Fantasy football has changed a lot over the years. With today’s emphasis on dual-threat backs, pass-catching ability, and fast-paced offenses, some old-school legends would’ve racked up absurd point totals in modern systems.
This list celebrates 20 running backs from past eras who would’ve feasted in today’s fantasy leagues. Whether it’s their all-purpose skill set, home-run ability, or ridiculous workloads, these guys would be first-round picks without question.
20. Chris Johnson
CJ2K was born to thrive in today’s open-space, speed-driven offenses. Just imagine the PPR points from all those screens and swing passes.
19. Edgerrin James
He was a receiving machine before it became trendy, and the Colts loved feeding him in both game phases. In today’s fantasy world, he’d be a consistent 20-point-per-week guy.
18. Brian Westbrook
Westbrook was playing modern fantasy football 20 years too early. Shifty, smart, and always involved in the passing game, he would’ve been a full-blown cheat code.
17. Roger Craig
The original dual-threat back, Craig, caught over 90 passes in a season when nobody did that. Line him up in today’s pass-heavy league and he’s a stat-stuffing machine.
16. Fred Taylor
![Sporting Jax co-owner Fred Taylor speaks during the club's uniform release at Friendship Fountain on May 13, 2025. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://thequickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Untitled-design-2025-05-25T031115.546-1024x658.png)
Quietly, one of the most productive backs of his era, Taylor had the power-speed combo every fantasy player dreams of. If he played today, he’d finally get the deserved recognition and points.
15. Ricky Watters
Ricky was ahead of his time with his versatility and usage. He would’ve been a PPR legend in modern schemes, even if he wasn’t always the most beloved guy in the locker room.
14. Tiki Barber
Once he figured out how to stop fumbling, Tiki became a fantasy dream, especially with those receiving yards. Put him in today’s offenses and he’s a league-winner.
13. Clinton Portis
Portis brought electricity to every touch and was a workhorse when workhorses still ruled. He’d be a volume monster in today’s league with added receiving upside.
12. Thurman Thomas
If you love fantasy backs who are involved in every play, Thurman was your guy. Buffalo’s K-Gun offense was already a modern concept, and he’d only thrive more now.
11. LaMont Jordan
Yes, really. Jordan had that one magical fantasy season in 2005 and showed he could do some of everything—he’d be a sneaky fantasy darling in today’s RB committees.
10. DeAngelo Williams
When he got to be “the guy,” DeAngelo went nuclear. He’d be featured more often in today’s game and score in bunches.
9. Joe Cribbs
Cribbs had burst, receiving skills, and flair, which got you a high draft grade. He’d be the kind of mid-round fantasy pick who turns into a top-5 scorer.
8. Mike Alstott
Touchdown vulture alert! Alstott wouldn’t rack up the yards, but in today’s red zone-heavy fantasy systems, he’d steal six from your starting RB every week.
7. Billy Sims
Sims was flashy, explosive, and a natural pass-catcher. He’d have put up Christian McCaffrey-like numbers if injuries hadn’t cut things short.
6. Larry Centers
He was technically a fullback, but Centers caught passes like a wide receiver. He’d be a late-round gem in a modern fantasy format that quietly wins you weeks.
5. Marshall Faulk
The gold standard for dual-threat backs, Faulk defined what it meant to be a fantasy stud. He was already unstoppable in his era—now amplify that by 2025 playbooks.
4. Charlie Garner
Sneaky good hands, tons of agility, and always finding space, Garner was a PPR monster before people knew what that was. He’d be a Flex spot favorite every week.
3. Warrick Dunn
Dunn had the balance, speed, and receiving ability to excel in any era. He’d be your RB2 with RB1 upside every week in today’s league.
2. Priest Holmes
Those early 2000s Chiefs teams ran everything through Holmes, and he produced video game numbers. Plug him into a modern offense and watch your fantasy app light up like Christmas.
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1. LaDainian Tomlinson
The ultimate fantasy football king, LaDainian Tomlinson racked up touchdowns, receptions, and yards like no one else in his prime. If LT played today, his dual-threat dominance would break projections—and probably your league’s scoring system.
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