 1960s99 - 2Walter Payton
Bears · 1980s99 - 3Barry Sanders
Lions · 1990s98 - 4LaDainian Tomlinson
Chargers · 2000s96 - 5Gale Sayers
Bears · 1960s95 - 6O.J. Simpson
Bills · 1970s95 - 7Emmitt Smith
Cowboys · 1990s95 - 8Earl Campbell
Oilers · 1970s94 - 9Eric Dickerson
Rams · 1980s94 - 10Christian McCaffrey
49ers · 2020s94 - 11Marshall Faulk
Rams · 2000s93 - 12Adrian Peterson
Vikings · 2010s93 - 13Derrick Henry
Titans · 2020s93 - 14Saquon Barkley
Eagles · 2020s91 - 15Marcus Allen
Raiders · 1980s90 - 16Thurman Thomas
Bills · 1990s90 - 17Priest Holmes
Chiefs · 2000s90 - 18Bijan Robinson
Falcons · 2020s90 - 19Jim Taylor
Packers · 1960s89 - 20Franco Harris
Steelers · 1970s89 - 21Terrell Davis
Broncos · 1990s89 - 22Edgerrin James
Colts · 2000s89 - 23Marshawn Lynch
Seahawks · 2010s89 - 24John Riggins
Commanders · 1980s89
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