Atlanta's first draft pick, Nobis played on just two winning teams during his 11-year tenure with the Falcons. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke), I don't get this one. While somewhat underwhelming, Green still managed to rack up 1,000 all-purpose yards while helping theBrownsmake the playoffs during this rookie season. Like McCaffrey, Barkley's early career boom has been derailed by injury woes, but he also never reached the same level of all-purpose dominance. Spiller's career had an uphill trajectory during his first three seasons. Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 NFL Draft! Wayne wasPeyton Manning'sNo. His best season occurred in 2003, when he rushed for 1,641 yards while also recording 516 receiving yards. All-time Super Bowl QB rankings: Where do Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow slot in? 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). The speedy Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors during his first three seasons with theTitans. Nevertheless, what follows is a list of the 10 greatest franchise running backs of all time. 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. Andrews rushed for a career-high 1,567 yards in 1983 before his injury. A throwback power back, Fournette helped lead theJaguarsto the brink of the Super Bowl as a rookie. Of the three hall-of-fame-caliber players who are potentially on the trade block heading into Thursday nights draft, Henry is the one I feel the least certain about him being dealt. Thomas, who finished his career with the Chiefs, is 26th all time on the league's career rushing list. 2021 stats: 171 carries, 799 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per carry, 52 receptions on 65 targets, 391 receiving yards, 10 total TDs. Maurice Jones-Drew reveals his top five rushing duos in the NFL this season. The 10 Best Running Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Dean Hybl June 7, 2009 10. A year after the merge, Taylor led the NFL in receiving yards while earning All-Pro honors. McCaffrey, now 26, had to be faded on this list given he's played only 10 games over the past two seasons following his transcendent 2019 production. Many more would argue that he is the best football player . Watters was a dual-threat playmaker who consistently produced. NFL Draft Day 2: Best defensive players available. How good was Lewis? Player Identification: Sweetness. Bush enjoyed more success after leaving New Orleans. With seven seasons of 1,000 yards rushing, Watters sits 24th all-time in yards on the ground. This is where the line in most all-time best running back conversations is drawn. It might have been a blessing for him not to be misused in that mess of an Urban Meyer-Darrell Bevell offense. A 1,000-yard rusher for three different franchises, McGahee earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2007 as a member of the Ravens. In the Super Bowl Era. Second, he hasn't build on being a top-flight receiving back at LSU, which what he was expected to do in the Chiefs' pass-first offense. I can give numerous reasons why we shouldn't be devalued. That season, Lewis rushed for nearly 1,400 yards while helping lead Baltimore to its first Super Bowl title. 5-ranked rushing attack? (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images). 2021 stats (at Iowa State):253 carries, 1,472 rushing yards, 5.8 yards per carry, 36 receptions, 302 receiving yards, 23 total TDs. The four-time Pro Bowler even finished third in the MVP vote for his 2000 campaign, when he rushed for 1,509 yards and 14 scores. HIs major foot injury cost him nine games and the Titans need to be wary about overworking him. Knee problems may ultimately keep Gurley from going down as an all-time great. He has enjoyed a career resurgence with theBuccaneers, as Tampa Bay went 7-0 with Fournette in its starting lineup during the 2020 season. 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. Richardson averaged just 3.3 yards per carry during his three-year career. Look, all 15 finalists are absolutely deserving of the honor. Johnson tallied six 1,000-yard campaigns in Nashville before spending one season with theJets. The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived! After four years in Atlanta, Duckett spent one season a piece in Washington, Detroit and Seattle. NFL Network analysts offer up eight candidates. Plus, see which team now has TWO players in MJD's top 15 RB rankings. Did the player and his team have postseason success. The Browns will lean on Chubb a lot again until Deshaun Watson can boost them at QB. He had one uneventful season in Chicago before spending another year in the now defunct United Football League. A Lisfranc injury in 2012 (his only season with thePackers) limited him to just five games in what would be his final season. He is also a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. 2021 stats: 119 carries, 749 rushing yards, 6.3 yards per carry, 6 receptions on 8 targets, 49 receiving yards, 6 total TDs. Saints (2006-10); Dolphins (2011-12); Lions (2013-14); 49ers (2015); Bills (2016). Expect Penny to be threatened, however, for key touches by rookie Ken Walker. 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. 2021 stats: 203carries, 903 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry, 43 receptions on 53 targets, 316 receiving yards, 7 total TDs. The Dolphins have a slew of Canton-worthy players who still haven't gotten the call. Now he's still in recovery mode in a much more crowded backfield and his receiving aspect is set to be curbed. That said, he has some freakish physical qualities for his big frame. Expect Jones' receiving prowess to take on critical importance given the remixed wideout corps around Aaron Rodgers. Brown, to the Eagles nonetheless, would be putting it lightly. Running backs not in the Hall of Fame 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.. Simpson and Marcus Allen. 