Top 10 Running Backs in NFL History

The best Running Backs in the NFL have the ability to control games. They never seem to be affected by first contact and have the ability to turn broken plays into Touchdowns. The best NFL Running Backs are the ones with amazing vision, power and speed. These are the Hall of Fame Running Backs who have achieved a long list of accolades that will forever be recognized in the NFL record books. These are the top 10 best Running Backs in NFL history.

[andrewburgess]

How is Curtis Martin better than Eric Dickerson???? Who did this list

[generollins]

I liked "Sweetness" because he said football was a lot of fun. He knocked 3 defenders out of the way on that last touchdown and he looked ready for another game.

[waynerembert]

Gale Sayers and Tony Dorsett should be on this list.

[billg]

Curtis Martin ahead of Campbell, Simpson, Peterson, and Dickerson? What Jets fan made this video?

[jamesanthony]

If I were a coach and had to pick just one back coming out of college, then it would be Walter Payton, no question. He ran, he caught the ball, he blocked, and he was a great teammate - a great team player. In fact, Walter *LOVED TO BLOCK* . And *TOUGH*, missing just 1 game due to injury in 13 seasons. Are you kidding me? What more can you do? In the words of teammate Steve McMichael, "Walter wasn't a running back, *HE WAS A FOOTBALL PLAYER* ."

Jim Brown? No! Why? He wasn't a great teammate, and he was an inconsistent blocker. He blocked when he felt like it. Great player, yes, but he frustrated coach Paul Brown so much, that Brown at one point considered trading him. Paul Brown wrote that in his book.

Walter did everything. A coach's dream!

[warrenbfeagins]

I'm a Payton dude, but that NFL films score at the 0:27 mark is incredible. When Campbell turns the corner on the Cowboys, it sounds like someone moving with authority, just Campbell's run. AWESOME!

[johnfinck]

I'm an older fella, and a Browns fan, and while part of me feels like it is blasphemous to even think anyone other than Jim Brown is the greatest running back, I have to go with Barry Sanders. Watching him was always surreal - he looked like a video game come to life, doing things that seemed impossible. Oh, and Curtis Martin was a fine back, but he is ridiculously high on this list.

[jasonnex]

Where is Bo Jackson, Gale Sayers and Tony Dorsett

[Kevinwayne]

As the biggest barry sanders fan alive today. I'll agree with this. But in my heart, I think Payton should be 1 and Barry 2.
No list can be complete with so many good backs throughout the years, but there's only room for ten.

[funzjag]

Barry Sanders was an amazing player to watch. I'm a Steeler fan, but I'd catch Lions games when Sanders was active. Just a great, no nonsense running back that played football like no other! 🏈🍻🏈

[marcussimmons]

Walter Payton tough tough guy! I would be tempted to take him ahead of all the other running backs. I know I’m getting 100% every Sunday!

[meesacreef]

I had the pleasure of meeting both Earl Campbell and Walter Payton during their playing days. Very polite and humble gentlemen (off the field).

[johnmac]

Sanders - then daylight . Best.footwork.ever.

[zacharydglick]

Larry Csonka toughest rb ever this guy use to chase defenders if there weren't there to him he made sure he hit you He's also the player on offense to get roughing penalty from stiffarming a defensive player in the head

[Blackriver]

I also put Sanders and Payton 1 & 2. I say Sanders is the greatest pure runner to ever live... Payton is the best player to every play the position of running back because he did it all. Either way grateful to have seen them play the game. And unlike so many today they both did it right in every way. 100% class at all times.

[sbatomic]

Barry was the best I ever saw... I often wonder how many more yards he would have run for if he was behind that Dallas offensive line

[davidburgner]

I've always put Sanders and Payton as my top two.. I'm not sure one was any better than the other but they got their yardage with mostly bad teams with exception of 85 Bears.

[ash-mkee]

Imagine if Barry had a line like emmitt, he would of broke records, that man literally earned and fought for every single yard

[lethull]

How do you leave out Gale Sayers and Tony Dorsett??

[michaeldrummond]

Walter Payton is the GOAT. He was a better all-purpose running back than anyone in history. He could run, pass, and block. He’s still the Chicago Bears’ all-time leader in receptions. On top of that, he actually played quarterback in one game.