Who is the best running back in Lions history? Here are the top 12, 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. Barry Sanders (1990s) tops the list at 98.
The ranking
Best Lions running backs ever · rating out of 100
- 1Barry Sanders
Lions · 1990s98 - 2Jahmyr Gibbs
Lions · 2020s84 - 3Billy Sims
Lions · 1980s82 - 4Reggie Bush
Lions · 2010s78 - 5David Montgomery
Lions · 2020s78 - 6D'Andre Swift
Lions · 2020s76 - 7Jamaal Williams
Lions · 2020s76 - 8Kevin Smith
Lions · 2000s74 - 9Joique Bell
Lions · 2010s72 - 10James Stewart
Lions · 2000s72 - 11Kerryon Johnson
Lions · 2010s72 - 12Theo Riddick
Lions · 2010s72
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Best running backs by team
The same ranking for other franchises
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Best by position
League-wide all-time rankings