2021 stats: 119 carries, 517 rushing yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 19 receptions on 23 targets, 129 receiving yards, 6 total TDs. 219 pick. Williams might be the No. Being available allowed Watters to put up these kind of numbers year over year, and he should be rewarded for it. A member of the NFL's All-2010s Team, Willis twice led the NFL in tackles. The only running back on this list, Craig played an integral role in the 49ers' success during the 1980s. . Williams can be a reliable supporting cog for Russell Wilson in every capacity, taking the Jones role in the Packers-like system. Smith's extreme competitiveness more than made up for his 5-foot-9, 195-pound frame. Saints (2011-18); Ravens (2019-20); Texans (2021). A member of the NFL's All-1980s Team, Jacoby helped protect Super Bowl MVPs Doug Williams and Mark Rypien in Super Bowls XXII and XXVI. 2021 stats:202 carries, 929 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 18 receptions on 21 targets, 132 receiving yards, 15 total TDs. 2021 stats: 187 carries, 803 rushing yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 34 receptions on 37 targets, 313 receiving yards, 7 total TDs. The Bengals' all-time leading passer, Anderson's boom under Bill Walsh's "West Coast" offense set the stage for Walsh's success with Joe Montana in San Francisco. The NFL's leader in yards-per-carry average in 2009, Jones' best season took place in 2010, when he amassed 1,250 all-purpose yards for the Cowboys. The first of two Arkansas running backs taken in the first round of the 2008 draft (Felix Jones being the other), McFadden was the first former Razorback to register two 1,000-yard seasons in the NFL. PART OF AUDACY SPORTS. Riley retired with 65 interceptions, which is tied for the fifth-highest total in NFL history. The prototype running back for today's NFL, Gordon earned two Pro Bowl nods during his first four seasons in the NFL. Nobody could stop him on the football field. Take a look at some of the best photos from the thirteenth day of Chargers Training Camp 2021. 2021 stats:258 carries, 1,037 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 42 receptions on 52 targets, 294 receiving yards, 10 total TDs. He's currently eighth all-time with 14,731 career receiving yards. In 2011, the 30-year-old running back earned his second Pro Bowl selection while helping the Broncos advance to the divisional round of the playoffs. Ranked fifth in NFL history with 14,918 career rushing yards, Peterson wants to play in 2022 and perhaps beyond. 1 receiver when the Colts made it back to the Super Bowl in 2009. Three years later, he teamed up with Hall of Fame cornerback Mike Haynes to shut down Washington's talented receiving corps in Super Bowl XVIII. ET on ABC), and when looking at this year's finalists list, I noticed there wasn't a single running back up for induction. (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. A three-time Pro Bowler, Elliott averaged 1,668 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns per season during his first five years in Dallas. He averaged better than 4.5 yards per carry during his peak years. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans. Chubb is known for his chunk running and special burst that comes out of his powerful style. But he was one of the most productive backs of his era. He led the league with 73 receptions in 1975. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 39 in league history among all pass-catchers. We present them here for purely educational purposes. 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. 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. No. With theCowboyspunting from their own 16-yard line, Tasker was lined up against linebacker Robert Jones, a rookie who filled in for an injured starter. Gore's career production alone merits a gold jacket. (AP Photo/Al Golub), Do yourself a favor and Google this guy. Pitta piled up 2,901 receiving yards on 221 receptions in his four years with the Cougars. He will be vital all-around in lifting Zach Wilson in Year 2, too. Here is part of the last pair of teammates to make the cut. Dillon was one of the best of his era and checks most of the boxes, but it'll likely be a waiting game for him because guys who become eligible in the coming years will get in before him. In 2014, following teammateDeAngelo Williams' injury, Stewart gained nearly 1,000-purpose yards while receiving a then-career high eight starts. (National Football League), Craig was a huge part of the San Francisco 49ers' success during the 1980s. He needs a jolt in the passing game with more durability in the running game to re-establish himself as a lead, stat. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Championship Rings: 1. Elliott has a good start to his resume, with four 1,000-yard seasons and three Pro Bowl nods. A severe spinal injury forced Wilson to retire after just 21 games. As a rookie, he started over future All-Pro Priest Holmes. Matthews retired with 69.5 career sacks, 27 forced fumbles and 14 fumble recoveries. (AP Photo/Al Golub), You think of the great "Air Coryell" offenses in the late 1970s and early 1980s, you often forget Muncie was a huge part of the ground attack. I only remember him from NFL Films footage because he's another great running back whose career was cut short by injuries. 