Top 5 Running Backs All Time

[Nosferatu]

Walter Payton
Eric Dickerson
Earl Campbell
Adrian Peterson
O.J. Simpson

 

[Shanemansj13]

Walter Payton
Marshall Faulk
Eric Dickerson
Barry Sanders
Adrian Peterson

Not in order

 

[Across The Field]

I know he won't be on most lists, but Frank Gore has got to be a consideration. 4th all-time in yards from scrimmage, 3rd all-time in rushing yards, and an underrated fact: he's played in 16 games nine times in his career, and has never played in less than 11. He played the majority of his career for bad teams, but damn he was an ironman. Never controversial, and nobody out-worked him. Class act all-around.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Walter Payton
Eric Dickerson
Earl Campbell
Adrian Peterson
O.J. Simpson

Take out Campbell, insert Sanders and I can call that my top 5.

Loved big Earl, but just not that long...Sanders was like a blank canvas at the beginning of every game and at the end you had this wonderful painting, never two the same.

But of this grouping...OJ was probably the most impressionable on me as a kid...even though I liked Sweetness the best of all.

 

[Nosferatu]

Take out Campbell, insert Sanders and I can call that my top 5.

Loved big Earl, but just not that long...Sanders was like a blank canvas at the beginning of every game and at the end you had this wonderful painting, never two the same.

But of this grouping...OJ was probably the most impressionable on me as a kid...even though I liked Sweetness the best of all.

There will probably never be a player more fun to watch than Barry but he had limitations and just wasn't a complete back IMO. Taken out often on short yardage and goal line situations, wasn't a very good receiver, didn't block, too many negative runs that hurt his team. I am not trying to knock Barry but if I needed a back for the most important game of my life, he's not in my top 5.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I know he won't be on most lists, but Frank Gore has got to be a consideration. 4th all-time in yards from scrimmage, 3rd all-time in rushing yards, and an underrated fact: he's played in 16 games nine times in his career, and has never played in less than 11. He played the majority of his career for bad teams, but damn he was an ironman. Never controversial, and nobody out-worked him. Class act all-around.

He was consistent, his peak is lacking compared to the greats though. Only one year with double digits rushing TD's

 

[Nosferatu]

I know he won't be on most lists, but Frank Gore has got to be a consideration. 4th all-time in yards from scrimmage, 3rd all-time in rushing yards, and an underrated fact: he's played in 16 games nine times in his career, and has never played in less than 11. He played the majority of his career for bad teams, but damn he was an ironman. Never controversial, and nobody out-worked him. Class act all-around.

Real good player no question but he's not top 10 IMO.

 

[Shanemansj13]

There will probably never be a player more fun to watch than Barry but he had limitations and just wasn't a complete back IMO. Taken out often on short yardage and goal line situations, wasn't a very good receiver, didn't block, too many negative runs that hurt his team. I am not trying to knock Barry but if I needed a back for the most important game of my life, he's not in my top 5.

Gotta put Faulk in there, greatest receiving back in NFL history.

btw I could definitely think about putting LT in my top 5 but just had him on the outside looking in

 

[Nosferatu]

Only one year with double digits rushing TD's

That's not something a running back always has control over.

 

[femurov]

It saddens me to see so many posts and no mention of Jim Brown.

 

[Nosferatu]

Gotta put Faulk in there, greatest receiving back in NFL history.

btw I could definitely think about putting LT in my top 5 but just had him on the outside looking in

You know I like Faulk and he's probably 6 or 7 on my list.

 

[Shanemansj13]

That's not something a running back always has control over.

True but as a whole he was the definition of consistent and longevity. Peak was lacking imo

 

[YankeeRebel]

Walter Payton
Barry Sanders
Emmit Smith
Jim Brown
OJ Simpson

 

[Shanemansj13]

It saddens me to see so many posts and no mention of Jim Brown.

He should be considered a RB even though he is labeled at FB. He would be in my top 2

 

[Nosferatu]

It saddens me to see so many posts and no mention of Jim Brown.

When Larry the 180 pound guy who bags your groceries in the summer time is the guy trying to tackle him that knocks him down just a smidge, but he's definitely up there.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Take out AP and replace Jim Brown for me

 

[Shanemansj13]

When Larry the 180 pound guy who bags your groceries in the summer time is the guy trying to tackle him that knocks him down just a smidge, but he's definitely up there.

Same goes for Don Hutson then...

 

[YankeeRebel]

He should be considered a RB even though he is labeled at FB. He would be in my top 2

Did he run from the backfield with the ball?

 

[beardown07]

Payton
Brown
Sanders
Dickerson
OJ

 

[Nosferatu]

Again, i'm not trying to knock Jim Brown but when you are as big as the defensive linemen thats a pretty big advantage, Leroy Kelly, came in after Jim retired and did pretty darn well with that team.


Imagine if someone with Adrian Peterson's speed and ability weighed 300 pounds.