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. Barkley quickly became a household name after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. As far as how Gbajabiamila works into all this, hear me out. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them . He retired as the Minnesota Vikings' all-time leading rusher. Injuries, however, along with the eventual emergence ofLeGarrette Blountultimately contributed to Williams never duplicating his rookie success. He is a good finisher in the red zone and can take any carry the distance. Brian Branch, S, Alabama. While an injury cut his career short, Sharpe did plenty of damage during his seven-year career. 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. 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. Do you have a sports website? His best season came with the Eagles in 2013, when he led the league in attempts (314), rush yards (1,607), rush yards per game (100.4), touches (366) and scrimmage yards (2,164). (AP Photo/David Stluka), Dillon toiled for years with the Cincinnati Bengals, but finally got his chance to shine with the New England Patriots at the end of his career where he finally got a ring. 11-25 Nos. I expect for the Green Bay Packers to figure out a fair-enough trade package to get Aaron Rodgers out of their building. 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. (AP Photo/PKS), One of the big backs who burned out a little bit too quickly. MORE Top 50 Players in BYU Football History Nos. Hall is a great fit for the zone blocking scheme of Mike LaFleur and will benefit from a further upgraded offensive line and the downfield passing game getting more attention. . Dupree did give it a go with the Los Angeles Rams, but he just couldn't make it happen. Of course not. In his second-to-last game, Best rushed for a career-high 163 yards (on 12 carries) that included an 88-yard touchdown run. After a somewhat slow start, Ingram has put together an impressive pro career. But he's currently 19th all time in rushing yardage. Or write about sports? Durability and conditioning are mild concerns as he might start to cede some key work to rookie Rachaad White. Giants (2000-04); Broncos (2005); Texans (2006-07). In 2012, "AD" was named league MVP after rushing for 2,097 yards, the second-highest total in NFL history. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Smith tallied eight 1,000-yard seasons and is one of 14 players with at least 1,000 career receptions. Harris and Etienne will try to change the narrative currently surrounding running backs. After holding off Zack Moss for key touches, he will need to do the same again vs. rookie James Cook. As Warren Sharp pointed out, Swift won't exactly have . A bruising 218-pound runner, Ameche is best known for his game-winning one-yard run in the famous 1958 NFL Championship Game. In his second season, Taylor led the AFL in average yards per catch while helping lead the Chiefs to the first-ever Super Bowl. The rushing and scrimmage yardage leader from 2021 is a few notches above the field at only 23. With the 115th pick, the Chicago Bears . Ekeler had been under-appreciated for his unique receiving-forward role for Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert. 2020 stats: 134carries, 805 rushing yards, 6.0 yards per carry, 18 receptions on 24 targets, 120 receiving yards, 9 total TDs. Cincinnati Bengals (1997-2003), New England Patriots (2004-06). 2021 stats: 99carries, 442 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per carry, 37 receptions on 41 targets, 343 receiving yards, 2 total TDs. The league's leading receiver on two separate occasions, Holt was the Rams' No. Taylor was an extraordinary teammate who exemplified everything it meant to be a professional. So, uh, can we put him in? Barkley hasn't had much support from blocking and the passing game, but he's still looked limited and worn at times. 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. He should be in for a big Year 2 to put an offense in transition on his back. If his early years weren't languished in the football graveyard of St. Louis, he would no doubt be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Swift, like Chubb and others, keeps the pipeline strong for Georgia running backs in the NFL. He spent the 2016 season as Ezekiel Elliott's replacement before retiring during the 2017 season. Can Akers pick up his promise as a rookie following a season mostly lost to suffering a torn Achilles' last summer? Although this rumor sounds too strange to be made up, lets discuss if there is any validity to this. A two-time Pro Bowler, McAllister is the only running back in Saints history to post three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. But as a rookie, Michel showed his value by helping thePatriotswin their sixth Super Bowl title. 1 pick has boom-bust potential. 2021 stats: 151 carries, 541 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per carry, 62 receptions on 78 targets, 452 receiving yards, 7 total TDs. Unlike most induction classes, there was not a single member of this year's class that got in on the first ballot. Despite his team's lack of success, Nobis earned the recognition of his peers, earning five Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro nod during his first seven seasons. And really, if Jackson was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame would anybody question it? One of Matthews' best seasons did not result in a Pro Bowl selection. 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). During that span, Tasker helped the Bills become the first franchise to appear in four consecutive Super Bowls. Cardinals (2000-02); Buccaneers (2003); Bears (2004-06); Jets (2007-09); Chiefs (2010-11). 2021 stats: 237 carries, 1,002 rushing yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 47 receptions on 65 targets, 287 receiving yards, 12 total TDs. He also helped the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl for a second straight year. 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. Terrell Davis deservedly was named to the Hall of Fame based on three historic seasons, before an ACL tear derailed his career. There is no quit in this guy. The NFL might be considered a passing league now, but the best running backs still have incredible value to their teams. Swift has some good Kamara-like assets and is now helped by strong blocking and a better complementary passing game. 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. He finished his career with nearly 5,000 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns. He's still special as a complete receiving-leaning back when healthy and that's why he remains in the top 10, but the lingering injury issues can't be ignored in relation to those now ranked ahead of him. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. People talk about Bo Jackson on "Tecmo Super Bowl", but Okoye is no slouch in that game, either. 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. Take a look at some of the best photos of Aaron Rodgers from throughout the years! NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Brooks excelled at running, receiving and kickoff returns. 6:28 pm ET, Matthews was inducted into the Browns' Ring of Honor, Ranking teams likely to land Williams in 2024 NFL Draft, Prisco's 2023 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams, Exploring Titans' options at wide receiver, Cowboys' 'ship has not sailed' on bringing back Zeke, Best post-draft fits for top-remaining NFL free agents, The 20 greatest NFL players not in the Hall of Fame, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, Best, worst, most interesting pick for all, Winners, losers from the draft: Crafty Colts, Undrafted free agent tracker: Team-by-team list of signings, 10 veteran moves that should happen post-2023 draft, Report: Bucs star Barrett's daughter, 2, drowns in pool, NFL schedule release target date, plus 5 things we know, Steelers' draft haul one the team hadn't seen in 38 years. Holmes was absolutely unstoppable for those three seasons in the Kansas City Chiefs' high-powered attack. While he was never a full-time starter, Duckett helped the Falcons clinch two playoff berths over that span that included a run to the NFC title game in 2004. Now the Chiefs are caught between featuring and fading him into a complementary role. A key member of the Bengals' 1981 AFC championship team, Riley returned a league-high three interceptions for touchdowns during his final two seasons. Titans (2008-13); Jets (2014); Cardinals (2015-17). Did he reach 10,000 rush yards in his career? Of the 31 runners to have done it, 16 are in the Hall and two more are locks (Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore). Conner landed with the right team to return to reliable production after some fading seasons in Pittsburgh. 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. After seven active seasons in Baltimore, Lewis played three more seasons in Cleveland, where he posted two more 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Pollard has been the ideal change-of-pace back to support Elliott with his flashy running and fluid receiving. Cook has all the talent to be No. He was an impossible matchup for opponents at the height of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty in the 1980s. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Will the Cowboys or Packers tandem earn the No. Jack Tatum. Injuries in subsequent seasons, however, led to a drastic drop in Alexander's production. While he continuously battled through injury, McFadden still managed to amass 1,664 all-purpose yards for the Raiders in 2010. Najee Harriswas quite pleased upon being selected by the Steelers in this year's NFL Draft. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! But, a bronze Canton bust is far from a certainty, so let's look at the best backs not in the Hall. 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). After sharing a backfield for two seasons, the former Ohio State Buckeye took advantage of his elevated role in 2011. Hall of Fame: Yes (1993) NFL MVP: 1. Watters was dynamic in the 1994 run to the Super Bowl title, with a touchdown in the NFC Championship and two scores in the blowout win over the San Diego Chargers. 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. 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. And while a hip injury slowed his roll at the end of the season, Edwards-Helaire still managed to gain 1,100 all-purpose yards in 13 regular-season games. 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). 2021 stats:249 carries, 1,159 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per carry, 34 receptions on 49 targets, 224 receiving yards, 6 total TDs. With that in mind, we decided to rank each running back that was selected in the first round between 2000-20. Edwards-Helaire hasn't lived up to being a first-rounder in 2020 for multiple reasons. Vikings (2001-05); Chiefs (2006-07); Buccaneers (2007-08); Chargers (2008-09); Raiders (2010). A two-time NFL rushing champion, Elliott is on pace to join fellowCowboysgreats Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith in Canton, Ohio.
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